How to Spend 48 Hours in Satara, India
Satara, just 110 kilometres from Pune, has a special place in the history of Maharashtra. Once the capital of the Maratha Empire, the city still has descendants of Shivaji Maharaj living here. Named because of the seven forts that surround the city, Satara can easily be explored in 48 hours without rushing through the itinerary. Keep reading to find out how.
Day One
Morning
On your first morning in Satara, begin your sightseeing extravaganza with a quick visit to the Natraj Temple. This beautiful temple is at a short distance from the bus station and is also popularly known as the Uttara Chidambaram Temple. It is one of the top places to visit in Satara where you can admire its architecture and art at its best. The temple is dedicated to none other than Lord Nataraj, performing the Tandava. The deity is a replica of Sri Nataraj Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu but smaller in size. The temple opens at 7 am and closes at 12 pm, hence plan an early start. You can easily spend a good hour visiting this attraction.
Afternoon
You can then head to Sangam Mahuli / Kshetra Mahuli, which is a popular pilgrimage attraction located at the confluence of the rivers Venna and Krishna. You can spend an hour or two exploring this site before you head out to the Ajinkyatara Fort that sits at an altitude of 3,300 feet and offers a panoramic view of the city.
Evening
After a morning of exploring temples and forts, why not spend the evening unwinding with nature all around you? The Kaas Plateau is one of the top tourist attractions in the city and it is also a popular picnic spot, making it an ideal getaway with the family or among friends. Also known as the ‘Plateau of Flowers,’ you should definitely make it a part of your list of must-see places in Satara. While at the Kaas Plateau visit Kaas Lake, which was built over 100 years ago to act as a perennial source of water for the city. The entry fee is INR 50 on weekdays and INR 100 on weekends.
If you love nature and bodies of water, you must also stop by the Vajrai Waterfall. There is nothing like nature’s beauty to start your day. You are sure to have an unforgettable time admiring these waterfalls, along with the best morning ever!
Night
A great way to get to know a new place is by tasting the local cuisine and there is nothing like good food to end a day. Satara offers a number of restaurants where you can enjoy dinner, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Get a taste of what this city has to offer by spending your first night at one of the best restaurants, such as Mirch Masala, Manas, Gandharv Pure Veg, Pranjali, Sahyadri Pushpa, Rajathadri 4 Square among many more.
Day Two
Morning
Start day two in Satara by visiting one of the most famous and interesting museums, the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum. The hours will fly by as you explore this museum and learn loads about the city’s history and heritage. This museum was built in the year 1970 to showcase the rich and varied culture of the renowned Maratha Empire. There are two main sections in the museum: Exhibition Articles and the Maratha Art Gallery. You will find a number of memorabilia from the famous ruler of the state, Chhatrapati Shivaji.
There are several other museums you can visit if you are a history buff such as the Shri Bhavani Museum, Bhavani Wax Museum, Samartha Museum, Wax Museum Made by Blind and many more. You can, in fact, spend your two-day vacation in Satara museum hopping!
Afternoon
After a quick peek into the history of Satara, it is time to drive down to Chalkewadi Windmill Farms, one of the largest farms of its kind in Asia. The windmills, apart from generating clean energy, offer a breathtaking sight during the monsoon season and you will find acres of bright and colourful flowers in between. Spending the evening here is a must as sunsets on this farm are truly magical. Other great places to visit around the windmill farm and on the way back to your hotel in the city are the Janubai Mandir, the Satara viewpoint and the Phutke Tale Ganapathi Temple.
Evening
A fantastic way to spend your second evening in Satara is to shop ’til you drop. Some of the main shopping haunts include the Satara Trade Centre, Thombre Novelties and Kasat Market. You can bring home a variety of trinkets, curios and gifts for friends and family. If you have time to kill, you can also watch a movie at the famed City Pride on Satara Road.
Night
Spend your last night in Satara enjoying the city’s nightlife. You will find many bars and pubs where you can have fun, munch on delicious snacks and sip tasty cocktails and other drinks. Some of the top lounge bars and pubs in the city include Pegs N Mugs, Arya Beer Shoppy, Aswad Beer Bar, Tarkeshwar Bar, Bandsman Beer Bar, Amrai Resorts and loads more. Let your hair down and relax with superb drinks and food on your last night.
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Other places worth visiting
These include the Pateshwar Temple, Yamai Devi Temple, Wai Mahaganapati Temple, Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Koteshwar Mandir and Dakshin Kashi Shiv Temple. If you have more time on your hands, you should also visit the picturesque Shivsagar Lake.
As you can see, it is possible to visit Satara’s famous attractions and have time to shop and enjoy the treats the city’s restaurants and bars have to offer. With a little time spent planning ahead, you can ensure that you will have the best 48 hours in Satara.