Matheran is the Heritage Hill Smallest Station in India..

 Matheran. It is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed, thus making it quite different from other hillstations.

Matheran is a hill station and a municipal council in the raijad district in the Indian states Maharastra. It is a hill station in kajrat tehsil  and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is located on the Western ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is located around 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. Matheran's proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a popular weekend getaway for urban residents. The name Matheran means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains).

•    Matheran was discovered by Hugh Poynthz Malet in May 1850
•    Located in Maharastra
•    Matheran means “forest on the forehead”
•    It is an eco-sensitive region
•    Only place in Asia where vehicles are not allowed
•    Famous for its red sand
•    There are around 38 designated look-out points

Matheran is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. It is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed, which makes the place different from others. Matheran takes you over a hundred years back in time when there were no vehicles.

Because of vehicles being banned in Matheran, the place is quite peaceful despite the thousands of visitors coming to visit throughout the year.

There are lots of lookout points that provide spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Matheran has a reasonably dense forest cover.

There are around 38 designated look-out points in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and also the Neral town. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is breathtaking. The Louisa Point offers crystal clear view of the Prabal Fort. The other points are the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point, and more.

Matheran was discovered by Hugh Poyntz Malet in May 1850.

At Matheran you will be relax, Rested and Rejuvenating. Really this is the effect of Matheran atmosphere, which you will be experienced.. You will find deep forest and Red mud road at Matheran and for transportation you can walk, can hire Horse or Rickshaw pullers. 

Today in the 21st Century where Car, bike and Automobile became your life partner, even after doctor’s suggestion you can not walk and breathe out of your Vehicle. We found that in the whole world, pollutions in the cities can not be controlled at any level. But the Matheran is calm! Calm!! Calm!!! Matheran is not just the city which left behind, but also the dissonance of traffic. 

It’s damn sure, 100% one will not hear even one single horn any where in Matheran. Cars, Bikes and any Automobile are not allowed up here. All the vehicles have to be park at Dasturi Naka, which 3 kms outside the main street of Matheran and this is the uniqueness of Matheran city. For such, Matheran is the only place in Asia and one of among the few places in the world. 

Hill Train..

The century old settlement of Matheran is declared as an eco-sensitive region, where every mode of transportation, even cycles are banned. In this case, the Matheran Hill Train is the only way to reach out to this shady green capital of the region. In fact, this ban is a blessing in disguise, serving tourists with the untouched bliss of the forested hill station. Travellers get to breathe the fresh air, enjoy long treks and soak the wonderful views of nature. Located at a small distance of 108 km, this hill station is bestowed with enamouring views and picturesque points.

The term Matheran implies 'Jungle Head', or 'Forest perched on the top of the hill.' The nature lovers who want to experience nature in its pristine form throng to this retreat in large numbers. Due to the excessive demand of Matheran Tour, its only getaway, the hill train needs to be booked well in advance to avoid the disappointments later.

Laid out in the year 1901, Neral Matheran Light railway got completed by 1907, thanks to the engineered vision of Matheran Railwala, Mr. Aboul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy. After the project got approved and funded by his father, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, the mastermind of Matheran railways stationed himself at Neral, which later became the starting point of this historical train.

This breathtaking journey takes twelve and a half hours from Neral to reach the brilliant hill station of Matheran. The train starts rising up to the elevation after Hardar Hills and reaches Jamnapatti station, where it appears to create a magical view of bringing together road and rail track.

Further the track meets the road again at Bhekra Kund. The horseshoe embankment near the Mount Barry is again a captivating sight for photographers. The route runs another mile before it enters into the one kiss tunnel, the only tunnel on the track. Emerging from the tunnel, the line zigzags sharply to cross the Panorama Point and the Simpson Tank, from where train reaches straight to the Matheran Bazaar.

As the toy train wheezes up into the clear mountain air at the stations approaching Matheran, the unusual journey of magic, awe and surprise touch the travellers from within. The views of mesmerizing Matheran comprise 28 points, 2 lakes, 2 parks and a racecourse, all explored on feet or horseback. 

Famous points offering the panoramic beauty of nature are Alexander pt., Rambag pt., Panorama pt. (sunrise point), Porcupine pt. (sunset point), Echo pt., Celia pt. (water fall mouth) are the must visit attractions of Matheran.

The forest ecosystem at Matheran is unique and remarkable in many respects - its dense and lofty arboreal growth, peculiar blending of evergreen and moist deciduous species and moreover a high percentage of endemism and almost undisturbed natural climatic climax formations. 

An ad.venture-Valley Crossing. It was from Honeymoon point to near Louisa Point. It was basically a U- shaped mountain and you have to go from one side to other side ( approx 900 feet) hanging on rope with 1000 feet valley below(!) It works worth 3 ropes, pulleys and Gravity. So, it’s one way. Coming back is by walking or you can ask your Horseman to come to that point to pick you up. Mind you - It’s definitely not for weak-hearted. However, you get a bird's eye view of the valley and it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience...

I will share some more information as,

What happened after you will be reache in Matheran?

If you are visiting Matheran first time please continue reading, If this is not your first this info will still help.

When my friend came out of Matheran station, Another people could see a lot of shops of agents who were trying to sell hotel rooms at an inflated price and you would also find them spreading rumors that in Matheran all the rooms are booked and they have few rooms which are available but at a premium price. They will show some photographs of those rooms and hotels. There was a gut feeling He should walk and explore Matheran before deciding if he want to pay a premium price for a room which is not even worth Rs 1.5K.

He reached the taxi stand, where cabs were available on per seat basis. While he was standing there.He spoke to few drivers who were very helpful , they told them not to believe these people and rooms are indeed available. They are just spreading false rumors, this gave a him a huge relief.

After he reached Dasturi Naka, When he started walking, He met an agent at Aman Lodge, He says he will arrange a room for him in a nearby hotel for Rs 4000/- and that is without food. He told them that it is too costly as he had read on the travel websites that you get the best of the rooms for less than 4K and that includes food and stay. After not exactly arguing, but they was trying to prove a point to him that he knew about this place and don’t try to fool and cheat him. They took him to a hotel which was at distance of 10 mins from Aman Lodge, Fortunately, all the rooms were booked in that hotel.

The manager at the hotel was very kind, he explained us that we should avoid such agents and he should visit the hotels themselves and bargain.They would get good rates and also some added benefits. He had also suggested some places so we thought, Why not try these places?

These agents are local people, if you go with these agents to these hotel/resorts the owners of these places will increase the per day price by Rs 500 or 1000/-.The best advice is to avoid such people.

He found his advice very useful and started walking on the tracks.

The manager told him that on the way to Matheran.He meet many owners who would rent a room in their row houses for as less as Rs 1000/-, they did check few row houses rooms, But he didn’t seem to quite like it, As he is coming for Picnic/Vacation? Why should he stay in a row house? So he dropped that option, Here again he meet one more agent who assures that we will get everything what your want?

They asks him what is their budget, he tell him “Rs 2500 to Rs 3000” he says in Marathi, that at “this budget it is impossible that  he would get something in Matheran”. We gave him company to 2 hotels, But we got a surprise there, One of the managers there quoted a rate of Rs 4500/- for a couple without food.

Later, he asked him politely, Please leave us alone he will find a place for ourselves. He was not ready to listen and was following us, My friend explained him in Marathi sternly then he left.

After walking for 5 mins, we got a very good room in a resort for Rs 4K, He was asking for Rs 4.5K but he later agreed for Rs 4K, after confirming we are not with any agents.

Rules to follow when you are in Matheran:-

a)      Bargain hard for each and everything from check in – check out to food to room rates.

b)      Don’t take assistance from agents.

c)       Plan your stay

Hotel Managers will agree with do some adjustments with the check in – check out time, just be little persistent and be assertive. You might well even get an extra lunch, dinner or breakfast.

Book through well- known portals after reading the reviews, most of the reviews are very useful.

For Mumbai/Pune Locals..

If you don’t want to be at a mercy of Mumbai Locals, you can book your ticket in advance in the Deccan Express Train which leaves CST at approx. 7am and reaches Dadar 7:13 am, This would drop you at Neral at 8:28 am.

Once you get down at Neral, you would find huge queue, don’t worry these are people who are trying to get tickets for Toy Train. One person is allowed to buy only 4 tickets. The tickets sales for the Toy Train to Matheran usually starts 45 minutes before departure and more often you will find that the tickets are sold out as this train accommodate only 110 passengers. Toy Train takes 2 hours to cover 21 km’s. I found the Central railway employees very helpful as they gave they gave me quick update about Tout’s and some important info in dealing with certain people around. There are also regular announcements made on Ticket the availability and Train departure update.

Unfortunately, if you don’t get the toy train tickets and would like to reach Matheran early, Take a right after you come out of Neral Station, from there you can take a cab to Dasturi Naka.

The charge per seat in this cab is Rs 70/-, they usually have 5 people in this cab and it is a Maruti Omni or Eeco. The journey might not be comfortable or memorable. However it will help you to reach Dasturi Naka within 20 to 25 minutes which is 2.5 km’s from the Matheran Station.

You can only take your car till Dasturi Naka, after this point cars are banned, since this is an eco-sensitive region.

Once you enter Dasturi Naka, you would have to pay a Capitation Tax of Rs 50/- per adult.

Enjoy Matheran!!!

Collection & Written by : M.Ajmal Khan.