Maharashtra

Maharashtra – Magic in every moment.

Multifaceted Maharashtra is a state with diverse demographics. Picture this: A woman is rushing to catch her train. She is wearing a sari and her hair is adorned with a thread of fresh mogra. Or this: A woman is hailing a cab. She is wearing trousers and a shirt, while her hair is combed back. Both these women represent quintessential Maharashtrians. Traditional and urban coexist happily. Maharashtra is home to a repository of natural beauty, architectural wonders, gastronomy, and glamour. But this opulence is juxtaposed with depravation too. Home to the largest slum population in the world, that you can tour, Maharashtra is a prism with many refractions. A trip to this eclectic state, will entice every sense! 

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Highlights of Maharashtra – Hop, skip, and jump!

Hill stations

Matheran is India’s smallest hill station. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in unparalleled natural beauty. Did you know that this little gem is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station? Yes, you can treat your lungs to the most pristine vacation while drinking in landscapes of greens and blues! If not for its sunset painted viewpoints, rainbow coloured lakes, and wandering parks, visit Matheran for the love of horse riding. Picture the smell of hay and the sound of hooves! Mahableshwar is yet another picture-perfect hill station in the western Ghats of Maharashtra. Looking around, one can’t help but think of yellow chiffon saris, synchronised dance moves, and Bollywood fantasies. Visit Pratapgad, a 17th century battle site that looks like a turquoise-lime green stained-glass painting. Take a lovely boat ride at Venna lake and eat from one of its carnival-style food stalls.

Caves and Temples

A stone-grey crescent on an emerald green carpet - what the glorious Ajanta caves look like from a distance. Situated in the Aurangabad district, these rock cut Buddhist caves have been deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. A combination of prayer halls and dwellings from 2nd century BC, Ajanta consists of expressive paintings that symbolise emotion through gesture, pose and form. Ellora Caves, another set of heritage rock-cut caves, is home to the world’s largest single monolithic rock excavation – Kailasha Temple. Shaped like a chariot, this splendid shrine is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva’s abode on the summit of Mount Kailash. Scenes from the Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata, are depicted on its walls. Exploring these caves requires a bit of long walking and steep inclines, so go prepared!

Museums

Joshi’s Miniature Railway Museum will whisk you away into a child’s dream. Have you ever watched the cartoon - Thomas & Friends, or the motion picture – Hugo? If yes, Pune’s miniature city of model trains will take you right back! This magical museum features everything a real-life city would possess, including a fully functional station, CBD, drive-in theatre, swimming pool and even a circus.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, with its chandelier laden high ceilings and serpentine arched doorways, is a playground for historians and architects. The rare objects you will discover here were painstakingly collected from the nooks and corners of the country. Dinkar Kelkar’s own personal collection constitutes of 15,000 collectibles, including a textile room and a war room.

Local culture

Think of Maharashtra as a beautiful plate of chaat - a little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot of chatpata! Similarly, Maharashtrian culture is known to have many delicious layers. From its performing arts (Bhavageet, Lavani) to its literature (Abhang), cinema (Bollywood, Art films), sports (Kabbadi, Cricket), and media (200 newspapers, 350 magazines) the state is brimming with local talent, ideologies and practices. In line with our first thought, Maharashtrian cuisine is simply heavenly. Eat your way through the state by trying these authentic street foods - Vada pav, Misal pav, Dahi puri. We also recommend a traditional meal which includes a bhaji (vegetable dish), bhakri (round flat unleavened bread), raw onion and pickle. You must also try Puran poli, which is a finger licking dessert!

Urban culture

Maharashtra’s capital - Mumbai, is a cultural hot pot and a booming metropolis. A juxtaposition of sounds, smells and colour. A beautiful blend of traditionality and modernity. From its colonial architecture, to its global restaurants, thrilling nightlife, and thriving industries, Mumbai is fondly referred to as the city of dreams. Wander through its quaint streets, take a walk along its picturesque beaches, experience the chaos of the world’s largest slum population, and catch a glimpse of the glitz and glamour. We recommend some of these iconic sites – The Gateway of India, Queen Victoria Terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, and Haji Ali Dargah.

Interesting facts about Maharashtra – Food for thought

• Maharashtra is the richest state in India in terms of its GDP contribution, and industrial output.
• Navi Mumbai is the largest planned city in the world.
• On the 16th of April 1853, India’s first train ran from Mumbai to Thane.
• The first gold refinery of India was located in Shirpur.
• Rankala Lake, in Kohlapur, is one of the oldest lakes in Maharashtra.
• Lonar Lake, in the Buldhana district, was created after a meteor impact during the Pleistocene period.

Location: Pull out your maps.

Situated on the western peninsula of the Indian subcontinent, the state of Maharashtra occupies a significant portion of the Deccan plateau. Maharashtra shares its border with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in the north, Karnataka and Goa in the south, Telangana and Chhattisgarh in the east, and the Arabian sea in the west.

Click here to view Maharashtra on Google Map

Timings: Best time to visit

Summers in Maharashtra are scorching and humid. While monsoons provide quick solace, they are particularly inconvenient. Although it much depends on your personal preference, the most ideal time to visit the state is during winters. October to February is gifted with a pleasant climate, ranging from 12-25 degrees.

How to get to Maharashtra – Follow the trail

By Road – Maharashtra is the epicentre of commerce, hence it is well connected to all major parts of the country via national highways - NH 13, NH16, NH17, NH 3M NH4, NH 7, NH9, and NH6. Interstate and intrastate private/government owned bus services are available. You may also opt for a taxi or private vehicle.

By Rail - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, in Mumbai, serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways of India. It has direct trains to and from all the major cities in the country, spanning several states. Furthermore, there are efficient railway stations in Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and Amravati.

By Air – Mumbai is home to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport which is the second busiest airport in the country. It offers direct flights to and from all major Indian cities, and several foreign countries. Furthermore, there are reliable international airports in Pune and Nagpur. In terms of domestic airports, you can opt from Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur.

History: Long-legged Legacy.

Maharashtra’s colourful history dates back to the discovery of the Jorwe culture during the ancient period. The prehistoric period witnessed the conquest and settlement of the following clans - Maurya Empire, Satavahana Dynasty, Western Satraps, Gupta Empire, Vakatakas, Kadambas, Chalukya Empire, Rashtrakuta Dynasty, Yadavas, Chola Dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, Portuguese, Faruqi Dynasty, Mughal Empire, and the Nizamshahi Dynasty. This was followed by the establishment of the Maratha Empire through the leadership of Shivaji Maharaj. The British ceased control in 1819, relegating western Maharashtra to the Bombay Presidency. Post-Independence, the Deccan States, including Kolhapur were incorporated into Bombay State. Through the  States Reorganisation Act, the   Marathwada region and Vidarbha region were incorporated into the Bombay Presidency. Finally, in 1960, an independent Marathi-speaking state was created by bifurcating Bombay State into the new states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Are all these facts making your head spin? Worry not, because we have listed the best places for you to visit.