Strawberry Fields Forever

Fringed by the Western Ghats, Panchgani in Maharashtra welcomes you with strawberry farms, glowing sunsets, and gushing waterfalls.

JUST A FIVE-HOUR drive from Mumbai, with the scenic Western Ghats along the way, lies the quaint hill station of Panchgani. Located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, it’s ideal for those looking to unwind in the lap of nature. As you approach Panchgani, the landscape transforms. It’s visibly greener, the air fresh and crisp, the madness of urban chaos, a distant memory.

It is said that this hill town was discovered by John Chesson, a retired warrant officer of the East India Company, who was directed by the British establishment in the mid-19th century to look for hill locations with suitable weather conditions, and where schools could be established. Chesson found that the soil and weather of Panchgani were favourable for strawberry cultivation. With time, many European and Parsi families began to settle here, and soon thereafter, churches, schools, and fire temples were built.

Panchgani is important also due to its proximity to the pilgrim town of Mahabaleshwar, located just 40 minutes away. Known for spots such as Pratapgad Fort, Lingmala Waterfall, Venna Lake, Panch Ganga Temple, and more, Mahabaleshwar is thronged by devotees and tourists. Tucked in a picturesque location en-route Mahabaleshwar is the picnic spot of Parsi Point, surrounded by Krishna Valley and the glittering blue backwaters of Dhom Dam. This place was once a favourite spot of the Parsi community, hence the name. When here, it’s recommended to stop by one of the food stalls just outside the entrance to enjoy some authentic vada pav (a native Maharashtrian snack made of fried and mashed potato inside a bun), limbu sherbet or lemonade, and kokum juice—a Goan summer coolant drink, made of cumin, cardamom, black pepper, and sugar, stirred with the juice of kokum fruit, which boasts many health benefits.