MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra, India’s third-largest state, is a dynamic blend of modern cities, ancient forts, sacred sites, and scenic getaways. At its heart is Mumbai, India’s financial capital and home to Bollywood, where colonial-era architecture meets a fast-paced lifestyle. Landmarks like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and the Elephanta Caves offer a taste of the city's layered history. Beyond Mumbai, Maharashtra reveals a vast cultural and natural landscape. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcase exquisite rock-cut architecture and Buddhist art. Forts like Raigad, Sinhagad, and Pratapgad speak of Maratha valor, while the hill stations of Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Matheran provide a cool escape amid the Western Ghats. Pilgrims frequent Shirdi, the abode of Sai Baba, and Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar, which house revered Jyotirlingas. Nature lovers find refuge in Tadoba and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, teeming with wildlife and verdant trails. Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, and the Ellora-Ajanta Festival celebrate the state’s diverse traditions. Maharashtrian cuisine is as varied as its landscape, offering street favourites like vada pav and missal, festive dishes like puran poli and poha, and rich coastal flavours in Konkani seafood and aamras during mango season. The best time to explore Maharashtra is from October to March, when the climate is ideal for urban explorations, hill station escapes, and cultural festivals.