Top 10 Places To Visit In Maharashtra 1. Mumbai Formerly known as ‘Bombay’, is the most populated city in India. The name Mumbai is derived from Mumba or Maha-Amba. Adventurous Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun, land of dreams- this is Mumbai. 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. It is home to the famous Indian film industry - Bollywood. To explore all the attractions in this city alone you need more than a week's time. 2. Aurangabad This place was named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and is one of the famous tourist places in Maharashtra. It is famous for its historical monuments and the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was recently declared as the "Tourism Capital of Maharashtra". Aurangabadi food is much like Mughlai or Hyderabadi cuisine, with an influence of the spices and herbs of the Marathwada region. Naan Qalia is a dish that is associated with Aurangabad. 3. Kolhapur The name Kolhapur is said to have been given after the name of some Asura. Mahalaxmi Temple draws millions of pilgrims from all over India and is an important spiritual centre. The New Palace (Chhatrapati Sahu Museum), The Old Palace, The Town Hall Museum, Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir, Rankala Lake are other places of attraction. The kolhapuri slippers and it's cuisine is famous, a Kolhapuri mutton dish is a must if you ever visit this place. 4. Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar in Sanskrit means ‘God of Great Power’. It is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides, near the lake, further down the road on the way to Panchgani, are the great strawberry fields. Mount Malcolm, Holy Cross Church, Mahabaleshwar Club and Pratapgad Fort are other places of attraction. 5. Pune It is the cultural capital of Maharashtra. It has one of India's oldest universities and its numerous colleges attract both Indian and international students, this is probably the reason why it is called the Oxford of the East. Shaniwar Wada, this historic seven-storied palace was built by Bajirao Peshwa I. Osho Ashram, Shinde Chhatri, Saras Baug, Pataleshwer Cave Temple and Katraj Snake Park are other places to visit. 6. Matheran It 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. There are altogether around 30 points, 2 lakes, 2 parks, 4 major worship places and a racecourse to visit inside Matheran. 7. Alibag The original name of this place was Ramnath, it was developed by Sarkhel Kanhoji Aangre unde the Maratha Ruler Shivaji. It is a coastal town and is famous for its white sandy and cleaner beaches. Eye soothing greenery with coconut trees standing in Queue near Quick sandy beaches make it a pleasant view. Alibag also houses a Magnetic Observatory which was set up in 1904. It serves as one of the significant observatories forming part of a global network now run by Indian Institute of Geomagnetism. Alibag beach, Siddheshwar Mandir near Khandale, Alibag Fort, Bet El Synagogue are a must visit 8. Khandala and Lonavla The twin hill resorts of Khandala and Lonavala have a special attraction for a crowd seeking a convenient weekend holiday. The city is easily accessible and is a popular hiking getaway near Mumbai. Bhushi Dam, Valvan Dam, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital, Duke’s Nose, Ryewood Park, Tiger’s Leap are some of the places of attraction. 9. Nashik It is located on the banks of the river Godavari, its holy temples and sites including the famous pilgrimage centre of Shirdi and a long connection with India's sacred past, has made it a spiritually enlightened place. It is one of the cities that host the Kumbha Mela of India once every 12 years. This city has tourist attractions including museums, gardens and a large number of ancient Temples which are sacred and have been regarded highly important in Hindu mythology. It is part of the green belt and is renowned for the various fruits and vegetables it produces. 10. Ratnagiri It has some of the most beautiful beaches, Ratnagiri is also home to historic monuments and serene 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. Ratnagiri is home to Alphonso mango. Pawas and Ganpatipule beach 20 kms on opposite sides offer as a great picnic spots.

• published: 14 Jan 2015
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