Maharashtra

MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra, a state spanning west-central India, is best known for its fast-paced capital, Mumbai (formerly Bombay). This sprawling metropolis is the seat of the Bollywood film industry. It also has sites like the British Raj-era Gateway of India monument and cave temples at Elephanta Island. To the south is the rustic, beach-lined Konkan Coast. In the city of Pune, Aga Khan Palace is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis

Capital: Mumbai

Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao

Places to Visit

• Mumbai

 City

 

Mumbai is more affectionately known as the city of dreams. The city is a collection of 7 islands and was named after the goddess Mumbadevi. The history of this metropolis is said to date back to the Stone Age. It has been a part of many major empires including the Maurya, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta as well as Marathas.

It is the most populous city in India and the ninth most populous in the world with an estimated population of 18.4 million. In 2009, Mumbai was named an alpha world city. It is the wealthiest city in India with highest number of billionaires and is also one of the best places to experience the Tourism in Maharashtra.

• Ajanta and Ellora Caves

 Historical & Heritage

 Ajanta Caves are ancient Buddhist caves situated near Ajanta village in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Ajanta Caves are one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and also one of the top attractions you must include in Maharashtra packages. The caves are now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Ajanta Caves are ancient Buddhist caves situated near Ajanta village in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Ajanta Caves are one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and also one of the top attractions you must include in Maharashtra packages. The caves are now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

 Ellora Caves are ancient historical caves locally known as 'Verul Leni'. The caves are located near Verul on the Aurangabad-Chalisgaon road to the northwest of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The Ellora Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Ellora is the most visited ancient monument and also one of the top Tourist places in Maharashtra. Ellora is also one of the top tourist places near Mumbai.

The caves at Ellora were carved out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills between the 6th and 10th centuries AD. The carving work began around 550 AD, about the same time the Ajanta Caves were abandoned. 

• Lonavala

 Hill Station

Lonavala is a beautiful hill station in Pune district of Maharashtra. It lies at an altitude of 622 m in the Sahyadri Ranges which separate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan Coast. Lonavala is among the top hill stations in Maharashtra and also one of the famous Tourist places in Maharashtra. This is also among the best tourist places to visit near Pune & Mumbai.
Lohagad Fort, Karla Caves and Rajmachi Point are some of the best places to include in Lonavala packages. Lonavala and Khandala are twin hill stations near Pune to Mumbai hightway and are very popular monsoon getaways in India. The hill station is spread over an area of 38 square km.

• Pune

 City |  Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 66 km from Lonavala, 161 km from Mumbai, 116 km from Ahmednagar, 432 km from Goa, 556 km from Hyderabad and 841 km from Bangalore, Pune is one of the most popular cities in India situated at the confluence of Mula and Mutha Rivers. Pune is the 8th largest metropolis in India and the second largest city in Maharashtra. It is also considered an important city in terms of its economic and industrial importance. Situated at an altitude of 560 m, Pune is among popular Tourist places in Maharashtra.

Pune was earlier known as Punya-Nagiri or Queen of Deccan. Earlier, Pune was ruled by the Rashtrakutas and it was a part of Yadava Empire of Devgiri from the 9th century to 1327 AD. It was once the center of power of the Maratha Empire established by Shivaji Maharaj. During his reign, the place witnessed significant development and growth in every aspect. In 1730 AD, Pune became the political center of the Peshwas, who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. The town witnessed invasion by British India in 1817 AD. It was served as the monsoon capital and the cantonment town to the British until India got independence in 1947.

• Shirdi

 Pilgrimage

Shirdi is a small town located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. This is one of the holiest places in India and also one of the popular pilgrimage places you must include in Maharashtra packages. Shirdi, also known as the Land of Sai, is famous for the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, which is the main attraction for the devotees who visit this holy shrine. This is also one among the best pilgrimage places to visit near Mumbai.

Sai Baba, who belonged to 20th century, is known as one of the greatest saints of India. Sai Baba visited Shirdi when he was 16 years old and stayed there until his death in 1918. Sai Baba transformed this small village into a holy pilgrimage site for his devotees. Many tales of the renowned Shirdi Sai are associated with this village. 

• Tadaba National Park

 Wildlife

 Andhari Tiger Reserve is a popular tiger reserve in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra in India. Renowned as Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park, Tadoba is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in India and also one of the best places to experience Maharashtra tourism.
Also known as Tadoba National Park, the park is one of the 47 project tiger reserves in India. The Tadoba National Park was created in the year 1955. The Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in the year 1986 and was amalgamated with the park in 1995 to establish the present Tadoba - Andhari Tiger Reserve. The name Tadoba is derived from the God 'Tadoba' or 'Taru', praised by the tribal people who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while the Andhari river that meanders through the forest gives the name 'Andhari'. 

The total area of the tiger reserve is 1,727 Sq. km and the core area of the tiger reserve is 625.40 Sq. km. The reserve also includes 32.51 Sq.km of protected forest and 14.93 Sq. km of other areas. Densely forested hills form the northern and western boundary of the tiger reserve. Tadoba Lake acts as a buffer between the park's forest and the extensive farmland which extends up to Irai water reservoir. This lake is a perennial water source which offers good habitat for Muggar crocodiles to thrive. 

Maharashtrian Dishes That Will Give You Hunger Pangs

1. Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji 

Amchi Maharashtra food is incomplete without this dish which has come to be synonymous to the state! Fresh and thick slices of bread, smothered in butter served with a delicious mix of moderately spiced vegetables. This lip-smacking dish has won the heart of every Indian!

2. Vada Pav

Vada Pav 

Vada Pav can easily be called the Indian version of a burger! A delicious, spicy, deep-fried patty made of potato is squeezed between a thick slice of bread, similar to a burger bun. Between the vada (patty) and pav (bread) a spicy mix of spices and salt is sprinkled and garnished with a fried, salted green chilli. Sounds perfect, isn?t it? It?s an all-day snack and is extremely popular among Maharashtrians. It is very economical, filling and easily accessible. Another popular offshoot is the Bhajiya Pav, which has batter-fried onions instead of the patty.

3. Puran Poli

Puran Poli 

This delectable food item is a sweet version of the loving parantha. The stuffing is made from jaggery (gur), yellow gram (chana) dal, plain flour, cardamom powder and ghee (clarified butter). It is a popular dish in festive occasions and also can be eaten at any time of the day. A tasty dessert does not need anyone?s permission to be eaten!

4. Modak

Modak

Modak is one of the most famous sweet found in Maharashtra and is extensively eaten during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival all around the state. The sweet filling on the inner part of a modak consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery while the outer shell is made out of rice flour and is very soft. With time, there have been varied types of modak such as Kesari modak, dark chocolate modak, motichoor modak, paneer modak, dry fruit modak and many more. This sweet is Ganpati?s favourite and that is for a very definite reason for sure.

5. Poha 

Poha 

This chai-time snack which is made out of flattened rice is a favourite among every Maharashtrian. A very versatile dish, poha can be prepared in numerous ways. The most common variant is kanda poha which is made with onions. Other variants include batata poha, poha prepared with diced potato, dadpe pohe which is raw poha prepared with fresh, shredded coconut, green chillies, ginger and lime juice and lastly kachche pohe, raw poha tossed in a mix of oil, red chilli powder, salt and un-sautéed onion. No matter which way you choose to make it, poha will leave you craving for more!

6. Sabudana khichdi

Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana is ?sago? or tapioca starch. Khichdi roughly means ?mixture?. This unique dish is a popular breakfast item in Maharashtra food and cuisine and is one of the few food products which is consumed during the period of holy-fasting, ?upwaas?. The granular texture of sago prepared in a savoury mix turns out to be a delicious dish.