India’s third-largest and second-most crowded state, Maharashtra is a place located in the western peninsular area of India, having wall-to-wall tourist enticements and a vast region of the Deccan Plateau.

 

Mountains in the alluring Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats embellish the land as the morning mist fades away when the silvery beaches of Konkan Coast enrapture the souls of the beholder. 

 

History

 

Maharashtra was governed by the Maurya Empire in the third & fourth centuries BCE. The history of Maharashtra takes us back to the Marathi saints of the Varkari spiritual movement like Chokhamela, Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram which cultivated the cornerstone for Marathi culture or traditions of Maharashtra.

 

Places to Visit 

Mumbai

Entertainment Capital of India – Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra. Formerly known as Bombay, it is a city of dreams for Bollywood aspirants, industrialists, and slum dwellers. This glamorous city which is the homeland of many celebrities is an epicenter of theatre, fashion, music, and art. 

Places to visit: Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Colaba Causeway, Juhu Beach, Haji Aliu Dargah, Siddhivinayak Temple, Elephanta Caves, Girgaum Chowpatty, Essel World, Fashion Street

Best time to visit: Oct-Jan

 

Pune

 Waylaying from the Peshwans’ heritage and rich traditions, Pune is the second-largest & outstanding city of Maharashtra, after Mumbai. High-paced metropolis of the state, Pune is a fusion of contemporaneity and tradition sizzled with the beauty of the colonial regime. 

Places to visit: Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Vetal Tekdi, National Defence Academy, Katraj Snake Park, Parvati Hill Temple, Sinhagad Fort.

Best time to visit: July-Feb

 

Mahabaleshwar

Famous for strawberries farms, Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra’s Satara district. Panoramic views, chirping valleys, lush green meadows, serene lakes, and majestic peaks are a few words that construe this most-coveted weekend spot for Mumbains. 

Places to visit: Elephant’s Head point, Tapola, Chinaman’s falls, Pratapgarh Fort, Dhobi Waterfall, Arthur’s seat, Lingmala Falls, Vienna Lake, Wilson Point, Connaught Peak, Tiger’s Spring.

Best time to visit: Dec-Feb

 

Lonavala

Known for dams, waterfalls, lakes, hills, and dense forests, Lonavala opens up avenues for misty vacation, hiking trips, and trekking. This beautiful hill station near Pune and Mumbai is nature’s place for peace-filled as well as a fun-suffused excursion.

 

Places to visit: Tiger’s Leap, Aamby Valley, Bushi Dam, Lonavala Lake, Imagica, Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum, Rajmachi Fort, Karla Caves, Valvan Dam, Ryewood Park, Lohagarh Fort.

Best time to visit: Dec-Feb

 

Lavasa

India’s first planned Hill station, Lavasa is the newest hill city and a beautiful project that resembles the styles of Italian town Portofino. Built on an area of 25000 acres across seven hills, the place beautifully unifies the natural picturesque and infrastructure that include hotels, educational institutes, malls, IT companies, etc.

Places to visit: Bamboosa, Temghar Dam, The Promenade, Lakeshore Watersport, Vortex Splash Pad, Varasgaon Dam, Ghangad Fort, Devkund Waterfall, Tamhini Ghat.

Best time to visit: Sept-March

 

Panchgani

Famous for the Table Land which is an immense volcanic plateau, Panchgani is a popular hill station, located near Mahabaleshwar, in Maharashtra. The place offers mesmerizing views of sunset/sunrise and hills at one extreme and beautiful coastal plains at another extreme.

Places to visit: Kaas Plateau, Sydney Point, Table Land, Devrai Art Village, Kate’s Point, Mapro Garden, Rajpuri Caves, Wai, Parsi Point, Bhilar Falls.

Best time to visit: Oct-April

 

Aurangabad

Tourism Capital of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is a famous tourist destination that offers an exquisite holiday experience along with the 29 different caves & ancient Buddhist artwork of Ajanta Caves which is a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site. 

Other unique offerings include soft silk products, hand-woven apparel, and alluring gems.

Places to visit: Grishneshwar Temple, The Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Bibi ka Makbara, Bani Begum Garden, Panchakki, Kailasa Temple, Khuldabad, Bhadra Maruti, Salim Ali Lake.

Best time to visit: Nov-Feb

 

Shirdi

Home of the great holy saint Sai Baba, Shirdi is a religious place and pilgrimage site in the Ahmednagar District near Nashik. Devotees of Sai baba gather here at the Sai Baba Temple to revere the legacy of the great spiritual teacher. Apart from Sai Baba Temple, the small town has other holy sites along with a few historical sites to soothe the mind, body, and souls of visitors.

 

Places to visit: Dwarkamai, Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Wet N Joy Water Park, Sai Heritage Village, Lendi Garden, Sai Tirth Devotional Theme Park, Arjun Adventure Park.

Best time to visit: June-Feb

 

Delectable cuisines of Maharashtra

• Pav Bhaji
• Puran Poli
• Poha
• Misal Pav
• Sabudana khichdi
• Rassa
• Modak
• Vada Pav
• Ragda Pattice

Hotels

Average

• Treebo Trend Mount View Resort
• Hotel City Palace
• Hotel Shradha Saburi Palace
• Hotel Durvankur
• Hotel SriKamal International

 

Budget

• Hotel Atria
• FabHotel Sahar Garden
• Pali Beach Resort
• Hotel Sai Bansi
• Hotel Travellers Inn

 

Luxury

• Vivanta
• Amanzi Resort
• Trident
• The Machan
• Ekaant The Retreat