MAHARASHTRA: PLACES TO VISIT

Maharashtra is the state where the world-famous Mumbai (old Bombay), the financial capital of India is situated. It is also famous for the Ajanta,Ellora and Elephanta caves, which are World Heritage Sites, as designated by UNESCO.

map map
Maharashtra Locator Map

 

MAHARASHTRA STATS:

TOTAL AREA: 307,713 Sq. Km (118,809 Sq. Mi)) Rank: 3rd
POPULATION (2011): 112,372,972 Rank: 2nd
CAPITAL CITY: Mumbai  
LARGEST CITY: Mumbai  
LITERACY RATE: 82.9% Rank: 6th
HDI: 0.689 Rank: 12th
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Marathi  
Official Website: www.maharashtra.gov.in  

 

WEST AND NORTH WEST:

MUMBAI:

Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra; it is situated on the West coast of India.Its population is approximately 20.5 million, and it is thus the most populous city in India. It also has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.The city was known as Bombay until 2009.

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Important financial institutions such as The Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India and National Stock Exchange of India are situated in Mumbai.Also, many multinational and major national conglomerates have headquarters in Mumbai.Hindi film and TV industries also have their headquarters in Mumbai and it is collectively called Bollywood (B=Bombay).Bollywood is prolific in the numbers of movies it makes per year (approximately 1000); in fact, this is more than the next three countries put together USA (Hollywood), China and Japan.Mumbai generates 5% of India’s GDP, 25% of industrial output, 40% of maritime trade and 70% of capital transactions of Indian economy.Mumbai developed from several islands and is thus a natural harbor.

Marina Drive
Marina Drive
Marina Drive
 

Taj  Hotel
Taj Hotel

MUMBAI Cont:

map

Gateway of India
Gateway of India

VICTORIA  STATION
VICTORIA STATION

WEST:

Janjira Fort
Janjira Fort

AJANTA, ELLORA AND ELEPHANTA CAVES:

Ajanta Caves Entrance
Ajanta Caves Entrance
Ajanta Cave Painting
Ajanta Cave Painting

 

Ajanta Caves Sculptures
Ajanta Caves Sculptures

Ajanta Caves, Buddha in repose
Ajanta Caves, Buddha in repose

Ajanta Caves Wall Fresco
Ajanta Caves Wall Fresco

Kailashnath Temple, Ellora
Kailashnath Temple, Ellora
Elephanta cave sculpture
Elephanta cave sculpture

 

Elephanta Caves Entrance
Elephanta Caves Entrance

 

WEST CENTRAL: PUNE

National Defense Academy
National Defense Academy
Parvati Hill and Temple
Parvati Hill and Temple
Aga Khan Palace
Aga Khan Palace

 

NORTH EAST: NAGPUR

map Deeksha Boomi, Nagpur
Deeksha Boomi, Nagpur

 

MUMBAI


Mumbia Skyline at Night

Some Mubai Skyscrapers

                        

 

 

FESTIVALS

Gudi Pawda:

This is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus along with other fellow Hindus. It is celebrated in and near Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The festival is observed with colorful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi flag garlanded with flowers, mango, and neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessels, street processions, dancing, and festive foods. The Sindhi community celebrates this day as Cheti Chand as their new year and is observed as the emergence day of Lord Jhulelal.

Naga Panchami:

(July/August)

This is a day of traditional worship of snakes (Nagas) observed by Hindus throughout India, Nepal, and other countries where Hindu adherents live. The worship is offered on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana (July/August), according to the Hindu calendar. As part of the festivities, a Naga or serpent deity made of silver, stone, wood, or a painting of snakes is given a reverential bath with milk, and their blessings are sought for the welfare of the family. Live snakes, especially cobras, are also worshipped on this day, with offerings of milk and generally with the assistance of a snake charmer. The event has reference to the narration of sage Vaisampayana, about the attempt of King Janamejaya to decimate all snakes and avenge the death of his father Parikshit by the deadly bite of Takshaka, the king of snakes. Sage Astika interfered and the sacrifice was stopped, the day is celebrated as Naga Panchami.

 

 

STATE SYMBOLS: (COURTESY WIKIPEDIA)

State animal Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) giant squirrel
State bird Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) green pigeon
State flower Lagerstroemia speciosa Lagerstroemia speciosa
State treee Mango mango


TOURIST INFORMATION:

CONTACTS: email: www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Phone: 91-22 2202- 4482/4522/4584
Fax: 91-22-2202-4521
Other useful websites: www.MaharashtraWeb.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra

MAHARASHTRA CUISINE

                                                                                SIGNATURE DISHES OF MAHARASHTRA

                                                                    

 

                            

                                                                                           MAHARASHTRA THALI

 

BOMBAY POTATO RECIPE

 

                                                                

                                                               UPMA

 

BATATA VADA

 

                                     

                                     PAV BHAJI

 

                                                                          BHARLELI VANGI

 

                                                                           

                                                                           MISAL PAV

 

KOLHAPURI VEGETABLES

 

                                                                     

                                                                     AAMTI

 

COCONUT HOLIGE

 

                                                                              

                                                                             BATATA VADA

 

                                                                                        MISAL

 

 
                                                                                        SWEET SHIRA

 

                                                                 

                                                                 SABUDANA WADA