Mumbai, December 29, 2025 – Actress Saiee M Manjrekar is opting for a serene and meaningful start to the New Year 2026, choosing to celebrate in Matheran, a hill station near Mumbai that she affectionately calls her "second home". Matheran is known for its pleasant climate, well-preserved colonial architecture, and a ban on motor vehicles, with many visitors arriving via the Neral-Matheran Toy Train, which was established in 1907.
Manjrekar has been visiting Matheran since her childhood, and the town has become deeply personal to her over the years. "This New Year, I find myself returning to Matheran with a few close friends, a place that has always felt like a second home," she told IANS. "I've been coming here since childhood with my family and friends, and over time, it has quietly become a part of who I am. With no cars and no rush, Matheran moves at its own gentle pace".
She fondly remembers horse rides along misty trails, through shaded forests, and to quiet viewpoints, describing the experience as almost meditative. "I still carry vivid memories of riding here with my parents and siblings, moments filled with laughter, togetherness, and a sense of freedom that only time and nature can give. Horse riding through misty trails, shaded forests, and quiet viewpoints feels almost meditative, allowing memories to surface naturally," she shared.
For Manjrekar, the simple joys of Matheran are what make her time there special. She appreciates the familiar vada pav vendor, enjoying gola on warm afternoons, and having Maggi at a small tapri. "After long rides, the simplest pleasures feel the most rewarding – vada pav from a vendor we've known for years, gola on warm afternoons, and Maggi at a small tapri. Away from five-star comforts, these moments reconnect me to my roots and remind me how little one truly needs to feel content," she explained.
The actress sees Matheran as a place to return to simplicity and authenticity. "Welcoming the New Year here feels deeply right – a return to simplicity, authenticity, and the memories that continue to shape me," Manjrekar added.
