Travel To Maharashtra

The name "Maharashtra "dates back to 7th century inscription and in a Chinese traveller's account. It has been initiated from rathi, which means,"chariot driver". Maharashtra was full of builders and drivers of chariots who formed a Maharathis, a "fighting force" at that age. In 90 ID. king Vedishri made Junnar, thirty miles north of Pune, the capital of his kingdom. The fourteenth century witnessed the defeat of Devgiri Yadavs by the northern Muslim powers. Maharashtra is blessed with ironic and expanded traditional heritage. 

The state has numerous communities belonging to diverse religions, and a number of festivities color the culture of Maharashtra with the spirit of exuberance. Some of the popular festivals that are celebrated in Maharashtra are Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Fadwa, Dasara Nag c anli, Gatti Ashtaini, arali Pournixna, Pola, Mak.ar Sankranti, Bangariga Festival and Holi. 

CULTURE:

Culture of Maharashtra is very glorious with a great variety. It gives a unique identity to the state. The folk dances are an essential part of the culture of Maharashtra. Various folk dances are performed during the festivals and special occasions. They are representatives of the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra. Some of the popular folk dances in Maharashtra are Lavni, Dhangari Gaia, Povadas, Koli dance and Tamasha, Dindi and Kala are the religious folk dances. Maharashtra has a vast textile history, which has contributed to its rich variety of costumes. The costumes of Maharashtra truly reflect the identity of a typical Maharashtrian culture. A nine yard sari is a traditional costume of its women, and dhoti and shirt is the traditional costume of its men folk. Pune, Paithan and Kolhapur are some of the ideal , places to shop for typical Maharashtrian clothing. The western state, one of the most developed in the country, Maharashtra is a vast platter of travel and tourism experience for the tourists from the world across. 

The state offers long serene coastline, mountain ranges, cosmopolitan urban life, history, culture, heritage, religion and wildlife which emerge as the perfect place for pilgrims, honeymooners, travellers, adventure pn thus iasts, nature loyers, party lovers, art lovers and many more. Being a financial center of the country, the state also attracts business travellers from all countries. To get in detail, here are some of the key features and destinations of the state which allures all segments of tourists. 

BEACHES:

 This western state of India is famous for its green forests, big city Mumbai and golden sand beaches in different parts of the state. With a coastline of 570 km along the Arabian Sea, Maharashtra owns variety of beaches. Maharashtra is a great range of coastal belt which make the state a home of large number of beaches. Marve , Manori and Gorai beach Situated in North of Mumbai, and are popular among Mumbai's beleaguered fun lovers. Marve low hills along the beach offer extraordinary views of sunrise and sunset. These beaches are for revelers and are famous for all night beach parties. The 17 km long Dahanu-Bordi beach is famous for fruit orchards and chickoos. Udwada, the 'Mecca of the Zoroastrians' with a large, beautiful temple, which houses the sacred fire is near this beach. At the coastalline Murud Janjira is popular beach for its whispering casuarinas, coconut and betel palms, and 300-years old fort of Janjira. The shrine of Lord Da ttatraya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara is located in a nearby hillock. The palace of the Nawab and the Janjira caves are must see for the tourists. For beach lovers Shriwardhan is must to visit. The Bay is irresistible to beach lovers because of its gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters. 'Peshwa Smarak' located nearby is a must see for the tourist. Harihareshwar is known for its tranquil and picturesque beach. The state has maximum number of beaches with every beach having its own identity and uniqueness. 

WILDLIFE PARKS: 

Maharashtra is home to a large number of animals and bird species, including the tiger, Crocodile, Bison, Gawa, Neelgai, Wild Deer, Sambar and rare migratory birds. The state has taken adequate steps towards setting up many wildlife parks and sanctuaries to protect these regions and promote them as tourist attractions. The parks offer splendid opportunities to see a variety of wildlife in a spectacularly natural setting. Fresh comforts such as jeep rides, night safaris, comfortable accommodation and efficient transport are also available at a nominal charge. Melghat Tiger Reserve, is in the enchanting sylvan beauty of the woodlands and greenery of Melghat, in the Amravati district, roams the tiger, and it is here that a greater part of Project Tiger is being implemented. In the heart of the luxuriant teak forests of Dhakna-Kolkaz is the Melghat Tiger Reserve, where Panthers, Bison, Sambar, Chital and the Flying Squirrel are familiar sights. Another wildlife sanctuary, Nagzira Wild Life Sanctuary which is known for its verdant hills and dales, where the fauna offers a mesmerising blaze of colours, is the Nagzira. One more adventurous destination is the Dajipur Bison Sanctuary, the jungle resort of Dajipur is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts, near the backwaters of the Radhanagari darn.

 Surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests, this secluded area is completely cut-off from human habitation. A home to bison, wild Deers, Chital, Gawa and many more spectacular wild animals and birds, Dajipur is an exciting and beautiful holiday getaway. An excursion to the nearby Gagangiri Maharaj's Math makes for a pleasant outing. One should also not miss the tiger safari at Tadoba National Park, this is a large park spread over many acres of lush green forested land. Situated 45 kms from Chandrapur, Tadoba is an extremely beautiful jungle of mixed teak forests around a tranquil lake. The Tad oba National Park has migratory ducks visiting its lake, and also swarms with crocodiles. The rest houses are ideal for nature lovers as it commands a lovely view of the lake and the distant green hills beyond. Late nights are ideal times to see tigers, leopards„4.gaurd,. nilgai, sarribai arterchital. Tie park has facilities for tourist to stay overnight. 

FORTS: 

Maharashtra is a land of Forts with its 350 odd forts. Every brick of it talks about the glorious history of the great Maratha rulers. Nowhere in India could such a plethora and variety of Forts could be observed. Like Murud-Janjira located on an island, or, the fort of Bassein guarding the sea, or the forts of Torna and Raigad amidst Sahyadris, the Maharashtra Forts has everything in it from beauty to enigma. Raigad fort is the one which always strikes first. Raigad was the capital of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Britishers named it 'Gibralter of the East' as the well-fortified structure atop a hill that had repeatedly defied attackers. Shivaji built the fort in the 14th century. Chit Darwaja, also known as .lit Darwaja is at the foothills near village Pachad. Ahmadnagar Fort, which was built in 1490 AD, is located 1 km away east of Ahmadnagar city in Maharashtra. This 500-year old fort is circular in shape and has 18m high wall reinforced with 22 bastions. To keep enemy at bay, a deep trench was dug that surrounded the fort. First Prime Minister of free India, Pandit Nehru wrote 'Discovery of India' when he was imprisoned in this fort here in 1944. Leaders rooms are still alive inside the fort, where leaders of freedom strugailc.L were _ imprisoned from 1-017:45. Although, the Indian army occupies the fort, entry into the fort is allowed by signing at the gate. But photography is not allowed inside the fort. The last memory of Maratha-British war, which was fought at Chakan Fort near Pune will always be remembered. This fort was built keeping in mind that it might become a rare kind of fort in Maharashtra. The fort is in the ageing condition, which needs lots of maintenance. For excellent architecture one should always visit Daulatabad Fort near Aurangabad. This fort, which was once known as Devagiri, is a magnificent 12th century fortress standing atop a hill. Daulatabad, which is constructed with excellent architecture, is one of the few invincible forts in Maharashtra. Like Twin Towers Maharashtra is blessed by twin forts, Sindhudurg -Vijaydurg Fort. Sindhudurg, Shivaji built this ocean fort in 1664 AD on a low rocky 48-acre island off the Malvan coast. Vijaydurg and Sindluidurg are twin forts from the days of Shivaji's time that is a historic place with its serene coastal beauty. It is believed that Shivaji personally selected the site for the construction of the fort. For casting and the foundation stones, over 2,000 khandis (4,000 mounds) of iron and lead were used to it lay down firmly. There is a temple dedicated to Shivaji inside the fort. This is the only shrine of its kind in the country, which was built by his son Rajaram. 

PILGRIMAGE: 

Maharashtra has a long tradition of tolerance and symbiotic interaction with different religious faiths. It is not just known as a perfect tourist destination but it has also made its mark as a valuable pilgrimage destination. To the south lie the basin of Godavari and the territory from Nasik to Nanded which is regarded as sacred. A majority of saints and poets were born here. A small town called Pandharpur in the district of Solapur in Maharashtra is one of the most respected Vitthala (Krishna) pilgrimage sites of the country. Pandharpur is the abode of the famous Lord Vitthala also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vithoba enshrined in the Vithoba temple. This temple is the greatest center of attraction in Pandharpur for the masses as far as the spiritual field goes. Of 12 jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, Tryambakeshwar is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, located at a distance of about 30 kms from Nasik, Maharashtra. It is said that Tryambakeshwar is the source Of the river Godavari. The Tryambakeshwar Temple is an ancient I Iindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is that it has three faces embodying the images of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Bhiznashankar is another holiest place having one of the twelve Jyotirlings in India, situated at the mouth of river Bhima amidst dense forest. One should never forget to take the blessings of the God of all religions. Sai Baba from Shirdi. A small town in the A hmednagar district of Maharashtra, Shirdi is an important place for every religion. It is said that Sri Sai Baba, a personification of spiritual perfection and an epitome of compassion, lived in Shirdi for 60 years. Ganapati Bappa is favorite of all the Gods and so Sid dhivinayak Temple is in Mumbai, has all its importance. Siddhivinayak Lord Ganapati/Ganesh is worshipped in the temple. The temple dates back to 18th Century. Vinayak is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. The present form of the temple was re-constructed five years ago. The temple has a Kalash, which is a pointed dome of 12 feet high Gabhara (sanctum sanctorum) weighing 1500 kg and plated in gold. Also Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati has its own Charisma. The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, based in Pune was established in the year 1893 and has thus been in the service of devotees since 108 years. It was in 1893 when Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak gave a public form to the celebration of the festival of Ganpati and made it a genuinely people's festival. Another temple which tourists visit without fail is Mahalaxmi Temple.This beautifully architect temple attracts huge devotees from in and around Ko/hapur. Chalukya ruler, Karandev started the construction of this temple in the 7th century AD and later beautified by Shilahara Yadavas in the ninth century. The sanctum sanctorum has revered idol of the goddess weighing 40 kg. The idol has not been fashioned by any human being hut exists in its natural form - a primeval monolith of uncut diamonds and precious stones. 

CAVES: 

Maharashtra is famous for its caves. The state has the largest number of caves in India. The caves in Maharsahtra are so old, dating back to as early as 1st century BC. Most of the caves were used as the viharas (hall) and chaityas (pillared religious caves) by Bucihist, Hindu and Jain priests. These caves showcase fine arts and crafts of the historical past. Ellora in Aurangabad district is the best example for the experiments that had carried out by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain priests in making these huge and wonderful caves. The sculptures in these caves are really fascinating. Ajanta caves are again a fine achievement of human architecture of the olden days located at the same districts. There are also other caves in this district, which area a few kilometers away from the famous Bibi-Ka-Magbara.

 Then comes the UNESCO world heritage site of Eephanta caves. It is believed that the same team who had worked at the Kailash Temple at Filora built the same Shiva Temple at Elephanta. 

MUMBAI THE CAPITAL CITY :

Maharashtra's capital, Mumbai and a global city, wears several hats or should we say crowns? India's largest city, commercial capital, industrial powerhouse, busiest port, fashion capital, 'Bollywood' (India's I Iollywood), world's biggest textiles market - the list goes on and on. The city thrives on contrasts; it is home to the richest and the poorest, sleek limousines jostle cycles, red double-decker buses and three-wheeler auto-rickshaws; impressive high rises soar above crowded ugly slums and shanty towns; glitzy shop fronts amid pavement stalls; glamorous film stars and homeless beggars attract attention at traffic lights and amidst all this are people, people, people everywhere, for Mumbai is home to some 13 million Indians. Like a giant magnet it draws people from all walks of life - traders and artisans, musicians and movie stars, peasants and industrialists, entrepreneurs and executives, students and dropouts. In fact, any Indian with a dream heads for Mumbai and this pulsating, cosmopolitan, multicultural city of opportunity folds them all to its bosom. Mumbai is like little bits of India all rolled into one. So, don't just pass through as you head for Rajasthan or Goa, but stay a while to explore its sights and soul - a heady experience awaits you. The city of dreams or the city that never sleeps and many more such tags are attached with this city but the most apt is probably Mumbai- The city of stars (Bollywood). It is the largest film producing state in the world with more than 1000 films produced in a year. When King Charles II of England tied knots with Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal in 1661, he was offered Mumbai as a part of dowry hut he refused? 

The city has the best street food. Khao Galli - Meaning "eat street" in English, both sides of this lane are filled with food stalls. Find it near Marine Lines and Churchgate railway stations (close to Sunderbai Hall). You'll get mostly vegetarian food there. Another mouth water location is Juhu Beach- There's a bunch of street food stalls right on the beach, as well as numerous chaat (snack) carts. And what kind of street food is Mumbai best known for? Pav bhaji (mixed vegetable curry with bread), vada pay (spicy fried potato balls in a bread bun), and bhel puni (puffed rice with spices) are just a few! Personally, vada pay is favorite food. One can easily eat it every day! 

The mentioned are the limited destinations of Maharashtra, the list can go on and endless. To know more about the tourism in the state one has no choice but to explore the unlimited in Maharashtra.