Malhar Machi: A Retreat for Nature Lovers
Updated: May 25
It’s the people that make a place. No amount of luxury or amenities can replace the kindness of human beings. And this narrative is well established with Malhar Machi. The kindness, warmth, and hospitality of the people in Malhar Machi truly define the experience of being there. I wouldn't be surprised if it is listed as one of the best resort stays in Maharashtra, India.
Malhar Machi is an eco-resort located in Mulshi near Pune, Maharashtra, India. Nestled amidst the Sahyadri mountain range and right in the lap of nature, this resort offers a serene and picturesque environment for visitors.
We travelled to Mulshi on Amma’s birthday. It was a Friday afternoon, the moods were high, however I was a bit under the weather. The food I ate at some place didn’t suit me and I was very uneasy from the previous night itself. I was worried and wary throughout my drive to Mulshi, wondering about the possibility to manage the weekend staycation without the comfort of home cooked food and proximity of my family doctor if my health worsened. And moreover, Maharashtra was on a yellow alert for strong winds and heavy rainfall. Although Google maps showed 3.5 hours to reach Mulshi hill station, in reality it took us 5 hours with traffic, few potholed roads, and a stopover for a late lunch. We were traveling from Navi Mumbai, with 8 persons divided in 2 cars.
How to get there
To reach Malhar Machi from Mumbai or Pune, you can follow the following routes:
By Road: Take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and drive towards Pune. You will go through the Batan tunnel. From there it is 2.5 hours to Malhar Machi. Stop for a quick bite at the The Foodway, Mumbai - Pune Expy, Dahivati Tarf Boreti. Here you can choose from a multitude of options such as Starbucks, subway, McDonalds, Sai sandwich etc.
You’ll next take the Kamshet Bogda (tunnel). From here it is 1 hour and 15 minutes. After reaching Pune, take the Pune-Bangalore Highway (NH48) and continue towards Satara. Malhar Machi is located near Mulshi, which is around 50 km from Pune. You can use GPS or ask for directions to reach the exact location.
By Train: Take a train from Mumbai to Pune. From Pune, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Malhar Machi.
Note: It is advisable to check the road conditions and traffic before starting your journey, especially during peak hours.
Day 1:
We reached Malhar Machi mountain resort at 6 pm and were welcomed by the resort staff at the entrance. The drive from the main gate to the resort was so serene. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground created a soothing melody, as if nature itself was playing a symphony. The smell of wet mud from the fresh showers and the uninterrupted view of the Sahyadri hills felt soothing. Once we parked our car, bellboys were quick to take our luggage and direct us to the check-in counter. After a very smooth check-in process and a rundown of all activities for the duration of our stay, we were ushered to a mid-sized banquet hall for our evening chai and snacks. A live station for chutney sandwiches, dal pakora, muffins, chai and coffee made for a fitting welcome.
Accommodations
I couldn’t eat much so I settled for a light sandwich and decided to go to my room. The three rooms allocated to my big family were the grand deluxe rooms in S1, S2 and A2 (cottage names assigned). The property also had dormitories for larger groups. The cottages are well-appointed with modern amenities in a traditional Indian setting and offered a comfortable stay for guests. They also have tents to provide a unique experience of staying close to nature. The resort is a popular destination for office off-sites and weddings.
Coming back to my room, I was welcomed to a very tastefully done room with teak wood furniture and a king sized bed with lace curtains. An information booklet on the various activities to enjoy in the property and a guide to the various tourist attractions in and around Mulshi. The room opened up to a balcony with the view of the river and the mountains. The balcony had a wooden swing, a coffee table and a rocking chair, giving the idyllic relaxing vibe to the ambience. Perched on the swing, I was captivated by the blissful scenery of the Sahyadri mountains. The rain and the wind made a pleasant, harmonious sound setting rhythm to the already tranquil atmosphere that was created by the aesthetics of my room. I noticed a small temple with a white facade in the village in the distance, surrounded by a few brick houses and thatched roofs. There were winding roads with buses and cars driving down its lanes, their noises inaudible and only sounds audible were the birds chirping and the wind whooshing. I made a mental note to myself about how I was going to spend the next morning in my newly found happy place with my steaming hot morning brew.
Restaurant
After a much needed power nap, but still with an uneasy stomach, I headed to the restaurant for dinner. You won’t be able to imagine the buffet spread in this restaurant. Keeping it largely Indian, barring a few exceptions like pasta and Thai curry, there was a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and special Maharashtrian dishes. These dishes are prepared with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Moreover, the staff kept dishing out a variety of appetizers and orders on requests such as Indian breads, yogurt, and special kids meals. There was plentiful food and everyone relished it, except me. The staff were immensely kind and sensitive to my situation. On their recommendation itself, they prepared a healthy khichdi for me and the kids. They were very friendly to the kids and were so heartwarming to the other guests as well. On our request they had decorated a table with flowers and placed two small chocolate cakes for amma and appa’s joint birthday celebration. We headed back to the rooms after dinner and a lovely birthday celebration.
Day 2:
After a sumptuous breakfast of Poha, Upma and Idli sambar, I decided to take a look around the property. I observed the trees dancing in the wind. The long bamboo trees gracefully swayed, their slender bodies bending over. Their leaves rustled in unison, creating a mesmerizing rhythm that complemented the rain's melody.
I love the sound of nature, of this silent nature and I love the sight of the misty mountains which form a mystical environment. It made me forget about my worries and health issues. And I knew the eco resort had a whole lot to offer so I was more than willing to get going and distract myself.
Animal farms
My children were keen on visiting the animal farms, so we decided to visit the emu and duck farms which were housed close by to the resort. We walked again amidst low hanging bamboo trees and passed several idols of gods carved in stone. We finally reached a gate from where we crossed over to a mucky path of mud and water, again witnessing a plethora of bamboo trees and finally got to the farms. During monsoon season, these animals are cared for in their sheds and shelters while in the summer and the better parts of the year, children are offered horse rides and they can tend to the goats. Nearby, we also saw bread fruit and dragon fruit plantations. The farmers here grow a variety of plants and vegetables and the food in the resort kitchen is prepared from these locally grown ingredients.
Devrai temple
Opposite the farm, lay a small stone temple called the Devrai temple. This temple in Malhar Machi is a sacred place that holds great significance for the locals and visitors alike.
Devrai indicates 'Dev' meaning God and 'Rai' meaning forest. The temple environs have statues of deities and golden bells. Every evening a small Aarti (a ritual) is performed in the temple. Locals come to worship their god during aarti. The temple was closed when we visited it.
Jeep safari
Our jeep safari to the hill top was booked for 5 pm. An eight seater jeep and its owner waited for us at the entrance of the resort. A 15 minute drive up the hill was so soul gratifying. The air was filled with the earthy scent of wet soil, refreshing and invigorating. The rain poured relentlessly. Luckily we had our umbrellas so we held them against the downpour shielding ourselves from getting drenched. Once we reached atop, we got a wonderful view of the Sahyadri hills overlooking the town of Mulshi. City dwellers seldom get these opportunities to be in the lap of nature. The din and the busy lives of city dwellers often take away these moments of tranquillity and serenity. After soaking in much of the mystical beauty, we roared down our jeep back to the resort.
Herbal gardens
We got off the vehicle and went for a stroll into the cultivated organic farms and herbal gardens within Malhar Machi’s premises. We witnessed a whole variety of herbal plants, including the kapoor, betel leaf, turmeric and lots of mimosa. What a delight for the kids to touch them and see them shrink. In the Netherlands, kids never come across the ‘touch me not’ plant. After a rendezvous with the herbal garden, it was again time for high tea. In the banquet hall, they offered us some hot chai,coffee, sandwiches and hot pakoras.
Recreational Activities
The primary reason to shortlist this resort was the availability of recreational activities in monsoon for guests to enjoy. These included access to the swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games, live performances by renowned singers, a dance floor that goes live at 10 PM and so on and so forth . Due to the heavy downpour outdoor activities like bicycle riding, trekking, pet farming, horse riding, and zipline were cancelled. The tractor ride and jeep safari were functional in this season.
The unexpected rainstorm that weekend surely dampened our clothes, but it didn't fade anyone's spirits. Kids wanted to play a competitive game of carrom and so did we. We ended our gaming session with a match of foosball. Post game time, we all gathered in the balcony of S1 to enjoy some family time. The kids played, we chatted and laughed hard until it was time to have dinner. In the interim, the staff delivered two glasses of cold milk for me and some medication that I had requested for. They were prompt with their service and catered to every need of ours.
Spa services
Amma enjoys her occasional massage service and to her relief, Malhar Machi's recreational activities also included a spa service and a fitness centre. She quickly booked herself an appointment for a full body herbal oil massage and was offered a complimentary head massage in return. What a perfect package for her to unwind and pamper herself! They have several spa services including couple spa, individual spa, and various types of massages. The ones highly recommended are:
Indian Herbal Body Scrub - 30 Mins for ₹2500
This is an ancient ritual and the masseuse uses herb-infused oils and a botanical body mask to exfoliate, cleanse, detoxify and nourish the skin.
Relive My Body Pain Therapy - 60 Mins for ₹3000
It is their therapy to relive body pain, consisting of a traditional Swedish massage technic and use of specific aroma oils.
Day 3:
Once again, I perched myself on the wooden swing in the balcony. As I sat there, I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me. The rain and the swaying trees created a serene atmosphere yet again, allowing me to escape from the chaos of the world. It was a moment of solitude and reflection, where I could simply be present and appreciate the beauty of nature's dance.
Conclusion…
Overall, the experience in Malhar Machi resort in Mulshi was like a beautiful dream. We would love to live this dream again, explore it in a different weather and enjoy the facilities that the resort provides.
Malhar Machi is a retreat for nature lovers and for individuals seek relaxation and revitalization in a serene and peaceful setting. A special mention to the staff, namely, Manager Ashok, Pradeep, Paresh, Bharat, Amol, Jotiba, Sunil, Mangesh, Shreyas, Aniket, and Mahesh for giving us a truly enjoyable and refreshing experience at Malhar Machi.
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Five stars for the blog, 6 stars for the food ☺️☺️
Excellent article. such a treat to read your blog. gives complete info on the place you are writing about.