India \ Maharashtra
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Description
Maharashtra, the land of everything unlimited invites you into its widespread plethora of attractions. It is adorned by the beautiful Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats with high mountains that disappear into the morning mist, while the sprawling belt of the Konkan Coast mesmerises the eyes by its white beaches. The ruins of the ancient forts and palaces in Pune and Ratnagiri among others proudly narrates the story of the then mighty rulers of Maharashtra. Centuries-old temples situated in places like Pandharpur, Ozar are still rooted in their traditions, offering sanctuary to pilgrims. As do the small hill stations of Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Matheran, nestled cosily in nature, provide respite to travellers from the hustle and bustle of the cities.Often called the 'Gateway to the Heart of India', Maharashtra is the third largest state and second most populous state than in the country. Owing to its proximity to the Western Ghats, it is blessed with a picturesque backdrop of the mountains on one side and has the beautiful Konkan coastal belt on the other.
Tourist Destinations in Maharashtra
Mumbai
Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra, is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamour and squalor, modernity and tradition. Famously known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai – formerly known as Bombay - Mumbai is a beautifully blended melting pot of cultures and lifestyles.One of the main centres in the country of art, culture, music, dance and theatre, Mumbai is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city that has been running for years solely on the indomitable spirit of the Mumbaikars.
From $199
Ajanta And Ellora Caves
Ajanta and Ellora caves, considered to be one of the finest examples of ancient rock-cut caves are located near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, India. Adorned with beautiful sculptures, paintings and frescoes, Ajanta and Ellora caves are an amalgamation of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu monuments as the complex includes both Buddhist monasteries as well as Hindu and Jain temples. The Ajanta caves are 29 in number and were built in the period between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD whereas the Ellora Caves are more spread out and 34 in number and dates to the period between 6th and 11th Century AD.Ajanta and Ellora caves are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are quite popular among travellers from all over the world.
From $199
Panchgani
Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a popular hill station near Mahabaleshwar, famous for its various sunset/sunrise points and scenic valley view.Located at an altitude of 1, 334 mts. , Panchgani is a hill station in Maharashtra, known for its scenic views. Five hills form the Sahyadri mountain ranges offer Panchgani its name. The picturesque backdrop of hills on one side and coastal plains on the other makes for an amazing view. In the British era, the place was treated as a summer resort and hence many colonial period establishments can be seen here. Mahabaleshwar is like a twin city to Panchgani.
From $199
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located in the Western Ghats, in Satara district of Maharashtra. Known for its captivating beauty and the beautiful strawberry farms, the city comprises of ancient temples, boarding schools, manicured and lush green dense forest, waterfalls, hills, valleys. The city is definitely among the most sought after weekend getaways from Mumbai. Charming views, enticing valleys, serene lakes and a refreshing delight for your taste buds - the best way to summarize this natures gift.
From $199
Lonavala
Popular hill station close to Pune and Mumbai, Lonavla is the place to be during monsoons. With lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills around, Lonavala is frequented by all sorts of people, especially hikers and trekkers.Lonavala, being a part of the Sahyadri hills, offers an alluring and bewitching experience of nature's most gifted region. Surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, dam alongside lakes, Lonavala is a must-visit if you admire nature and want a gateway to having a soulful weekend or a good trip. Also, visit Khandala and Rajmachi on the way to Lonavala.
From $199
Alibag
A little coastal town tucked away in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Alibaug is a very popular weekend getaway holiday destination and has earned itself the name of 'mini-Goa', owing to the high tourist footfall all year round. Steeped in colonial history, Alibaug is a quaint little town located about 110 kilometres from Mumbai, and is replete with sandy beaches, clean unpolluted air and plenty of forts and temples, ensuring that despite being a small town, you never run out of activities to do.Alibaug has numerous beaches, and all the beaches are only a few minutes’ drives away from each other, so you won’t have to worry about which beach to visit and which one to leave out. The most visited in the beach in Alibaug is, of course, Alibag beach, which offers a spectacular of view of not only the sunrise and sunset but of the Colaba fort as well, which you can take a short boat ride to.
From $199
Shirdi
The home of great saint Sai Baba, Shirdi is a religious site close to Nasik with various temples apart from the famous Sai Baba temple and a few historical sites.Located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, Shirdi holds a strong importance as a holy and pilgrim place by Sai Baba devotees. The small town is filled with religious spots and activities which will soothe and calm your soul on its visit. The air here carries chants lingering with spirituality and the whole grandness about the same too will leave you spellbound. There are many religious places to be seen in Shirdi such as Chavadi, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai masjid, Shani Shignapur, to name a few.
From $199
Nashik
Nashik (Nasik), named after a relic associated with Ramayana, is a city in Maharashtra located on the banks of river Godavari. Nashik plays host to the famous Kumbh Mela every 12 years. The city is home to plenty of exotic temples and is known in Hindu mythology as the place where Ravana's sister, Surpanakha, tried to seduce Lord Ram and got her nose cut off by Lakshman in the process. Its religious importance doesn't end there. It also plays host to the thousands of tourists visiting Shirdi and Trimbakeshwar. Apart from its temples, Nashik also has forts, waterfalls and vineyards to look out for. With multiple vineyards present in Nashik, the most popular being Sula, the wine-tourism industry is mushrooming in this part of Maharashtra. Nashik gives you the chance to experience a fabulous cocktail of extremes - from temples to vineyards, hills to waterfalls, this place offers a lot to see.
From $199
Pune
Pune is a bustling metropolis of Maharashtra, ranked number one in India in the ease of living. Often referred to as the Oxford of the East, it is a hub of diverse people and activities and is in rapidly growing into one of the top metropolitan cities in the country. Pune is a city that perfectly blends modernity with tradition sprinkled with colonial-era charm, and it deserves the title of being the cultural capital of Maharashtra.Behind the modern commercialized façade of Pune lies the roots of ancient Poona, which gave birth to the Maratha Empire and had a very crucial role to play in the history of India’s independence. Pune is globally known for the Osho Ashram which attracts followers from all over the world. Dotted with palaces and temples, the most important of these are the Shaniwar Wada palace and the Aga Khan Palace.
From $199
Kashid
A Beach town, popular for its white sand and blue seas situated in Konkan region of Maharashtra, Kashid is the perfect destination for a quiet weekend getaway from Mumbai.A soothing and calm place in nature's lap, Kashid is mildly enchanting with its quiet environment and picturesque location. This beach town is known also for its majestic mountains and whispering Casuarinas. A delightful place for those seeking a serene environment, Kashid is has a calm shore that stretches to a vast extent and presents with a spellbound appearance. Kashid's spotless water and clean beach makes it one of the most beautiful spots in the nearby areas. A drive through the area in itself is a great experience. Chaul, which lies near Kashid, has many Buddhist caves that are of public interest, and also famous churches and temples. The Korlai Fort is another beautiful attraction here.
From $199
Aurangabad
Aurangabad, which was declared by the Government as the Tourism Capital of Maharashtra back in 2010, is a famous tourist hub which greets its visitors with a richly woven tapestry of sights and sounds. The city got its name for being the erstwhile capital of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century AD. The town is used as the base to explore the extremely famous caves of Ajanta and Ellora, Daulatabad Fort which is renowned for its strong defence systems, Mausoleums of Aurangzeb and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara famous for its architecture and Grishneshwar Temple, one of the only 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas in India.The most famous tourist attraction of Aurangabad is the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Ajanta Caves is home to 29 different caves, all of which showcase Buddhist artwork belonging to the period ranging from 200 B.C to 650 A.D.
From $199
Kolhapur
Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchaganga in the south-west region of Maharashtra. Situated 230 kilometres away from Pune, Kolhapur is one of the princely states and boasts of a rich legacy dating back to the times of the Marathas. Presently, Kolhapur is known for Kolhapuri sandals and necklaces that are sold worldwide. Kolhapur derives its name from a mythological story of Kolhasur - a demon who was slain by Goddess Mahalakshmi. The famous Mahalakshmi temple is situated here in the honour of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Kolhapuri chappals, Kolhapuri jewellery and Kolhapuri cuisine are famous all over India. It is a tourist-friendly destination, having no problem in commuting to accommodation and food.
From $199