Mumbai
Mumbai a cluster of seven islands, derives its name from "Mumbadevi" ,the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai, till recently called Bombay, is the "Finance Capital of India" & one of the finest metropolitan in the world. Most of premier Multinational and National corporate houses are headquartered here, it remains the bastion of free enterprise. Its international airport and sea port are the busiest in the country and handle virtually 50% of all India’s foreign trade. The oldest stock exchange is located in Mumbai, The Mumbai Stock Exchange which has become an important indicator of the nation's financial business.
Pune
Nested in the picturesque Sahyadris (the Western Ghats), just 150 km south of Mumbai, Pune is a contrast of history and modernism. Base of the Great Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Peshwas, the city has been a cultural capital of Maharashtra for centuries. Pune is considered as the Oxford of India – with its many educational and research institutions apart from other institutions for sports, yoga, ayurveda, culture and social services. Pune is nowadays also seen as a potential city for massive growth of Information Technology.
Aurangabad
Nowadays even known as Sambhajinagar is a place to stay when visiting the caves of Ajanta & Ellora, Aurangabad has a number of attractions in addition to this caves & is regarded as one of the chief cities in Maharashtra. It attracts visitors for the forts of great maratha king Shivaji Chatrapatti.
Kolhapur
This city was once then capital of an important Maratha state. The city is now counted among one of the most prosperous regions of the state. The region in & around Kolhapur city is referred as the "sugarcane belt", as also the city is a major producer of milk & milk products. The city also has number of medical & engineering colleges which has students from all over India.
Nagpur
Situated on the river Nag from which the town takes its name from Nagpur also has the distinction as the city in geographical terms is placed in the center of the country, Nagpur is the orange growing capital of India. The region in & around the city are also the chief centers for production of cotton.
Nashik
This interesting place with its picturesque bathing ghats is a good stop on the way from Mumbai to Aurangabad. Nashik stands on the bank of Godavari river, one of the holiest rivers of the Deccan. Like Ujjain ,this one is one of the sites for the triennial Kumbh mela which comes here once in every 12 years. The riverbanks are lined with steps above which stand many temples & shrines. Common languages spoken & followed are Marathi, Gujrati, Hindi and English.
Historical Places:
Karla Caves
Karle is 3km north of the town of Karle Caves Junction, 11 km from Lonavala on NH4. It is a Buddhist cave. It is the largest and the best preserved.
Ajanta
Deep in the semi-arid hills of the Deccan, lie the rock-cut caves of AJANTA. It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, buried deep under a blanket of creepers and jungle, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered.
Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed. The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Exquisite wall paintings and sculptures speak volumes of the India of yore.
Ellora
The Ellora caves lie 30 kms northwest of Aurangabad. In all 34, Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves in number, have an amazing wealth of sculpture. These are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the center dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.
The sculpture in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Most of the caves are Viharas or Monastery halls used by the monks for study, solitary meditation and worship.
The Kailasa temple in Cave 16 an architectural wonder, is Ellora’s masterpiece. The entire structure having been carved out of a monolith, the process taking over a century to finish. This mountain - abode of Lord Shiva, is in all probability, the world's largest monolith, the gateway, pavilion, assembly hall, sanctum and tower, all hewn out of a single rock. Gigantic, though it is, it remains one of the most delicate and intricate ancient works of art. The Dumar Lena cave resembles the famous cave - temple at Elephanta, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Jain caves are about a mile away from the Kailasa temple, amongst which Cave 32, houses a beautiful shrine adorned with fine carvings of a lotus flower on the roof, and a ‘yakshi’ on a lion under a mango - tree, while Caves 32 and 34 contain grand statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves sport the images of Tirthankaras, and one of them, also, has a seated figure of Mahavira, so deeply immersed in meditation that creepers have grown over his body.
Beaches:
Ganapatipule
Ganapatipule is set along the western coast of Maharashtra. It is located 375 km south of Mumbai, along the Konkan coast. Ganapatipule is one of the `Ashta Ganapatis' (eight Ganpatis) of India and called the `Paschim Dwar-Dewata' (Western Sentinel God). Climate is moist and humid but healthy.
Ganapatipule is a popular tourist haunt, not only for its soothing greenery, and its golden beach, but also for its 400 year old temple, which is dedicated to Swayambhoo Ganapati. Some places of interest around the area are Malgund, the birthplace of Keshavsoot, the famous Marathi poet; Ratnagiri, the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak; and the Thebaw Palace, where the deposed King of Burma was confined. Jaigad Fort and Swami Swarupanand's ashram in Pawas, are also worth a visit.
Velneshwar
170 km from Ratnagiri is the village of Velneshwar. It's adjoining beach is clean and natural and is lined with coconut trees. Swimming and other water sports are possible there as the beach is free from rocks. There is an old Shiva temple near Velneshwar which is frequently visited by pilgrims.
Manori & Gorai
These both beaches have become favorite with the picnickers and are situated close to the city of Mumbai. The village folk here let out their homes and extend hospitality with cooked meals and drinks, but at a price. Gorai's sparkling waters are safe throughout the year and the village has its own charm. However, it is advisable to avoid waters in the monsoon months.
Chowpatty Beach
Chowpatty beach is in the heart of Mumbai. Chowpatty has rich historical links to the freedom movement; several important meetings were organized here during the freedom struggle. At present, this is where images of Ganesha are immersed after the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi. Though the beaches remain empty throughout the day, it is a hub of activity in the evenings. On this beach the most famous are the Kiosks. These stalls sell all kinds of Chatt & Tikki and who can forget the famous Bhelpuri of Chowpatty. Apart from the food, this place is full of life with people from all walks of life taking a stroll on the beach. On the beach itself is a small colony of the original inhabitants of Mumbai, The Koli fishermen who can be seen drying their catch or mending their nets. Statues of Lokmanya Tilak and Sardar Patel, two of the most outstanding Maharashtrian freedom fighters, stand on the beach.
Juhu Beach
One of the largest and frequently visited tourist beaches of India on the shores of Arabian Sea. One of the prime and posh localities of Mumbai is also situated along this sea coast. This place houses the bungalows of famous Bollywood personalities. Almost all Hindi films have a day of shooting at Juhu. Luxury hotels and apartments line the southern end of Juhu Beach, a favorite haunt of Mumbai's movers and shakers. It's no place for a swim or a sunbathe, but on weekends and weekday afternoons there are horse and donkey rides, dancing monkeys, acrobats, cricket matches, toy sellers and every other type of Indian beach entertainment. North of Juhu is Versova Beach, home to Mumbai's largest Koli fishing community. Juhu is 18 km north of the city center, not far from Mumbai's airports.
Bassien
77 km from Mumbai, connected by road and rail (take a Virar local train) is Bassien, very Portuguese and much quieter too. Portuguese food is served by the locals who also rent out shacks and rooms, and the resplendent Bassien Fort.
Alibag Murud Janjira
Formerly the capital town of the Sidis of Janjira, Murud is today popular for it's alluring beach, whispering casuarina, coconut and betel palms, and an ancient fort. On a hillock to the north is the shrine of Lord Dattatraya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The 300 year old fort was once upon time considered to be impregnable. The palace of the Nawab and the Janjira caves are also a must for the tourist. Just a few kilometers away are beaches of Nandgaon and Kashid. Panvel is the nearest railhead and Mumbai is 165 km by road.
Dahanu
Approximately 145 kms from Mumbai, is the coastal town of Dahanu. It boasts ofsome of the country's best chickoo orchards. Gliding is one of the new pleasures. And the Irani and Parsi culture of the place add a touch of the exotic. A half-hour's drive down from Dahanu is the village of Bordi. The beach is endless, and very safe and very beautiful.
Mandwa-Kihim Beach
12 miles north of Alibaug on the north coast, and easily accessible from Mumbai, Mandwa is a beautiful, untrodden beach. For an unusual tent holiday, is the nearby Kihim beach. Unspoilt and isolated, this is a beautiful place. Worth visiting is the Kolaba Fort, just a furlong away from the shore. 15 km from Alibaug is Chaul, an historic place where one can spot Portugese ruins, Buddhist caves, the Hamam Khana, a church, a temple and even a synagogue.
Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg
Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg were once naval bases, giving testimony to the Maratha martial supremacy, under the great Chattrapati Shivaji. Vijaydurg, or Fort of Victory, was strengthened in the 17th century by Shivaji, who added impressive features to it like, the triple row of huge walls, the umpteen towers and the spacious inner buildings. Sprawled over an area of 48 acres, once seized by the British, and renamed Fort Augustus, the Sindhudurg or Ocean Fort at the Malvan port, is a historically vital monument. Within its premises are temples dedicated to Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush and Shivaji, the last being, the only shrine of its kind in India. Both these places also boast of picturesque beaches.
Vengurla - Malvan
Vengurla lies towards south down the Maharashtra coastline. With its immense stretch of shimmering sands, and thick cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves. It also has two famous temples, the Shri Devi Sateri temple and the Rameshwar temple, to its credit. Vengurla was an important trade settlement in ancient times. A short distance away lie the Vengurla Rocks, also known as the Burnt Islands. The old township of Malvan, houses two old forts : the Sindhudurg and Padmagad. It is believed that there was once an underground tunnel joining the two forts. An erstwhile trading center, Malvan is now famous for its salt pans, Chinese clay pottery and its mouth - watering Malvani cuisine, which is quite different from Konkan delicacies.
