Maharashtra Tourism
A Place That is a Strong Blend of Nature, Spirituality, and Adventure
About Maharashtra Tourism
Often called the 'Gateway to the Heart of India', Maharashtra is the third largest state and second most populous state in the country. Due to its proximity to the Western Ghats, it has a picturesque backdrop of mountains on one side and the beautiful Konkan Coastal region on the other.
Maharashtra, the land of everything unlimited invites you to its wide range of attractions. It is adorned by the beautiful Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats, with towering mountains that disappear in the morning mist, while the vast stretch of the Konkan coast mesmerises the eye with its white beaches. The ruins of ancient forts and palaces in Pune and Ratnagiri among others proudly tell the story of the then mighty rulers of Maharashtra. The age-old temples located in places like Pandharpur, Ojhar are still rooted in their traditions, providing sanctuary to the pilgrims. Small hill stations like Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Matheran, nestled comfortably in nature, provide respite to the travelers from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
People of diverse culture and religion live harmoniously in this state, which is why there is a lot of talk about the culture of Maharashtra, which has beautifully embraced other cultures while retaining its original Marathi culture that characterizes this state. We have come to call our home. Apart from being rich in history, traditional art and lifestyle, it is also famous for its economy mainly because Mumbai - the financial capital of India is located here. The entertainment hub - the Bollywood film industry also finds its origins in this state. The amalgamation of a variety of things that this state has to offer will make your trip here absolutely worthwhile.
General info
Best time to visit
June - March
Ideal Duration
4 - 12 days
Visa
Not Required
Currency
INR
Best Selling Tour Packages
Frequently Asked Questions
The vibrant fairs and festivals of Maharashtra reflect the roots of its culture, traditions and beliefs. Everyone celebrates all the festivals with utmost enthusiasm and energy. Some of the famous festivals celebrated here are - Ganesh Chaturthi - It is held in August to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha. Beautifully decorated Ganesha idols are installed in homes, and on the last day, the god is taken out in procession with dance and music, and finally immersed in nearby rivers and water bodies. Nag Panchami- This is another famous festival in which snakes are worshipped. Snakes are made of clay, and people offer milk or sweets to the deities. Sangli in Maharashtra is famous for snake catchers and people come to watch their thrilling performances with snakes. Gudi Padwa- This festival celebrates the new year according to the Hindu calendar. The deities are worshiped and offerings of neem leaves, gram dal and jaggery are distributed. Narali Purnima - It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan as per the Hindu calendar. Pola is a harvest festival in which bullocks are honored and respected.
Maharashtra is famous for its myriad forms of art. Some of them are- Kolhapuri Footwear- Kolhapuri style is popular in the state, which originated in Kolhapur district. These are hand made leather shoes. Sawantwadi Crafts- Sawantwadi is a small town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, which is famous for its Sawantwadi crafts. These favorite arts mostly include lacquerware. These include hand painted traditional lacquered furniture and light fittings. Bidri work- Bidri ware is an old craft that originated in Aurangabad and used zinc and copper as raw materials. Artisans use this art form to make decorative pieces. Mashru and Himru clothes- These are bright clothes made of cotton and silk. Himru Shawl is very famous in India and abroad. Ajanta paintings and Warli paintings can also be bought.
The impressive traditional dress of Maharashtrians is seen only during festivals. Men usually wear dhoti and pheta which is a Marathi word for turban. The women here wear a choli and a nine-yard saree, which is known as Nauvari saadi or lugda. When it comes to jewelry, women wear the famous Kolhapuri Saaj, a type of necklace made in Kolhapur. They also adorn their nose with 'Brahmani Nath' which is studded with basra pearls and emeralds. Other items are also made from a combination of gold beads, red and white stones and pearls.
The state of Maharashtra offers you a variety of nerve-racking adventures. Paragliding- The surrounding areas including Kamshet, Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar are among the best places for paragliding in Maharashtra. White Water Rafting- The Kundalika River provides an excellent opportunity for this adventure. Hot Air Balloon Ride- Lonavala, a hill town in the western part of the state, is very famous for hot air balloon ride in India. Wildlife Safari- Tadoba Tiger Reserve and Satpura National Park are two beautiful reserves in Maharashtra. Here you will get to see the best variety of wildlife. Camping- Camping amidst lush greenery and serene views is an experience of a lifetime. Cambray and Koyna are the best camping sites in Maharashtra.
Though influenced by the culture of Mumbai - the capital city and largest metropolis of Maharashtra, coupled with the fact that the cinema industry resides here, the people here still stick to their traditions and age-old customs. With the rapid development of technology in the kingdom, they do a balancing act very well. People's simplicity can be seen in every little thing they do, and even if they embrace fashion, their lifestyle is mostly themed around simplicity. Marathi is the native language which is widely spoken in various dialects. However, Hindi is also a popular language which is used with more slang. Marwari, Gujarati, tribal languages in the more central part of Maharashtra are other languages widely spoken. People of all religions reside here, though mainly Marathi, Gujarati and Marwari people live here. One can also find Parsis, Christians and South Indians among others.