Being one of the biggest states of India, Maharashtra has a lot to offer to the tourists. It has many beautiful mountain ranges, alluring beaches and thick forests which are located throughout the state. Each of the tourist attractions in this huge state has its own characteristic and has something different in store for the visitors.
Mumbai-Capital City of Maharashtra
Mumbai, the “dream city of India” is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. It is also the financial hub of India as well. The city is well-known for being the headquarters of the Indian film industry, Bollywood, and is therefore one of the most glamorous cities of the country as well. The landmarks worth watching in Mumbai are Hanging Gardens, beaches of Chowpathy and Juhu, Mahalaxmi Temple, Gateway of India, Marine Drive and Haji Ali Shrine. Essel World is an amusement park located in Mumbai which is very popular among the children.
Aurangabad
Aurangabad is a city famous for its historical heritage. The Ajanta and Ellora caves located in the city are the most frequently visited tourist attractions. These caves cast a spellbinding effect on the visitors and are a must see for every tourist visiting Maharashtra. Besides the awe-inspiring architecture, there are sculptures and mural paintings of the bygone civilizations also on show for the tourists in Ellora and Ajanta respectively. In addition to this, the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, which looks like the Taj Mahal, Darwazass and Pan Chaaki are other notable landmarks to visit in Aurangabad.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Ajanta and Ellora caves are a work of genius and craftsmanship. Located in the northern part of Maharashtra, these caves date back to the 2nd century BC. Made by hand using just a hammer and chisel, these caves are a testament to the mastery of the masons of the bygone era. There are a total of 29 caves in Ajanta while the number of caves located in Ellora is 34. The stand out feature of the Ajanta caves is sculptures and paintings which depict the culture and tradition of the old civilizations while the Ellora caves are famous for their exceptional architecture.
Konkan Coast
The Konkan coast lying in the southern part of the state is home to some of the most exotic beaches that are becoming hot vacationing spots for tourists. This coast starts from Mumbai and goes on till Goa with Alibaug being the starting point which is located very close to Mumbai. Although most of the beaches on this coast are still undeveloped and less explored, there are accommodations available for tourists thanks to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Tarkarli and Ganpatipule are among the beaches on this coast that have become very popular among the tourists who stay for a relatively short time.
Nashik Wineries
Nashik is the main wine region of India. With the wine tourism industry experiencing rapid growth, the region has become a favorite destination for tourists visiting Maharashtra. The Nashik wineries are popular among wine enthusiasts as they have tasting rooms located on site for them to enjoy the exotic wines being prepared there. There is accommodation available for the tourists so that they can explore the region in a relaxed manner. These wineries are located at about a 4-hour drive from Mumbai.
Nagpur
Nagpur is located in the eastern part of Maharashtra and is known for producing oranges. The city is also famous for the festival of Dusshera, which is celebrated each year. Hundreds of tourists from all over India come to Nagpur for this festival. Apart from that there is nothing much to see in Nagpur. However, the city is located close to the Pench National Park and the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserves and can serve as the perfect stopping point for tourists wanting to visit these places. The Civil Lines area of Nagpur is strewn with historical buildings belonging to the British Raj and is a good place to visit for history lovers.
Kolhapur
Kolhapur, a small town located at a few hours’ drive from Goa, is one of the most flamboyant places to visit in Maharashtra owing to its amazing number of temples. This town is best known for the snake worshipping festival by the name of Naag Panchami which is held each year in the month of August. Tourists from all over the India flock to Kolhapur during this time of the year to participate in the festivities and also to enjoy the famous Kolhapuri cuisine consisting of spicy mutton and chicken dishes.
Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir
The Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir is located in the town of Shirdi in Maharashtra and is the most famous religious destinations in India. This Mandir is the resting place of the Sai Baba who is a very popular and widely worshipped saint in India. Thousands of pilgrims from all over India visit this Mandir each year to pray to the Baba and seek his blessings.
Daulatabad
Located around 16 km from the city of Aurangabad, Daulatabad is a fort city which is most famous for Muhammad Bin Tughluq’s decision to move the whole of Delhi’s population into the fort. The decision backfired though because of the lack of water, the population had to be taken out of the fort after two years. The greenery and mountains located in Daulatabad are among the features worth watching in this city in addition to its historic Fort.
Panchgani
Panchgani is a hill station located in Satara district of Maharashtra and is most famous for its natural beauty. This place which was first explored by the British has now become a favorite vacationing spot for the local as well as the foreign tourists. The beautiful mountains and scenic views coupled with the amazing cool weather make Panchgani a very likeable hill station. This is the reason why it is among the most frequently visited hill stations in the country. Pune is the city located closest to Panchgani and lies at a mere distance of 100 km.
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