Lockdown and Monsoon: Here are some of the popular monsoon destinations in Maharashtra that We'll miss going to!

As the monsoon winds bring in the dark clouds and we are blessed with colder temperature and replenished water bodies, monsoon also wakes up the adventure bug in us. But thanks to coronavirus and lockdown, we are stuck in our home, watching the rain through our window. Even though we can't go out, we could still relish these monsoon destinations through our memories. And if you have been an ardent monsoon wanderlust, you will surely miss going to these amazing monsoon destinations in Maharashtra.

Amboli

Located far down south, this place is more close to Goa than Kohlapur. An off-beat hill station in the state, Amboli is known to be one of the world's Eco Hot-Spots. The Amboli waterfall, situated just 3km from the main bus stop, is one of the major attractions here. A mysterious fact about Amboli, this place is said to possess 108 Shiva Temple, out of which only a dozen have been discovered.

Khandala

Often visited on the same trip as Lonavala, Khandala has a charm of its own. It is the midpoint between Mumbai and Pune and hence would have been a part of many meetups. And for trekking enthusiasts, Khandala connects trekking trails like Visapur, Rajmachi, and Lohagad. Heaven during monsoon, the misty air surrounding the hill station is sure to take your breath away. But alas! We have to settle for watching rains from our window this year.

Mahabaleshwar

Popularly known as a pilgrimage spot, Mahabaleshwar once served as the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. But the place is even better during the monsoon. The rivers and waterfall come to life, and it is a sight to behold. Apart from being a perfect spot for rock climbing, rappelling and camping, Mahabaleshwar is also known strawberry production. The farm here produces 85% of the total production distributed in the country. If not monsoon, we hope to visit this place during the strawberry season. Fingers crossed.

Matheran

A hill station close to Mumbai, Matheran used to be our weekend gateway. The region has been declared Eco-sensitive by the Ministry of Environment and is also the only automobile free hill station in Asia. Matheran is home to quite a few tourist spots, Sunset Point, Rambaug Point Route, to name a few. With a breathtaking view of mountains combined with the fresh, pollution-free air, this place is heaven for all visitors. All we can hope that we'll get to visit these monsoon destinations in Maharashtra next season.

Panchgani

Neighbouring town to Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani is named after the five hills of Sahyadri that surround this place. These five hills are topped by a volcanic plateau and form the second-highest plateau in Asia. One of the major tourist attractions, Table Land, has been a popular shooting destination. Films like Raja Hindustani, Mela, Taare Zameen Par, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam were shot here.

Igatpuri

A little hill station on the way to Nashik, Igatpuri is home to multiple waterfalls. And especially during monsoon, it is a sight to behold. Igatpuri's railway station is a major railway station in connecting Mumbai to Igatpuri. One of the must-visit places here is the Ghatandevi Temple. The temple is known to be the Protector of Ghats and is surrounded by lush greenery. This is one of the most popular monsoon destinations in Maharashtra. And we are definitely going to daydream about it this monsoon.

Bhandardara

Fan of treks and high climbs? Mount Kalsubai in Bhandardara is the highest peak in Maharashtra. And for people who are fans of water bodies, take a stroll to Wilson Dam on the Pravara River. A perfect camping spot, Bhandardara is a popular tourist spot, thanks to popular spots like Wilson dam, Arthur lake, and Randha falls. Monsoon stays here till October, so we really hope to take a trip once the lockdown is over.

Karnala

Just a few kilometers from Raigad, this place is an easy getaway for people living in Navi Mumbai. Karnala is known for the bird sanctuary and the fort located inside, which was earlier an important trade route. The fort constructed in 1400 still remains in decent shape to attract tourists. And if you are a bird-watching enthusiast, there's no better place than this.

Lohagad

Also known as the Iron Fort, this place is situated close to Lonavala, and makes for a perfect stop during the monsoons. A perfect destination for people who are interested in trekking, yet looking for something easy. But during monsoon, it can be a little tricky as the roads and trails leading to the hill become slippery.

Lavasa

Want to visit a mini Italy? Take a trip to Lavasa, near Pune. A planned city based on the Italian town Portofino, this place is home to ultra-modern architecture. Not the regular hill-station monsoon spot, Lavasa is offbeat and would provide you with the comfort of small-town along with the adventure of monsoon gateway.

Also Read: Here’s how you can be monsoon ready in your home in times of COVID-19

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