How to reach Mahabaleshwar

By Air
Pune, located at a distance of 120 km is the nearest airport. If you plan to travel to Mahabaleshwar by air, you can board a flight till Pune, and then easily avail a bus, taxi or a private car from the Pune airport. The airport has various facilities within its premises for tourists traveling to the place. State operated buses are also easily available from Pune. Even private tour-operators provide luxury/ non- luxury bus services to Mahabaleshwar. You can even hire a vehicle of your choice from the airport, for the entire duration of your stay.

By Train
The nearest railhead from Mahabaleshwar is Wather, located at a distance of 62 km from the city. But if you choose to travel to Mahabaleshwar by train, the Pune railhead, located at a distance of 120 km, is comparatively more convenient than the Wather station, because of its better connectivity to Mahabaleshwar. People traveling by train can get down at the Pune railway station to reach Mahabaleshwar. Private tour operators provide buses, mini-buses, taxis, etc, which are easily available for tourists outside the Pune station. One can also avail the state-operated buses that shuttle between Pune and Mahabaleshwar.

By Road
From Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is 285 km (via Pune route) and the distance is about 247 km (via Mahad route). There are regular state-operated buses that travel to Mahabaleshwar from the nearby cities of Pune and Mumbai. Private tour operators also provide various luxury/ non-luxury, AC/Non-AC, Deluxe and Volvo buses and other vehicles to and from Mahabaleshwar. You can even drive your own vehicle to Mahabaleshwar, enjoying its idyllic beauty, as the roads are excellent. It takes around 5 hrs to reach Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai by road.

Location of Mahabaleshwar on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

An evergreen plateau located amidst the Western Ghats of the Sahyadri mountain range, Mahabaleshwar is one of the largest hill stations in the state of Maharashtra. With its resplendent valleys, cascading waterfalls, placid lakes, ancient temples, cobbled streets and large vistas of greenery, Mahabaleshwar is a home to various spots of instantaneous tourist attractions. Be it the spectacular lookout points or the spiritual ardor in its air, Mahabaleshwar remains one of the most popular hill resorts of India. Here are some of the hot-spots that can be included in the sightseeing tours of the place.

Mahabaleshwar is known as the Queen of Hills in Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar near Pune is a very popular town located at an altitude of 1,372 meters. The steep hills and green valleys of Mahabaleshwar are a retreat from the chaos and pollutions of Mumbai and Pune. The town was originally established as the health resort in 1829 A.D. The town is marked with neat bungalows and ancient churches. It was in the 19th century, that the sanatorium was established along with an open jail reformatory center. Prisoners from China and Malaysia were kept in this place. They had to construct roads, grind corn flour, and maintain potato farms and other vegetable gardens in the English resorts. At present you will find, the Public Works Department bungalow at the location of the prison.

Well known for its strawberries and Chikki, Mahabaleshwarenchants many religious tourists as well. Mahabaleshwar is the starting point of 5 important rivers, the Krishna, Koyna, Savitri, Veena and Gayatri, which are regarded as holy rivers in the country.

Tourist Attractions in and around Mahabaleshwar

- Arthur’s Seat Point : It is an exotic and picturesque spot, overlooking the konkan. On the way to Arthur’s point are the ancient Temples of Lord Shiva, ‘Gau-Mukha’ – Connected to a source of water.
- Lodwick Point : Located at an altitude of 1,240 m, it is named after General Lodwick, who is said to have been the first to set foot on this point in 1824. A monument has been erected there in his memory by his son.
- Elphinstone Point : Named after a Governor of Mumbai, Sir Elphinstone, it was discovered by Dr. Murray in the early 18th century. A great spot for picnicking, it bears a resemblance to an elephant’s head and trunk, if seen from the Lodwick Point.
- Wilson’s Point : It is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar, thus offering you the best view, at an altitude of 1,435 m. With three observation towers erected here, it is the best place to catch the sunrise, and hence has also been called the Sunrise Point.
- Mahabaleshwar Temple : The hill station derives its name from the presiding deity “Mahabali”, of this famous Hindu temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is girdled by a five feet tall stone wall on its sides and is divided into a God-chamber and a central hall.
- Waterfalls : These gurgling waterfalls heighten the beauty of the place and are a source of instant attractions among the tourists. Lingmala waterfall flows down a steep hill and provides an enthralling effect with its illuminating silver water. Dhobi and the Chinaman’s waterfalls are two other major waterfalls and picnic spots, and are at their best during the monsoons.
- Venna Lake : With a length of 2.5 m and the availability of boating and fishing facilities, the lake allows people to enjoy the placidness of its water, while feasting on nature’s bounty. There are also strawberry stalls that surround the place, with ponies trotting nearby.
- The Krishnabai Temple : One of the temples in the complex– was built during the Yadava Dynasty by Raja Singham in the 13th Century AD. It was renovated and improved by the Mores of Jaoli. Shivaji and his mother Jijabai are thought to have visited Mahabaleshwar to seek spiritual advice from a learned Brahmin living there.
- Connaught Peak: Ht 1385 m Distance 3.5 km. A beautiful carpet of evergreen forest is seen from this point. The view of Mahabaleshwar town is scenic. Sunsets are a big attraction here.
- Kate’s Point: Ht 1290 m Distance 6.8 km. The view is clear and magnificent during winter when the skies are clear and the Dhom dam (which it overlooks) is full. One can also spot Kamalgadh, Pandavgadh and Mandardeo peaks.
- Pratapgad Fort : Around 25kms from mahabaleshwar, a serpentine, steep mountain road leads to Pratapgad from Mahabaleshwar on the Poladpur side, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1656. History was created at this fort when Shivaji met with Afzal Khan, the Sardar of Bijapur.
- Beckwith Monument: The Sir Sydney Beckwith Monument is just near the Government Hospital. An obelisk about 10 m in height, it is situated about 1500 m above sea level. A weather observatory is situated near it.
- Panchaganga Temple : Panchaganga means five rivers, which according to Hindu mythology are the holy rivers of Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savitri and Gayatri, which flow nearby. While the shrines situated here date back to the prehistoric period, the temple itself was built in the 13th century by a Yadav King, and was further restored in the 16th century and then in the 19th century.
- Hanuman Mandir : This temple also has the Samadhi of the 16th century sage Sant Rama Dassa.
- Catholic Church : This church is not a place of architectural significance and is in ruins, yet it is worth a visit for its magnificent stained glass windows.
- Mount Malcolm : This is another building of significance from the early 18th century, primarily due to its architecture, unfortunately it has lost much of its charm today.
- Morarji Castle : It is where Gandhiji stayed for a while in 1945.
- Panchgani : It is another hill resort just 19kms from Mahabaleshwar. You could go here for a day trip and enjoy views from Sidney Point, Parsi Point and the Graves Point, and have lunch at one of the excellent Parsi restaurants there.

Other Activities

– Boating : To do some boating head to the Venna Lake, 25 acres in size and a favorite place for some fishing too.
- Outdoor Activities : Bird watchers can spend hours in the open with their binoculars and bird books. Horse riding is another excellent outdoor activity, as is trekking and hiking in the forest.
- Shopping : The market at Mahabaleshwar offers you a wide variety of items ranging from clothes to footwear and food. The one thing the region is famous for is its pure unadulterated honey. The fruits and vegetables grown here are no less enticing; strawberry jam and preserve being another favorite buy.

Places to stay in Mahabaleshwar

- Ramsukh Resorts
- MTDC Holiday Resort Mahabaleshwar
- Brightland Holiday Village
- Sherwood Resort
- Ishwar Inn Resort
- Pratap Heritage
- Hotel Shreyas

Best time to go : June to August is a good time to visit, where you can pay your respects to God while witnessing the holy fury of the rains. November to Feburary is also a good time to visit.
Gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters make Shriwardhan Bay irresistible to beach lovers. And if one relishes sea-food, there is no dearth of delicacies to sample here. Adventurers can even take a small boat to the north side of the bay and explore a land where the Peshwas or prime ministers of the Maratha kingdom, originally resided. The Peshwa Smarak is of interest to most people who visit Shriwardhan. The town of Harihareshwar is known for its tranquil and picturesque beach and is also famous for the temple of Harihareshwar.

Location of Harihareshwar on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

A small town located around 200 km from Mumbai and just 175 Kms. from Pune. Harihareshwar had long been popular as an important pilgrimage town. It was only a few years ago that it gained the reputation of a quiet weekend getaway from Mumbai. The 16th century temple at Harihareshwar is located right on the beach. And it is these beaches which has made it popular with city-wallahs looking for an escape. Long, shallow and wide, these pristine beaches are ideal for swimming. The backdrop of the Konkan coastline adds its own charm to this scene.

Places to visit in Harihareshwar

- Bagmandala
Bagmandala is a lovely small village a few miles away from the holy city of Harihareshwar. This is the place where the Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Kingdom lived for many years. Bagmandala carries the legacy of Peshawa in a Peshwa Smarak as well as in an ancient fort named as Bankot fort.
The prime attraction of the Bagmandala is the jungle jetty (sea harbor in the forest). This small port ferries the local people across the Bagmandala creek. Those who like for a ferry travel can cross over Bankot fort and enter the nearby Ratnagiri fort

- Ganesh Gully
It is a culvert which is very narrow of about 3 feet wide in between two hard Rocky Mountains. It is believed that at the end of the culvert, there is a holy niche, a place where Lord Ganesh Idol is placed. The niche is about 30 feet under water and it is assumed that during the tidal periods one can observe the Ganesh idol placed perfectly at the niche.
Many tourists visit this place to have a glimpse of the Ganesh Idol. The place Ganesh gully itself is in the backdrop of natural beauty and calm smoothening winds.

- Harihareshwar Beach
It is the main attraction in Harihareshwar. The beach is extremely good for an elegant stay enjoying the natural beauty in a happy vacation holidays. Soft clean sands and soothe breeze make this beach in the lap of Arabian Sea a much sought place in Harihareshwar. The beach is unpolluted and mostly unspoiled. The Harihar hill on the sea shore add to the attraction of the beach. Solitude seeking tourists can make the visit to Harihareshwar beach a unique experience. The enthusiastic tourists can have a water journey by small boats available in the beach.

- Kalbhairav Temple
It is one of the ancient renowned temples in Maharashtra. The main deity enshrines the temple is Lord Shiva. Kalabhairava, a lord of all manthrasastras, is also placed as one of the idols. Legends associated with the temple say that Lord Shiva created Kalabhairava and blessed him with all manthras. The architectural style of the temple is attractive. Temple Yogeshwari known as Dakshin Kashi is located in the premises. In most of the special occasions like Mahashivarathri, one can view long queues for Darshan. Cool breeze from the Harihareshwar beach makes the temple premises a nice place to relax as well

List of other sight-seeing places in and around Harihareshwar:

• Harihareshwar Temple – 8 km (Gayatri Tirth, Sita Sansar, Vishnu pad, Pandav Tirth, 101 Kaurav Astitva)
• Gram devata Somajadevi (10 km)
• Jeevaneshwar Temple – Swayambhu Shivpind (12 km)
• Jeevnabander – Fish Port (12 km)
• Pure gold-cast Ganpati idol – Diveagar (21 km)
• Devkhot – Pandav era caves
• Shrivardhan sea shore (10 kms)
• Aaravi, Shekhadi and Walvti – most beautiful sea shores (13-21 km)
• Shrivardhan town
• Laxmi Narayan temple
• Dive Agar sea beach (21 km)
• Rupnarayan temple, Dive Agar (22 km)
• Dighi Bandar and Janjira Fort (36 km)
• Savitri river at Bankot creek (4 km)
• Bankot Fort (5kms)
• Rotha Supari of Shrivardhan
• Bhairvnath, Kusumadevi, Rameshwar and Bharadhkol Vitthal Temple
• Bhimachi Kawad (trekking point)
• Tambadi (trekking point) Table land
• Samsher Baba Peer Darga (Trekking, “S” Waterline Point)

Where to stay in Harihareshwar

- MTDC Holiday Resort near temple
Address
Harihareshwar, Raigarh
Maharashtra – 402110
India.
- Resort Harihareshwar Hilltop
At Nivale, Post Saigaon
Maharashtra.

NOTE : One important thing to keep in mind is that cell phones do not work at Harihareshwar. There are some STD booths near the temple, and you may have to ask if they work. So rest assured, your holidays are going to be mobile-free.

If you are looking for a sojourn amidst nature in abundance, long and romantic nature walks in a serene place, then head to Durshet. This is a forest that is full of mahua and teak trees lying in the picturesque Sahyadri ranges. The river Amba flows right past it. This place makes for a quick getaway if you are tired of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city life and seek a lush-green holiday. While in Durshet you can stay at the resorts deep inside the forest or at the Durshet village. You can stroll through the extensive plantations of fruit trees, casuarinas and acacias within the forest. This forest is also wonderful to go insect watching and if you prefer your wildlife a little larger, there?s wild boar, barking deer and monkeys. To sum up this is an ideal place if you are someone looking to commune with nature. Nature trails and picnics in the forest are the highlight of Durshet.

School picnics, camps or an excursion, Durshet is a great place for enjoying the beauty of nature far from the cacophony of the city life. Though unpublicized by tourist department, Durshet offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri ranges.
There are wild boar, barking deer and monkeys. You can trek to those falls through the mahua, mango and teak tree. There are many species of birds available here as the calls of drongos, doves, parakeets, shrikes, bulbuls and warblers fill the air. At the cultivated lands adjoining the resorts here, you can find many interesting things, such as one set of tourists finding lapwings nests. Imagine sights such as a number of butterflies getting drunk on nectar or laying eggs on their favorite plants. We recognize some of them like Mormon and plain tiger butterflies.

Things to see and do

- Jungle Safari
Durshet in Maharashtra, is a woody place, which houses a large number of flora and fauna. Lying in the backdrop of the majestic Sahyadri range, the dense forest here is always a fascinating attraction to the nature lovers. The beguiling experience of enjoying the abundant natural beauty, jungle Safari in the thick forests is a refreshing experience. Private owned tourist resorts in Durshet provide with all facilities to have a nice safari in the thick forest.
- Shri Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayaka
Durshet, is a famous and spiritually awakened place, nestled between Sarasgad fort and River Amba. Flanked by all around greenery, Durshet is the only place where an Astavinayaka temple is known by its devotees name. Built in 1760 AD, the deity in Ballaleshvara is clothed like a Brahmin.
The east facing temple complex is tiled and it encloses two lakes. This pretty shrine has two sanctums and the inner one is rather big, which houses the Idol of Vinayaka. The 12 feet high outer sanctum has a rat idol with Modak in his hands and it over looks its master in the inner sanctum.
The 40 feet long and 20 feet broad hall, ornamented with beautiful pillars, and the European made big bell adds more charm to the serene ambience of the shrine. Sitting on a stone throne, with shining diamonds fixed in the eyes and naval, the Balleleshvara at Durshet is brings peace of mind to the devotees.
- Uddhar Hot Water Springs
Tourists who have time to move around can visit the hot water springs at Uddhar, 25km from Durshet. The water is said to contain medicinal sulphur and minerals good for the skin.
- Amba River
This river is famous for Botanical study and activities like pond dipping, river gauging etc. During monsoons, the river has many natural waterfalls, adding to its beauty.
- Shri Varad Vinayak
Built in 1725 AD by Peshva Sardar Ramji Mahadev Varad Vinayak Biwalkar, Varad Vinayak temple is situated in the pretty village near Durshet. Though the temple has a dull look from the outside, it looks marvelous with its 25 feet golden pinnacled dome.
The sanctum of the temple houses two idols of Lord Vinayak, on the two corners. Idol in the left corner is tarnished in vermillion and idol in the right is made up of white marble with trunk turned to the right. Statues of elephants spooled with gold and the stone statues of Vinayaka’s consorts presents an enchanting view. On the northern side of the temple is a Gomukh, a facade of a cow from which the holy water gushes.
-

Places to stay in Durshet

- Nature Trails Durshet Forest Lodge, is set amidst 42 acres of forest, adjacent to the River Amba, on the Khopoli-Pali Highway (13 Kms.from Khopoli) (Maharashtra, India).
Telephone : 02192-277023-24
Website : naturetrailsindia.com
- Durshet Village, Khopali – Pali Road
Tal. Khalapur
Dist. Raigadh
Maharashtra – 410203
India

How to get there from Mumbai :
Vashi bridge to Panvel ; NH4 till Chauk; state highway to Karjat.

Best time to visit Karjat :
Karjat is great in Monsoons. The area is green even from September to December but can be excruciatingly hot from March till June. Karjat gets pretty cold in the winter.

Std Code : 02148

Location of Karjat on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Karjat is where the coastal plains of the Konkan end and the Bhor Ghat begins. In the monsoons and just after, the area is a luxuriant green. Karjat has a number of health resorts, farmhouses and is a base for some easy treks in the area. During the monsoons tourists enjoy rafting in the upper sections of the Ulhas River, near Karjat.
At a great height, surrounded by an expanse of agricultural land and dotted by farmhouses, Karjat comes close to a fantasy hilly town. Karjat, well connected by road and rail from Mumbai, is one of the cleanest hill stations of Maharashtra. Well known for trekking, Karjat is surrounded by steep slopes.
Karjat provides excellent roadways to the mesmerizing Western Ghats. Tourists frequent Karjat because of its accessibility and closeness to Ghats. Karjat’s scenic view makes it a flawless beauty.
The entire area consists of mountains. These mountains are easily connected by rail from Mumbai. Karjat is centrally located with roads branching out to Murbad, Kalyan, Shahpur, Kasara Ghat on one side and Khapoli , Khalapur,
Neral, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Panvel, Pen on the other.

Places to visit in and near Karjat

- Kondana Caves situated in Karjat offers the ancient lifestyle of Buddhist followers. Ancient rock-cut caves, Kondana Caves are very famous Buddhist caves. These caves enclose sculptures, vihara, cahitya and stupa. Sculptures and stupas are specimens of the ancient period Buddhist architecture. There was a natural disaster in the form of an earth quake in early 1900 by which many stupas, front entrance and floor of the caves were damaged.
From Karjat, drive or take an autorickshaw to Kondana village. From the village, follow an easy trail to the ruins of the rock-cut caves of Kondana.
- Peth Fort, also known as Kotligad, is a major attraction of the small village Peth nearby to Karjat in its north east region. Peth is a conically shaped hill and it offers a panoramic view of the foothills. The fort is at the pinnacle of the mount and it is placed perfectly on the back drop of Matheran ranges and Western Ghats. One can view the Konkan country side from the fort and the beauty of this view is majestic.
- Health Resorts, these are main attractions for health conscious tourists. The resorts offer all facilities for perfect traditional holistic therapies. These resorts provide facilities for inpatient Ayurvedic treatments such as Massaging, Nasyam and other forms of Ayurvedic treatments. These places have facilities for natural therapies and aroma therapies as well. Diabetics control, stress control and obesity control programs are proved to be very efficient for the people who suffer from these disorders. Meditation and Yoga are integral parts of the therapies offered in these health resorts. These resorts offer absolute solitude and a pretty life by merging with the nature.
- ND Studio: When Bollywood shifted to Karjat, this scenic village was on the map of not just directors but also tourists. ND Studio has become a major stopover for people traveling to Karjat. Several films, TV serials, commercial ads have been shot here.
- River Rafting : Karjat on the banks of the Ulhas river is a perfect place for many water sports activities. River Ulhas tempts the tourists to have a great experience of river rafting in the most exciting cool and calm waters. Perfectly blended with nature, Karjat’s river rafting is really an adventurous experience, with many of the visitors offer themselves for the passion.
- Trekker’s heaven : Karjat is a renowned area for trekking due to its undulated hilly terrains and slopes. Karjat offers medium to very demanding adventurous trekking trails. The main trekking trails from Karjat lead to Matheran, Peth and Chanderi fort. The villages in Karjat namely Sandshi, Kondiwade and Khandpe are offers good trekking facilities to enthusiastic travellers.
- Bhimashankar Area : Located in the Sajyadri ranges, Bhimashankar is a huge massif, with a thick reserve forest. It stands at an altitude of 1005m. At the top of this massif, there is a huge plateau where the Bhimashankar town and the Bhimashankar temple are situated. Bhimashankar is a popular pilgrimage spot, since the Bhimshankar templem dedicayed to Lord Shiva is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The highest point of the massif is Nagphani, because it looks like the hood of a cobra from a distance. The Bhima river originates from here and flows down towards the Deccan.

Places to stay in Karjat

- Satya Health Farm : On the banks of the beautiful River Page, lies Satya Health Farm. It is located at Karjat, just 85 kms from Mumbai and offers rejuvenation, recreation and relaxation.
Vanjerwadi, Karjat, Raigad – Dist, Maharashtra – India
Website : satyahealthfarm.com
Tel : 02148-246154,246208
- Dr. Modi’s Health Resort : Nestled amongst soaring mountains, Dr. Modi’s Resort is spread across 50 acres of lush greenery. It is the perfect venue for conferences, seminars, banquets and parties.
Post Kirauli, Village Wanjale, Taluka Karjat, District Raigad ( Maharashtra ) 410 201
Website : modiresort.com
Tel : 02148-222316
- River Gate Resort : It aspires to set up world class facilities for the discerning travelers, set on 26 acres of lush green landscapes and manicured gardens lying nestled between the majestic mountains of Matheran, Murbad & Lonvala. The River ‘Pej’ flows on the periphery of the resort.

The best Season to visit Lonavala is throughout the year, except perhaps May when it can get warmer.
* October to March is ideal for sight seeing, with the best weather.
* April is bit warm, but suitable for outings, but as you get to May, it gets hotter.
* June to September offers some great views of natural beauty of Lonavala in the rainy season with rainfall all around, and can be a good time to visit if you like to look at natural settings when water is pouring all around, and the overall feel is soft and romantic.

Population : 50,000
Languages : Marathi, Hindi and English

View Larger Map

Set in the lush green hills of the Sahyadris, Lonavala is the most popular weekend destination from Mumbai and Pune. For a lot of people, it is a regular outing from the busy life in hectic cities, and there are no problems in going to the same place again and again. Lonavala is known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri; if you look at what all it offers, the praise seems justified – it offers the tourist pristine woods and valleys, gurgling and gushing waterfalls, historic caves, and many scenic vistas.
Historically, Lonavala has been there for many centuries, with the surroundings hills being the stronghold of the Maratha rulers, in their fights against the Moghuls and later the British. The Maratha warriors practised guerrilla warfare from here in their battles against these sets of enemies. However, now Lonavala is the epitome of peace and tranquility, with a lot of rich and famous people having setup holiday homes here for their use as a rest away from the city.
Lonavala also provides thrills of adventure sports in terms of rock climbing, including rock climbing at Duke’s Nose.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS :
- Karla & Bhaja Caves: These rock-cut cave temples date back to the 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India; they belong to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
- Rajmachi Point: Located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. Why is it famous ? It is famous for the view; this point commands a magnificent view of Shivaji’s famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrace) and the surrounding valley.
- Ryewood Park and Shivaji Udyan: The stunning gardens are amongst the favorite picnic spots of the children, owing to the soaring trees and spacious open spaces provided by them.
- Valvan Dam : Located about 2 km from Lonavla. Located at the foot of the dam is a blooming garden, adorned with a wide variety of colorful flowers and other plants, which attracts a number of tourists.
- Tungarli Lake : The lovely Tungarli Lake supplies water to Lonavla town. There are no buses to the site, but taxis and autorickshaws are available from Lonavla Station (3 km).
- Lonavala Lake : The tranquil surroundings and serene atmosphere offered by the Lonavla Lake are enough to lure tourists here. The lake is also visited by a number of birds, making it a bird watcher’s delight.
- Duke’s Nose : It stands 12 km from Lonavla, it is the finest landmark in Khandala and is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose famous and ample nose it resembles.
- Tiger’s Leap : It is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m. The magnificent view from Tiger’s Leap is enthralling.
- Christian Cemetery : It is worth a visit for the century old tombstones with work on them. However, as happens in a number of such places, vandals have been at them, with most of them having been desecrated and their precious engravings stolen.
- Bushi Dam : During the monsoons, the dam fills with water and the water overflows on the ‘steps’. People can sit on these steps and get wet. There are also a few waterfalls around.
- Lohagad Fort : Lohagad (literally ‘Iron fort’ in Marathi) is one of the many hill forts of Chatrapati Shivaji. It is situated 52 km from Pune in western India. Lohagad is at an elevation of 3,450 feet. A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali Railway Station takes you to the ‘Iron Fort’, once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.
- Yoga Center: Lonavala has a Yoga center that provides

How to get there ?
Air: The nearest airport from Lonalvala is Pune, which is 64 km from Lonavala.
Train: Lonavala is on the main railway line between Mumbai and Pune, all express trains plying between the two cities stop here.
Road:The bus service between Lonavala and Pune is good (2 hours). However, the ride is rough and it takes 4 hours to reach Lonavala from Mumbai. Buses shuttle between Lonavala and Khandala (5 km from Lonavala; 15 minutes trip).

PLACES TO STAY
- Fariyas Holiday Resort
- Treasure Island Resorts
- Velvett Country
- Dukes Retreat
- Kumar Resort
- Swiss Resorts
- Sahil Sarovar Protico
- The Upper Deck Resort
- Hotel Whispering Brook
- Basilica Holiday Home
- La Exotica Resort
- Biji’s Hill Retreat
- The Lagoona Resort
- Orchard Resort
- Country side Inn

External articles / blogs:

1. Ayushveda.com (link)

Tourists to West India often make it a point to include Lonavala referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains’, in their itinerary. Trekkers, campers, hikers throng the hill station while leisure travelers account for the majority of the footfall. It is also fast emerging as a preferred choice of honeymooners. Most part of the year is good to visit Lonavala as it sports pleasant climate.

2. Placesnearpune.com (link). Some great photos of scenery, greenery and waterfalls.

Lions view point was easily the best part of my lonavala trip. The moment you reach the edge of the cliff after walking across the road, you just cannot avoid saying “wow!”. The view is majestic and panoramic. You would see dozens of small waterfalls all over the place with one waterfall pretty prominent in the view.

3. Monsoon trek (link)

On the two hour train journey, we passed Lonavala and Khandala and almost as many waterfalls as the tunnels we went through.

4. Tale India (link)

Lonavala is not only about the picturesque sights and salubrious climate but it is also home to some of the finest places of tourist interest. The most outstanding among the tourist attractions in Lonavala are the Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla located in close vicinity of this hill station. On your trip to Lonavala, you must not miss out on these caves since they offer interesting insight into the development of Buddhism in the region.

5. Trek to Twin forts of Lohagad-Visapur & Bhajje caves near Lonavala (link)

Lohagad: This is one of the most interesting forts to visit as it still has its fortification and doorways in pristine condition. The fort dates back to the Satvahan Era and was mainly used to keep a watch on the trade route passing through the Sahyadris.

6. Lonavala’s secret destinations (link)

Yet, the hidden beauty of the city can be revealed only after a chat with localites. One such place is the Karala caves, which are approximately eight kilometers from Lonavala. The cheapest mode of transport to reach this fabulous place is bus service, which will drop you in 10 minutes to the site. Or else you can also take an auto rickshaw, easily available in the city.

7. Discover India (link)

The must visiting sites in Lonavala during your trip are as follows -
First, there is the Rye Wood Park near the rail way station which is famous for its dense forest of many big and beautiful trees. During the season it attracts tourists with variety of flowers.

8. Lonavala Excursions: A Visit at the 5 Historic Caves (link)

Bhaja Caves are located at the center of Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort. These caves are mush smaller with a Chaitya style. Tourists should take a 250 feet climb to get into the caves. There are 18 rock cut caves as old as since the 2nd century. The first cave is the place of the master architect and ten were reserved for the viharas for priests. The other seven caves have an inscription concerning its donors. A beautiful waterfall is seen at the end.

9. Wonderful Attractions In Lonavala (link)

The Gambhirnath Caves is the most exciting natural attraction. The adventure lovers will enjoy it here This area lies between Thakarwadi and Monkey Hill while departing towards Mumbai. Everyone may reach this location after experiencing some sorts of annoyance. Tourists will get the chance to climb atop the hill. The path will be narrow but is still worth trying for experience.

10. Enjoy the cool and lush greenery of Lonavala (link)

Start your day with a visit to the Karla Caves where you can look at some ancient ruins and Buddhist carvings. Not a very crowded place, it will give you ample time to explore it in a better way. The Chaitya caves are also a must-see. You can also go trekking to the Bhaja caves, which is situated next to Karla caves. The rocks date back to 2nd century BC and make up many temples.

11. A whole new life (link)

For people who are looking for a good place to stay try MTDC resorts Karla – The cottages are good much better than highly priced hotel rooms , the only drawback is the distance from the main city – but its a good place to just relax & enjoy the rains…

12. Maverick – The thought begins (link)

The scenic beauty was amazing, all the mountains were lush green, and covered by clouds and it was raining consistently to add on to the beauty of the weather. As we were heading towards the Tiger Waterfall, the fogs became more dense

13. Pen Shots (link)

Ryewood Park is a picturesque hang out in the hill station Lonavala and is located very close to Lonavala market. This Park has plenty of grounds with greenish lawns and playing grounds for children. The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old. It was a botanical garden and later converted to a Park.

14. Visit to Karla Caves, Lonavala (link)

Admired the symmetrical architecture of the place which was built in 2nd or 3rd Century. The stupa inside the cave is a very common feature in the Buddhist rock cut caves in India

15. Journeys explored (link)

Further reached Lonavala almost at noon. Grabbed up almost anything be with melons, chikkis etc..to suffice our hungry, thirsty souls.

16. Pune to Loanavala (link)

after some thoughts we went for Lonavala and thankfully it turned out to be a worthwhile decision. A wonderful ride for someone in Pune looking out for a decent biking experience. Mind you it is a bit risky, we were lucky not to get into any accident but next time if I am gonna go that route it would be in day time and with some more preparation.

17. Trek, Trips and Adventures (link)

Korigad predates 1500 A.D. and Shivaji Maharaj included this fort in Swarajya along with Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657 and in 1818 Marathas lost it to the British. There is Ganesh Darwaaja half way to the top with idol of Lord Ganesh in small rock cave and big cave near it.

18. My Trip To Lonavla (link)

While going through the old highway there were three things which stuck me most. First being the countryside around me it was beautiful. I have almost visited all the hill stations in northern India so small cliffs now dont entice me so much but i was awestuck by the sights i saw in a cloudy evening.

Photos:

1. Photos of a trip to Lonavala (link)
2. Photos of Lonavala on Flickr (link)
3. The Lion Valley, Lonavala (link)
4. Loanavala Photo Gallery on world66.com (link)
5. Photos at sulekha.com (link)
6. Photo of Karla caves near Lonavala (link)
7. Lonavala in monsoons (link)
8. Photos of famous tourist spots (link)
9. Lonavala: Korigad and Kune falls: Amby Valley: Entrance (link)

Some videos shared by people about Lonavala on Youtube:

1. Lonavala Trip

2. Another Lonavala Trip

3. Lonavala- one of the best trip

4. Lonavala trip waterfall (at Tiger Falls)

5. Team picnic at Lonavala

6. Lagoona Resort Lonavala (link)

7. Ola Lonavala! 26 types of National Chikki (link)

8. The Machan – A Tree House, Lonavala

9. Amby Valley – Sahara City Lonavala

Alibag (also called Alibagh or Alibaugh) is an idyllic, peaceful town on the western coast of India (which is known as the Konkan region). It lies on almost the same latitude as the southern tip of Mumbai and is very close to this tip across the narrow strip of the Arabian Sea, conquerable by a ferry. Alibag is a place that any Mumbai dweller can think of going when he / she wants to make a getaway (same with people from Pune). Its nearness and lush tropical beauty make Alibag very attractive for those seeking a break from frenetic city life, and causes an increasing number of people to make this trip. Palm fringed beaches, lush mango orchards, chikoo-wadis and paddy fields make Alibag a pleasantly verdant and unpolluted retreat, especially with a number of beaches. Alibag is particularly beautiful during the monsoons, with rain washed trees and the goodly smell of wet earth making you wish you could stay here forever. For those on their honeymoon, nothing can be more romantic than Alibag in the rains.

Alibag on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Alibag has a beach in the city as well as there are nearabout 9 beaches around the city. Like other beaches on the Konkan coast, Alibag too has a historic fort, the Kulaba Fort, which is just off the main seashore. The fort can be visited during low tide when the waters have receded. Alibag is not only a city of sun, or beaches it is also said to be the one of most amazingly budgeted place. Alibag used to be the headquarters the great Maratha Admiral, Kanhoji Angre and has the famous Kolaba fort in the sea. Kanhoji Angre created the town of Alibag towards end of 17th century. Legend has it that a wealthy Muslim named Ali Owned many plantations, which gave the town the name Alibag.
By road, the trip is longer, with the trip being a three-hour drive from Mumbai as the route winds north from the Mumbai peninsula to Navi Mumbai and then curves and moves south along the mainland coast. The hill range of the Western Ghats line the other side of the city giving it a unique character of greenery and the blue of the ocean. It’s a wonderful place to take a relaxed vacation with nothing on your mind. Alibag is a place for a vacation. An unhurried pace of life is a small town with a beautiful beach and the green hills on the other side, free of pollution and noise.
Some of the attributes that make Alibag a beautiful place are:
Eye soothing greenery with many coconut trees standing in queue
Old huge houses as the remains of the history, and excellent pieces of architecture
Historically important places
Pleasant atmosphere, accompanied by the twitter of birds, the mysterious sounds of waves

Places to see:

Mandwa & Kihim: Mandwa is a beautiful, untrodden beach. On a clear day one can enjoy a long, breathtaking view across the bay, up to the Gateway of India. Mandwa village too, has a charm of its own — with its beautiful groves of coconut palms. You can plan an unusual tent holiday nearby at Kihim. Unspoilt and isolated, this beautiful place has a soothing effect on all city dwellers. For the nature lover, Kihim has a lot to offer: woods brimming with wild flowers and rare butterflies and birds.

Chaul: 15 kms from Alibag. A historic place with Portuguese ruins, Buddhist Caves, the Hamam Khana, a church, a temple and a synagogue.

Alibag beach : It is the main beach of the town. One can see the Kolaba fort from here. It is about 15 -20 minutes walk from Akshay Bungalow.

Nagaon beach : It is situated about 7 km away from Alibag. On the way to Nagaon you’ll come across many ‘Wadis’ – Indian style farm houses with personal coconut and beetle nut gardens.

Kashid Beach : It is situated about 32 km away from Alibag, on the Alibag-Murud highway, it is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches.

Plus, you can do trekking nearby and have a great time. And if you are fond of sea food, then you cannot find a better place varieties in sea food, such as Pamphret, Prawns, Ravas, Crabs, Lobsters, Bombay ducks etc. which are fresh delicious and cheap.

Places to stay:
Big Splash
Hotel Ravikiran
Kashid Beach Resort
Prakruti Resorts
Sand Piper Resort
Sunglow Resorts
Private Bungalow
Tropicana Resort
Akshay Bungalow
Golden Swan Beach Resort
Sun n Sea Beach Resort
Hotel Sea View
Guruji Holiday Resort
Mauli Resort
Jogalekar Cottage
Hampton Cottage
Hotel Sahyadri
Kaivalya Farms
Ghanvatkar Bungalow
Hotel Meera Madhav
Radisson Alibaug
Sandtop Hill Resort

External articles:
1. Photos of Alibagh Fort along with post (link)
2. Trip to the Fort from Mumbai (link)
3. View of Sarjekot Fort (link)
4. Photo of a beach in Alibag (link)
5. Trip to Alibag and Murud (link)
6. Trip to Alibag (link)
7. Bike trip to Alibag (link)
8. Photos of sunset at Alibag (link)
9. Photos of Alibag and beach (link)
10. Bhuvaneshvar Mandir In Alibag (link)
11. Photos of Alibag and Kashid (link)
12. Post about trek (link)
13. Photo of canons at the Kolaba fort (link)
14. Dabbas, Alibaug and Blogposts (link)

Scenic Panchgani was discovered by the British during the British Raj as a summer resort (among the many other resorts developed by the British in the 19th century), and a superintendent named John Chesson was placed in charge of the hill station in the 1860s.
The five hills surrounding Panchgani are topped by a volcanic plateau, which is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. These plateaus, alternatively known as “table land”, are a part of the Deccan Plateau and they were raised by pressure between the earth plates. The area has high seismic activity, with an epicenter near Koyn?nagar where the Koynanagar Dam and a hydroelectric power plant have been built. Panchgani is known for its many boarding schools since the late 1800′s. They attract student from the nearby cities of Mumbai and Pune, and also from abroad.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

The name is unique, with the name of Panchgani being derived from the five hills around it. At an altitude of 1334 m it is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar. These 38 m translate themselves into a breathtaking 20 kms approach from Mahabaleshwar, that swoops around bends with abandon, offering heart stopping views of the river krishna on one side & the coastal plains on the other. Panchgani is the quintessential hill station, with the Raj stamped indelibly all over it. It can be seen in the old architecture of the old British buildings, the parsi houses, & the boarding schools that have been for a century or more.
If you are on a tour of Panchgani, try exploring the town, riding on the back of a pony. You can ride through little villages and farms and imagine yourself touring the countryside, and is the recommended means of going through the countryside. On a serious note though, if you really wish to see the scenic beauty, then pony ride is a good option or else you can take a taxi or rent a bicycle. Do not forget to check out the enchanting River Krishna while you are there.

Places nearby and worth seeing:

Sydney Point: This site is situated on a small hillock facing the Krishna Valley. From here one can see the the glittering waters of the Dhom Dam and Pandavgad and Mandhardeo.

Table Land: Situated around 60 mts high, this flat large expanse of laterite rock is the second longest mountain plateau in asia. There are some spacious caves that can be seen from here and one of them is Devil’s Kitchen. Depicted in a number of movies.

Parsi Point: From here we have a view of the rice and wheat fields of Chikli village and flowing past is the Krishna river. A look through the telescope and a rough guide to the area for five rupees should give you a fair idea of what to see.

Devil’s Kitchen: The Devil’s Kitchen situated to the south of tableland, is also a place of mythological interest. It is believed that the Pandavas stayed here for a while and used this place to cook their food. There are some legends regarding this, though most of them appear to be mere tall tales. Some people claim that Pandvgadh Caves (near Wai) are also built by them and bear their name.

Dhom Dam: Water sports is a great attraction for tourists, located 21 kms away from Panchgani. This is a beautiful boating spot and here one can enjoy with Scooter boats and Speed boats.

The Lingmala Falls: The Lingmala Falls in Mahabaleshwar can be reached by road. It lies on the Mahabaleshwar-Poona road. The stream here precipitates over the face of steep cliff, unbroken when the torrent is swollen by rain but ordinarily divided by projecting rocks about one third of the way down into thin silver streaks and sprays often circled by rainbows. The forest bungalow of lingmala is also close by.

Rajapuri Caves: About 10 km from the town, the caves have a religious importance as there is a temple of Lord Karthikeya, (Lord Shiva’s son) here. A temple of local goddess Ghatjal Devi is also in the area. A small local fair is held at the time of the harvest season.

Satara (45 Km): A district headquarters, Satara was the capital of the Maratha empire form 1699. The places of interest here include the Shri Bhavani Devi Jalamandir, Ajinkyatara Fort of Satara and Shri Kshetra Mahuli (6 Km).

Wai (12 Km): Wai is a small holy town situated on the banks of the river Krishna. Wai is known for its ancient temple of Lord Ganapati, the Kashivishweshwar temple and the Buddhist caves at Lonara (7 Km).

How to get there:

Distances: 98 kms from Pune, 266 kms from Mumbai via Mahad, 20 kms from Mahabaleshwar

Air: The nearest airport is Pune (100 Km) which is connected by Indian Airlines and other airlines with Delhi, Mumbai and other cities /towns.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Satara (44 Km) but the convenient railhead is Pune (100 Km), which is a major railhead on the Central Line.

Road: Panchgani is connected by motorable roads with Aurangabad 330 Km, Mahabaleshwar 19 Km, Mumbai 258 Km, Nashik 306 Km, Satara(via-Wai) 44 Km, Pune 100 Km)

Places to stay:
Listing (link)
Cliff Inn Resort (link)
Comfort Inn Dhanhills (link)
Blue Country Resort (link)
Hotel Millennium Park
Ravine Hotel, Panchgani (link)
Basilica Hotel, Panchgani (link)
Mount Castle, Panchgani
Summer Plaza Resort, Panchgani (link)
Lords Panchgani Club, Panchgani (link)
Prospect Hotel, Panchgani (link)
IL Palazzo Hotel (link)
Rahil Plaza Hotel, Panchgani
Summer Palace, Panchgani (link)
Sai Palace, Panchgani
Aishwarya Hotel, Panchgani
Five Hills, MTDC, Panchgani

External articles:
1. Photos of Panchgani (link)
2. Schools located in Panchgani (link)
3. Sunset at Panchgani (link)
4. Panchgani at holidayiq.com (link)
5. Blog and photos (link)
6. Blog at Umang Dutt (link)
7. Motorbike ride to Panchgani (link)
8. Photo of Panchgani (link)
9. Riding on the clouds in Panchgani (link)
10. Lots of photos of Panchgani (link)
11. Dragon clouds at Panchgani (link)
12. Nature at Panchgani photos (link)
13. Photo Gallery at Panchgani (link)
14. Review of Il Pallazo (link)
15. Beautiful photos of Panchgani with blog (link)
16. Trip to Panchgani (link)

Map of Shrivardhan from Mapmyindia.com

If you really want some adventure, then you can hire a small boat. The boat will take you to the north side of the bay, and there you can find the heritage (this is the location where the Prime Ministers of the Marathas, called the ‘Peshwas’, originated from). The ‘Peshwa Smarak’ is of interest to most people who visit Shriwardhan.
The town of Harihareshwar is known for another beautiful beach and equally famous for the temple of Harihareshwar, which is also quite famous. The temple of Lord Harihareshwar is quite famous and gets a lot of devotees. It is well known for Rotha Supari and tourists often shop for it.
This place has famous Kalbhairav Shiva Temple. Peshwa Smarak and Bankot Fort at Bagmandala is only about 4 km away from here.

Getting there:
The nearest railhead is Mangaon on Konkan Railway.
Mumbai by road is nearly 200 kms. away. The nearest Mumbai – Goa highway point is about 60 kms., at Goregaon, which is about 170 kms. from Mumbai (via Vashi Creek Bridge).

Places to stay:

Shiv Shanti Holiday Inn
Rajas Holiday Home
Niwara (Other Bread and Breakfast places in Shriwardhan as per this link)

External articles:
1. Some beautiful photos of Shriwardhan (link)
2. Photos (link)
3. Beautiful photo of water and sun (link)
4. Directions for getting to Shriwardhan from Mumbai by road (link)
5. Great directions for getting to Shriwardhan (link)
6. Bike riders heading to Shriwardhan (link)
7. Beautiful picture gallery of Srivardhan (link)

Shirdi is a small town located in the state of Maharashtra in western India. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Shirdi is located at latitude 19°45′ N and longitude 74°25′ E. Shirdi is a small village in Kopargam taluk, in Ahmadnagar District of the Maharastra State. It is located on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, and consists essentially of one bustling street and a maze of lanes and by-lanes.

Map of Shirdi (with location) from MapmyIndia.com

Shirdi came into prominence when an old sage died in 1918. The saga of Sai Baba of Shirdi started in the middle of the last century when, as a boy of about 16 years of age, he first appeared here under a neem tree (Azadirachta indica) absorbed in a hard penance. For the next 60 years, he devoted his life for the upliftment of the poor and suffering. Shirdi is basically a religious tourist center. Thousands of pilgrims flock to Shirdi. The Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba.

Places to see:

Samadhi Mandir (temple) of Sai Baba: The temple was owned by a millionaire and a famous Sai devotee from Nagpur, Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. According to legend, Sai Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Mandir houses a statue of Sai Baba made of Italian marble and surrounded by ornamental decorations. The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers.

Dwarkamai: A mosque that Sai Baba inhabited till his death. The main attraction here are the paintings of him. A shrine has been constructed at the place where Sai Baba cam to as a child and is called Gurusthan. The dhuni (sacred fire) still burns here and its ash is smeared on devotees.

Shri Khandoba Mandir: Shri Khandoba Mandir is situated near the Shri Sainath Hospital. It enshrines the idol of Khandoba, along with that of Banai and Mhalsai. It is believed that when Sai Baba set his foot in Shirdi for the second time, Khandoba was the first place where he was welcomed.

Chawadi: Sai Baba used to go on a procession, from Dwarkamai to Chawadi, on every alternate day. Thereafter, he used to sleep there only. Today, a palanquin procession of Baba’s Photo, Holy Padukas and Satka is taken out every Thursday, to Chawadi. Divided into two parts, Chawadi houses of a huge portrait of Baba, along with his wooden bed and white chair.

Lendi Baug: Lendi Baug is the garden where Sai Baba used to go daily, for watering the plants. He used to go there every morning and afternoon and rest under a Neem tree. Besides the tree is Nandadeep, a deepak (diya) that used to lit by the Baba everyday in the pit dug by him. Today, the pit has been converted into a marble deepgriha (lighthouse), with a glass box in which the deep continues to burn. The other attractions of the Lendi Baug are Datta Mandir (samadhi of Sai Baba’s horse, Sham Sundar) and Baba’s Shivdi, a well.

Samadhi of Abdulbaba: The man who used to read Quran to Sai Baba was fondly known as Abdulbaba. The people of the town and those of Shirdi have sincere devotion towards Abdulbaba, who was also one of the most fervent followers of Baba. His samadhi is situated inside the premises of Shri Sai Baba Temple. The cottage where he used to live still stands intact and houses the photos and various items handled by him as well as Sai Baba.

Maruti Temple: Maruti Mandir is situated at a few minutes distance from the cottage of Abdulbaba. Sai Baba had a special devotion for the temple and used to visit it on a regular basis. He also conducted satsangs at the Maruti Temple, along with Devidas – a bal yogi, who used to reside in the temple 10-12 years before Baba came in Shirdi.

Shri Ganesh Temple, Shri Shani Temple and Shri Mahadev Temple: The three temples of Lord Ganesha, Shani Dev and Shri Mahadev are definitely worth having a look at

Nana Walli’s Samadhi: Nana Walli was also counted amongst the most passionate devotees and followers of Shri Sai Baba. He was a little different from the others in the way he behaved. He mainly concerned himself with looking after the daily schedule of Shri Saibaba. Nana Walli breathed his last in the year 1918 and thereafter, his samadhi was also built near Lendi Baug.

Shri Tatya Kote Samadhi: Tatya was the son of Bayjabai, the woman whom Sai Baba referred to as his mother. He was also one of the most dedicated followers of Baba and continued serving him till his death. Tatya died in the year 1945 and later, his samadhi was built near Lendi Baug.

Bhau Kumbhar’s Samadhi: Shri Bhau Maharaj was another one of the devoted followers of Shri Sai Baba. He left for the holy abode in the year 1938 and his samadhi is also situated near Lendi Baug.

Shri Gurusthan Mandir: Gurusthan means the place of the Guru. It is significant because it was here Saibaba spent most of his time when he first came to Shirdi. It is also the same place where, according to Saibaba, the tomb of his own guru was located by the Neem tree. The neem tree is still extant in the Gurusthan and there are also a pair of marble padukas on a pedestal, a ‘Shivalinga’ and a statue of Baba. A small dhuni on a stand is kept in front of the shrine, which is lit on Thursday and Friday. Gurusthan is a wonderful place to sit and meditate in peace.

Situated around 5 km from Shirdi is Sakori. The place is home to the Upasini Maharaj

Places to stay:
Hotel Sai Leela
Shraddha Park Inn
Sun-n-Sand
Hotel Goradias
Hotel Saish
Hotel Sai Sahavas
Shri Keshav Hotel Shirdi
Hotel Kuber Inn Shirdi
Sanskruti Resort Shirdi
Swamy Resort Shirdi
Hotel Sai Mahal Shirdi
Sai Residency Shirdi
Hotel Swaraj Deluxe Shirdi
Hotel Saish Shirdi

Air :- Nearest airport is Aurangabad (125km), then Pune (215 Km). Mumbai, (Domestic & International) 282 Km where you can get flights to anywhere
Rail:- Nearest Railway station Kopargaon (Daund-Manmad Line) 16 Km and Manmad (Junction) 58 Km. Most of the trains touching Nasik Road railway station also touch Manmad, and buses and taxis are easily available from Manmad to Shirdi.
Road:- Shirdi Can be reached by taking a Bus from any of cities in Maharashtra . Also buses to the same cities, depart from the Shirdi Bus Station.

Other articles:
1. WordPress.com blogs (link)
2. Guide Map of Shirdi (link)
3. Videos from the TV Serial (link)
4. Alpesh’s blog on Sai Baba (link)
5. Mp3′s of Bhajan’s and Aartis (link)
6. Links to Photos on Saibaba.org (link)
7. Photos from Saibaba.net (link)
8. Pictures from Sai Baba Trust (link)
9. Shirdi Photo Gallery (link)
10. Trip to Shirdi (Manoj Nair’s Blog) (link)