Top Places to Visit in Maharashtra - Maharashtra Tourism

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’s also famed for sites like the British Raj-era Gateway of India monument and the cave temples at nearby Elephanta Island. To the south is the rustic, beach-lined Konkan coast, and its temple town of Ganpatipule.

Attractions of Maharashtra –

Mumbai – Formerly known as ‘Bombay’, Mumbai is the largest city and the capital of Maharashtra. It is also the most populated city in India and the 5th most populous city in the world. The city that we see today is a collection of 7 islands which were joined into a single metropolitan through land reclamation techniques in the 18th century under the rule of the British East India Company.

The city is often nicknamed the Manhattan of India and is home to the famous Indian film industry or ‘Bollywood’. You might need more than a week to explore all the attractions in this city alone, with a huge number of historical monuments, beaches etc.

Aurangabad – This city is named after Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. It was called Fatehpur before it took its present name. This city is gateway to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves. Developed as a modern city, Aurangabad provides all comforts and modern facilities. There are several luxury budget and star hotels, which caters the tourists of the city.

Siteseeings at Aurangabad Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Himroo Factory and Panchakki are always worth to be organized. Daulatabad, Khuldabad Anwa Temple, Pitalkhora Caves, Lonar Crater and Paithan can also be organized as excursions. Sunheri Mahal Museum, University Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum are three the museums in the city, housing art treasures of the region.

Ajanta Ellora caves –  The Ellora Caves and the Ajanta Caves are near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings ruled over the Deccan from the middle of the 6th century AD to almost the end of the 12th century. The former were tolerant of all religions and, under their liberal patronage, the technique of excavating rock-cut temples reached a high degree of perfection. With the rise of the Rashtrakuta and other powers in the Deccan, there was a decline of Buddhist influence, but artistic activity continued unabated. Rock-hewn architecture reached its zenith in western India as the Western Ghats provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. No existing caves as such were used. Thus architecture was sculpture on a mass scale. The solidity of the rock obviated the need for periodic repairs, and many of the temples are in a state of good preservation to this day.

An aesthetic vision and advanced technical knowledge combined in the architects. It is interesting to note that the excavation usually proceeded from the top downwards—the natural rock-surface below providing a platform and eliminating the necessity of scaffolding.

The Ajanta Caves, accidentally discovered by a shooting party in 1829, are excavated out of amygdaloid trap rock, and situated in the scarped side of a deep ravine that is shaped like a crescent. They are entirely Buddhist and date from about 200 BC to approximately 650 AD. It is of interest to note that the Chinese Buddhist travellers, Hiuen Tsang and Fa Hien, refer to Ajanta in accounts of their travels.

Of the 29 excavations, four are chaitya halls (all differing in design) and the rest are viharas. The decorative motifs differ with the age of the excavations.

Khandala – Khandala tourism involves small tour packages arranged by the travel agents, places of sightseeing and accommodation found in and around the city. Tourists who intend to visit the city of Khandala must have prior knowledge about this hill-station and there are many attractive tour packages that they can avail. There are tourist packages for the family as well as for honeymooning couples. The best time to visit the beautiful hill station, Khandala is from the month of October to the month of May.

Kolhapur –Kolhapur is one of the most easily approachable cities in Maharashtra that offers abundant tourist attractions and also serves as an important travel hub to explore other places. Not only does the city have its famous Mahalaksmi Mandir that draws millions of pilgrims each year but is also a nodal point to visit Panhala Fort and a wildlife sanctuary just a few kilometers away.

Located 377 kilometers from Mumbai and 237 kilometers from Pune, Kolhapur is very well-connected with most of the cities in Maharashtra by a good network of roads and railway. For the devout, it is the temple of Goddess Mahalakshmi in Kolhapur that is a big draw, it being the most revered shrine in the state. That apart, Kolhapur also serves as a base for making single day trips to many other places, all of them unique in their own ways.

Solapur -Solapur is one of the districts in Western Maharashtra, situated near the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of north & south Solapur district which consist of Eleven Talukas. It’s famous for a textile capital in Maharashtra. Thus, making the largest exporter of Turkish Towels and garments. Also, it is well known for medical Facilities.

Solapur is hub for Engineering Studies. The Solapur University is located in city itself hence, easy to access for the student.
The city is well connected to rest of India by Road and Rail. It is also an important junction situated on north -south railway to most cities and districts. It is also array of small scale and large scale industries. It is also exporter in terms of Grapes, Sugar and Pomegranates.

Most famous Pilgrims are in Maharashtra nearby Solapur like Siddheshwar Temple and lake, Pandharpur is South Kashi of Maharashtra situated on Bank of the river Bhima (70 km) - Lord Vithoba Temple.

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