Matheran: The Hill Station Where Time Stands Still in peace

Introduction

Matheran, a popular weekend destination in Maharashtra. Matheran, situated in the lap of the Western Ghats at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level, is 90 kilometers from Mumbai and 120 kilometers from Pune. Matheran is a perfect destination to escape from the fast-paced life of crowded cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Matheran is a small but quaint hill town which is a perfect place to spend some beautiful moments in peace, in a pollution-free clean environment, under blue amber, amid lush green landscapes. It is believed that this is the only vehicle-free mountain tourism destination in entire Asia. Matheran reminds you of the times when we lived a simple and peaceful life with horse carts moving on earthen paths.

History of Matheran

Matheran means forest on the forehead in Marathi language. According to sources, Matheran was first mentioned in the 15th century. The Bahmani Sultanate had built Muranjan Fort to keep an eye on the North Konkan provinces. This fort is now known as Prabalgarh Fort.After the fall of the Bahmani Sultanate, this fort passed into the hands of the Mughals. In 1657, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established his dominance over this fort and its surrounding areas. At that time this mountainous place was inhabited by the Dhangar (shepherd) tribe.

Later, in 1850, the Englishman Hugh Malet re-discovered this place. Hugh Malet was the District President of Raigarh at that time. Its foundation was again laid by Lord Elphinstone, the Governor of Mumbai. In 1907, Shri Adamji Peerbhai constructed a meter gauge railway route between Matheran and Nerul.

narrow gauge railway/toy train

An option is to reach Nerul from Mumbai by vehicle and from Nerul take the Matheran toy train or narrow gauge train. If there is not much crowd, it is a very enjoyable and entertaining journey. But you should know its timetable in advance and reach the place accordingly.This toy train runs in both directions between Nerul and Matheran. This journey takes approximately 30 minutes. You cannot buy its tickets online. You can buy its tickets only by standing in the queue before the departure of the train.

After walking about 400 meters from Dasturi Naka you reach Aman Lodge. There is a rest house of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. You can drink tea in the canteen there. Aman Lodge is also a stop for the toy train running between Matheran and Nerul. To reach Matheran, you can take a horse, handcart or board a toy train from here. The toy train takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from Aman Lodge to Matheran.The day I reached there, tickets for the toy train had sold out. So I decided to hire a horse. There are different charges for horse and handcart. This fee list will also be available in your rest room.

trek/hiking

The route is not very steep. The climb is extremely gentle. The only problem is that it is not a completely paved road. At some places there is a paved road and at some places red laterite stones are laid. Therefore, if you plan to go hiking, wear suitable shoes for hiking.If all these obstacles are successfully overcome then this padyatra becomes extremely enjoyable and satisfying. The shade of the dense forest and the medicine of cool air do not allow the fatigue of walking for an hour to overwhelm our mind. Just avoid stones and horse dung.

Getting to Matheran

How To Reach Matheran By Flight

To visit Matheran Hill Station, tourists can travel by flight, train and road. Let us know how we can go to Matheran by flight, train and road. For those tourists who are planning to visit Matheran by flight, let us tell them that there is no direct flight connectivity to Matheran Hill Station. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport to Matheran located at a distance of about 44 kilometers from the hill station.

How To Reach Matheran By Train

If you are going to visit Matheran by traveling by train, then let us tell you that there is a railway station in Matheran which is connected to Neral Junction through a toy train and to Karjat Junction through local train.

How To Reach Matheran By Road

Matheran is a popular hill station that is well connected to many major neighboring cities through a well-maintained network of roads. The Mumbai-Pune Highway connects Matheran to many major cities. Regular state transport buses are available from Mumbai, Pune and Panvel to reach Matheran. However, buses are allowed to go only up to Neral. Buses can be availed till Neral. For the rest of the journey you have to rely on toy trains or cars till Dasturi Naka.

Exploring the Beauty of Matheran

Sightseeing places in Matheran

There are many tourist places in and around Matheran. There are three main tourist routes here. The first route runs from Alexander Point in the south via Rambagh Point, One Tree Hill and Olympia Race Course and ends at Belvedere Point.

The second route starts from Lord’s Point in the west and ends at Louisa Point.

The third route is the longest. It starts from Malang Point in the west and ends at Porcupine Point in the north. If you are interested and used to trekking then you can trek till Panorama Point.

Before deciding on a resort or hotel, check its distance from the main Matheran market. Otherwise, whenever you go to the main city, you will have to cover long distances on foot unnecessarily. My resort was away from the main city. Walking to the main market in the lush green surroundings seems pleasant but too much of it becomes unbearable

Matheran Railway Station

You will be surprised but it is true that Matheran Railway Station is the first name among the tourist places of Matheran. It is a popular tourist destination. Matheran Railway Station is located in the main market. This is a unique railway station whose antiquity attracts. It has only two meter gauge lines.If you are interested in trains then you should also see railway engines.

Market streets

The heart of Matheran resides around the railway station, yes, this is the market or market of Matheran. Because most of the tourists come to Matheran only on weekends. If you come here on weekdays, you can still buy exclusive souvenirs and taste the local cuisine.I found it better to come to Matheran on weekdays and I also tasted the local cuisine to its fullest.

charlotte lake

Whenever I saw pictures of exquisite landscapes, I wondered if such picturesque places actually existed anywhere! Charlotte Lake is such an amazingly beautiful place. I would go so far as to say that none of those landscapes can beat the landscape of Lake Charlotte. Its crystal clear water, blue sky and the greenery of trees surrounding it from all sides present a unique view.

Pisharnath Mahadev Temple

A little further from Charlotte Lake, there is an ancient temple, Pisharnath Mahadev Temple. He is the presiding deity of Matheran. The Shivalinga situated in this temple is considered to be Swayambhu Linga. Unlike other temples, in this temple the Shivalinga is coated with vermillion.That experience was as if the earth had become motionless for a few moments.

Olympia Race Course

One of the most popular tourist points in Matheran is the Olympia Race Course. It is a heritage structure where horse races are organized even today. I at the end of February

Visited Matheran. At that time many horse racing events were taking place there. But due to lack of time I could not go there.

Holy Cross Church

This Holy Cross Church was established in 1853 when the British re-discovered Matheran. It was also renovated in 1906. There was a resident priest here till 1947. After this, the priests of Our Lady of Glory Church in Byculla, Mumbai started providing services in this church.

Trekking in Matheran

If you are an experienced trekker then you can do hiking or trekking up to Prabalgarh and Vikatgarh. Both these forts had an important place during the Maratha rule. Prabalgarh Fort was used in diplomatic military operations. At the same time, Vikatgarh was used for grain storage.

For trekking, guides are available who will guide you to the desired fort and bring you back. There are some tribal villages on the foothills of Matheran. If you wish, you can visit these villages, try to know and understand their culture and traditions and purchase local handicraft items.

Native of Matheran Hill Region

Ever since I started travelling, I have never seen such humble and simple people as I have seen here. From the handcart driver to the shopkeeper, everyone seemed so accommodating and friendly. They were always ready to help all the tourists. Most of the residents are from the Warli, Thakar and Katkari tribes who live in nearby villages, located at the foothills of the Matheran mountains.They climb the hilly roads for two hours every day to reach Matheran and carry out their daily business activities.

The only vehicle I saw in Matheran was an ambulance. There is also a well equipped hospital here. By now I was used to seeing the hazy sky in the glare of the urban environment. It was a wonderful unforgettable experience for me to see the starry sky in the clean environment of Matheran. This is a city where antiquity meets modernity. By coming here you can free yourself from your superficial ostentation and experience inner peace.

Culinary Delights in Matheran

Despite being a small area, Matheran offers a variety of dishes to the tourists coming here which make the tourists lick their fingers. The famous local food of Matheran includes the delicious vada pav, kebabs and the popular sweet chikki. Along with these, many restaurants in the city serve Gujarati, Maharashtrian, Mughlai, Punjabi and even Chinese dishes.

Matheran will offer you many types of food, starting from local Maharashtrian cuisine to North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes. Here are some of the most popular food items available in Matheran:

Maharashtrian cuisine:
- Vada pav, Misal pav, Pav bhaji, Puran poli, Sheera, Thalipeeth, Modak
North Indian cuisine:
- Biryani, Butter chicken, Naan, bread, Roti, Tandoori chicken, Dal makhani
South Indian cuisine:
- Idli, Dosa, Vada, Sambar, Chutney, Upma
Chinese cuisine:
- Fried rice, Noodles, Manchurian, Spring rolls, Dim sum
Continental cuisine:
- Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups, Salads

In addition to these popular dishes, Matheran also has a number of unique food items that are worth trying. For example, chikki is a popular sweet made from peanuts and jaggery. A cool beverage called kokum sharbat is created from the kokum fruit. And Matheran omelets are made with a variety of vegetables and spices.

If you are looking for a place to eat in Matheran, there are many options to choose from. There are budget-friendly restaurants, fine-dining restaurants, and everything in between. A wide range of street food vendors and kiosks offering everything from snacks to complete meals may also be found.

Here are a few recommendations for restaurants in Matheran:

Gokul Restaurant: This is a popular pure vegetarian restaurant that serves a variety of Maharashtrian and North Indian dishes.
Garden View Restaurant: This restaurant offers a fine-dining experience with a menu of Indian and Continental dishes.
Shabbir Bhai: Indian cuisine is served in this laid-back restaurant in a variety of forms, such as biryani, tandoori chicken, and kebabs.
Ganesha Refreshment and Goan Food: This restaurant serves a variety of Goan dishes, as well as some Indian and Chinese dishes.
Matheran Food Corner: This street food stall serves a variety of Indian snacks and meals, such as vada pav, misal pav, and pav bhaji.

No matter what your budget or taste, you are sure to find something to your liking in Matheran.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Matheran is from November in the winter season to May in the summer season. Traveling in Matheran is difficult during the rainy season due to unpaved mud roads. Also, the presence of leeches born in the rain is definitely troublesome. If you want to go to Matheran during the rainy season, then be prepared to deal with leeches.

Accommodation Options

There are many great options for accommodation in Matheran. According to your expenditure limit and tour plan, you can choose the suitable rest house among them. The specialty of Matheran tourist destination is that almost all the resorts and hotels here are within the budget of almost all the tourists. There are some resorts where along with stay and all meals, entertainment is also included in the fee.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in Matheran, I recommend checking out the options listed below. These hotels offer basic, budget-friendly but comfortable accommodations at good reasonable price.

Here are some budget-friendly accommodation options in Matheran:

- Green Heaven Cottage – Straightforward rooms in a budget-friendly guesthouse with complimentary breakfast & Wi-Fi. Price: ₹791 per night.
- Relax Inn – Unassuming budget hotel with basic rooms & a restaurant. Price: ₹846 per night.
- Mauli Niwas – Straightforward rooms in an unpretentious guesthouse offering complimentary Wi-Fi & dining. Price: ₹863 per night.
- Namrata Palace – Budget hotel with basic rooms & a restaurant. Price: ₹909 per night.
- Hiral Residency Hotel – Budget hotel with basic rooms & a restaurant. Price: ₹1,010 per night.

Here are some additional tips for saving money on your trip to Matheran:

1. Travel during the off-season, from May to June and from September to October since the accommodation prices are low during these months.
2. Book your hotel in advance, especially if you are travelling during peak season.
3. Take advantage of discounts and promotions offered by hotels and travel websites.
4. Eat at the local restaurants instead of tourist-attracting places since they are expensive & with average taste.
5. Explore the place by walking if possible since the horse ride & other local rides are expensive.
6. Explore the many free attractions in Matheran, such as the Panorama Point Lookout and the Louisa Point Lookout.

Conclusion

A visit to Matheran is akin to stepping into a storybook world where nature takes centre stage. Matheran is a peaceful, beautiful spot with the untouched beauty of the hills, waterfall, and thick green carpet soil. Matheran brings something special for each and everyone, If you are a die-hard naturalist, a peace-nature seeker, a trekker or you just visit this place as a picnic, it will always surprise you with its beauty. So, pack your bags, set out on this journey, and let the magic of Matheran etch unforgettable memories in your heart.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is Matheran famous?

The most famous places here are the hill points which are Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Echo Point, Rock Climbing, Panorama Point and many other points & a beautiful landscape.

What is the best time to visit Matheran?

It has a pleasant climate throughout the time, and the ideal time to visit is between September to December to witness its panoramic view of the peaks of Western Ghats. This is the time the hill station is spread with beautiful green landscapes, small lakes, some waterfalls & a beautiful climate.

How do I plan a trip to Matheran?

Also, you can plan your trip to this place consequently. It’s suggested that you should visit this hill from October to March. However, also you should carry warm clothes, including a jacket and a monkey cap.

Is Matheran possible in one day?

Yes you can plan a one day trip since you need to start early in the morning for example it takes around 2 hours to reach the base station, Nerul from Dadar by Train. then from Nerul Railway Station to the top of the Matheran hills will take you an hour’s drive so accordingly you can plan your trip for a day.

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