Tourist Destinations of Maharashtra

Mumbai

Mumbai, the metro , is a vibrant city with British architecture in Victorian style. Mumbai is known as the financial capital of India and second largest mega city in the world. It has some of the major attractions of maharashtra - Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Siddhivinayak Temple, Hanging Gardens, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Shrine, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.Chowpatty , beaches of Juhu and the Indian Motion Picture Industry.

Pune

The city is known as the 'Queen of the Deccan' and the cultural capital of the Maharastra. Set amidst the beautiful hills, green forest and the Sinhagad Fort, the city has many dams and beautiful locations.Pune has many interesting tourist places like the Osho Ashram, the Palace at Shaniwar Wada, the Aga Khan Palace, beautiful gardens like the Saras Bagh, Shinde Chhatri ,Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum , Katraj Snake Park and many more.

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Island lies at a distance of 10 Kms, from the Gateway of India, The caves, dating back to 450 to 750 AD display fine sculptures depicting the glory of Lord Shiva. The Trimurti of Elephanta showing faces of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE. The cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.Regular motorboats from the boat jetty in from of the Gatway of India would take you to the islands.

Ajanta and Ellora

Situated in Aurangabad these caves of Ajanta and Ellora caves represents the excellent rock-cut temple architecture, are the most famous tourist attraction of Maharashtra, United Nations has declared its as a World Heritage Site. Ajanta caves lying deep with in the Sahyadri hills,cut into the curved mountain slope, above the river Waghora. The caves speaks the story of Buddhism dating back to 200 BC to 650 AD.The oldest caves date back to 2nd Century BC. paintings in Ajanta and the sculptures of Ellora would gives you a unforgettable experiance.Other magnificent monuments in Aurangabad are Darwasaz, Panchakki and Bibi ka Maqbara.

Mahabaleshwar

Situated in Satara district of Maharshtra is nested on the Western Ghats mountain range and surrounded by valleys on all sides, was the summer capital of Mumbai Presidency during the days of the British rule . It offers opportunities for leisure activities like fishing, boating and trekking. Bollywood movies have made them famous. The hill station is very famous due to its beautiful lakes, green hills, clean air, calm surrounding, and cascading waterfalls offer a retreat in striking contrast with the bustling cities.

Lonavala

Lonavala known as the 'Jewel of the Sahyadri' , is situated in the western part of Maharashtra. Set amidst the slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range, is located at an altitude of 625 metres
One could travel from Pune to Lonavala hill stations endowed with abundant natural beauty. Here nature is present in all its splendour, it offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains valleys and waterfalls. The lush green hill stations,especially during the monsoons attract a big number of tourists.

Khandala

Khandala is other main hill stations of Maharashtra and is the pride of the Sahyadri Mountains. Divided to lonavala by valley on one side and high hills on the other side, Khandala is endowed with abundant natural beauty like Lonavala, it is also provides a popular and peaceful gateway from the hustle and bustle of cities of Mumbai and Pune. Khandala has been blessed with valleys, hills, Milky WaterFalls, Lush Greenery and pleasant cool winds. The picturesque green surroundings of this pretty hill station attract the travelers towards Khandala.

Panchgani

Panchgani or "Five Hills" is a picturesque hill resort on the way to Mahabaleshwar stands at an altitude of 1334 m. The quintessential hill resort offers fabulous views of the Krishna valley. The modern hill resort of Panchgani boasts of natural beauty as well as collection renowned educational institutes. The five plateaus that surround Panchgani explain the name Panch(five) gani (plateaus). Panchgani is often referred to as the ‘Mecca of Maharashtra’ It has the fine architecture of the old British buildings, the Parsi bungalows and the boarding schools. It is a delight to walk through thickly wooded walkways to explore the area, catching a glimpse of the River Krishna winding its way through the ravines, hundreds of metres below.

Pench National Park

Sprawling over an area of 257 sq. km. Pench Tiger Reserve has a great ecological significance as it represents the floral and faunal wealth of Satpura-Maikal hill range, it offers a splendid opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife in the spectacular natural setting. Pench is also home to tigers, panthers, sambhar, chital, barking deer, nilgai, black buck, gaur, wild boar, chausingha, sloth bears, langurs, monkeys, mouse deer, hyenas and flying squirrels.

Pilgrimage Destination of Maharashtra

Shirdi, near Nasik, is the worship place of Sai Baba who preached religious tolerance and universal brotherhood. It is also believed that he had magical curative powers that could cure any ailment or deasese. Other important pilgrimage destinations are Haji Ali Shrine in Mumbai, Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nasik, Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Dnyaneshwar and the Vithoba-Rakhumai Temple in Alandi.