Known as the Land of Unlimited opportunities, Maharashtra is a travelers delight. The western coastal state of Maharashtra which contributes 15% of GDP of the country is a known as the Commercial capital of India.
Talking in details about Maharashtra Tourism and what all Maharashtra offers, Joint Director, Maharashtra Tourism, Dr Dhanajaya Sawalkar, spoke of how post covid Maharashtra has bounced back in Tourism and what all new the state is offering tourist and backpackers. The list is enticing and this season Maharashtra is a must visit.
Well connected
Only good connectivity assures travellers choose a place for travel. Here Maharashtra is the most accessible state of India well connected by roadways, railways, waterways and airways. It has 18 national highways, 720 km of coastline, 2 main ports. Central & Western railway links the state with rest of India. It has 14 airports, 3 international ones. A luxury train for tourists called Deccan Odyssey is soon going to be on tracks.
Staying made easy
Second comes lodging facilities. Ranging from super luxurious hotels & resorts to agro tourism centres, home stays & B&B, Maharashtra offers a wide range of accommodation options. NIDHI is a 4700 registered accommodation unit. Policies for Homestay & Vacational rental homes are in the pipeline.
Heritage Tourism
Rich in history the coastal state boosts of a rich heritage that dates back to the time when it was ruled by Hindu kingdoms of Mauryas, Satwahans, Marathas and others. It was Shivaji who founded the Maratha empire and built some of the most strategic forts. Maharashtra uniquely boosts of cultural influences from foreign lands like Korlai Indo Portugese language is spoken in Konkan area.
Gems of Maharashtra
Stone age rock art (Petroglyphs) is the oldest art of Maharashtra. It’s a material proof of Indian civilization of 10,000 yrs. Rock carvings found on coastline lateritic plateau was discovered in the south of Ratnagiri district. There are over 140 sites in 92 villages on Konkan belt, over 1700 figures & motifs, 8 geoglyph sites are in UNESCO’s tentative list.
Hill stations
Maharashtra having diverse topography also has amazing hill stations. Nasik, Kolhapur & Pune are the coolest places. For the young and energetic they offer thrilling activities like valley crossing, zip lining, paragliding etc. Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Matheran, Lonavala, Igatpuri, Amboli, Jawhar, Gaganbawada, Chikaldhra & Toranmal are some of the popular tourist attractions of Maharashtra.
Caves
Some of the most interesting cave sites are found in the state. There are approximately 800 caves at 65 different locations. Amoung them are Bhaje caves & Karla caves in Pune found in 2nd & 6th century CE, Pandavleni in Nasik and Ajanta, Ellora & Elephants caves which figure in UNESCO heritage sites.
Religion Tourism
There are many religious structures, Hindu & Jain temples, churches, Durgahs 100-150 yrs old, three and a half shaktipeets, Ashtavinayak, 5 of 12 Jyotirlingas of India are in Maharashtra. The most celebrated festival of the state Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10 days festival seeing large processions to immerse Lord Vinayak’s idol in the sea. A 21 day pilgrimage procession from Alandi to Pandharpur, abode of Lord Vitthal, is undertaken entirely on foot, is called Wari.
Forts
There are 400 forts in Maharashtra which are architectural marvels—Murud Janjira. 350 to 400 yrs old strategically built sea fort are right in the midst of the Arabian Sea.
Wildlife Tourism
Maharashtra is home to 49 marvelous Wildlife sanctuaries, 6 national parks, 10 conservation Reserves. The largest National Park of Maharashtra Tadoba Andhari has 80 tigers. Shekru or Giant flying squirrel is the state animal. A meteor Crater at Lonar, which is a Geo heritage monument is 500 feet & 1.8 km wide is a result of a meteor collision, stands as a wildlife sanctuary.
Temple Beach Tourism
Known as the Konkan belt Maharashtra is home to some of the most pristine, clean & virgin beaches. Ganesh temple at Ganpatipule beach, Lord Shiva temple at Harihareshwar beach are some attractions of temple and beach combination.
Food Tourism- Culinary Delight
The local cuisine of Vidarbha, Khandeshi, Konkani, Marathwada & Puneri offer thecha, bhakri, ukdiche modak, thalipeeth, rassa, tarri poha, solkadhi, kokam sarbet etc. A more innovative and modern dishes include Vada Pav missal pav etc.
Film Tourism
Home to the only hindi film industry Maharashtra has the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari called the film city. Bus tours are conducted to take tourists around to famous studios and stars residences & film museums.
Medical & Wellness Tourism
This is a major offer of the state. It is amoung the top 3 medical tourism destinations. There are 500+ Yoga & Wellness Centres, oldest & leading Vipasana centres.
Wine Tourism
The state also is known for its wineries. It has 30 of them like Sula, York, Soma, Rennaissance, Flamingo, Vinsura vineries. They attract tourists for vineyard tour, wine making & tasting process & luxury stay.
Crafts Tourism
One can find Paithani silk sarees which date back to the 18th century named after the same town. Sold as Yeola. Paithani Tourism, it is made of fine silk and zari, holds the same design on both sides of the sari. It’s a staple in most Maharastran weddings.
People come from far and near to see the Warli art, paintings made of natural colors from rice & geru.
Aurangabad boosts of Himaroo fabric which was brought during Tuglaq’s reign. Silk and cotton sarees, shawls too are made of Himaroo fabric.
Ganjifa cards are hand painted playing cards, an art which was brought to Maharashtra 350 yrs ago from Persia and was practiced in Sindhudurg.
Skywalk
Maharashtra’s first glass skywalk that is to be built at Chikhaldhara in Amravati.
