VIDEOS: Mahabaleshwar And Panchgani Celebrate New Year With Tourists Flocking To Scenic Hill Stations

Maharashtra's favorite hill stations Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani welcomed the New Year with great enthusiasm on Tuesday night. Since the past few weeks, both tourists spots had been bustling with tourists, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the area. Visitors enjoyed the natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar and its cool weather, while also indulging in activities such as horse riding, paragliding, horse carriage rides on the table land of Panchgani and boating.

Mahabaleshwar remained a popular destination year-round. Since the Christmas season, hotels and shopkeepers had been well-prepared to welcome tourists from both within India and abroad, eager to experience the scenic beauty of the area. Particularly around Venna Lake, long queues of tourists were seen waiting for boating rides. The area had a lively, fair-like atmosphere due to the large number of water sports enthusiasts.

To celebrate the New Year, Mahabaleshwar’s market had been beautifully decorated with vibrant lights. The colorful lights and festive decorations drew more tourists, who also flocked to the markets for shopping in addition to visiting various tourist spots.

These both places which are located at mere 20km distance from each other, are known for their cool weather and green cover. Tourists come here every year to experience the refreshing climate and many hotels and lodges provide a comfortable stay with scenic views.

Traffic congestion observed

Due to its stunning lakes, and beautiful waterfalls and dense forested areas, Mahabaleshwar gained recognition as a world-famous hill station in Sahyadri ranges among nature lovers.

Located just below Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, was also filled with tourists celebrating the New Year. This place offers activities like paragliding, horse riding, and boating.

The markets sparkled with beautiful fairy light decoration enhancing the festive spirit. In Mahabaleshwar, tourists took in scenic views from various points and enjoyed the boating experience at Venna Lake.

Hotels and resorts had organised entertainment programs to keep visitors entertained, adding to the festive atmosphere.

However, as the influx of tourists grew, traffic congestion became noticeable, with long vehicle queues forming along the route from Pasrani Ghat to Mahabaleshwar. Even the roads going to Mahabaleshwar from Pune and Mumbai saw considerable traffic congestion this year. The people going back to their destinations from Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani also faced congestion on Wednesday on the roads to Pune and Mumbai.