India Tours & Travel Packages

Tourism in States & Cities of India

Welcome to Land of Maratha Warriors - Maharashtra. A land whose size and diversity will stun you. Enjoy the mountains that stretch out into the mists as far as the eye can see, innumerous forts that stand proud and strong. scores of temples sculpted into and out of basalt rock. Diverse and colorful cultures, woven into one gigantic quilt. Festivals that galvanize the sleepy thousands into fervent motion. Miles of silver, white beaches, stretched taut and inviting over the entire coast. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, which derives its name from the Goddess Mumba Devi. From the middle of the 17th century, a new group of warrior people came to dominate the scene in Maharashtra and elsewhere in India called Marathas. Shivaji was the first great ruler of Marathas and it was he who paved the way for future Maratha influence on India.

Mumbai (Bombay)

Sight Seeing Places:

Chow patty Beach, Gateway Of India, Haji Ali Shrine, Flora Fountain Square, Hanging Gardens, Crawford Market, Maha Lakshmi Temple, Marine Drive - The Queens Necklance, Race Course, Raja Bhai Towers & Mumbai University, Victoria Terminus Railway Station, Planetarium, Taraporewala Fish Acquarium , Prince Of Wales Museum.

Excursion Tour:
While Mumbai's comparatively recent history means that there are no ancient or even medieval monuments here, three excursions out of the city are steeped in history. About an hour's ride away by motorboat from the basalt facade of the Gateway lies Elephanta, a cave-temple shrine hewn out of solid rock some time in the eighth century A.D. by the Rashtrakuta dynasty who ruled the Deccan from 757 A.D. to 973 A.D. Probably intended as a private place of worship for the ruling family, the exact date of its construction will never be known. The island was plundered by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century; they destroyed the plaque that bore details of its history. It was the Portuguese who named the island after the large stone elephant that guarded it; the original name is Gharapuri, the fortress city. The elephant has since been shifted and reassembled in the compound of the Bombay Zoo, as guides are quick to point out. The caves represent what is probably the last examples of the golden age of art that flourished in the Gupta period, even though it dates from after that time. Though not as impressive in scale as Ellora, the Elephanta caves are unsurpassed in terms of beauty and eloquence. The Siva Temple originally had three entrances, giving it a cruciform shape; the play of light is constant. The inner sanctuary, beyond the realm of images, has a plain and undimmed yoni lingam, the symbol of strength and creativity. Amidst irregular pillars in the Dravidian style, a celestial drama unfolds, the most dramatic of which are Ravana shaking Mount Kailash and the marriage of Siva and Parvati. The Trimurthi of Siva is the focal point.

Pune (Poona)

Pune (Poona), 183 Kms away can be reached by either train or road, flights also operate from Mumbai. Former capital of the Marathas, Pune became an important cantonment town under the British and is now a burgeoning industrial city. The sights include the hilltop Parvati Temple; the 18th-century Pataleshwar Temple cut out of a huge rock; Qamar Ali Darvesh, a Muslim shrine with an interesting levitating rock; and Shinde Chhatri, (the cenotaph of an important Maratha leader). The Raj Kelkar Museum housing a huge private collection of unusual traditional arts is worth a visit. Simhagad, Raigadh, Torna, Purandhar and Shivneri are some Maratha forts within easy reach of Pune. The city is also a base for excursions to the hill resorts at Panchgani, 90 kilometers and Mahabeleshwar, 100 kilometers away. Although Pune, the historical capital of the Marathas. is the logical beginning for any exploration of Maharashtra state, the hill stations en route are charming diversions. Lonavala and Khandala, on the crest of the Ghats on the way to Pune, are best reached by train from Mumbai. Both retain a certain old-world charm and offer a comparatively cool climate conducive to long walks with marvelous views of the valleys below. The Kalra Caves near Lonavala, built by Buddhist monks in the first century AD, are also worth a visit. Several hilltop forts in the region offer rewarding climbs and exciting panoramas.

Sigh Seeing Places:

Osho Ashram at Koregaon, Shaniwarwada, Saras Garden, Parvati Pahad, Raja Kelkar Museum, Shinde's Chhatri, Bund Garden, Kasturba Smarak etc.

Excursions:
Lonavala, Kalra Caves, Panchgani & Mahabaleshwar.

Aurangabad - Ajanta & Ellora

Aurangabad was an important seat of the Mughal Empire during the Mughal rule in India. The town holds a good number of Mughal architectural marvels making it an important historical destination of Maharashtra. The town is situated on the banks of the Kham River. The medieval monuments and cultural heritage, the silk and cotton textiles and its proximity to the famous world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora attract a good number of tourists towards it every year. Though the city looks calm and quiet with not much hum drum on the streets, it is an industrialized, competitive city making its own mark on the tourist and industrial map of India. It is also interesting to note that Aurangabad was formerly known as Khirki (meaning window) because of its strategic position that provided a window view of the Deccan plateau. Aurangabad is an offbeat destination in the state of Maharashtra. It attracts attention of tourists because of its many famous historical and religious architectural sites. It is true that Aurangabad is not a green hilly destination, though it has a good number of gardens giving you a comfortable stay in the town. Many tourists visit this place due to its proximity to some of the world famous heritage sites of India. This has helped in increasing the popularity of its locally produced traditional textiles and handicraft items too. The Aurangabad caves and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara are the two must visit architectural marvels among the many other structures of Mughal era in the town.

Places of Interest:

Ajanta
Famous for its caves, Ajanta is one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognised as the World Heritage site today, it was discovered during the 19th century by a group of British officers who were on a tiger hunt. The Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the Sahyadri hills above the Waghora, depict the story of Buddhism that prevailed here during 200 BC to 650 AD.

Mahableshwar

Not far from Pune and Mumbai lies the Hill Station of Mahableshwar, the only hill station in Maharashtra located at an altitude of 1372 meters. Mahabaleshwar is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon destination especially for people in Pune & Mumbai due to its close proximity from these cities, and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is the site of Mahabaleshwar Temple. After the construction of a new express way, it is only a five hour drive from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey and strawberries produced here. One can visit strawberry farms to enjoy the real flavor of the fruit. It is said that the climate of Mahabaleshwar is ideal for strawberries and mulberries. Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride over the lake or a horse ride next to the lake. A number of small eateries line the banks of the lake.