For people residing in and around Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar has been everyone’s favourite getaway. Located in the jungly Western Ghats of Mumbai, this hill station is known for its strawberries, jams, handicrafts and other products found in the famous Mahabaleshwar market.
See also: Places to visit in Mahabaleshwar and things to do
Basic information about the Mahabaleshwar market
Mahabaleshwar is famous for its juicy strawberries and raspberries found in the market. Homemade jams and honey are also available. Tourists also love to buy masalas and handicrafts.
Maharashtra is known for its great food, and this hill station also verifies this fact with its bustling food scenes around the market.
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How to reach the Mahabaleshwar market
By bus: Local buses will take you to the pedestrian market quickly, and the ST Mahabaleshwar bus station is just 10 mins away, making the journey back to your hotels fuss-free.
By private vehicle: One can also easily take private bikes and cars to this hillside market, but you need to park your vehicles in the parking spaces allocated. The entry of bikes is prohibited in the lane, and if caught, one needs to pay a fine, so be careful.
By taxi: Taxis also take you to the location, but they charge high prices.
Things you can buy at the Mahabaleshwar market
The Mahabaleshwar market is a kilometre-long stretch of road bustling with shops on both sides. Mahabaleshwar is famous for producing the most succulent strawberries, the most sold items in the market. The strawberry season lasts from October-April. Since the local farmers cultivate strawberries nearby, the prices are comparatively lower than in other cities. A kilogram of strawberries costs only Rs 120. Raspberries and mulberries are also available. Farmers there also grow carrots, corn and radishes of excellent quality.
The Mahabaleshwar market is known for selling fantastic quality Kolhapuri Chappals.
Another favourite thing sold in the market is the wooden items that local artisans make. Artisans locally source the wood from the forest. Then they skilfully cut and polish the wooden bits to turn them into decorative pieces. Wooden toys, trays, hanging frames and combs with carved details attract customers.
Saree shopping is a favourite activity among adults. Ladies’ bags made from jute are also found in different colours and styles. Preservative food items like chocolate syrups, fruit jams, chocolates and strawberry ice creams also make great buys. Local Maharashtrian spices and different types of leather goods are other favourite things of buyers.
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Well-known stores and restaurants in the Mahabaleshwar market
The Town Bazaar is the most famous market area. This section of the market is always crowded, with many small hawkers trying to lure tourists in to sell their items. They sell top-quality leather goods, junk jewellery and other accessories.
Mapro and Mala is another famous store that has all kinds of candies, freshly made jams and sherbets that you can buy for your homes and as a gift for relatives and friends. For the saree-lovers, the departmental shop Pallod is the best place to shop. Full cotton bed sheets, sarees and suits of different materials and designs are available in the store.
Another very old establishment, the Imperial Store, is located in the Mahabaleshwar market. Established in 1972, this Iranian convenience store has a vast collection of different brands of food products, baby items, toiletries and other knick-knacks. The shop accepts cash, credit and debit cards. The shop owners are amiable and offer generous discounts to all their customers. One can also enjoy hot snacks like hot cheesy pizzas at the store.
Once done shopping to your heart’s content, hunger pangs will surely arise among all. Meghdoot, located on the main market road, is a renowned restaurant offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food for customers. Another restaurant established in the year 1983, called Nukkad, on the MG road of the Mahabaleshwar market, also offers a variety of food.
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Tourist places around the Mahabaleshwar market
- Chinaman Waterfall: Less than 2 kilometres from the Mahabaleshwar market, this beautiful waterfall is in the south of the Koyna valley. One can observe water cascading from a height of 500 feet that falls into the big valley below. This place is open 24/7 and is free of cost. Travelling from Mahabaleshwar market to the waterfall can take around 20 minutes.
- Sydney Point: It is located on the hill adjacent to the vast Krishna valley. The valley was named after the old Bombay’s Governor in 1830, Sir Sydney Beckwith. As one stands at the looking point, one can get an aerial view of the beautiful Krishna Valley, the Kamalgad fort and the city of Wai. The location is free for tourists. Its working hours are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. When going from the Mahabaleshwar market, it is 1.70 kilometres far and will take almost half an hour to reach the point.
- Wilson Sunrise point: 35 minutes from the Mahabaleshwar market, the beautiful sunrise point is 1495 metres high and offers a perfect viewpoint to observe the sky. The old name of the sunrise point was Sindola Hill. But in later years, it was changed and named ‘Wilson Point’ to honour Sir Leslie Wilson, who served as the Governor of old Bombay between 1923 and 1926. The perfect time to observe a sunrise is 5:30 AM, and the place shuts down at 6:30 PM. The location is free of cost.
Location
The official address of the Mahabaleshwar market is:
Dr Sabne Road Mahabaleshwar HO,
Mahabaleshwar- 412806.
Timings of the Mahabaleshwar market
The market is accessible to tourists every single day of the week. It opens at 10 in the morning and shuts down at 10 at night. To avoid a huge crowd, visit the market in the morning or afternoon. Avoid Tuesdays, as the locals are known to shop in the market that day, resulting in inflated prices and space overcrowding.
FAQs
How can I park my vehicle at the Mahabaleshwar market?
A separate parking space is designated at the opening of the market. Bikes are prohibited from entering the primary market, so it is essential to park them at the mouth of the market to avoid penalties.
What are the favourite items one can shop for at the Mahabaleshwar market?
One can choose from a vast collection of footwear, handicrafts, food products, fresh fruits and vegetables, garments, accessories etc.
When does the strawberry season start in Mahabaleshwar to shop for fresh produce?
The strawberry season lasts from December to February. If one visits the market during this period, they will find the best quality and juicy strawberries for their homes.
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