Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India. It is the second most populous and second most densely populated state in India.The capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai, which is also India’s financial capital, and the city’s metropolitan area dominates the nation’s economy as its wealthiest.Maharashtra has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea and a border with Gujarat to its west.
Table of Contents
1.Mumbai
Formerly known as ‘Bombay’, Mumbai is the largest city and the capital of Maharashtra. It is also the most populated city in India and the 5th most populous city in the world. The city that we see today is a collection of 7 islands which were joined into a single metropolitan through land reclamation techniques in the 18th century under the rule of the British East India Company. The city is often nicknamed the Manhattan of India and is home to the famous Indian film industry or ‘Bollywood’. You might need more than a week to explore all the attractions in this city alone, with a huge number of historical monuments, beaches etc.
- Gateway of India
- Elephanta Caves
- Marine Drive
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- Haji Ali Shrine
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
- Markets of Mumbai
- Global Vipassana Pagoda
- Siddhivinayak Temple
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount
- Beaches of Mumbai
- Flora Fountain
- Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum
- Fort Bassein
2. Aurangabad
Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and is one of the most prominent tourist places in Maharashtra. The city is famous for its historical monuments and the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora which are a national heritage site. The culture of this town is heavily influenced by the Mughal and the Muslim culture of Hyderabad and Marathi and Urdu are the main languages spoken here. The city has various lakes and the special cuisines in this region of Maharashtra are mouth watering.
3.Kolhapur
The city of Kolhapur is located at the banks of the Panchganga River and one of the Princely states of the Marathas. The city is considered to be the heart of the Maratha Empire and is famous for its various historical monuments and cultural heritage of the Marathi people. The climate is pleasant all year round with heavy rainfalls during the monsoons. The best time to visit the city is during any of the major Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashami and Navaratri. The special ‘kolhapuri slippers’ and the kolhapuri cuisines are worth trying out.
- Mahalakshmi Temple
- Jyotiba Temple
- Rankala Lake
- Chhatrapati Sahu Museum
- Panhala Fort
4.Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in Maharashtra and is located at the Western Ghats. The average elevation of the place is approximately 1,353 meters above sea level and is the source of the Krishna River. The water originates from a spout which is shaped like the mouth of a cow and is situated at an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. The city is a famous summer retreat for the people in Mumbai and is famous for its lakes and trekking hotspots.
- Pratapgarh Fort
- Pratap Garden
- Afzal Khan Tomb
- Old Mahabaleshwar
- Bhawani Mandir
5. Solapur
Solapur is located on the Karnataka state border and the main languages spoken here are Marathi and Kannada. The city is located at the Deccan plateau and enjoys a moderate and dry climate most of the year. The ancient temples and lakes are also a great place to visit in Solapur. The Siddeshwar Temple is an ancient temple built in the 16th century and is visited by an average of 35 lakh pilgrims in a year.
- Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Temple
- Shri Siddheshwar Temple
- Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
- Solapur Fort
- Pandharpur Temple
6.Matheran
Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra. It is the 3rd largest city of the state. The city has been named after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The population of Aurangabad is 2,842,000 and the total area of the city is 3,600 km2.Aurangabad is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located about 400 km from Mumbai, and has an area of around 5,000 sq.km. Aurangabad is also known as the “City of Gates” because it has been surrounded by high walls since medieval times.The city was founded in 1610 AD by Malik Ambar, a military commander and viceroy to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
- Echo Point
- Louisa Point
- Charlotte Lake
- Alexander Point
- One Tree Hill
7.Alibag
Alibag was developed under the Naval Chief of the Maratha Ruler Shivaji. It is a coastal town and is famous for its white sandy beaches which are often unpopulated and cleaner than Mumbai beaches. The attractions can be covered in a day or two and there are plenty of cheap and hospitable lodging facilities. The various temples are also worth visiting as they display a brilliant Hindu Maratha architecture.
- Alibaug Beach
- Nagaon Beach
- Kanakeshwar Forest
- Janjira Fort
- Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple
7.Pune
The land of Peshwas, Pune has held an important position; both culturally and historically since the times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In the present times, it is an important educational, cultural and economic hub in Maharashtra. The many places of historical importance in the city, date back to the Maratha empire and some famous examples among them are-Shaniwarwada, Shivneri Fort, Aga Khan Palace and Sinhagad Fort. There are many places of religious importance too like Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple, Chaturshringi Temple etc.
- Western Ghats
- Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati.
- Shivneri Fort
- Shanivar Wada
- Aga Khan Palace
- Parvati Hill
- Rajgad Fort
- Lal Mahal
- Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
- Sinhagad Fort
7.Nashik
Nashik is located in the North-Western region of Maharashtra and is located on the banks of the river Godavari which also originates here. The place is mentioned several times in Hindu Mythology and has been famous for being one of the cities that host the Kumbha Mela of India once every 12 years. The town has a huge number of tourist attractions including museums, gardens and a huge array of ancient Temples which are sacred and have been regarded highly important in the Hindu mythology. The city boasts of its authentic Marathi cuisines which must be tried.
- Trimbakeshwar Temple
- Pandavleni Caves
- Panchvati
- Muktidham Temple
- Dugarwadi waterfall
- Anjaneri Mountains
- Saptashrungi
- Kalaram Mandir
- Kapaleshwar temple
- Ram Kund
10.Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is one of the oldest and most beautiful places in India. The city is known for its natural beauty, scenic hills, and an abundance of coconut trees. The city has a rich history with many old temples and monuments to explore.This section provides information about Ratnagiri as well as some useful tips on what to do while visiting it.Ratnagiri is a district in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and by Sindhudurg District to the south. The northern part of Ratnagiri is called Saptapuri, which means “seven towns” in Sanskrit.Ratnagiri was an important port city from ancient times and served as a naval base for the Maratha Navy during their war with the British East India Company. The British captured Ratnagiri in 1818, but it remained a part of the Maratha Empire until India’s independence from Britain in 1947.
- Ganapatipule Beach
- Marleshwar Temple
- Guhagar Beach
- Ratnagiri Lighthouse
- Shri Devi Bhagwati Temple
10.Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is one of the oldest and most beautiful places in India. The city is known for its natural beauty, scenic hills, and an abundance of coconut trees. The city has a rich history with many old temples and monuments to explore.This section provides information about Ratnagiri as well as some useful tips on what to do while visiting it.Ratnagiri is a district in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and by Sindhudurg District to the south. The northern part of Ratnagiri is called Saptapuri, which means “seven towns” in Sanskrit.Ratnagiri was an important port city from ancient times and served as a naval base for the Maratha Navy during their war with the British East India Company. The British captured Ratnagiri in 1818, but it remained a part of the Maratha Empire until India’s independence from Britain in 1947.
- Ganapatipule Beach
- Marleshwar Temple
- Guhagar Beach
- Ratnagiri Lighthouse
- Shri Devi Bhagwati Temple
11.Khandala
Located on the Western Ghats, Khandala is located between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The city is easily accessible and is a popular hiking getaway near Mumbai. The various trekking locations and viewpoints allow some magnificent views of the entire valley and the Western Ghats. The ancient rock cut caves of Karla and Bhaja are also a must visit along with the Bhushi Lake. The rock formations and cliffs in Khandala have been famous since ages and it is a popular weekend retreat for the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Conclusion: Places to Visit in Maharashtra
What Maharashtra famous for?
Maharashtra is one of India's largest commercial and industrial centres, which has led to its being called the gateway of India. Maharashtra is also famous for its culture and beauty. The ancient cave paintings found at Ajanta and Ellora are UNESCO World Heritage sites and popular tourist destinations.
Why Maharashtra has two capitals?
Mumbai is the main capital of Maharashtra. Nagpur is the winter capital of Maharashtra. As Mumbai is located around 1,000 km away from Vidarbha, people of this region had apprehensions about whether fair treatment and development would be done in Vidarbha. Hence, Nagpur was chosen as the second capital.
What is the original name of Maharashtra?
Maharashtra was historically the name of a region which consisted of Aparanta, Vidarbha, Mulak, Assaka (Asmaka) and Kuntala. In ancient times tribal communities of Bhil people inhabited this area, also known as Dandakaranya.
What food is famous in Maharashtra?
Here are a few irresistible Maharashtrian dishes which represent Maharashtra food at the best!
Pav Bhaji.
Vada Pav.
Puran Poli.
Misal Pav.
Modak.
Ragda Pattice.
Bharli Vangi.
Sreekhand.
What is culture of Maharashtra?
Around 80% of Maharashtrians are Hindu, and there are significant Muslim, Christian and Buddhist minorities. The Maharashtrian culture consists of people from all a vast majority of religions. Due to it being huge areawise, many sub-regional cultures also exist in Maharashtra.
What is the lifestyle of Maharashtra?
Generally, men wear dhoti and pheta in olden days, while women wear choli and saree. But with the change of time, young Maharashtrians too are fast attracting to the latest fashions imported from the western countries. The mouth watering Konkan and Varadi cuisines would kill any visitor's appetite.
What is Maharashtra traditional food?
The most-popular forms are bhaji, vada pav, misalpav and pav bhaji. More-traditional dishes are sabudana khichadi, pohe, upma, sheera and panipuri. Most Marathi fast food and snacks are lacto-vegetarian.
