Jawhar

Jawhar is a beautiful and rustic hill station situated in Palghar district, about 269 km away from Pune. It is a historically and culturally significant place as it was the capital city of the erstwhile princely state of Jawhar. In addition, it is also the oldest municipal councils in Maharashtra. Today, the city is a popular holiday destination owing to its natural splendor and historical sites.

One of the few remaining tribal regions in Maharashtra, Jawhar is famous for its Warli painting, a tribal art form that originated in Maharashtra. Warli art dates back to the 10^th century A.D. and was created by the Warli tribe, who live in Jawhar and its nearby areas such as Dahanu, Talasari, Palghar, Mokhada and Vikramgadh. You can buy some incredible Warli paintings and tribal handicrafts sold at shops across Jawhar.

Jawhar is also home to the extraordinary Jai Vilas Palace, a neoclassical style palace built by Raja Yashwant Rao Mukne. Perched atop a hill, the presidential palace is an architectural marvel made of Syenite stones. The palace’s interiors exhibit the rich cultural heritage of the royal Mukne family. Surrounded by a dense forest and vast gardens of cashew trees, the palace is one of the top attractions in Jawhar. A similar historic site in Jawhar is Shirpamal, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his army stayed overnight while journeying towards Surat. The structure at Shirpamal is in a good shape and the place is a must-visit for history buffs.

Another spectacular attraction in Jawhar is the Hanuman Point, located about 2 km away from the city center. The vantage point offers the most breathtaking views of the lush green and deep valleys below and you can even spot the impressive Jai Vilas Palace sitting atop the adjacent hill. The viewpoint is known as Hanuman Point owing to the old Hanuman temple situated here. This temple is also known as Katya Maruti temple, as it is surrounded by a thicket of cacti. The sunrise from Hanuman Point is absolutely marvelous. There is also a popular Sunset Point in Jawhar, from where you can witness a spellbinding sunset.

A few kilometers away from Jawhar are two stunning waterfalls. The Dabhosa Waterfall, one of the highest and most magnificent waterfalls in Maharashtra is situated around 19 km away from Jawhar in the village of Dabhosa. Located over the Lendi River, the waterfall cascades down from a height of about 300 feet. The best time to visit Dabhosa Waterfall is during monsoon, when it is in full force. Kal Mandavi Waterfall is an equally picturesque waterfall situated just 7 km away from Jawhar. You have hike for about an hour to reach this magical waterfall, which is truly a hidden gem.

Other wonderful attractions in and near Jawhar include the ruins of Bhopatgad Fort, a small but historically significant fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the scenic Jaisagar Lake and the lovely Khad Khad Dam.