Maharashtra
Maharashtra treats you with a stunning contrast of places to see. It has everything from Mumbai, the city of dreams; to Mahabaleshwar, the city dotted with splendid hill stations; from Aurangabad, housing astonishing Ajanta Ellora; to Shirdi, oozing seamless spirituality. Visiting Maharashtra is like visiting a whole nation which charms you with all the beautiful facades present on this earth.
Top places to visit in Maharashtra
Aurangabad
Aurangabad is rich in cultures and history. Here you can explore the very popular Ajanta Caves, one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These caves are 29 rock-cut cave monuments made in two distinct periods. Visitors can see some remarkable mural paintings and sculptures here sharing tales about Jatakas. Travellers must also visit the Ellora Caves housing 34 caves out of which there are 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain Caves. These caves are known for their impressive architecture and beautiful sculptures.
Lonavala
Those looking for a perfect weekend plan can visit Lonavala located 67 km from Pune. This eye-catching hill station stands at an elevation of 622 m and is encircled with Sahyadri Ranges. Nature shines with all its splendour here in the form of caves, lakes, forts and waterfalls.
Mahabaleshwar
Another famous hill station of Maharashtra is Mahabaleshwar blessed with sloppy peaks and woods. Some of the major tourist attractions here include Pratapgarh Fort, Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Krishnabai Temple, Lingamala Falls, Tapola and Panchgani. This is an ideal place to rest in the lap of nature.
Mumbai
Mumbai has both modern as well as historic glory. The city has seen the rule of numerous empires like the Maurya, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta. Visit here to uncover its historical attractions like the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus), Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, Haji Ali Darga, Siddivinayaka Temple, etc. Visitors can also have a whale of a time at Juhu Beach, Marve Beach and Marine Drive where you see a completely different facade of this busy city.
Pune
Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra with historical monuments belonging to the Maratha period. Visit here to explore places like Shanivar Wada, Dagdusheth Ganapathi, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Sinhagad Fort, Osho Ashram, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and much more. It is often termed as the cultural capital of Maharashtra as here you can experience classical music, theatre, sports, and literature performances.
Shirdi
Shirdi is one of the holiest places in India known for housing the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba. Pilgrims visit here from all over the world to seek blessings of Sai Baba. The temple complex sprawls over 200 square meters and is home to many majestic temples like Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Lendi Baug.
How to Reach
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is a major international airport in Maharashtra. Other prominent airports are in Nagpur and Pune. The biggest railway station of Maharashtra is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai well connected with rest of the country. Also, a number of National Highways and State Highways connect all parts of Maharashtra with all major states of India.
