A Piece Of Green Heaven

A gateway to paradise, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar leaves Leher Kala sated

- Leher Kala

For a north Indian like me, Mahabaleshwar is not an automatic choice for a weekend getaway. With the mountains so close, the forest retreats of the Western Ghats don’t really come to mind.

However, Mahabaleshwar is well connected to Delhi, and just 120km from Pune International Airport. It’s a comfortable drive watching a cavalcade of trees on the highway that eventually leads to a serpentine climb. These monsoon days, the hillside is lush green. Within two hours you, somewhat accidently, stumble upon Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort and Spa.

Tucked away deep in the forest, this 27-acre property feels wild and tranquil right from the point one turns into a rather majestic black gate. Driving in, the steady pitter-patter of rain reinforces a sense of splendid isolation. Look up, and you’re likely to see a thousand shades of gorgeous greens on the umbrella of trees that barely allows sunlight to hit the ground. The foliage is full of complicated vines, wrapped around gnarled and old trees. At your feel is a bed of ochre leaves on reddish gold stones. I am told a cat-sized giant squirrel called the Malabar is often spotted scampering across the laterite rocks.