Best places to visit in maharastra in 2020

Best Places To Visit In Maharastra

The Land of the Marathas, Maharashtra is the 2nd most populated and the 3rd largest state in India. The state is bordered by the Arabian Sea and the primary language spoken here is Marathi. Being in the western region of India, Maharashtra has been blessed with an abundant supply of natural resources and the significance of the region has been mentioned in the ancient texts. The state of Maharashtra has a unique location of being situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. This makes the state a biodiverse region rich in flora and fauna. The Krishna, Godavari, Bhima etc. are the rivers that run through Maharashtra. The state is also the richest state in India and contributes 13.3% of the country’s GDP and 15% of the country’s Industrial output. It is thus a major state in India which has tons of places and attractions a tourist must explore.

1. Mumbai

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Heritage, Monuments, Shopping, Cuisine.

·         Major Attraction: Elephanta Caves.

·         Nearby Places: Lonavala, Khandala, Pune,

·         Ideal Visit Time: 2-3 days.

About 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’.

How to Reach

·         Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in the city is India’s second busiest airport. It is well connected both domestically and internationally.

·         Rail

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (CSTM) is the city’s major railway station with trains running to all cities of India at good frequency. Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station is the other major railway head in the city. Mumbai Suburban Railway serves the metropolitan area, with trains running at high frequency to all the areas within Mumbai.

·         Road

Mumbai has one of the best intercity bus network in India with about 2.3 million passengers commuting daily through its extensive bus network. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) also runs interstate and intercity buses from Mumbai at good frequency. Buses run to and from Telangana, Gujrat, Karnataka, Goa and Madhya Pradesh.

Places to Visit

·         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

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: History, Heritage, Monuments.

·         Major Attractions: Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara.

·         Nearby Places: Shirdi, Nashik.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 2 days.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Aurangabad Airport in the city is connected to Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Delhi.

·         Rail

Aurangabad railway station (AWB) is connected to all major cities of India and a cab can be taken from here to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Aurangabad at good frequency. Buses run to and from Telangana, Gujrat, Karnataka, Goa and Madhya Pradesh. NH 52 passes through the city.

Places to Visit

·         Ajanta Caves

·         Ellora Caves

·         Devgiri Fort

·         Ghrishneshwar Temple

·         Khuldabad

·         Bibi Ka Maqbara

·         Panchakki

·         Salim Ali Lake & Bird Sanctuary

·         Jama Mosque

·         Aurangabad Caves

3. Kolhapur

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Heritage, History, Kolhapuri chappal.

·         Major Attraction: Mahalakshmi Temple.

·         Nearby Places: Ratnagiri, Panjim.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport with the best connectivity about 6 hr 29 min (376 km) away and is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab from the airport to Kolhapur.

·         Rail

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus railway station (KOP) in Kolhapur is connected to all major cities of India and a cab can be taken from here to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Kolhapur at good frequency. NH 48, NH 166 and NH 204 pass through the city.

Places to Visit

·         Mahalakshmi Temple

·         Jyotiba Temple

·         Rankala Lake

·         Chhatrapati Sahu Museum

·         Panhala Fort

4. Mahabaleshwar

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Hill Station, Views, Nature, Temples.

·         Major Attractions: Lingmala Waterfalls and Panchganga Temple.

·         Nearby Places: Pune, Wai, Khandala.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 2 days.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Pune International Airport is the nearest airport with the best connectivity about 3 hrs (121 km) away and is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab from the airport to Mahabaleshwar.

·         Rail

Satara railway station (STR) about 1 hr 22 min (56.6 km) is the nearest railway station. It is well connected to all major cities of India and a cab can be taken from here to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Satara, the nearest town at good frequency. The road journey via a cab from Satara to Mahabaleshwar will take approximately 1 hour.

Places to Visit

·         Pratapgarh Fort

·         Pratap Garden

·         Afzal Khan Tomb

·         Old Mahabaleshwar

·         Bhawani Mandir

5. Solapur

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Pilgrimage, Views.

·         Major Attractions: Pandharpur and Baba Umer Dargah.

·         Nearby Places: Satara, Vijaypur.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 2 days.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Pune International Airport is the nearest airport with the best connectivity and is about 4 hrs 24 min (254 km) away. It is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab or bus from the airport to Solapur.

·         Rail

Solapur railway station (SUR) is the nearest railway station. It is well connected to all major cities of India and a cab can be taken from here to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Solapur. NH 52 and NH 65 pass through the city.

Places to Visit

·         Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Temple

·         Shri Siddheshwar Temple

·         Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

·         Solapur Fort

·         Pandharpur Temple

6. Matheran

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Hill Station, Nature, Views.

·         Major Attractions: Celia Pt and Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir.

·         Nearby Places: Mumbai, Lonavala, Khandala.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or a weekend trip.

About Matheran

Another great hill station located at the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra, Matheran is located at an elevation of approximately 800 meters above sea level. The city is famous for its cool and less humid climate and is a popular summer retreat for the population of Maharashtra. The British influence on the architecture is pretty evident and is well preserved by the officials. The train ride to Matheran is of special mention as it is a slow ride that will give you ample time to experience the intoxicating surroundings.

How to Reach

·         Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport about 100 kms away. It is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab or bus from the airport to Matheran.

·         Rail

Matheran railway station (MLR) is the nearest railway station. It has limited connectivity and runs till Dhindi Point. Visitors need to get down at this point and walk for about 30 mins to reach the main city. A toy train can also be taken from Dhindi but it is subjected to availability.

·         Road

The best way to reach Matheran is through road via a cab or bus. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Dodhani, an hour away from Matheran.

Places to Visit

·         Echo Point

·         Louisa Point

·         Charlotte Lake

·         Alexander Point

·         One Tree Hill

7. Alibag

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: History, Sea, Forts.

·         Major Attractions: Alibag Fort, Khanderi and Underi Islands.

·         Nearby Places: Mumbai, Pune.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport with the best connectivity about 140 kms away and is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab from the airport to Alibag.

·         Rail

The nearest railway station with the best connectivity is the Panvel railway station (PNVL), 2 hrs (61.2 km) away. Take a cab or a taxi from here to Alibag.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Alibag at good frequency. NH66 and NH166A pass through the city.

Places to Visit

·         Alibaug Beach

·         Nagaon Beach

·         Kanakeshwar Forest

·         Janjira Fort

·         Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple

8. Pune

Visitor’s Information

·         Famous for: Culture, Peshwas, History, Education.

·         Major Attractions: Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace.

·         Nearby Places: Mumbai, Khandala, Lonavala.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 2-3 days.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Pune International Airport in the city is connected to all domestic terminals in India. It also runs interantional flights to Dubai and Frankfurt.

·         Rail

Pune Junction railway station (PUNE) in the city has trains from all states of India. Also, the local trains connect Pune to Lonavala and Pimpri-Chinchwad (the industrial hub in metropolitan Pune).

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Pune at good frequency. The National Highways passing through the city are NH 50 and NH 4.

Places to Visit

·         Western Ghats

·         Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati.

·         Shivneri Fort

·         Shanivar Wada

·         Aga Khan Palace

·         Parvati Hill

·         Rajgad Fort

·         Lal Mahal

·         Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

·         Sinhagad Fort

9. Nashik

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Temples , Forts, Culture

·         Major Attractions: Panchvati and Dugarwadi waterfall.

·         Nearby Places: Mumbai, Aurangabad, Pune, Shirdi.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 1-2 days.

About 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.

How to Reach

·         Air

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport with the best connectivity about 2 hrs 55 min (167 km) away and is well connected both domestically and internationally. Take a cab from the airport to Nashik.

·         Rail

Nasik Road railway station (NK) in the city has trains from all Indian state as it is an important station on the Central India Railway line. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Nashik at good frequency. The National Highways passing through the city are NH 60 and NH 848.

Places to Visit

·         Trimbakeshwar Temple

·         Pandavleni Caves

·         Panchvati

·         Muktidham Temple

·         Dugarwadi waterfall

·         Anjaneri Mountains

·         Saptashrungi

·         Kalaram Mandir

·         Kapaleshwar temple

·         Ram Kund

10. Ratnagiri

Visitor Information

·         Famous for: Arabian Sea, Mangoes, Beaches.

·         Major Attraction: Ganpatipule

·         Nearby Places: Kolhapur, Mahabaleshwar.

·         Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.

About Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is a sea port located near the Arabian Sea in the State of Maharashtra. The town has been mentioned prominently in the Hindu mythology and is famous for its Temples. The place contains several different breathtaking natural phenomena like the Rajapur Ganga which is a collection of 14 pools of water which appear almost once in every 3 years. The old palaces and forts are also great places to explore on your trip here.

How to Reach

·         Air

Pune International Airport, about 6 hrs (304 km) away is the nearest airport and is connected to all domestic terminals in India. It also runs international flights to Dubai and Frankfurt. Take a cab from the airport to any part of the city.

·         Rail

Many major trains pass through Ratnagiri railway station (RN) from all states of India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.

·         Road

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs interstate and intercity buses from Ratnagiri at good frequency. The National Highways passing through the city are NH 66 and NH 166.

Places to Visit

·         Ganapatipule Beach

·         Marleshwar Temple

·         Guhagar Beach

·         Ratnagiri Lighthouse

·         Shri Devi Bhagwati Temple

Maharashtra contains a rich cultural heritage and historical importance. It is also one of the prime states in India and a hub to various cultural and modern arts. Pune, Nagpur, Lonavala, Panchgani, shirdi, Igatpuri, Karjat,Devgiri and Lavasa are also popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra. The hospitable people and the immense number of places to visit it is essentially a tourist capital of India.