Tourist Destinations in Maharashtra
Planning for a trip in the holidays? Maharashtra can be one of the best state to choose. The state boasts of its world famous Caves, Forts, Dams, Hill stations, Historical and Pilgrim Places.
Situated in the Western coastal line of India, Maharashtra is yet another exemplary state for Tourism. The capital of the state is Mumbai and few other major cities include Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Thane, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and Nanded. The major tourists attractions in Maharashtra starts with the Mumbai city itself which is a sprawling metropolis and the seat of Bollywood film industry. The famous British Raj-era Gateway of India monument and the Marine Drive are located in the heart of the city. Nearby you can visit the cave temples at Elephanta Island. Traveling towards the south will take you through the Konkan coast lined beach, which is still rustic and natural in its ways. On the way, you can drop at its temple town of Ganpatipule where the local Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated around September. If you are fond of hill stations, then a line of exotic ones are lined up in the state like Matheran, Khandala Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and so on. Going ahead, places like Elephanta caves, Ajantha and Ellora caves, Nariman Point, Shirdi, ISCKON Temple, Powai Lake, Singhagad, Khadakwasla Dam, Karla Caves, Saptashrungi and lot more are there to make your holidays a memorable one.
Travel Tips
In the current situation there are a few things to talk specially about a travel trip in Maharashtra. As a relatively conservative state, it does create some inconveniences to the tourists when it comes to women, their get-up and venturing out. It is better to move in a large group or with family if you are visiting a lonely place at night.The state has many pilgrim spots where they are quite strict with the gestures like removing shoes, showing respect to the pujaris and so on. So if you are visiting a temple, make sure that you abide by the rules to avoid controversies.
Maharashtra is mostly a vegetarian state, so if you are a non-vegetarian, it is advisable that you choose a higher grade restaurant to ensure hygiene and good taste.
In summer Maharashtra gets hot at few places and there can be water shortage, so better carry ample amount of drinking water with you along with some emergency food stock.
You don't get many medicine shops throughout the state of Maharashtra, so better carry your regular and probable medicines in good amount before you start off for a trip to this state.
How to Reach
Maharashtra can be reached by all the major means of transport like Air, Railways, Roadways and Sea.By Air
The major international airport in Maharashtra is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai. You can also reach the city through the domestic airport - Santa Cruz. There are airports too at Nagpur, Pune, Kolhapur and Aurangabad.
By Rail
The largest railway station of Maharashtra is Mumbai which is known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. You can reach almost every part of India from that station whereas can directly reach the cities like Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Amravati, etc through their respective railway stations.
By Road
A good number of National Highways and State Highways crisscrosses the state of Maharashtra and you can reach there and travel by road can easily as you get buses and taxis from the cities or else you can also travel by your own vehicle.
By Sea
Situated on sea shore, Maharashtra is well connected with the neighboring countries by Sea. The International Naval Port at Mumbai, welcomes tourists from other countries as well as there are a number of other minor ports located in the state.
Activities
Visiting a state like Maharashtra means a host of activities that the traveler can choose to do. Starting with visiting places and Landmarks, exploring the Natural Resources and National Parks, one can participate in Outdoor Activities like rowing, taking a boat ride, go for hiking or trekking, visit the famous Museums. Enjoy with friends and family in the Water & Amusement Parks, go Shopping, Eat out and hang around the cultural rings watching the latest movies or plays which is a very rampant activity seen in Maharashtra.There are also many famous Educational Institutes where they allow the visitors to know about the place. The Bhaba Atomic Research Institute and The University of Pune are great attractions for the tourists to explore.