Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a state in the western peninsular region of India and enjoys its position being the second largest in terms of population and fifth largest in terms of area. It occupies a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau and was formed in 1960 by splitting the former Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat. The capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai (previously Bombay), one of the most populous and famous metropolitan cities in India, and the country’s financial capital.

Maharashtra area is 307,713 square kilometers and it is a state with a vibrant and chaotic mix of different beliefs and cultures which co-exist harmoniously and paint the state’s canvas in their cultural beauty. It is endowed with an array of historical architecture, religious shrines, a remarkable collection of ancient caves, golden sandy beaches with tall palm trees, lush green hills in the meadow of the Western Ghats.

Flora and fauna of Maharashtra is as vibrant as the state with Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, and West Coast as the biographical zones. The Ghats are home to endemic species, Deccan Plateau has vast mountain ranges and grasslands, and West Coast has littoral and swamp forests. Maharashtra state is also known for its lip-smacking cuisine and along with a history worth narrating, it is an incredible mashup of fun and delight and is thus a traveler’s paradise.

There are 12.3 crore (12.3 million) people in Maharashtra, out of which 65.99 % are Hindus, 20.65 % are Muslims, 4.10% are Jains, and remaining Sikhs, Christians, or Buddhists.The people belonging to Maharashtra state are known as Maharashtrians, and most of them are vegetarians.

The official language in Maharashtra is Marathi, but different regions in the state have their own dialects of the language.  So, Marathi is native to the Maharashtra, and is its official language.Apart from Marathi, a few other languages are also widely spoken including Konkani, Hindi, and Gujarati. In most urban areas like Mumbai and Pune, English is also largely spoken, especially in professional contexts and situations.

Maharashtra state was ruled by Satavahana dynasty (2nd century), the Maurya empire (3rd and 4th Century BCE), the Chalukya Dynasty (6th – 12th centuries) and later by many more kings and empires such as Delhi Sultanate, the Tughlaqs, Bahmani Sultanate, the Portuguese, Faruqi dynasty, Maratha Empire (Peshwas) and eventually by the British - East India Company before India became independent.

After independence, princely states of the Deccan States Agency including Kolhapur, Sangli, Aundh, Bhor, and Sawantwadi, were merged into what was then the Bombay State, which was created from the former Bombay Presidency (1950). From 1954 to 1955, there were protests from the Marathi people along with the advocation of the Mahagujarat Movement for a separate state of Gujarat. Maharashtra state was formed in the 1960 after a campaign to create a Marathi-speaking state in the 1950s. along with Gujarat which were divided from the previous Bombay State. Later, some more Marathi speaking regions were merged into it and the state was called “Maharashtra”, with Bombay city as its capital. The official name of Bombay was changed to Mumbai in the year 1995, under the Shiv Sena Government.

Maharashtrian culture has a mix of a vast majority of religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and a little bit of Buddhism too.Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions are counted as minorities due to their collective population being lesser than that of Hindus in the state (Hindus occupy more than 75% of Maharashtra). In Hinduism, Lord Ganeshis the deity having most temples and devotees in the state, and the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi (in August or September) is celebrated pompously and hugely here every year.

The traditional dance forms of Maharashtra Maharashtra, Lavani, Powada, and Koli are performed by enthusiasm by the locals wearing colorful Nauwarisaadi or Lugda (women) and Dhotar (men) during the festival celebrations. The festival time is one of the best times to visit Maharashtra as it offers a grand picture of the culture, heritage, and ethnicity of the state. Apart from Ganesh Chaturthi (a highly visible and grand festival celebrated here), GudiPadwa, Naga Panchami, Marabats, and Badgyas are some regional festivals celebrated here apaprt from Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra.

Maharashtra has some of the best places to visit which attract visitors in its natural bounties, majestic architectures, and splendid beaches. Some of the best places to visit in Maharashtra and information about Maharashtra are given below.

• Malvan - Famous Fishing Ports: A quaint little town with stunning beaches, sprawling backwaters, and ancient forts in the background, Malvan is the perfect spot for someone looking for some solitude and adventure sports as well. Malvan beach, Tarkarli beach, Sindhudurg fort, Malvan Marine Sanctuary, etc., are some of the best places to visit here where you can go for scuba diving, dolphin sighting, snorkeling, or just strolling alongside the beach.
• Amboli – For the Nature Buffs: Nestled atop the Sahyadri Hills of Western Ghats at 2260 ft., Amboli is a delightful retreat from the hectic life and offers spectacular views of the landscape from high points where you can reach through trekking. Some major attractions here are Amboli Falls, Shirgaonkar Point, Nangarta Falls, Madhavgarh Fort, and Sunset Point.
• Lonavla – Picnic Spot: Close to Mumbai, Lonavala is the go-to spot for people who want to escape the clutter of city life and rejuvenate themselves by spending some time in the bounty of nature. Known for its waterfalls and soothing scenery, Lonavala is an ideal place for a gala time with best places such as Tiger’s Leap, Lonavala Lake, Rajmachi Wildlife Sanctuary, Koregad Fort, Amrutanjan Point, and may more.
• Mahabaleshwar – A Dreamy Getaway: Sitting atop the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges and once a summer capital of Bombay, Mahabaleshwar is another place with dreamy landscape and is often populated with the love birds. This quiet and enchanting place with spots such as Mahabaleshwar Temple, Venna Lake, Lingamala Falls, Elephant’s Head Point, and many more, is an ideal getaway to experience the beautiful nature and indulge in some spiritual and adventure activities.
• Alibaug – A Serene Town: A very peaceful town and home to some of the best beaches in Maharashtra, Alibaug is the place you should head to in summers for a respite from the hustle-bustle of the city. Visit the soothing Alibaug beach, Akshi Beach, Nagaon Beach, Kolaba Fort, Kanakeshwar Forest and much more and spend your weekend making happy memories.
• Nashik – Temple, Ghats, and more: Thriving on the banks of Godavari River, Nashik is an ancient holy town with its association from the Hindu mythology Ramayana. Home to various temples and shrines which is visited by devotees year-round, Nashik has beautiful architecture in temples and along with ghats it is one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra. Major attractions here are Ramkund, York Winery, Soma Wine Village, Chandon, Sita Gumpha, and Kala Rama Temple.
• Mumbai – The City of Dreams: Bubbling with the amalgamation of old colonial charm and the bustling urban life, Mumbai is one of the most visited cities of India by foreign tourists. Home to several iconic tourist attractions such as the Gateway of India, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Marine Drive, National Art Gallery, Film City, Coin Museum, and many other places, Mumbai is a must visit place despite of its crowd and humid weather for its tourist places and exotic food.
• Pune – The City of Historic Forts: One of the major cities of Maharashtra, Pune is known for its leisurely vibes, good weather, and historical forts. An emerging IT hub, Pune is also a cultural centre and offers numerous experiences along with some major spots such as Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Sinhagad Fort, and many other forts and temples, to revive the history.

One thing can be said about Maharashtra that it has many historical gems to see. Some popular sites of historical significance in the state are –

• Ajanta Ellora caves, in Aurangabad - Ancient rock-cut caves, UNESCO World heritage site.
• Gateway of India, in Mumbai - A colossal ancient arch with motifs in yellow basalt; overlooking the Arabian sea.
• Aga Khan Palace, Pune - Built in 1892; Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are buried in the grounds of this palace.
• Elephanta Caves, Elephanta island in Mumbai - An ancient Buddhist cave temple having an area of 60,000 sq feet. Another UNESCO world heritage site.
• Raigad Fort, Raigarh - A historical fort situated at a height of 2690 ft, having lush green valleys on 3 sides.
• Lohagad Fort in Khandala - A fort located 3600 ft high; loved by trekkers and architecture enthusiasts. (Also, a UNESO world heritage site).
• Bibi-Ka -Maqbara, Aurangabad - A tomb built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for his wife – also known as Taj Mahal of the deccan (as it resembles the Taj Mahal in Agra).
• Kolaba Fort, Alibaug - A 300-year-old fort with stunning views of the Arabian sea waters.
• Devagiri Daulatabad Fort, Daulatabad - a 12th century fort; offers a beautiful panoramic view of entire Daulatabad.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai - The capital city’s main train terminal, earlier known as Victoria terminal (during the times of British rule in India) having stunning architectural beauty, with Victorian and Gothic influences.

Maharashtra food includes a variety of both mild and spicy dishes. Peanuts and fresh coriander are used generously in many dishes, and so is Methi (fenugreek leaves). Some popular dishes include:

• Kanda Poha (a savory dish made with flattened rice, turmeric, chillies, peanuts, and lots of onions)
• Thaalipeeth (a pancake made with rice/millet flours)
• Modak (Steamed dumplings – mostly consist of jaggery).
• Vada Paav (Paav buns stuffed with potato patties and chutney), Paav Bhaji (Toasted buns served with spicy mashed mixed vegetable curry and lots of butter)
• Bombay Sandwich (which primarily contains a spicy potato curry, and a green coriander chutney).
• Pav Bhaji .(boiled and mashed vegetables cooked with onion and tomato gravy and spices and eaten with buttered buns)
• Puran Poli (a sweet version of paratha filled with mashed chickpea and jaggery filling)
• Misal Pav (a spicy and tangy lentil curry made with moth beans and served with pav buns)
• Bharli Vangi (baby brinjals stuffed with coconut, onion, jaggery, and Marathi goda masala)

Some thrilling activities and things to do in Maharashtra for adventure lovers are –

• Paragliding (in Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar)
• Trekking (Vasota Fort Jungle trek, Sahyadri mountain range trek, Kalsubai trek)
• Waterfall Rappelling (in Vihigaon)
• Paragliding (in Kamshet, Hadapsar Airfield)
• Hot air ballooning (in Lonavla)
• River rafting (in Kolad, Kundalika rafting camp)
• Scuba diving (in Malvan)
• Bungee Jumping (in Lonavla)
• Wildlife safari (at the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries here like Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tadoba National Park, Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.)
• Caving (in Ajanta-Ellora, Elephanta, Bhaja and Karla)

• By Air: Maharashtra has several domestic and international airports that receive flights from all major cities and abroad. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Santa Cruz Domestic Airport, etc. are some of the airports with connectivity from states of India and countries abroad. Buses and taxis are easily available from outside airport.
• By Train: Maharashtra has a well-knit network of local trains as well as inter-state trains. Trains operate from Mumbai to other states and has local trains connecting all regions of the state.
• By Road: A strong and well-managed road network joins Maharashtra from other cities and states. NH 6 and 17 are the major highways and roads are also well maintained with beautiful scenic views.