Only sixteen kilometers from Mahabaleshwar, the hill station of Panchgani is lesser known, but no less inviting. An idyllic mountain retreat in the Krishna valley, it is far from the hustle-bustle of the metropolis. It enjoys fabulous weather throughout the year, and thus is rightfully known as the health resort of Maharashtra.

Panchgani is recognized for its prestigious public schools and also for the Morat Rearmament Training Centre established here in 1965  by  Mahatma  Gandhi's  nephew  Rajmohan  Gandhi - this  centre

incorporates model farms with Maharashtra's first pure bred Jersey cow and experimental tree planting.

Though strawberries are the only fruits grown here in Panchgani, fruit processing is a major activity here. The fruit-processing factory called Mapro Gardens is open to visitors, but if you aren't too enthusiastic about how the factory works, you can admire the flowers or gaze at the manmade waterfall and rainbow.

Each of the drives to or from Panchgani is an experience in itself and something all highway bound folk can enjoy. Panchgani is also a popular site for summer camps for children. The monsoons give a new brighter skin to the very lush surroundings and almost overnight there are scores of waterfalls and pools to visit. These, of course, are part time visitors but the crowds from Pune and Mumbai ensure that Panchgani enjoys a year round patronage, either solely for itself or as a stopover for the Konkan threshold to come.

Attractions in Panchgani

Panchgani is among those places that allow you to relax and treat the eyes with the scenery around. For you, there are adventure options in and around the tableland and of course, panoramic views. Every other place is a 'point' to gaze at the landscapes. The Sydney Point, 15 minutes away from the city Post Office has fringe views of Shivaji's Kamalgadh fort, old Mahabaleshwar, Dhom Dam and the Krishna river. And then there's Harrison's Folly named after one Mr. Harrison who built a house here that caved in under the winds. It would be  a  big  mistake  not  to  see  the  superb  views  of  the Panchgani

Plateau, the Nawab's castle at Pasarni and the backwaters of the Dhom Dam from here. Take a field tour of its environmentally sensitive area likes the Solar Energy Park and the plant nursery that houses some very rare species.

Panchgani with its pristine natural beauty and rejuvenating oxygen levels boats of a TB Sanatorium. Patients are known to get better faster at Panchgani owing to the pure environs offered at Panchgani.

	The airport at Pune is nearest to Panchgani at a distance of 98km.
	Pune is a popular railway station for tourists to Panchgani at a distance of 98 km from Panchgani. Though the railway station nearest to happens to be at Wathar.
	Panchgani is well linked with Mumbai and Pune through road.

There are also several walks during which you can take in the spectacular views of the surrounding five hills. 'Panch' means five in Hindi and this is where Panchgani gets its name. Worth visiting are a small art gallery on the state highway and some of the Old Parsi and British homes.