Surrounded by five hills and cradled in the Krishna valley lies Panchgani in the Satara district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. This quiet scenic hill station on the Sahyadri hills was a popular summer haunt with the affluent parsi families and the British .Panchgani is housed between rugged cliffs on one side and Asia’s second highest volcanic mountain plateau on the other. Adding to its natural charms are the green coastal plains, dense green forests and mist covered oak trees. The Kamalgad fort, the Pratapgad Fort and the swami Karthikeyan temple containing the Rajpuri Caves – all built by Shivaji are a delight for the cultural tourist. A travel to the temple dedicated to Goddess Bhavani and the dargah of Afzal Khan is worthwhile.

Sydney Point and Parsi Point offer spectacular views of the Dhom Dam. The laterite rock plateaus at Pandavgad and Mandhardeo, caves at Devil’s Kitchen are popular sites which can be visited from Panchgani. This sleepy hill town has some famous boarding schools set up during the colonial period. Panchgani also has a water sports complex at Tapola. Panchgani can be enjoyed by a tourist who has ‘time to stand and stare’. Pony rides and cycle rides through mist covered oak forests, lazy treks through the valleys and forests, enjoying the sweet taste of freshly made strawberry and raspberry squashes and jams are the best ways to spend time in Panchgani. A tourist who wishes for a relaxing holiday in India should certainly add Panchgani to his travel itinerary.