Malshej Ghat

This is a lesser-known weekend getaway near Mumbai and Pune cities. Malshej is a hidden gem for nature lovers. This place is mainly visited in the monsoons and is known for its waterfalls and the weather during the season. It is about a 3 hour 15 minutes drive from Mumbai and a 3 and a half-hour drive from Pune.

The drive from Mumbai is good as the roads are newly constructed and clean. Also, many scenic points are constructed as viewing points on the way to the ghat. You can then enjoy Bhutta on the stalls which are located near the scenic points.

Though during the monsoons there are cases of accidents. So you have to be careful and drive safe in the monsoon season.

I would now list down the following points for a better insight of the place:

Restaurants

Attractions

Hotels

There are not many options for a stay in Malshej Ghat.

MTDC Resort: MTDC resort is built by the Maharashtra state government for the development of tourism in the state. You can book the rooms online on their official website. They have decent accommodation options. They also have a restaurant named Flamingo in the resort.

SAJ Resort: This is a newly constructed property on the ghat facing the Lake. This is a great new addition on the Malshej Ghat which has also encouraged more visitors to the place. The resort is constructed with the village theme and so the rooms are built with red bricks. They also have brick village cottages to have the feel of the village. All the rooms in the resort are facing the lake with a superb view. They have an in-house restaurant Maati-Baani which serves delicious food especially the Maharashtrian dishes.

Restaurants

There are not many options for food here except for the restaurants inside the resorts. You can also explore the local Maharashtrian cuisine in the roadside dhabas. They normally serve the famous Misal Pav.

Flamingo: This restaurant is located inside the MTDC resort and the food here is not that delicious. It is good for a decent meal.

Maati-Baani: This restaurant is located inside the Saj Resort. The food served here is very delicious. They serve North Indian, Chinese, South Indian and Maharashtrian food like Poori Bahji, Misal Pav, etc.

Attractions

Pimpalgaon Joga Dam: This is a beautiful dam mainly visited during the monsoons for its waterfall. People enjoy the monsoons by bathing under the waterfall and also taking beautiful pictures of the scenic nature.

Ashtavinayak Temples:

There are two Ashtavinayak temples in the vicinity. One is Lenyadri Ganesh temple which has a bit of walking to reach the temple and the other is in Ozar which is easily feasible by car.

The Ozar temple is a beautiful one that will give you the village-like feel with small shops outside the temple in a chowk. The Ganesh darshan is so peaceful and it is also not too crowded. The Parking charge is Rs.10. There are also small sweet and farsan shops outside the temple. They sell the famous Bhel mixture and Misal Pav. The shops outside the temple sell Puja items.

Overall, Malshej Ghat is an ideal place to vacation for the holiday-goers who are looking for a less crowded place and enjoy nature.