MAHABALESHWAR

resort town, southwestern Maharashtra state, western India. It lies about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Bombay and northwest of the town of S atara at an elevation of 4,718 feet (1,438 m), in the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats. The town commands an excellent view over the coastal Konkan Plain from the steep scarp slope of the hills. Recognized in ancient times as the site of the source of the Krishna River and four of its major tributaries, it is regarded as a tirtha (sacred pool) by Hindus. The older part of town is largely populated by Brahmans whose livelihood is frequently derived from catering to visiting pilgrims. The British explored and built the modern town in 1828 as a hill station (resort). It was at first called Malcolmpeth, after the British East India Company governor. The hills are noted for the European-type fruits and vegetables grown there; beekeeping is a valuable industry. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 10,564.