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| Maharashtra |
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 Maharashtra
comprises of a portion of the Deccan plateau and the Konkan
coastal region on the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats run almost
parallel to the sea coast. A number of beaches on the 720 kms
coastline provide a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle
of big cities. Equally attractive for nature lovers are the
forests of the Western Ghats, which are rich in fauna and flora.
Maharashtra is a virtual treasure trove of religious shrines
- Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim as well as Jain. Its cave temples
are world famous, most noted being the Elephanta caves and the
Ajanta-Ellora.
Maharashtra, known as the land of the brave Marathas, has scores
of mighty forts and fortresses, which remind one of the military
prowess of the Maratha rulers of the past.
The Osho Commune in Pune is a major attraction for seekers of
spiritual recourse, and people from all across the globe visit
this place to learn the art of meditation and living life in
a peaceful way. |
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| GETTING
HERE |
Mumbai is the
capital of Maharashtra, with a good network of flights from
Sahar (international) and Santa Cruz (domestic) airports. By
rail, Mumbai is connected to all important cities in India.
Mumbai is also well linked to all the cities in Maharashtra
by road.
Pune: Pune (170 kms from Mumbai) is linked
by air to many Indian cities and two international destinations
- Dubai and Singapore. One can also fly to Mumbai and then travel
by bus, taxi (3 hours) or train to Pune.
Nashik:
Private airlines fly from Mumbai to Nashik, 180 kms from Mumbai.
There are frequent buses to Nashik from Dadar in Mumbai. Mumbai
and Nashik are also linked by rail.
Nagpur:
By air, Nagpur is connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad,
Raipur, Nashik, Bangkok (Thailand) and Sharjah (UAE). Nagpur
is connected with all major cities by rail and road.
Aurangabad:
It is well connected by air, rail and road to other parts of
country. There are direct flights from Mumbai. Aurangabad is
linked by rail to many Indian cities like Mumbai, Amritsar,
Delhi and Hyderabad. |
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| WHAT
TO SEE |
Mumbai
The city that never sleeps, India's tinsel town, the hub of
trade and business in India, Mumbai was once a cluster of seven
islands. This busy city thrives with cultural life reflected
in its music, dance and drama. It is the centre of the Hindi
film industry and to its credit is the production of largest
number of films in the world.
Besides its regular tourist attractions, Mumbai is also worth
a visit for its sporting activities, night clubs, pubs, theatres,
beaches and restaurants.
Important tourist sites here are Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
(Victoria Terminus), Flora Fountain, Gothic/Victorian buildings
of the Fort Area, Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales Museum,
National Gallery of Modern Art , Gateway of India, Marine Drive
(also called the Queen's Necklace), Chowpatty Beach, Taraporewala
Aquarium, Malabar Hill (Jain temple dedicated to Adinath, Hanging
Gardens, Kamla Nehru Park and Banganga temple complex at Walkeshwar),
Mani Bhawan (museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi), Mahalaxmi
Temple, Haji Ali Shrine, Siddhivinayak Temple, Juhu Beach (fun
place with an amusement park, play ground, and open-air restaurants),
Elephanta Caves (rock-cut cave temples, 9 nautical miles offshore
from the Gateway of India; ferry from Gateway of India), Sanjay
Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves, Marve, Manori and Gorai
(famous for all-night beach parties), Mandwa and Kihim (beautiful
beaches 12 miles away, near Kihim is the Kolaba Fort) and Bassein
Fort.
Places of interest around Mumbai are Khandala and Lonavala,
which are two beautiful hill stations with spectacular vistas
of the adjoining hills. Just 12 kms from Lonavala is Karla,
where there are Buddhist Chaitya Caves (shrines) and the Bhaja
Caves (monasteries). Matheran is another picturesque hill station
near Mumbai, which is reached by a toy train.
Pune
Pune is known as the Queen of Deccan, being a beautiful place
nestled between green hills and having marvellous lakes. Places
of interest here are Osho Ashram, Shaniwar Wada (palace of the
Peshwa rulers), Shinde Chhatri, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pataleshwar
Cave Temples (monolithic temples), Tribal Museum, Gandhi National
Memorial/Aga Khan Palace, Vishrambaug Wada, Bund Garden, Saras
Baug, Parvati Hill temple, Peshwe Udyan (zoo), Katraj Snake
Park, Panshet Dam (water sports like kayaking, wind surfing;
speed boats and water scooters), Bhatgar Dam, Pimpri Chinchwad,
Sinhagad Fort and Raigad Fort. |
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Nashik
There are a number of holy temples and shrines, including the
famous pilgrimage of Shirdi, in and around Nashik. Places worth
visiting are Ramkund (holy tank), Muktidham Temple (7 kms from
Nashik, beautiful white marble shrine), Kalaram Temple, Coin
Museum, Pandavleni Caves, Shirdi (temple dedicated to the saint
Sai Baba, other places in Shirdi dedicated to the saint are
Dwarkamai and Gurusthan), Trimbakeshwar (36 kms, Trimbakeshwar
Temple and source of Godavari River), Dudhasagar Waterfalls,
Saptashringi Devi Temple (55 kms), Nandurmadhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
(60 kms), Bhandardara Dam (70 kms, famous for Umbrella Falls,
Randha Falls and Kalsubai Peak, the highest peak of Maharashtra)
and Jawhar (known for Jai Vilas palace, Dadar Kopra Falls and
sunset point).
Nagpur
Called the Orange City, it is a very green city with many gardens
and religious places. Major tourist spots are Adasa Ganesh temple,
Bhadravati (Jain temples), Dhapewada (famous for temple of Vithoba),
reservoir of Khekranala (55 kms from Nagpur in the forests of
the Khapra, good for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. Also known
for its Shiva temple in a natural cave), Koradi Mahalaxmi Devi
temple and Markanda (24 temples).
Kolhapur
Mahalaxmi Temple (having an idol of the Goddess naturally made
of uncut diamonds and precious stones), New Palace (Chhatrapati
Sahu Museum, zoo, parks and a lake), Town Hall Museum, Old Palace,
Binkhambi Ganesh temple, Rankala Lake, Panhala Fort, Vishalgad,
Saamaangad, Bhudargad, Paargad, Narasimha Wadi, Jyotiba, Bahubali
of Kumbhojgiri (28 feet tall marble statue of Jain saint), Khidrapur
temple of Kopeshwar, Giroli Tourist Park, Dajipur Bison Sanctuary,
Ramteerth, Amba, Amboli (hill resort, with attractions like
sea-view point, Hiranya Keshi lake, Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gad
and Narayan Gad).
Aurangabad
This city with three museums - the Sunheri Mahal Museum, the
University Museum and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum - is the
gateway to the world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves.
Important tourist attractions in Aurangabad are Aurangabad Caves
(Buddhist caves), Bibi ka Maqbara (a white marble monument that
tries to capture the beauty of Taj Mahal), Panchakki, Darwazas
(four gates leading to the city), Daulatabad (Devgiri fort with
its Chand Minar, Jami Masjid and royal palaces), Khuldabad (tombs
of Moinuddin Chishti and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb), Anwa Shiva
Temple, Pitalkhora Caves (Buddhist excavations), Lonar crater
(world's third largest crater, 1.8 kms in diameter and 150 mts
deep with rich fauna and flora), Paithan (51 kms, Dhyaneshwar
Udyan, largest garden in Maharashtra, museum and Jaikwadi Dam) |
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