Namaste Everyone.
After a long and tiring academic semester, I got a chance to visit Matheran the only automobile-free hill station in India. This summer break I decided to explore the hidden gems of India and started with Matheran. On this trip, I decided to travel by public transport and headed towards Neral Junction Railway station by 6 am in the Morning.
We were reaching Neral and I could see the tips of Sahyadri Hills. The weather was clear and the day was sunny. It just cost me 20 INR to reach Neral Jn which is the nearest Railway Station to Matheran.
As everyone had a summer break the station was crowded and I was very happy to explore Matheran with my Family. Just outside the station, there was a shared taxi service to Dasturi Point which is the last assessable point by vehicle. After this point, no vehicles are allowed and the only way of transport from here is Toy Train or a 30 uphill climb to Matheran by Walking.
While climbing the Ghats of Matheran I clicked some pictures of the clouds and here is how it looks.
Isn't it Amazing! "Every time I gaze up at the sky and witness its breathtaking symphony of colours and patterns, I am reminded of the boundless beauty that nature paints across the canvas of our world."
Let me know your thoughts on it in the comment section below. The beauty of Neral-Matheran Ghat.
The whole pathway was red in colour and red soil is found here. Red laterite soil soaks up the heavy monsoon rains and sustains its unique and diverse flora. The entry ticket for Matheran is Rs 60 charged by the local body government and this money is used for the maintenance of the Hill Station.
After Reaching I came to know that we can also take a horse to Matheran from Aman Lodge, but as I wanted to see the natural beauty of Matheran and breathe natural air I decided to walk. It costs around Rs 500 to go by horse. There are around 500 trained & disciplined Horses in Matheran.
Saw many tourists waiting at the Aman Lodge Station for the 9 30 AM toy train. The Matheran Hill Railway - a popular toy train - was built in 1907 by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy. It is a narrow-gauge heritage railway that is under the control of the Central Railway of the Indian Railways.
Just have a look at how narrow the Gauge is of the Matheran Toy train constructed during the British Era. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a 21 km long track from Neral to Matheran but mostly trains operate between Aman Lodge and Matheran Railway station.
I decide to walk through the tracks and spoke with some locals. They told me that all the goods are also taken by hand or horses carry them. They told me that it's a green zone controlled by the Indian Government and no construction is allowed in Matheran.
I also asked them how people earn over here, and they told me that tourists are the main source of income for the villagers residing in Matheran. I also clicked a picture of that local carrying hay which is the food of cows and buffalos.
Just look at how Hardworking people are over here. Matheran's air was chill and breezy. I decided to click some pictures of the natural beauty of Matheran while walking. All the basic necessities are catered by Neral for the locals residing here.
The hill station is covered with red Laterite soil and fully grown lush green trees. Red Laterite soil can absorb high amounts of water when heavy rainfall happens over here during the rainy season.
Just look at the tall trees of Matheran and how dense they are! Cutting off a single tree is also not allowed over here as it is declared as a green zone to protect the environment.
Many people were walking with us to Matheran and enjoying the journey. It was 20 degree Celsius out there and I was walking through the lush green forests of Matheran.
View of Sahyadri Ranges from Matheran. A few words I can say about this picture is "Nature at its Best". Just look at the valley of Matheran from the top with the lush green Sahyadri Ranges.
Same picture but from a different camera angle (between the plants). Everywhere in Matheran, it's written "Clean Matheran Green Matheran". This is done to maintain the natural beauty of Matheran.
I realized one thing that we should protect our nature and nature will protect us by giving us natural and clear air. This will also help in maintaining the whole Lifecycle on earth and reduce Global Warming. Just see how clear the sky is and how far is it visible.
What are your thoughts on it? Do let me know in the comment section below.
There were locals selling cucumbers and Jamuns on the streets and I bought cucumber. It was very fresh and tasted amazing with salt.
People while walking were listening to songs and I was enjoying and clicking some pictures of Matheran Majestic beauty.
Finally, we reached Matheran railway station and I was very happy and clicked some pictures of the toy train
I took some rest in the hotel and slept for 4 hours. In the evening during tea time, I decided to click on some photos of the skies. The weather was breezy and cold.
Sky was orange and blue in colour and the sun was setting at the same time. I love the natural beauty of Matheran and the greenery all over. Some famous tourist spots over here are Louis Point, Echo Point, Charlotte Lake, etc.
I spent some time with my pets and that was the most heavenly time I have ever spent. It stuck in my brain like an image. It could be seen by the smile on my face in the photo above.
Then late evening I visited the garden of my private property and clicked some pictures of the beautiful flowers and inhaled some amount of clean and natural air
It was dinner time and the skies were at it's best.
Thank you guys for reading till here