Machal - Virgin Hill Station in Ratnagiri District

Machal (Pronunciation: maachaal)
(An article by Saraswat Mitra Magazine's editorial team for www.ratnagiritourism.blogspot.com)

Location: Machal, Taluka Lanja ,District Ratnagiri, Class B Hill Station in Kokan
What to see: Site is not a popular hill station. It is being developed.
Climate : Pleasant
Where to Stay : Mostly you have to stay at Lanja where Hotels are available.
How to reach Machal : Reach Lanja which is on NH 17 and take a car from there or visit Bus Depot. (Depot Manager, MSRTC, Lanja Depot, Phone +91-2351-230171)

Machal is at 3000 feet high from the average sea level. The place is situated on tableland in the lanes of Sahyadri Mountains. Ancient cave of Muchakundi Hrishi (Ancient person with Austerity) and the origin of river Muchakundi can be observed at this place. Clear and clean airy atmosphere, sufficient potable water is available round the year at Machal. The pleasant climate at Machal fascinates the visitors and gives am immemorial satisfaction. The place can be directly compared with Mahabaleshwar, a very famous hill station in Maharashtra. Machal is located at a distance of 32 kms from Lanja.

A lovely hill station with cool climate around the year.Near Vishal Gad fort.Start of river MUCHKUNDI which blows a christal white water.

Comment by Localite on Machal & about reaching there:
A challenging and advantures traking point Start at Kochari village for nature lovers and trakers.Central govt of India sponsored this place as tourisum centre.Work of the road is in progress at Kochari to Machal hill station,another new road goes to Kelavali- dhawade wadi- bhoj wadi-kochri-dhangar wadi to Machal also.

By S.T. Bus Lanja to Kochari.Bus time at Lanja 9.05 am,1.45 pm,& 5.00 pm,Palu To Kochari 10.45 am, Sawantwadi- Devrukh halt at Salpe Phata at 10.30 am, continue Bus to Lanja Shakharpa- Halt at Salpe Phata.

Gazetteer of Ratnagiri says: Machal (Lanje Peta; p. 301), near the village is the lofty hill of Machal, a few miles south of the Ratnagiri-Kolhapur Road through the Amba Ghat. This hill is separated from Vishalgad fort and the main Sahyadri range by a narrow gorge. Crowned with a level plateau three and a half miles long and one and a half broad, and freely supplied with water, it is well suited for a sanatorium. According to the local story, in a narrow-mouthed cave on the western side of the hill, there lived the famous sage Muchkund. The nearest railway station is Kolhapur, 55 miles to the south-east.
Now nearest Railway station is Adavali (Lanja)

Adavali

Phone number of railway station

02351

230183

Click here for Konkan rail map (New window will open)

MART website says :
Konkan region is largely known for its clean, serene and unfrequented beaches. With over 720 Kms of shore-line, there are many many small and large beaches along the entire Konkan region. But as very few know, the mighty Sahyadri ranges line the entire Konkan region on its East side, separating the Konkan and the Plateau regions. This very Sahyadri has added a dramatic aspect to the entire terrain of Konkan.

The answer to this issue is the development of Machal as a hill station.Declared by the central government as ‘B’-class tourism destination this 4000feet high tableland in the lanes of Sahyadri Mountains can be developed into sought –out hill station tourist spot, by providing all the necessary infrastructure, to make it an easily approachable and cherished tourist destination.

 

Situated on tableland in the lanes of lofty Sahyadri Mountains few miles south of the Rantnagiri-Kolhapure road (taluka-Lanja),Machal can be accessed through the Amba Ghat.Machal is located at a distance of 32 kms from Lanja.The nearest railway station-Talavde is 15 kms from Machal and Kolhapur railway station is 80 kms to the south-east. Also machal is only 25-30 kms from Mumbai-Goa highway and 12-13 kms from Kolhapur –Ratnagiri highway.Situated almost 4000 feet high from the average sea level, this hill is separated from Vishalgad fort and the main Sahyadri range by a narrow gorge. Crowned with a level plateau three and a half miles long and one and a half broad, and freely supplied with water this 1500 Ares table land is well suited for a tourist destination. Clear and clean airy atmosphere, availability of sufficient potable water round the year at Machal, fascinates the visitors and gives them immense satisfaction. 

 

The place can be directly compared with Mahabaleshwar or Matheran, famous hill stations in Maharashtra.According to mythology in a narrow mounted cave on the western side of the hill, there lived the famous sage Muchkund blessed by Lord Krishna.

Kajali and Muchkundi are the two rivers flowing through Lanja taluka .These rivers are originating from Sahtadri lanes and flow towards west to meet the Arabin sea .Due to the heavy rainfall in the region these rivers are flooded with water in rainy season. But due the natural slope the water has way to reach the sea hence there is no danger of flood in region Zapade, Berdewadi, Vhel.Panhale are few dams which are supply the water to the place. There is a abundance of potable water even during summer season the dams are having adequate stock of water and hence there is no question of scarcity of potable water.

Machal plateau will be divided in to following distinct zones 

  1)   Eco and Adventure tourism zone  

  2)   Agro and village tourism zone  

  3)   Pilgrimage tourism zone  

  4)   Central plaza and entertainment zone  

  5)   Golf course  

  6)   Horse riding venue  

  7)   Parks Bird Park and butterfly park  

  8)   Site seeing points Sunset point, Vishalgad point etc




Article above is Copyright: Saraswat Mitra magazine, Ratnagiri. ph: +91-2352-226111