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.
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 |
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MUMBAI Cont:
Gateway of India
VICTORIA STATION
WEST:
Janjira Fort
AJANTA, ELLORA AND ELEPHANTA CAVES:
Ajanta Caves Entrance |
Ajanta Cave Painting |
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Ajanta Caves, Buddha in repose |
Ajanta Caves Wall Fresco
Kailashnath Temple, Ellora |
Elephanta cave sculpture |
Elephanta Caves Entrance
WEST CENTRAL: PUNE
National Defense Academy |
Parvati Hill and Temple |
Aga Khan Palace |
NORTH EAST: 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) | |
State bird | Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) | |
State flower | Lagerstroemia speciosa | |
State treee | 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