The best of berry-picking

Come winter and the fields are a vision of green and red as the sweet and tart fruit weighs down the runners. It's the strawberry season in the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. Motivated by the opinion of a Canadian expert, who claims that the taste of Mahabaleshwar-grown strawberries is better than other international varieties, I decide to visit the place.

The morning sun is soothing and welcoming as we wind our way to the strawberry capital of India. With almost 85% of the fruit coming from the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar belt, the epithet is well deserved. It is said that the British first planted the fruit at Mahabaleshwar, which served as their summer capital of the region.

Soon after checking into an idyllic resort, I'm drawn into the strawberry fervour. There is a celebratory air as visitors amble around leafy receptacles or newspaper cones filled with the luscious red fruit, popping them periodically into the mouth. There is a silent camaraderie between the worshippers of the fruit. For those who aren't fans of strawberry, there are other berries like mulberry, raspberry and gooseberry.

Although it is my umpteenth trip to the place, I can't deny myself the joy that comes from visiting the familiar spots. The older part of the town is dotted with several ancient temples, and visiting the Panchganga temple is always high on the list of must-see spots. The 13th-century temple, sitting on the confluence of five rivers - Krishna, Koyna, Gayatri, Savitri and Venna - never fails to bring serenity to the mind. I stoop at the gaumukh, where the cool water from the five rivers gurgles into a tank, enjoying the refreshing experience as the water streams down my hand.

Fruits aside

The ancient Shiva temple, with a 500-year-old mahalingam resting in the sanctum sanctorum, is my next halt. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas.

A sumptuous Malvani lunch cooked on order at a nearby homestay seemed a fitting way to round off the visit to the Old Mahabaleshwar area.

Rugged hills, mysterious forest trails and treks are as much a part of Mahabaleshwar as are these temples. It's now time for me to pay obeisance to nature. As with all hill stations, there are umpteen points, most of them named after the British. There is Lodwick Point, named after the man who trekked up a rough mountain-face in 1824 to discover the beautiful hill station called Mahabaleshwar. The spot where Lodwick landed is marked by a memorial pillar.

Babington Point, Wilson Point, Kate's Point, Elephant's Head Point, Arthur's Seat are the other spots from where one can catch stunning views of rugged hills and gorges.

Arthur's Seat is named after Arthur Mallet, a grieving husband and father. He sat here for hours after the accidental death of his wife and children. They drowned in a boat accident on River Savitri, so the fable goes. True or not, the point offers an amazing view of the gorges and hills, along with one of River Savitri.

My favourite place is the Babington House, located not too far from Arthur's Seat. The colonial country house, once owned by the Dubash family, is famous for its library. Interestingly, one of the family members, Jamshedji kavasji Dubash, was a lover of books and arts, which explains several first-editions books that populate the library. It's not often one stumbles into such a place. Quiet, panoramic and magnificent.

The sun is beginning its downward journey, so it's time to make my way to the Sunset Point. Handsome horses with quaint names trot around, fast-food stalls do a brisk business as do the ice-cream and the game stalls. Busloads of college students arrive and there is a collective gasp as the sun sinks behind the hills, bringing the day to an end.

Kinds of high

It's time to make my way towards the market for a taste of the delicious strawberry-cream concoction, which never fails to bring back visitors. It's early February and the strawberry season is at its peak. I've been told that in some countries, newlyweds are offered strawberry and sour cream as wedding breakfast since it's believed to be an aphrodisiac.

Next morning, I resist the temptation to catch some extra winks so I can watch the sunrise at Wilson Point. Not far away is the Marjorie Point, from where, on a clear day, one can spot no less than three of the forts built during the reign of Emperor Shivaji - Makrandgad, Pratapgad and Tornagad.

The rest of the day is spent idling around the strawberry fields, browsing through an amazing range of its variants - jams, jellies, honey, chocolates, crushes, juices and syrups. There, I taste various combinations till my confused taste buds can no longer distinguish the flavours. The shopping spree takes me on a short drive in search of strawberry wine, which is available only at Panchgani. There, seated amidst strawberry runners, I indulge myself in yet another serving of fresh strawberry cream while my wine is being packed.