Matheran Attraction Points

Matheran Toy Train

It’s astonishing to travel by Toy train from Neral to Matheran a hill station in Raigad district in Maharashtra (India). Toy Trains journey takes around 281 thriller zigzag turns (ghat) from Neral to Matheran hill top.

The Matheran Railway is a small line of 2 ft. gauge constructed in the year 1907 and being rewarded World Heritage in by UNESCO. It’s mode of transport to reach the plateau top in the near vicinity of the city of Mumbai. This railway is known as matheran toy train. Later the special Toy Train has honored by the name “PhulRani”

Neral - Matheran - A hill station at an altitude of 800 meters (average height of 2500 feet above sea level), Matheran is 110 km. away from Mumbai on Mumbai-Pune rail route.

A narrow gauge toy train from Neral (87 km. from Mumbai) meanders up the mountain, treating the tourists to a breathtaking view.

Mr. Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then Collector of Thane, discovered Matheran (meaning "forest on the top") in May 1850. Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Mumbai laid foundations of the future development of Matheran as a hill station. This 2-foot narrow gauge hill railway, connecting Neral was opened to traffic in 1907.

This hill railway was built by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, who formed a limited company with an authorised capital of ten lakh rupees divided into 2000 shares. The railway is 20 km. (12.6 miles) long and has a gauge of two feet with a ruling gradient of 1 in 20. The track zig zags up the side of the hill, bringing into view the full beauty of the Matheran Hill station. There are four pairs of train running between Neral and Matheran. However, during monsoon i.e. June to September, only one pair of train is run to open timings.

Horses at Matheran

You need to park your car (even if you are not willing to do so!) at Dasturi Naka. Dasturi Naka is 3 kms away from Main Street of Matheran or railways station of Matheran.

One can experience grand receiving at Dasturi Naka at very next step once he came out of his car by the Army of plenty Horses around the Dasturi Naka. There is Army of around 500 trained & disciplined Horses in Matheran.

Few of them are using for purpose of transportation of luggage and other are equipped for traveling with you and for you. You can have choice of Black, Brown, White, Tall and Short horses in Matheran.

Horsemen of Matheran are well known for dedication of their lives to horses and to the tourist of Matheran. Riding on the muddy slopes of Matheran is amazing to experience. You can also learn riding lesson at Olympia Racecourse conducted by horsemen of Matheran.

Nature of Matheran

At Matheran you will be relax, Rested and Rejuvenating. Really this is the effect of Matheran atmosphere, which you will be experienced. It is crown placed in sahyadri hill Ranges, at 2400 feet above sea level. 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.

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.

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