|  Area:
307,690 sq. km
Population: 78.9
million
Capital: Mumbai
Main Language: Marathi
Best time to visit: September to April (coast)
&
September
to mid-June (hills)
Maharashtra
is a picturesque state in Western India, with a 720 km coastline and dominates
the heart of the Peninsula. The Western Ghats run parallel to the coast and have
some scenic and inviting hill stations. The rest of the State stands on the high
Deccan plateau, historically the main centre of the Maratha empire, which successfully
defied the might of the Mughals under the fearless rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
The
State is dotted by rugged forts that stand as mute witnesses down the ages to
the march of warrior kings, foreign trading vessels and invaders from across the
seas. The dry western margins of the plateau have sites from the earliest prehistoric
settlements and Paleolithic remains in India. The first well known rulers of Maharashtra
were the Satavahanas (230 BC to 225 AD), who were the creators of Maharashtra,
and have left a plethora of literary, epigraphic, artistic and archaeological
evidence. Thereafter there were a number of Hindu kingdoms, followed by the first
Muslim Dynasty in 1307. Mughal power dominated much of the area in the 16th century
until the Deccan became the epicenter of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century.
Controlled by the Peshwas, the Marathas retained power until they upset the British
in 1817. After Independence, western Maharashtra and Gujarat were joined to form
Bombay State. The present state was formed in 1960 when the Marathi and Gujarati
speaking areas were again separated. Maharashtra
today is a large and populous state, but has a marvelous diversity. Because of
its geographical location, its tradition of trade and commerce and the tolerant
attitude of its inhabitants, people of many different faiths have settled here.
These communities have worshipped and lived in complete freedom and almost every
religion of the world is represented in this State. Its booming capital Mumbai,
makes it not only one of the most important states economically, but also a major
gateway for overseas visitors. How
to Reach -
The main entry point into the State is Mumbai,
the capital. It is an international airport and one of the major gateways to India.
Mumbai is extensively connected not only to all the major cities of the country
but also of the world. It is also connected to all important cities in India by
train and by road. Ajanta
Aurangabad
Ellora
Nasik
Mumbai AJANTA
 It
was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within
the Sahayadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghore River,
were discovered. A group of British officers on a hunting expedition stumbled
on these ancient works of art in 1819. Their isolation contributed to the fine
state of preservation in which some of their remarkable paintings remain to this
day. Ajanta is listed as a World Heritage Site. They depict the story of Buddhism,
spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The
Caves are cut into the steep face of a horseshoe-shaped rock gorge on the Waghore
River. They are sequentially numbered from one end of the gorge to the other but
do not follow a chronological order. The oldest are mainly in the middle and the
newer ones are close to the each end. They were built as secluded retreats of
the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the chaityas (place of
worship) and viharas (monasteries), the ancient seats of learning and nerve centres
of the Buddhist cultural movement. Five of the caves are chaityas while the other
25 are viharas. Caves 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 are older Hinayana caves, while the
others are Mahayana (dated from around the 5th century AD). In the Hinayana school,
Buddha was never represented directly. His presence was always alluded to by a
symbol such as the footprint, the lotus or wheel of law as opposed to the Mahayana
school, which idolized Buddha. Using
simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures
adorning the walls of these structures. Exquisite wall paintings and sculptures
speak volumes of the India of yore. The Buddha, his lives and incarnations are
the subject matter to which the artist lent his creativity, infusing each work
of art with an overwhelming sense of vitality. Also featured in Ajanta are the
paintings of Bodhisattvas, celestial beings personifying the virtues of the Buddha.
Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine
of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses
amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed. A
heavenly light seems to bathe the paintings, without the obstruction of shadows.
This is a feature common to all Ajanta paintings and partly stems it's technique.
The paintings cover the surface of the wall completely, the continuing narrative
concept being interrupted occasionally by an architectural structure or a series
of unusual artistic forms, which provided a break between actions and functioned
as props for random figures. The artist's skill and creativity are complemented
by his keen sense of observation. This is borne out by a number of paintings that
provide a glimpse into royal settings. Under
the royal patronage of the ruling dynasties, the monks and professional artists
left a record of contemporary life with palaces, halls and processions and tales
of piety and faith on the cave walls. Cave 1 houses some of the most well preserved
wall paintings, which include two great Bodhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara.
Caves 2, 16 and 17 also contain amazing paintings, while Caves 1, 4, 17, 19, 24
and 26 boast of some of the most divine sculptures. The flying apsara (a celestial
being) and the image of Buddha preaching in Cave 17 are a couple of unforgettable
works of art. Top AURANGABAD
 Aurangabad
was founded in 1610, on the site of village Khirki, by Malik Ambar, the Prime
Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II. Later in 1653, when the Mughal Prince Aurangzeb
became the viceroy of the Deccan, he made the city his capital and renamed it
Aurangabad. Aurangabad has always been a prominent region on the Deccan plateau
and has a long artistic and cultural history to which several dynasties have made
major contributions over the years. Even
today, Aurangabad is the hub of culture and history in the Marathawada region.
It has some of the best colleges and universities in the state and is one of the
fastest growing industrial towns in India. The town is the best base to visit
the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Places
to See -
Bibi-ka-Maqbara - is
a mausoleum built in 1679 Aurangzeb's son for his mother Rabia-ud-Daurani. It
is a rather pale imitation of the Taj Mahal and the only specimen of Mughal architecture
of its kind, in the Deccan plateau. Though its exterior lacks symmetry and balance
and its interior decoration and carvings are nothing as compared to the Taj Mahal,
nevertheless it is one of the finest buildings of its period; the royal resting-place
has its own splendour and grace. Aurangabad
Caves - although they
are easily overlooked in favour of the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad has
its own group of caves located 3km north of the town. These caves, 10 in number
were carved out the hillside around the 6th or 7th century AD. These are all Buddhist
caves and are clubbed in two groups: western (caves 1 to 5) and eastern (caves
6 to 10). The caves are both chaityas and viharas and have some beautiful sculptures,
showing Buddha in different forms. The oldest of these is cave 4, which is a Hinayana
chaitya. The rise of Tantric influence in Buddhism can be discerned in the sculptures
and iconography of some caves particularly Cave 7 which has sculptures of scantily
clad and ornately bejewelled women. Pan
Chakki - or the Water
Wheel, takes its name from the mill that, in its day, was considered a marvel
of engineering. It was built by Malik Ambar in 1695. Driven by water brought from
earthen pipes from the river 6km away, the mill once ground grain for pilgrims.
A Sufi saint, Baba Shah Muzaffar, who was also the spiritual guide to Aurangzeb
is also buried here. A garden with a series of fish filled tanks serves as his
memorial. Purwar
Museum - is a small
museum located in Sarafa road that contains the fascinating collection of a retired
doctor. Among the exhibits are a 500-year-old chain mail suit, a copy of the Koran
handwritten by Aurangzeb and an 800-year-old paithani sari. Around
Aurangabad -
Daulatabad - located
about 13 km away from Aurangabad is this magnificent hilltop fortress. Once known
as Devgiri, this fortress is one of the few impregnable forts in Maharashtra and
has fine architecture. It was built in the 12th century by Bhillama, the king
of the Yadava dynasty and was renamed in the 14th century as Daulatabad, the 'City
of Fortune' by the Sultan of Delhi Mohammed Tughlaq. A 5 km massive wall, artificial
scarping, spiked gates, dungeons and a variety of complicated defence systems
rendered the fortress impregnable. It has a 60 m high tower of victory known as
Chand Minar. Another feature of the fort is the canon, cast from five different
metals and engraved with Aurangzeb's name. Grishneshwar
Temple - situated about
30 km away is an 18th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also one of
the 12 jyotirlingas and hence an important pilgrimage place for Hindus. The temple
is rich in beautiful carvings and exquisite architecture. Khuldabad
- or the 'Heavenly Abode', is a walled town just 3 km from Ellora. It is the Karbala
(holy shrine) of Deccan Muslims. A number of historical figures are buried here,
including Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal Emperor. His final resting place is
a simple affair of bare earth in a courtyard of the Alamgir Dargah (Mosque) located
at the centre of the town. Within the Dargah there is supposed to be a robe worn
by Prophet Mohammed, which is shown to the faithful once each year. Paithan
- located 56 km south of Aurangabad and situated on the banks of the Godavari
River, this town is most famous for Paithani silk saris. These highly sough after
saris are brocaded with pure gold thread. Apart from the Paithani weaving centre,
the other attraction is the Gyaneshwar Gardens, the largest in Maharashtra. Top ELLORA
Situated about 30km from Aurangabad, the World Heritage listed cave temples
of Ellora are the pinnacles of Deccan rock-cut architecture. Over five centuries,
generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks carved monasteries, chapels and
temples from a 2km long escarpment and decorated them with a profusion of sculptures
of remarkable imagination and detail. These cave shrines are memorable for their
invaluable contribution to the enormous wealth of Indian heritage. The
caves run north-south. Because of the escarpment's gentle slope, as opposed to
the sheer drop at Ajanta, many of the caves have elaborate courtyards in front
of the main shrines. In all there are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist (600-800 AD), 17
Hindu (600-900 AD) and 5 Jain (800-1000 AD). Ellora represents the renaissance
of Hinduism under the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties, the subsequent decline
of Indian Buddhism and a brief resurgence of Jainism under official patronage.
The sculptural work at Ellora shows the increasing influence of Tantric elements
in these three religions and their coexistence at one site indicates a prolonged
period of religious tolerance. Buddhist
Caves - the southernmost
12 caves are all Buddhist viharas, except cave 10, which is a chaitya. While the
earliest caves are quite simple, caves 11 and 12 are much more ambitious, probably
in an attempt to compete with the more impressive Hindu temples. The sculptures
here accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha.
Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same
roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen.
The
Hindu Caves - while
calm and contemplation infuses the Buddhist caves, drama and dynamic energy characterize
those of the Hindu group (caves 13 to 29) in the middle of the escarpment. In
terms of scale, creative vision and skill of execution, these are in a totally
different league to the neighbouring Buddhist and Jain caves. Cave 14 was a Buddhist
vihara converted to a temple dedicated Shiva in the 17th century. Scenes here
include Shiva dancing the tandava; Shiva playing chess with his consort Parvati.
Cave 15 is one of the finest in Ellora, though it is named the Das Avatar (10
incarnations of Vishnu) cave, it has more of Shaivite scenes. The other Hindu
caves pall beside the majesty of the Kailasa temple, but nevertheless a worth
a look. The
Kailasa Temple in cave 16 is the masterpiece of Ellora. Dedicated to Lord Shiva,
it took almost a century to complete. This mountain abode of Lord Shiva, is in
all probability, the world's largest monolith, the gateway, pavilion, assembly
hall, sanctum and tower, all hewn out of a single rock. What is amazing about
it is the fact, that unlike other temple structures which are built base onwards,
the sculptor or architect involved here, started carving from the very top and
the sides. Gigantic, though it is, it remains one of the most delicate and intricate
ancient works of art. For three days in December this temple is the venue of the
annual Ellora Dance & Music Festival. The
Jain Caves - mark the
final phase of Ellora. They do not have the drama and high voltage energy of the
Hindu temples nor are they as ambitious in size, but they balance this with their
exceptionally detailed work. They are about 1km north of the last Hindu cave.
Cave 32 is the finest of the Jain caves. It has images of the Jain tirthankars
including a seated image of Mahavira, Buddha's contemporary and the founder of
the Jain religion. Each of the caves shows the beliefs of the Jains and their
strict scientism that imbued in them a spirit of non-violence towards all. Top MUMBAI
Mumbai, till recently known as 'Bombay' is the capital of Maharashtra. It
is the fastest moving, most affluent and industrialised city in India. The city
has a natural harbour, which was developed by the British. It is one of the busiest
ports of India, handling approximately 40 percent of India's maritime trade. Mumbai
derives its name from the local deity Mumba Devi, whose temple is still there.
The Portuguese, predecessors of the British preferred to think of the name as
Bom Baim, the Good Bay. Mumbai is a group of seven islands, which are today known
as Colaba, Mahim, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Girgaun and Dongri. Large expanses of
open sea have been filled in and tidal swamps have been reclaimed for furthering
the land area. Mumbai is now one big island connected to the mainland by long,
sweeping bridges. The
islands that now form Mumbai were first home to the Koli fisher-folk whose shanties
occupy parts of the city shoreline today. The islands were ruled by a succession
of Hindu dynasties, invaded by Muslims in the 14th century and then ceded to Portugal
by the Sultan of Gujarat in 1534. The Portuguese did little to develop them before
the major island of the group was included in Catherine of Braganza's dowry when
she married England's Charles II in 1661. Under the British government, Bombay
soon developed as a major trading port, adornment with neo-gothic architecture
and became the British Empire's entrance to its proudest "Crown Jewel". Mumbai
today is more than just a metropolis. It is in fact an enigma of mud huts and
skyscrapers, age-old traditions and high fashions, the industrialists' haven and
moviemakers' Hollywood, producing more films each year than any other county in
the world. It is indeed the country's most cosmopolitan city. It is renowned as
the country's financial nerve center, and also an important center of theater,
art, music, and classical dance. Mumbai is home to people of all Indian creeds
and cultures. It is a fascinating city, throbbing with life, and, for many people,
the gateway to India. Places
to See -
 Gateway
of India - the landmark of Mumbai, was the principal port when the visitors
came to India by ship. The gateway was conceived following the visit of King George
V to India in 1911 and was officially opened in 1924. The yellow basalt Arch of
Triumph, derived from the Muslim styles of 16th century Gujarat, is located on
the shore of Mumbai Harbour at the tip of the Apollo Bunder. Today the area around
the Gateway is a prominent promenade, people gather here for a stroll in the early
morning and evenings. Here also, boats depart from the Gateway's wharfs for Elephanta
Island. Colaba
Causeway - occupying
the City's southernmost peninsula is the travellers centre. It is a vibrant fashionable
suburb and a busy commercial thoroughfare, which extends to the end of the promontory.
The Sassoon dock here is always interesting to visit at dawn, when the fishing
boats come in and unload their catch. At the southern end of the causeway is the
steepled Church of St. John the Evangelist, also known as the Afghan Church. It
was built in 1847 and is dedicated to the soldiers who died in the Sindh campaign
of 1838 and the First Afghan war of 1843. Mumbai
Fort - is the area north
of Colaba, since the old fort was once located here. There are a lot of impressive
buildings from Mumbai's golden period here. St. John's church, dedicated to the
soldiers, who laid down their lives in the Sindh campaign of 1838, and the first
Afghan war of 1843, is also worth a visit. Prince
of Wales Museum - located
between Colaba and the Fort, this museum was designed by George Wittet to commemorate
the visit of King George V, who as Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone in
1905. Built in a grand Indo-Saracenic style, the museum is set in an ornamental
garden and boasts a galleried central hall topped by a huge dome. Its collection
includes impressive sculptures from Elephanta Island, Gujarat and Karnataka, terra
cotta figurines, miniature paintings, porcelain and weaponry. There is also a
Natural history section and a collection of European paintings. Flora
Fountain - is a cherished
though undistinguished fountain that was erected in 1869 in honour of Sir Bartle
Frere, the governor of Mumbai who was responsible for dismantling the fort and
shaping much of modern Mumbai. Marine
Drive - Netaji Subash
Road, better known as Marine Drive, is one of the most popular promenades of Mumbai.
Built on land reclaimed from Back Bay during 1920, it runs along the shoreline
of Back Bay, starting at Nariman point and sweeping around the Chowpatty beach
up to Malabar hills. This is one of Mumbai's most popular promenades and sunset
watching spots. At night, lined with lights, it is a very attractive sight from
Malabar Hill, a view that gave it the description of being 'Queen Victoria's Necklace'. Victoria
Terminus (VT) - or Chhatrapati
Shivaji Terminus, as it is now called, is the most remarkable example of Gothic
architecture in India. It looks more like a lavishly decorated palace or cathedral
than anything as mundane as a transport depot. It was opened during Queen Victoria's
Golden Jubilee year. It was designed by Frederick Stevens and was completed in
1887, 34 years after the first train in India steamed out of this site to Thane. Malabar
Hill - located on the
northern promontory of Back Bay, though an expensive residential area is favoured
for its cool breezes and fine views. There is a Jain temple here built of marble
in 1904 and dedicated to the first Jain tirthankar Adinath. On top of the hill
are the Hanging Gardens, laid over a network of water reservoirs in 1881 and the
Kamla Nehru Park. Both offer fine views of the city, the harbour and the hills
beyond. Walkeshwar
Temple - or the Lord
or the Sand temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in the area.
It is said that Lord Rama constructed a lingam of sand at this site while on his
way to Lanka to rescue Sita. The original temple was probably built a 1000 years
ago. Haji
Ali's Mosque - situated
at the end of a long causeway poking into the Arabian Sea, this whitewashed fairy-tale
mosque contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. It is said the saint had
died while on pilgrimage to Mecca and the casket containing his mortal remains
floated and came to rest on a rocky bed in the sea, where devotees constructed
the tomb and mosque in the early 19th century. It is connected to the mainland
by a long causeway, which can only be crossed at low tide. Mani
Bhawan (Gandhi Memorial)
- is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi who stayed here from time to time between 1917
to 1934, it contains two picture galleries and a library of books by and on Mahatma
Gandhi. Victoria
Gardens - these gardens
contain the Victoria & Albert Hall Museum and the city zoo. Inspired by the
V & A in London, the museum was built in 1872 and its collection covers the
history of Mumbai and contains prints, maps and models. Bazaars
- Mumbai is also famous for it's many bazaars and markets of which the most popular
is the Crawford Market. A colourful market, this is the last outpost of British
Bombay. It was the city's wholesale produce market. Bas-reliefs by Rudyard Kipling's
father adorn the Norman-Gothic exterior of the market. Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar
bazaars located north of Crawford Market are also interesting forays. The Jama
Masjid and the interesting Mumba Devi temple are also located here. Beaches
- there are a couple of popular beaches in Mumbai namely Chowpatty and Juhu, which
are always abuzz with a lot of Beach activities. Chowpatty, is a long stretch
of white sand that looks attractive from a distance and is the most popular spot
for people seeking evening outs. It is also a scene for the vibrant annual Ganesh
Chaturthi festival. Juhu, a 5km beach fringed with palms and coconut trees, is
a popular picnic spot and has a number of hotels and restaurants nearby. Around
Mumbai -
Elephanta
Caves - located across the sea from the Gateway of India and accessible
by ferry is the island of Elephant that has rock-cut cave temples dedicated to
Lord Shiva. Little is known about their origins but they are thought to have been
created between 450 and 750 AD, when the Island was known as Gharapauri (Place
of Caves). The Portuguese renamed it Elephant because of a large stone elephant
that once stood near the shore. Unfortunately the Portuguese did considerable
damage to the sculptures but their size, beauty and power remain impressive. There
is one main cave with a number of sculpted panels all relating to Shiva. The most
famous sculpture here is the Trimurti, representing the three-headed Shiva where
the god is depicted as the trinity of the creator, the preserver and the destroyer.
There are also figures of Shiva dancing the tandava, the marriage of Shiva and
Parvati and one in which Shiva appears as Ardhanareshwar, uniting both sexes in
one body. Bassein
- is located on the northern side of the Bassein Creek, the river that separates
Greater Mumbai from the Indian mainland. It has the atmospheric remains of the
fortified city built by the Portuguese in 1534. It is said that the city had such
pomp and splendour that it was known as the 'Court of the North'. The city walls
are still standing with the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Sanjay
Gandhi National Park
- is a 104 sq. km protected area of forested hills lying on the city's northern
fringe. Formerly known as the Borivali National Park, it has interesting flora,
birdlife and boasts a small population to tigers. There is a Lion Safari and Tiger
Safari inside the northern entrance of the Park that offers visitors animal-watching
rides in secure safari vehicles. The park also contains the 109 Kanheri Caves,
which line the side of a rocky ravine. Carved out of native rock, these caves
were used by Buddhist monks, as viharas (monasteries) and chaityas (temples),
for nearly a thousand years, between 2nd and 9th centuries AD, thus making them
one of the oldest rock monasteries in the country. The caves are noteworthy for
their Stupas, sculptures and massive pillars. Top NASIK
Nasik, located on the banks of the Godavari River near the border with Gujarat,
is an interesting town with hundreds of temples and colourful bathing ghats. It
is one of Hinduism's most holy sites, taking its sanctity from its position on
the headwaters of the Godavari River, one of the holiest rivers of the Deccan
and sometimes referred to as the Ganges of the Deccan. Nasik is also one of the
sites of the Kumbh Mela along with Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad. Nasik has been
one of India's fastest growing cities, but the town itself undoubtedly ancient. According
to legend, Nasik got its name from an episode of the Ramayana when Lakshman, the
brother of Lord Rama, cut off the Nasika or nose of Ravana's sister Shurpanaka.
This territory was included in the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's might empire. Later
during the era of the Satavahanas the area became very prosperous as it lay on
the trade route to Broach. It was renamed as "Gulshanabad" during the
Mughal period, in appreciation of its beauty. The old name was restored when the
Peshwas took over the area in 1751. Places
to See -
Ram Kund - is a holy
bathing tank and is the focus for pilgrims filing into the town. Surrounded by
ghats and the riverside market, it's a lively and interesting area to explore.
The Kund is said to have been used by Lord Rama and Sita during their exile in
the Ramayana. Its holy water is believed to provide moksha (liberation of the
soul) to those whose ashes are immersed here. Kala
Ram Mandir - or Black
Rama temple, located east of the Ram Kund, is the city's holiest temple. The black
stone temple is in a 96 arched enclosure and contains icons of Rama, Sita and
Lakshman as well as a huge bell that can be heard from 5km away. Other
Attractions of the area are -
Near the Kala Ram temple is the Sita Gupha, a cave from where Sita, the wife
of Rama was carried off to Lanka by the evil king Ravana. Among the many temples
in the town, the Sundar Narayan Temple, located at the western end of the Victoria
bridge is a worth a visit. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple built in 1756
has three black Vishnu images. Another interesting temple is the Mukti Dham Temple
located about 7km southeast of the town. It is a modern temple with a striking
white marble structure. The Rameshwar or Naro Shankar temple, standing on the
bank of the Godavari River, is the richest and the most elaborate. To its east
is the Ramagaya pool, where Lord Ram is said to have performed funeral service
in memory of his father. Around
Nasik -
Pandu Lena - located
about 8km south of Nasik there is a group of 24 rock cut Hinayana Buddhist caves
dating from around the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. Some have excellent
carving, particularly on the exterior doorways. Caves 3 and 10 are viharas having
some interesting sculptures. Cave 18 is a well-sculpted chaitya with an elaborate
façade. Trimbak
- located 33km west of Nasik is a small town that has a spring on a steep hill,
which is the source of the Godavari River. The source of the Godavari dribbles
into the Gangasagar Tank whose waters are reputed to wash away sins. From this
tiny start the Godavari eventually flows down to the Bay of Bengal, clear across
India. The town is partly surrounded by a fantastic semi-circle of hills, topped
by near vertical scarp. The Trimbakeshwar Temple here is one of India's most sacred
and contains one of the 12 jyotirlingas (naturally occurring linga). The temple
is however open only to Hindus, but non-Hindus can see into the courtyard from
a convenient vantage point.
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