The poetry of the earth is never dead. ~John Keats Matheran, a dandy chocolate box hamlet cloaked in lush greenery and deluging the infinite treasure of pristine natural splendor is an immaculate and eco-friendly hill station of Maharashtra cuddled amidst the Western Ghats at the elevation of 800 meters above the sea level. Designated an ‘Eco Sensitive Region’ by the Ministry of Environment and Forest of Indian Government, Matheran happens to be one of the few zones in the world where vehicles are absolutely banned. Located just 90 kilometers away from Mumbai and 120 kilometers from Pune in Karjat Tahsil of the Raigad District, Matheran; far removed from the crazy pandemonium of city life is the most ideal and idyllic weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune.

The term Matheran literally means ‘the forest atop the head’. Dense shaded woods, steep verdant cliffs, rolling hills, silvery waterfalls, placidly meandering river, red soil, still unpaved mud tracks and the emerald silky moss carpeting the landscape is the adept word picture of Matheran that would beguile any tender heart. Extremely well maintained, quiet and unpolluted summer retreat of Maharashtra, Matheran happens to be the smallest hill station of India. Bequeathed with numerous trekking routes and nearly 38 viewing points, Matheran; the seraphinite tiara of the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges enchants its visitors to no extent.

Adding to its boundless pulchritude, cool & serene ambience and salubrious climate is its old world charm emanating a colonial appeal. The majestic buildings of Matheran erected during the British Raj and retaining its antique glory so far conveys the rich heritage of this peachy precinct. The architectural relics of bygone era, the pastoral feel of the place and the ‘no vehicle rule’ of Matheran directly transports us hundred years back in time. Celebrated countrywide for its toy train that runs between Neral and Matheran, this groovy hill resort boasts of owning one of the four toy trains in India. Matheran, immersed in nature’s jubilate equally entices the picnickers and nature lovers, the honeymooners and adventure seekers. It is indeed an inspiration of a poet and a dream come true of an artist.

Discovered in May 1850 by the then district collector of Thane; Hugh Poyntz Malet, Matheran utterly owes its present fame and eminence to the British officials in quest of a vivifying escape from the scorching heats of the Indian plains. The then Governor of Bombay; Lord Elphinstone laid the foundation of Matheran as a hill resort and gradually during the British Era itself Matheran came up as a vital summer retreat. The famous ‘Matheran Hill Railway’ or the ‘Matheran Toy Train’ was laid in the year 1907 by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy. This hill railway, one of the four toy trains in India plies between Neral and Matheran covering the distance of 20 kilometers. This toy train was inspected by the officials from the UNESCO World Heritage Site in October 2009 and soon it will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Monument.