Tourist places in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is one of the best places to spend one’s vacation. Previously Maharashtra was part of Bombay. Bombay was divided bilingually into 2 parts, Marathi-speaking Maharashtra and Gujrati-speaking Gujrat. Maharashtra not only attracts people from Indian states but also from foreign countries. Places in Maharashtra that attract tourists are given below.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
It is a UNESCO world heritage site, it is located near the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world, with artwork dating from the period 600-1000 CE. Kailash temple is dedicated to the god Shiva. Various Hindu deities are depicted in the Kailash temple and relief panels summarizing the two major Hindu epics.
Mahabaleshwar
It is situated in the Satara district of Maharashtra, it is a small town and municipal corporation. Krishna river has its origins here due to which it is a place of pilgrimage. This small town was developed as a hill station by the British colonial rulers, it served as the summer capital of Bombay’s presidency during the British raj.
Panchgani
It is a hill station and municipal council in the Satara district in Maharashtra. It is around 108 kilometers from Pune and 250 km from Mumbai. It attracts many tourists throughout the year due to its weather. Many premier residential educational institutions are located here and it is renowned for that. Table Land in Panchgani is the second largest mountain plateau in Asia. It contains a small lake in it.
Shirdi
It is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra which is nearly 122km away from Nashik. It is believed that Sai Baba arrived here in 1858 and spent 60 years of his life here until he attained salvation in 1918. The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust located in Shirdi is one of the richest temple organizations.
Lavasa
It is a planned city near Pune. It is stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino, with a street and several buildings bearing the name of that town. It is also called India’s newest hill station. Construction of this city is under Lavasa Corporation. Lavasa city is perfectly blended with Infrastructure and beauty.
Kolad
It is located near the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is 117 km away from Mumbai and on National Highway no 66. It lies on the banks of River Kundalika. Its climate is varied: Spring is hot and sultry, and monsoon is accompanied by heavy rainfalls.
Mumbai
It is the capital city of Maharashtra and it is also known as the financial capital of India. It is the second most populous city in India and the 8th most populous city in the world. There are various places to visit in Mumbai. A few of them are Marine drive, Elephanta caves, Gateway of India, Shree Siddhi Vinayak Mandir, and Bandra Worli sea link.
Lonavala
It is situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It is known for its production of the hard candy chikki. It is part of twin hill stations which consists of Lonavala and Khandala. It attracts more tourism during the monsoon season. Meaning of Lonavala word is a series of caves, it is derived from the words ‘leni’ which means cave, and ‘avali’ which means series. It consists of various caves like Karla caves, Bhaja Caves, and Bedsa that are close to Lonavala.
Alibaug
It is a small coastal town near the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is famous for its beaches, villas, and beautiful scenery. It serves as a weekend getaway from cities like Mumbai and Pune. The best time to visit Alibaug is between November and March.
Tarkarli
Tarkarli is a village which is situated near Sindhudurg district in the Indian district of Maharashtra. It is widely known for its long and narrow beach, with its pristine water, white sand, and of course Sindhudurg, Maharashtra’s popular sea fort.
Nashik
Nashik also known as Nasik lies on the northern side of the Maharashtra state. It is situated on the banks of river Godavari. It is the fourth largest city in Maharashtra by area. Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in Nashik. Nashik is also known as the “Wine capital of India.” Approximately 90 percent of all Indian wine comes from the Nashik valley. Half of India’s vineyards and wineries are located here. It has been observed that Nashik is one of the fastest-growing cities in India.
Bhandardara
It is a hill station situated in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. It is a holiday resort village near Igatpuri. It lies in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It has all the nature’s blessings a place can get. It’s the perfect holiday spot for city dwellers.
Aurangabad
In 2010 it was declared as the Tourism capital of Maharashtra by the government of India. It is the largest city in the Marathwada region. It is a famous tourist hub, as Ajanta and Ellora caves lie on the outskirts of Aurangabad. Ajanta and Ellora caves are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1983. Other tourist attractions include Jama Mosque, Daulatabad Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, Bibi ka Maqbara and Salim Ali Lake.
Pune
It is ranked number one in India in ease of living. It is often called oxford of the east. Pune is referred to as the cultural and educational capital of Maharashtra state. Pune is a perfect example of how a city can blend tradition with modernity sprinkled with colonial-era charm. Osho ashram is located in Pune and attracts followers from all over the world. Pune is dotted with palaces and temples, Shani war Wada and the Agha Khan palace are the most important ones.
Raigad
Raigad is a historically rich district, it is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Mumbai Harbours, Ratnagiri, Pune, and the Arabian Sea surround it. The best time to visit Raigad is from November to march.
Tadoba National Park
It is India’s most protective and most exciting tiger reserve, with the most visible tiger sightings in the state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. It was created in 1955, it is the oldest and largest Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. October to March is the best suitable to visit this national park if anyone is thinking about visiting Tadoba National Park.
Nagpur
It is the winter capital of Maharashtra and the third largest city in Maharashtra. It is the 14th largest city in India by population. It is one of the top ten cities which were proposed in the Smart City Project. Nagpur was first in Maharashtra and second in India in the latest rankings of 100 developing smart cities by the Union Ministry of Urban Development. It is also known as Orange city. It is the geographical center of India which makes it a place of attraction. Nagpur has plateaus, flat tablelands with rivers and streams flowing through it. Must-visit places in Nagpur are Bohra Masjid, orange orchards, Ambazari, Deekshabhumi, Ramtek fort temple, and Futala Lake.
Kolhapur
It is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is often called as Kashi of the South because of its spiritual history. It is also called the spice capital of Maharashtra. Kolhapur is known for Kolhapur sandals and necklaces that are sold worldwide. The famous Mahalakshmi temple is located here in honor of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Kolhapuri cuisine is famous all over India. Kolhapur is at its best during the auspicious occasion of Naag Panchami. Panhala Fort, Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, Gaganbawada, Ramtirth Waterfall, and Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary are a few places to visit in Kolhapur.
Ratnagiri
It is widely known for Alphonsus, Konkani food, and serene beaches. Ratnagiri is blessed with hills, sea shores, creeks, beautiful rivers, hot water springs, forests, and waterfalls and offers a rejuvenating experience to travelers. Lokmanya Gangadhar tilak was born in Ratnagiri. It is dream come true destination for travelers with its majestic Sahyadri range and Arabian sea with Virginal white beaches. Jaigad Fort, Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, Jaigad Lighthouse and Ganapatipule Beach, Thibaw point, and pawas are a few of the places to visit in Ratnagiri. The most suitable time to visit Ratnagiri is between October to March.
Chiplun
It is a very quiet place, and lies far away from the city port district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. This town is widely known for its white sand beaches and beautiful mango and cashew groves by the Vashisthi river. The meaning of the word Chiplun is ‘The abode of the Lord Parashurama’. Vashishti River, Marleshwar Temple, Guhagar beach, Sawatsada Waterfalls, Lord Parashurama Temple and Koyna Dam are few places to visit in Chiplun.