town, south-western Maharashtra. It lies about 64 km southeast of Mumbai (formerly ); it is northwest of the town of Satara at an elevation of 1,438 m in the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats. The town commands an excellent view over the Konkan plain. Recognized in ancient times as Dhom, the site of the source of the Krishna river and four of its major tributaries, it is regarded as a tirtha (sacred pool) by the Hindus. The older part of the town is largely populated by Brahmins, whose livelihood is frequently derived from catering to visiting pilgrims.The British explored the area and built the modern town in 1828 as a hill station. It was at first called Malcompeth after the British East India company governor. Fruits like the strawberry and others of the temperate region are grown. The state government sponsors Mahabaleshwar as an increasingly popular tourist resort. Panchgani in the neighbourhood is noted for its public schools, and fruit canning and processing industry. Population (2001) 12,737.