
Owing to its proximity to the Western Ghats, it is blessed with a picturesque backdrop of the mountains on one side and has the beautiful Konkan coastal belt on the other.
Maharashtra, the land of everything unlimited invites you into its widespread plethora of attractions. It is adorned by the beautiful Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats with high mountains that disappear into the morning mist, while the sprawling belt of the Konkan Coast mesmerises the eyes by its white beaches. The ruins of the ancient forts and palaces in Pune and Ratnagiri among others proudly narrates the story of the then mighty rulers of Maharashtra. Centuries-old temples situated in places like Pandharpur, Ozar are still rooted in their traditions, offering sanctuary to pilgrims. As do the small hill stations of Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Matheran, nestled cosily in nature, provide respite to travellers from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
Apart from being rich in history, traditional arts and lifestyle, it is also famous for its economy primarily because Mumbai -the financial capital of India is situated here. The entertainment hub - the Bollywood film industry also finds its origin in this state. The amalgamation of these varieties of things that this state offers will make your visit here absolutely worthwhile.
The alluring state of Maharashtra features three seasons; namely summer, winter and monsoon. October to March is the best time to visit Maharashtra. Offering a great climate to its visitors, this time is ideal for vacationers to witness the scenic beauty of this destination.
Key Facts
Mar - May: Min: 23° C / Max: 39° C
Jun - Sep: Min: 18° C / Max: 32° C
Oct - Feb: Min: 12° C / Max: 34° C
The City of Dreams!!
Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra, is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamour and squalor, modernity and tradition. Famously known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai – formerly known as Bombay - Mumbai is a beautifully blended melting pot of cultures and lifestyles.
One of the main centres in the country of art, culture, music, dance and theatre, Mumbai is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city that has been running for years solely on the indomitable spirit of the Mumbaikars.
Sabarmati Ashram, situated directly beside the Sabarmati river, is a quaint and peaceful ashram built by Mahatma Gandhi after he returned from South Africa.
Some of the important sights to visit are Gateway to India, Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, Colaba Causeway etc.,
World Heritage Ancient Rock-Cut Caves!!
Adorned with beautiful sculptures, paintings and frescoes, Ajanta and Ellora caves are an amalgamation of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu monuments as the complex includes both Buddhist monasteries as well as Hindu and Jain temples.
The Ajanta caves are 29 in number and were built in the period between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD whereas the Ellora Caves are more spread out and 34 in number and dates to the period between 6th and 11th Century AD.
Ajanta and Ellora caves are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are quite popular among travellers from all over the world. Ajanta Caves, located around 99km north of Aurangabad are mostly Buddhist sites and were used as a retreat by Buddhist Monks. Ellora is just 15 km west of Aurangabad and have a better mix of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sites. These hand-carved caves were built and sponsored by the Indian rulers of those periods and are almost buried by thick forests all around.
One of the most famous sites in the entire Ajanta and Ellora Caves is the Kailash Temple, which is also the single largest monolithic structure in the world. These rock-cut caves containing carvings are some of the best examples of ancient Indian architecture and sculpture.
The land of Strawberries!!
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located in the Western Ghats, in Satara district of Maharashtra. Apart from its strawberries, Mahabaleshwar is also well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks.
It is among the most sought after weekend getaways from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also a sacred pilgrimage place for Hindus as the Krishna river originates from here. Once a summer capital of the British, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar comprises of ancient temples, boarding schools, manicured and lush green dense forest, waterfalls, hills, valleys. It is often used as a base to visit the magnificent Pratapgad Fort, located an hour away.
Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar and a region of the Shindola village are the three villages that make up Mahabaleshwar. It is located about 120km south-west of Pune and 285km from Mumbai.
India’s first planned Hill city!!
Spreading across 7 hills, covering an area of 25000 acres, Lavasa is a perfect blend of beauty and infrastructure. Lavasa is a privately planned hill city located near Pune in Maharashtra. It is absolutely a leisure holiday destination located in the middle of lush green hills. Lavasa city is located..
in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and manages to charm one with its mesmerising views. It is situated in Mose Valley near Pune at a distance of 65 Km, about an hour drive, and from Mumbai, it is approximately 200 Km away.
Misty Weekend Getaway!!
Situated in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats close to Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala is cherished with lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills around, it is a popular destination for camping, trekking and other adventure sports. Lonavala offers an alluring and bewitching experience of nature's..
most gifted region. Surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, and dam alongside lakes, it is a must-visit if you admire nature. Located at an elevation of 624 m above sea level, Lonavala is one of the twin hill stations - Lonavala and Khandala. The popular tourist attractions in Lonavala are Bhaja caves, Bushi dam, Karla caves, Rajmachi fort, Ryewood lake, among others.
Lonavala is famous for its production of the hard candy chikki which is a sweet eatable thing made from different nuts mixed with jaggery. It is also a major stop on the railway line which connects Mumbai and Pune.
Coconut groves and Sandy Beaches!!
A little coastal town tucked away in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Alibag or Alibaug is a very popular weekend getaway and has earned itself the name of 'mini-Goa', owing to the high tourist footfall all year round. Steeped in colonial history, Alibaug is..
a quaint little town located about 96 km from Mumbai and 150 km from Pune, and is replete with sandy beaches, clean unpolluted air and plenty of forts and temples, ensuring that despite being a small town, you never run out of activities to do.
Alibag is famous for its numerous beaches, which are only a few minutes’ drives away from each other, so you won’t have to worry about which beach to visit and which one to leave out. The most visited beach in Alibaug is, of course, Alibaug Beach, which offers a spectacular of view of not only the sunrise and sunset but of the Kolaba Fort as well, which you can take a short boat ride to. The Colaba fort was once the cornerstone of the Maratha Empire, and most of the edifice is still in good shape. Other popular beaches in the area include Kihim Beach, and Nagaon Beach, with Kihim beach being a photographer’s paradise.