Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station in Maharashtra that is known for its natural beauty and historical significance. But did you know that it is also home to one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, the Mapro Garden?
Mapro Garden is a sprawling picnic spot that offers a variety of products and activities related to strawberries and other fruits. Whether you want to taste some fresh and juicy strawberries, watch how jams and syrups are made, shop for some delicious mapro products, or just have some fun with your family and friends, Mapro Garden has something for everyone.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Mapro Garden, including its history, features, attractions, timings, fees, location, and tips. By the end of this article, you will be ready to plan your next trip to Mapro Garden and make it a memorable one.
History and Vision of Mapro
Mapro is a short form of Mahabaleshwar Products, a company that was founded in 1959 by Kishore Vora, a pharmacist turned entrepreneur. Vora started by making strawberry jam in a small kitchen with the help of local farmers. He soon realized the potential of the fruit industry in Mahabaleshwar and expanded his product range to include syrups, candies, sauces, and other items made from fresh fruits.
Today, Mapro is one of the leading fruit processing companies in India, with a turnover of over Rs. 300 crore. It has over 250 products and exports to more than 15 countries. It also employs over 1000 people and supports over 20,000 farmers in the region.
The vision of Mapro is to provide quality products that are made from natural ingredients and promote the welfare of the farmers and the environment. Mapro also aims to educate and entertain its customers by showcasing its production process and offering various activities and attractions at its garden.
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Mapro Strawberry Festival: A Celebration of the Harvest
One of the main highlights of visiting Mapro Garden is the Mapro Strawberry Festival, an annual event that celebrates the harvest of strawberries and showcases the culture and cuisine of the region. The festival is usually held in March or April, depending on the availability of strawberries. It lasts for four days and attracts thousands of visitors from all over India.
The festival offers free tasting of strawberries and other mapro products to all the visitors. It also features cultural programs, contests, games, and exhibitions that showcase the talent and creativity of the local people. Some of the popular events include strawberry eating competition, strawberry carving competition, strawberry queen contest, and strawberry recipe contest.
The festival is a great opportunity to enjoy the freshness and flavor of strawberries and learn more about their cultivation and processing. It is also a great way to support the local farmers and artisans who work hard to produce these delicious fruits.
If you want to attend the festival, you should book your tickets in advance from the official website or app of Mapro. You should also arrive early to avoid the crowd and get a good spot. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will be walking around a lot. You should also carry some cash as not all stalls accept cards or digital payments.
Things to Do in Mapro Garden: A Fun-Filled Day Out
Apart from the festival, there are many other things that you can do in Mapro Garden throughout the year. Here are some of them:
Visit the chocolate factory:
If you love chocolates, then you should not miss visiting the chocolate factory inside the garden. Here you can see how chocolates are made from cocoa beans and taste different varieties of chocolates such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, fruit chocolate, nut chocolate, etc.
Shop for mapro products:
If you want to buy some mapro products for yourself or your loved ones, then you should head to the shopping area inside the garden. Here you can find a wide range of products such as jams, syrups, candies, sauces, honey, vinegar, etc. You can also buy some souvenirs such as t-shirts, caps, mugs, keychains, etc.
Play in the children’s area:
If you have kids with you, then you should take them to the children’s area inside the garden. Here they can have fun with slides, swings, trampolines, and other games. They can also interact with other kids and make new friends.
Take photos with the strawberry mascot:
If you want to capture some memorable moments from your visit, then you should take photos with the strawberry mascot, a giant strawberry costume that roams around the garden. You can also take photos with other colorful props such as giant strawberries, flowers, and fruits.
To enjoy these activities, you should check the timings and rules of the garden before you visit. You should also follow the instructions of the staff and respect the property and the environment. You should carry a camera or a smartphone to take photos and videos. You should also try new flavors and products that you may not find elsewhere.
Mapro Garden Restaurant: A Treat for the Taste Buds
After exploring the garden and indulging in various activities, you might feel hungry and thirsty. Don’t worry, Mapro Garden has a restaurant that will satisfy your appetite and quench your thirst. The restaurant is located inside the garden and offers a variety of food items made from organic ingredients sourced from local farms.
The menu of the restaurant includes sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, salads, soups, pastas, and other continental dishes. It also includes ice-creams, shakes, smoothies, juices, and other beverages. The most popular dish of the restaurant is the strawberry with whipped cream, which is a must-try for anyone who visits the garden.
If you want to dine at the restaurant, you should make reservations in advance as it gets crowded during peak hours. You should also choose a seat with a view of the garden or the valley as it will enhance your dining experience. You should order in advance as it may take some time for your food to arrive. You should also tip generously as it will show your appreciation for the staff.
How to Reach Mapro Garden: A Guide for Travelers
Mapro Garden is located on the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Road, about 8 km from Panchgani and 11 km from Mahabaleshwar. You can reach Mapro Garden by different modes of transport such as by road, by train, or by air.
By road:
The best way to reach Mapro Garden by road is by car or by bus. You can drive your own car or hire a taxi from any nearby city or town. You can also take a state or private bus from Pune, Mumbai, Satara, or other places that have direct or connecting services to Mahabaleshwar or Panchgani. The road to Mapro Garden is well-maintained and scenic, but it can be crowded and narrow at some places. You should follow the traffic rules and drive carefully.
By train:
The nearest railway station to Mapro Garden is Satara, which is about 55 km away. You can take a train from Pune, Mumbai, or other major cities to Satara. From Satara, you can take a bus or a taxi to Mapro Garden. The train journey to Satara is comfortable and economical, but it can be time-consuming and inconvenient at times. You should check the train schedule and availability before you book your tickets.
By air:
The nearest airport to Mapro Garden is Pune, which is about 120 km away. You can take a flight from Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, or other domestic or international destinations to Pune. From Pune, you can take a bus or a taxi to Mapro Garden. The flight journey to Pune is fast and convenient, but it can be expensive and subject to weather conditions. You should check the flight status and fares before you book your tickets.
To travel safely and comfortably to Mapro Garden, you should check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. You should also pack light and carry only the essentials such as water, snacks, medicines, and documents. You should also carry some cash as not all places accept cards or digital payments.
Wondering where to stay on your next trip to Mapro Garden? Well, your search ends here. Check out these best hotels, villas and resorts in Mahabaleshwar!
Mapro Garden is a wonderful attraction that offers a lot of fun and excitement for everyone. It is a place where you can enjoy the freshness and flavor of strawberries and other fruits, watch how they are processed into various products, shop for some delicious mapro products, play in the children’s area, take photos with the strawberry mascot, and dine at the restaurant.
Mapro Garden is also a place where you can learn more about the history and vision of Mapro, the company that has revolutionized the fruit industry in India. You can also attend the Mapro Strawberry Festival, an annual event that celebrates the harvest of strawberries and showcases the culture and cuisine of the region.
If you are looking for a fun-filled and delicious day out in Mahabaleshwar, then Mapro Garden is the place to be.
We hope that this article has given you all the information and tips that you need to plan your next trip to Mapro Garden and make it a memorable one.
