Matheran is a hill station and a municipal council in Karjat Tahsil in the Raigad District of the Indian State of Maharashtra. It is the smallest hill station in India and it is located on the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 803 m (2,636 feet) above sea level. It is about 90 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune. Matheran’s proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a popular weekend getaway for urban residents.
Matheran is connected by road and train via Neral. Visitors like the joy ride on a 2 ft. gauge mini or toy train.
Matheran, which means “forest on the forehead” (of the mountains), is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is Asia’s only motor-vehicle free hill station. There are around 38 designated look-out “Points” (viewpoints) in Matheran, including the Panorama Point, which provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and also of the Neral town. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is dramatic. The Louisa Point offers a crystal clear view of the Prabal Fort. The other points are the One-Tree Hill Point, Heart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambag Point and more.
To stay in Matheran, there are plenty of hotels and resorts. There are many Parsi bungalows. Beautiful old British-style architecture is preserved in Matheran. The roads are not tarred and are made of red laterite gravel earth or clay blocks. Matheran is very interesting for horse riders, trekkers, hikers and nature lovers. The One-Tree-Hill Trek, Rambag Trek and Dhodhani Trek are interesting for their bio-diversity, also during monsoon season.
Special features of Matheran Hill Station are deliciousness of Chikki and Fudge productions, collections of pure natural uncontaminated Honey, attractive and cheap availability of Shoes, Chapels and other leather products and as well restaurants offering homely and healthy vegetarian Guajarati Food. The honesty and hardworkness habit of the local peoples help to attract tourist.
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