The Joy of Simple Things: Matheran, Maharashtra
Watching a flower bloom, holding a new born baby’s finger for the first time or simply gazing at a star-lit sky while lying down on green grass: some of the simplest things around us give us true intrinsic joy. Watching the sun going down is also one of them. India is blessed with many places where one can behold the beautiful scene of a sunset, and Matheran in Maharashtra is one of them.
Situated about 100 km from Mumbai- the business capital of India – and about 50 km from Lonavala, Matheran is a hill station about 2600 feet above sea level. It is beautiful, it is quiet; it is one of those places that make you want to dream about an old-fashioned peaceful life in a country cottage, where evenings would be spent sipping hot tea on your porch. This serene environment is attributable to the ban of cars in Matheran which makes it an almost pollution free zone.
What adds to the grandeur of this place is its Sunset point. Also known as the Porcupine point, the sunset point is located about 3 km from the local post office. Walk up to the point on one of the evenings and feel the vastness of the sky as the horizon changes colors from blue to orange to crimson and then to pale violet. Thoughts about the cycle of life invade your mind as you watch the sun setting behind the mountains, only to rise again in full glory.
Besides the sunset point, Matheran has many other places of attraction too, of which the Charlotte lake, Echo point, Panorama point, Mount Berry and Chowk point are worth a particular mention. Some of these points let you have a bird’s eye view of the hills below and of the ruins of majestic ancient forts in the distance.
Interestingly, because of its proximity to Mumbai, Lonavala and Khandala, the beauty of Matheran can be easily experienced by extending your trip by a day or two when you visit these places. And when you do, you’d know that the spectacular sunset was definitely worth it.