Maharashtra is India’s third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. It is located in southwestern India. The Arabian Sea makes up the state’s western coast. Mumbai, India’s most populous city is the capital of Maharashtra. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, and serves as the financial and entertainment capital of the country.
The state of Maharashtra has a lot to offer to tourists. There are caves, shrines, beaches, hill stations, sanctuaries and forts to explore. A tourist just has to pick his interest.
Dating back to the 2nd BC and artistically built over a few centuries, the Caves of Maharashtra have an extraordinary appeal and aura. Nestled in the formidable Sahayadri Mountain Range, these caves have been home to monks of different religions. Caves like Ajanta and Ellora, Elephanta and Pitalkhora are famous all around the world for their ancient paintings and sculptures.
There are roughly around 350 forts in the state. Most of the forts in Maharashtra built up in the hills or near the seas are associated with Shivaji –the great Maratha warrior and an equally great fort builder. Devagiri Daulatabad fort, Murud Janjira Fort, Raigarh Fort, Sindhudurg Fort, Panhala Fort, Vijayadurg Fort are among the best known ones.
Steeply rising Western Ghats have given a special touch to the natural beauty of the state. There are numerous hill stations in Maharashtra which offer a clean, calm and a thoroughly refreshing alternative to city life. They are probably the only places in India where you can observe the fall of the land all the way to the shimmering sea. Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Bhandardara, Chikhaldara, Malshej Ghat, Panchgani, Jawhar, Amboli, Panhala, Khandala Lonavala Karla, Toranamal hill stations are a must visit for anyone who would like to see the beautiful hills.
Travel to Maharashtra would not be complete without its beaches. Maharashtra’s 720 km long affair with the Arabian Sea extends from Dahanu and Bordi in the north up to Goa proceeding southwards. If you like sand, sea and surf, this state has a great many interesting options in store. Most of the places are conveniently linked to Mumbai and are well connected with state buses. Seas are rough only during the monsoon which strikes between June and September. Discover the beaches in Maharashtra at Dahanu Bordi, Ganapatipule, Mandwa and Kihim, Marve Manori and Gorai, Shriwardhan Harihareshwar, Tarkarli, Velneshwar and Vengurla Malvan.
Maharashtra is a home to large number of animal and bird species including the tiger, crocodile, bison, gawa, neelgai, wild deer, sambars and rare migratory birds. There are some huge wildlife sanctuaries where you get amenities like jeep rides, night safaris, and library and audio-visual facilities. Chikhaldara, Pench National Park, Bor Dam and Dajipur are some of the well known wild life sanctuaries and national parks in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra is a special state which gives you the leisure of traveling through its hill stations to the beautiful beaches, to its historical forts. Cities are well connected making for an easy travel throughout the state.
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