Overview of the destination
My son is less than six months old. His fast changing facial expressions require a camera that can capture his myriad moods at lightning speed. I think fragments of beauty can be captured on film but it can be well-cultivated in the mind which is not merely storing information but experiencing it wholeheartedly. And while looking in his innocent eyes I remembered my only visit to Matheran, a year ago.
It was at Neral that I had first glimpsed the serene hills, a refreshing contrast to repulsive but inevitable skyscrapers that dot the landscape of Mumbai. It had started to drizzle as I was bargaining with the taxi driver. Being August, the toy train was out of action then. The journey upwards was a test of nerves because the hillbilly taxi driver looked like the one needing a break!
After a harrowing ride in which the taxi was driven faster around tight corners and the accelerator rested on empty stretches, we had arrived at Dastoori Naka instead of heaven. After paying the smirking driver for the ride, I was overjoyed to be able to walk in peace, (in one piece!). As fate would have it, I had reached the MTDC hotel and not wanting to take any more chances, ran for the safety of the hotel room which was quite OK.
An hour later, I was embarking on one of the most energizing walks of my life. Soon I was proved right by not taking the services of the man (rickshaw) and the beast (horse). The soft, natural sounds from the rustling of leaves blowing in the wind and gibber of monkeys were sheer music to my ears. I was alone too in the woods, thanks to the off-peak season and every step filled my heart with happiness.
Oblivious of the extent of time taken, I had later found Panorama Point and lost myself in the haze exhaled by the hills. It?s not possible to even imagine what it must have looked like when the earth came to life, but I bet it must be close to what I saw that day. I felt for the first time that words sometimes fail to describe a feeling of euphoria one experiences so rarely in a lifetime. Nevertheless, I was imbibing the beauty of nature for the eternal moments I stood mesmerised there.
When the harmless drizzle turned into torrential rain, I realised it was time to act human and so I ran for the nearest tree that could shield my body. While every tree was swaying in ecstasy to the pouring of the rain I was trying my best to shed the instinctive conditionings of humankind that urge us to run for the safety of cemented roofs at the first sight of natural occurrences like rain.
Before I left Matheran the following day I was fortunate to witness a glimpse of the simple yet carefree village life and also view some other facets of the canyon with the same sensations as before. On the way back to Neral, my taxi was again repeating the previous act but I was busy this time trading the so-called urban sanity for the blissful unpredictability of nature?Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Food:
Matheran offers mostly vegetarian food, but you get good non-veg. food as well.
Places to see:
Of the 38 points, the must visit are: Sunset Point, Panorama Point, Echo Point, Sunrise Point, Charlotte Lake, Porcupine Point and Louisa Point. It?s best to refer to Matheran Map and plan the itinerary.
Shopping:
There isn't much for shopping here (which you can do in Mumbai) except Chikki Activities & things to do
Horse Riding
Trekking
Country Walk Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Cost to Pocket:
Arguably, Matheran is the most economical of all hill stations in India. It costs as low as Rs.2000 per person for 3N/4D decent stay with food during monsoons. Try it!
Reaching there:
- Mumbai, about 100 kms. away is the closest airport/ railway station.
- Neral 21 kms. away, is where you can take the toy train, taxi or simply trek all the way!
- State Transport buses and suburban trains run from Mumbai to Neral.
Accommodation:
You can find a wide range of hotels at Matheran with tariff to suit all budgets. Check Internet for best offers.
Climate:
From 16°C in winter to 32°C in summer, it?s supposedly pleasant anytime of the year. |
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