Maharashtra

The state with rich culture and the land of intense spirituality, Maharashtra has to its credit pilgrimage centers with great landmarks in the evolution of Indian Temple architecture. Clinching the Indian Western Coast, Maharashtra is a dream destination of numerous holidaymakers visiting India. From the dream city of Mumbai to tranquil hill-station of Mahabaleshwar, from historic tales of Aurangabad to spirituality oozing Nashik, the diverse facades of Maharashtra often baffle human soul.

Nature A perfect destination to release all your stress and untangle your tired nerves, Maharashtra is blessed with natural beauty in abundance. Visit Panchgani, a beautiful hill station with an overwhelming view. You can also head for Malshej Ghat that offers a bag full of flora and fauna. Explore Kamshet to fly high by indulging in paragliding or unveil Dapoli to capture awe-inspiring sunsets at the beaches.

Adventure If you thought nature is all Maharashtra has then you are mistaken. Adventure lovers can hit the state that offers best options for adventure. Bhandardara, Pratapgarh and several forts in the Sahyadri Ranges are popular destinations for trekking. Those who wish to participate in Paragliding can find numerous options in Pune and Mumbai. Due to the far stretched coastline, there are some great options in water sports.

Wildlife The Melghat Tiger Reserve is perhaps the best place to spot tigers living in their natural habitat. Bharmragarh Sanctuary is known for housing leopard, jungle fowl, wild boar and sloth bear, living peacefully in the moist deciduous mix forests. The Bhimshankar Wild Life Sanctuary is a favourite among the wildlife lovers. It is also one of the 12 biodiversity hotspots of the world. The Radhanagari Sanctuary is yet another getaway that fills the travellers with immense thrill of sighting wild while strolling through dense forest areas.

Religious Destinations The much famed Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is worshipped by every local. The idol of the temple was carved out of a single black stone. Akkalkot is another popular sight where pilgrims can be seen heading for the shrine complex of Shri Swami Samarth. The shrine complex is renowned with the name of Vatavruksh Mandir and acts as a popular spiritual destination among locals. Many travellers also head for the Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur, one of the Shakti Peethas in India. Haji Ali Dargah is another must visit spiritual destination in Maharashtra, visited by Hindus and Muslims alike. The dargah has been adorned with multihued mirror work and features ninety-nine names of Allah written on the pillars.

People & Culture The locals here, known as Maharashtrians, come from different religious and cultural backgrounds. A number of tribes, including Bhils, Mahadeo, Kolis, Gonds and Warlis, are also settled here, adding to the vibrancy of the state. From handloom weavers busy creating complex patterns in silks and cottons to leather artists crafting ubiquitous ‘kohlapuri’ slippers, Maharashtra has many crafts to lure travellers. Though Marathi is the official language of the state, one can find people speaking Hindi and English too.

The state is blessed with some great art forms, dances, and music, which can be experienced during the festivals. Lavani is the most popular dance form of Maharashtra, performed by the locals as well as professional dancers.

Shopping Maharashtra is a sheer paradise for shopping lovers. Street markets of Mumbai such as Chor Bazaar, Mutton Street and Zaveri Bazar are perfect to bag every item at knock down prices. Those who are looking for branded options can visit the shopping arcades of five-star hotels like Oberoi and Taj Mahal. Those visiting Aurangabad can buy himroo shawls, mashroo and kimkhab weaves. Shopping in Kolhapur promises cotton textiles, including the famous Kolhapuri sarees. The state is also known for its leather sandals and Kolhapuri chappals. Apart from this, shopping in Nashik brings to you brass statues and beaded necklaces, available almost in every local market here.

Food The locals here are crazy for Maharashtrian cuisine. Rice is the staple food of Maharashtra. Quintessentially from Pune, Misal Pav (cooked sprouted lentils with raw chopped onions and tomato) is a popular snack. Pitla Bhakri is a rural food of Maharashtra and is often cooked in the local houses.

Vada Pav (deep fried potato based patty sandwiched between a square of bread) is a must have snack here. A visit to Maharashtra is incomplete without tasting the Vada Pav. Other than this, for the lovers of non vegetarian food, Maharashtrian dishes made out of mutton, chicken, fish and other seafood are highly popular. Do not forget to treat your taste buds with Puran Poli and Shrikhand, two popular sweet dishes in the Maharashtrian cuisine.

Fairs & Festivals The locals of the state are known for their fervour towards festivals and fairs. Among the popular festivities, Ganesh Chaturthi is the most prominent one. The festival is celebrated to bring the idol of Lord Ganesha home. The locals then worship it for ten days and immerse it into water at the end of the festival. Elephanta Festival, celebrated in February, is another popular event that showcases the rich culture of Maharashtra.

Ellora Festival is also a grand event that brings out a plethora of talents in music and dance. Travellers must not miss a chance to participate in the Pune Festival when the city of Pune remains immersed in vibrant cultures and traditions of Maharashtra.

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Maharashtra is between September to April when the state remains happy with a blissful weather. The months between June and September must be avoided due to heavy rainfall experienced by the state.

How to Reach By Air - Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is one major international airport in Maharashtra. The airports of Nagpur and Pune also operate a few international flights apart from domestic ones.

By Train - The largest railway station of Maharashtra is known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, located in Mumbai. The station is well connected to all the parts of the country. Train facilities are also available from other cities like Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Amravati, etc.

By Road - There are a number of National Highways and State Highways crisscrossing the state. Also, one can plan a sea tour to the state and land at the international naval port at Mumbai.