The third largest state in India, Maharashtra has spread its wings over a great deal of the Deccan Plateau and has a number of towns and cities that are so interestingly touristy. The state has its recorded history going back to around 4^th century BC and was ruled by several empires including the Mauryas, Satavahanas and Chalukya and later by the Bahmani and Delhi Sultanates, the Marathas and the British.

Maharashtra is a mixture of age old charm, natural wonders and a modernity that makes the state one of the most significant tourist centres of India. Temples, beaches, ancient monuments and captivating hill stations are what make Maharashtra one of the most preferred among holiday makers.

We will give you a list of some of the interesting places you can visit for a touristy experience.

Located off the coast of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai the capital city of Maharashtra is the commercial and financial centre of the state. The populous and active city juggles an urban setting with places of natural wonder and heritage that one ought to visit. As the busy world hurtles past, watch the sunrise at Marine drive, visit the historic Gateway of India as the sun has set, join the beachgoers at Girgaum Chowpatty, trip to the Elephanta Caves or go on a pilgrimage to Siddhivinayak temple or Haji Ali dargah. Go on a shopping trip to some of the exotic shopping bazaars of Mumbai.

Along with Mumbai and Nashik, Pune forms the Golden Triangle of Maharashtra. Nestled on the banks of the Mutha River, Pune which is considered the Cultural Capital of Maharashtra and the Oxford of the East, has several educational and research institutions. Some of Pune’s best tourist attractions are the Shivneri Fort built during the rule of Chhatrapathi Shivaji, Aga Khan Palace built in 1892, Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple, the hill fortress of Sinhagad, the exotic hill station of Lonavala and the Shaniwar Wada Palace that was built way back in 1732 and is renowned for its exquisite architectural styles and stories of haunting!

Pune is about 145 km from Mumbai.

Ambajogai is in the Beed district of Maharashtra. Known as the cultural capital of the Marathwada, Ambajogai is renowned as a tourist centre for Devi Yogeshwari Temple which attracts a lot of pilgrims from the Konkan region. Check out the ancient Shivleni caves or Jogai mandap, rock cut cave monuments that are under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Kholeshwar Shiva Temple, said to have been built during the reign of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty.

Ambajogai is about 25 km from the Parli Vaijnath Jyothirlinga temple and 480 km from Mumbai.

The principal city of the Marathwada region, Aurangabad is renowned for its textiles and tourist places. You could visit the Ajanta and Ellora Caves that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Panchakki watermill of the 17th century in the Dargah of Baba Sahib Musafir, the 52 Big Gates, the 14th century Fort at Daulatabad and Bibi Ka Maqbara or Mini Taj of the Deccan which is the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife Rabbia-ud-Durrani.

Aurangabad is about 327 km from Mumbai.

Nagpur is the winter capital of Maharashtra. Nagpur is renowned for its extensive cultivation of oranges and the Orange City is also a charming tourist centre which has great holiday getaways that include ancient lakes and dams like the Sakkardara and Khekranala lakes and the Totladoh Dam. The Satpura Botanical Garden and the Japanese garden at the Seminary Hill, the ruins at Markanda, Rama Temple at Ramtek and Sitabuldi Fort are a must visit.

Nagpur is about 800 km from Mumbai and is easily accessible by train or flight.

Rising about 4500 ft above msl, Mahabaleshwar on the Sahyadri ranges, once the summer capital of the former Bombay Presidency, abounds with lush greenery and is dotted with ancient bungalows built during British Rule. Mahabaleshwar and its vicinity have a number of touristy places you could visit, like the Pratapgad Fort built by Chhatrapathi Shivaji in 1656, Panchgani Hill station (18 km), Bhambavli Flower Valley and India’s tallest and most enchanting Bhambavli Vajrai Waterfalls (41 km) away.

Mahabaleshwar in Satara district is about 263 km from Mumbai.

Solapur lies close to the states of Karnataka and Telangana at the south east border of Maharashtra. In close proximity to Solapur are a number of significant pilgrim centres of Maharashtra. Phandarpur Vittal temple (72 km), Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple (37 km), Tuljabhavani Temple (35 km), Siddheshwara Temple and the 14th century Bhuikot Fort which has a Shiva temple and a well maintained garden where you could spend a leisurely evening are a must visit.

Solapur is about 396 km from Mumbai. There are several trains from Mumbai to Solapur.

Ahmednagar to the northeast of Pune has some very beautiful trekking trails. Apart from these, there is the ancient Amruteshwara Shiva temple in Ratanwadi which showcases the architectural dexterity of the Shilahara Dynasty. Enroute is Arthur’s Lake and some of the most beautiful sights of nature, wild high mountain ranges spaced with cascading waterfalls that are any photographers’ delight. You could also visit Meher Baba’s Samadhi, Shani shingnapur, the Cavalry Tank Museum with vintage collections dating back to the World Wars, Ahmednagar Fort and Siddhivinayak Temple.

Ahmednagar is about 524 km from Mumbai.

Shirdi is one of Maharashtra’s most oft visited pilgrimage city. The town lies in the Rahata taluk of Ahmednagar and is accessible by train, air and road. Shirdi is considered the holy town where lived a 19th century saint called Sai Baba of Shirdi. The saint was endowed with powers that could heal peoples’ illnesses and could see through their past, present and future lives. Devotees from all around the world visit Shirdi throughout the year. You could also visit Dixit Wada Museum, Dwarakamai Mosque, Lendi Baug, house of Laxmibai Shinde and the Chavadi.

Shirdi is about 240 km from Mumbai.

The Sugar Bowl of India is yet another popular tourist destination of Maharashtra. There are a number of temples in Kolhapur and tourists on a pilgrimage ought to visit the town to tour places like the celebrated Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple considered one of the Shakthi peeth, Bahubali temple, Kopeshwar temple for Shiva, Bhavani Mandap near the Mahalakshmi temple and the Nrusinhawadi temple said to have been built by King Adil Shah of Bijapur.

Kolhapur is about 370 km from Mumbai.

Nashik is an ancient city that lies on the banks of the Godavari River in the northern portion of Maharashtra. Dotted with wineries along the landscape and known as the wine capital of India, Nashik is the third largest city of Maharashtra. Some of the interesting touristy places in and around Nashik are the Pandavleni Caves, which are Buddhist viharas of the 1st century, Trimbakeshwar Jyothirlinga temple and Panchavati near the Godavari River where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent their exile.

Nashik is about 165 km from Mumbai.