Maharashtra

Maharashtra- The densely wooded Western Ghats rising steeply from the narrow konkan coast and the Satpura and Sahyadri hill on its northern border are the geological factors that had chiseled the history of Maharashtra more than anything else. It is out of these mountain ranges that superbly talented architects and sculptors carved out the Ajanta and Ellora caves over 2000 year ago. And Chatrapati Shivaji, the 17th century beloved folk hero of the Maharashtrians consolidated his network of 350 near impregnable hill forts across these mountains and gave a sustained resistance of Mughal expansionism. Though Maharashtrinans have a very deep sense of history, the other face of the State is the ultra modern industrialization and business success epitomized in Bombay. Maharashtra is a land of charm and beauty, of lakes and hot springs, of enrapturous beaches, dense monsoon fed forest highlands and rock-cut caves with rich frescoes and astounding stone sculptures which have bedazzled the whole world. Maharashtra has a long tradition of somewhat boisterous folk theatre – lavani and tamasha. The stage techniques are so sound and time tested that modern urban playwrights and directors have revived and used them in recent times, the theatre movement continues to be strong and innovative in Maharashtra.
Tourist Places in Maharashtra
Bombay – the most important financial and industrial centre in India and a city of great dynamism. The Bombay port is in a natural bay and handles nearly half of India’s shipping trade. It is also India’s Hollywood, producing most of the Hindi movies. Juhu, Marina Drive, Chowpatti, Versova main beaches, though more for evening strolls and picnics than bathing. Colonial architecture like the Old Secretariat, Rajabai Tower, Vitoria Terminus, Flora Fountain, Hutatma Chowk are of national fame. An hour’s boat trips away are the famous Elephanta rock caves with their beautiful sculptures. Airport : Bombay.

Pune– once the capital of the Maratha empire, it is still influenced by the legends of Shivaji. Raja Kelkar Museum. Scores of Maratha forts and temples scattered around Pune countryside. Airport: Pune

Kolhapur – Important pilgrimage centre with many temples, Mahalaxmi, Kotiteerth.

Aurangabad- southern capital of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and access town for Ajanta and Ellora caves. Daulatabad where Muhammad bin Tughlak tried to shift his capital. Airport: Aurangabad.

Ajanta and Ellora- world famous man made rock cut cave, with unbelievably beautiful frescoes, depicting Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. Kailash temple in Ellora most famous. Airport: Aurangabad.

Nagpur- Famous orange growing centre. Airport: Nagpur

Shirdi – temple of Sai Baba who because a legend in his lifetime for his spirituality, wisdom and miraculous powers.

Nanded- Sachkhand gurudwara with the remains of the last Sikh Guru.

Hazur Sahib is on the banks of Godavari in Maharashtra. This is where Guru Gobind Singh left this world. The inner room of the temple is called Angitha Sahib. Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded. It marks the site where the Guru had his camp in 1708 A.D. after the departure of the emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here. It is the site of his own tent where he was convalescing after he was attacked by assassins. It is the place from where the tenth Guru rose to heaven along with his horse Dilbag.

Aurangabad Fact File:

• Area 138.5 sq. km
• Population 5,73,272
• Altitude 513 m above sea level
• Languages Marathi, Hindi and Urdu
• Best Time to Visit November-February
• STD Code 0240

Aurangabad : Overview
Aurangabad City that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb built in the twilight of his empire is the foundation for the marvels of man – Ajanta and Ellora. With a lot to offer the avid tourist including incredible Deccan Mughal architecture, the most pleasant feature of Aurangabad is its inhabitants. Nizam’s charm and manners were polite, friendly and very helpful. If the Ajanta and Ellora figure in your travel plans, as they should, rather than for a few days. You will not be disappointed. The city was founded in 1610 A.D. by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar, on the site of a village called Kharki.
Located in Maharashtra, Aurangabad today is a thriving industrial metropolis and apart from the right starting point for Maharashtra’s most famous tourist attractions, but also deserves to be one of the cleanest cities in the country. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara. Aurangabad is also known as ‘City of Gates‘, because no one miss the strong presence of these units as one of the city.
The city was a major silk and cotton textile production centre. A fine blend of silk with locally grown cotton was developed as Himroo textile. Also, Aurangabad has transformed into a major education centre in the Deccan due to its proximity with Pune.
Places of Interest in Aurangabad:
Bibi ka Maqbara: Another tax-man to woman, but this time by the son to his mother. Built based on the model of the Taj Mahal, Aurangabad’s Mughal garden grave of Prince Azam Khan in memory of her mother, Begum Rabia Daurani, situated about 3 km. from the city. Completed in 1678 to a poor man’s Taj Mahal is largely drawn flak like a cheap imitation of the Taj, but you see it too. Marble fame does not mean that is the Taj Mahal, but it’s worth a quick look the same. Therefore, it is popularly known as the Mini Taj of the Deccan.
Aurangabad Caves: a few kilometers from Bibi-Ka-Maqbara and you would reach the Aurangabad Caves. The caves were found during excavation, goes back to the time of 2nd to 6th century AD. The most well-known caves of Aurangabad are the 34 caves of Ellora and 29 caves of Ajanta. The world’s largest monolithic sculpture, the Kailash Temple is to be found in the Ellora Caves.
Purwar Museum: This wonderful personal collection is housed in a beautiful Haveli and is managed by doctor retired Purwar. Small and no further excesses which are given to the museum, the exhibits here are 500-year-old chain mail suit, a 800-year-old Paithani sari and a copy of the Koran painted hands of Aurangzeb. To give it a perfect society, an antique shop next to her. You can find the place on the Ghat road.
Himroo Factory: is another tourist attraction of Aurangabad. Traditional Himroo substance, which is a blend of cotton and silk, renowned for their quality. This fabric has an interesting History. Himroo is associated with the times of Mohammad Tughlaq who ruled in the 14th century. Himroo weaving is very characteristic and distinctive. Fabrics and shawls from Aurangabad are much in demand for their unique style and design. You can also famous Paithani saris, traditional handloom shawls and other textile materials Himroo fabric and silver threads. Interestingly, the proposals and models are manufactured from these substances inspired by Ajanta frescoes.
Panchakki: 17 century water mill is located just 1 km from the city. Fascinating watermill is Panchakki for its underground water channel that flows known for more than 8 km. to its source located in the mountains. Channel culminates mesmerizing ‘artificial’ waterfall, which operated the mill. Beauty mosque is located in the inner area is through a series of improved ‘dance’ wells.
Places nearby by Aurangabad:
Ellora Caves: The cave temples of Ellora, recognized by World Heritage sites, located at 30 km northwest of the city. Ellora caves are again rock-cut caves with beautiful temples and monasteries. There are 34 caves in all, which have been segregated as 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 A.D.), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 A.D) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 A.D.). Lately 22 new caves have been discovered that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Carved out of a single huge rock, there is a gateway, pavilion, courtyard, vestibule, sanctum and tower. The Kailash Temple near the caves is a major attraction of this place.
Ajanta Caves: The world wide popular Buddhist caves at Ajanta, also a World Heritage site, lies to the northeast of Aurangabad. The marvelous caves of Ajanta are not new to anyone. Nestling in the tranquil laps of the Sahyadri hills, at a distance of 100 km. from Aurangabad are 30 rock cut caves of Ajanta that date back to 2nd century B.C. The caves have on display, exquisite paintings, and sculptures depicting Buddha’s life, halls and monasteries. The land was discovered in 1819, by a group of British Officers.
Pitalkhora Caves: Read rest between Satmala the Sahyadris embedded in a distance of 78 km from Aurangabad. There are 13 cave shrine is nestled in the region. These monasteries dating from the 2nd Century BC to the 5th Century AD. Rich carvings with elaborate details can be seen in such monuments.
Daulatabad Fort: Formerly known as Devgiri is, is located 13 km from Aurangabad. The city is foutune known, there is a huge 12th Century fortress in a good position on the charming hills. The tensile strength has 5 kilometers thick walls and a complex series of fortifications.
Khuldabad the walled city as Rauza known as “heavenly abode” known is just a few kilometers from Daulatabad. It contains within its walls Karbala (Sanctuary), for the Muslims in the Deccan region. Courtyard Alamgir Dargah (shrine) and the tomb of the last great Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb.
Grishneshwar Mandir: This Shiva temple was built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century in small village of Grishneshwar, which lies west of the caves. It houses one of the 12 ‘self born’ Jyotirlingas (the phallic symbol of the Lord Shiva) thought to date back to the 2nd century BC. The shrine is open for all religions without any restriction. But have to consider that Men will need to take off their shirts before entering the temple though.
Paithan: An old town around 50 km in south of Aurangabad, Paithan is well-known for its famous Paithani silk saris. The beautiful 6-yard Paithani sari is woven with pure silk yarn and gold thread (drawn from pure gold). It is a matter of pride that this 2000-year-old art of weaving continues, with families passing on their creative skills to younger generations. It has formed a very important excavation site recently. Of the few attractions found nearby, the Jayakwadi dam is a treat to the eyes of the avid bird watchers.
Pariyon ka Talab or ‘Fairies Lake’: located at 30 km, away from the Aurangabad city, is a large lake with steps all along its western shore and a stage like platform which bears great similarity to the ancient Roman Amphitheatre. Also, a temple of Shiva with its own colourful history, built on the bank.
Gautala Sanctuary: is a sanctuary popular for sloth bear habitat and excellent for resident and migratory birds, situated at a distance of 65 km from Aurangabad. The sanctuary is spread in the hill ranges of Sahyadri in the proximity of Aurangabad and Chalisgaon. The diversified vegetation scattered intermittently support rich faunal and floral diversity.
Tourist Attractions in Aurangabad:

• Ghanshyam’s 49 n 99,Gifts, cannought,Aurangabad
• PVR Gallery, Chikalthana, Aurangabad
• Spencers Hyper, Chikalthana, Aurangabad
• Vishal Mega Mart, Railway Station Road, Aurangabad
• Big Bazaar, Jalna Road, Aurangabad
• Fame-Tapdiya, Cidco, Aurangabad
• Anjali Big Cinemas, Khadkeshwar, Aurangabad
• More Hypermarket, Opp.Akashwani, Jalna Rd, Aurangabad
• Marathwada Ambedkar University
• Reliance Retail Mall and Multiplex (Mar-2010), Garkheda, Aurangabad
• Divisional Sports Complex, Garkheda, Aurangabad
• Sant Eknath Rangmandir, Osmanpura, Aurangabad
• Prozone Empire Mall (June-2010), API Corner, Chikhalthana, Aurangabad
• CIDCO Natya Griha
• Globus @ Fame Tapadia Cidco
• Cidco Cannought Market
• Global Mall ( Dec-10 / Jan-11), Shanoormiya Durgah Rd, Aurangabad
• City Center Mall ( Jan-11 ), Behind Big Bazaar, Jalna Rd, Aurangabad
• Aurangabad Kalagram, Garware Stadium Campus, Chikalthana, Aurangabad.

List of Districts and their Headquarters of Maharashtra State in India

District	Headquarters	Area (km?)	Official website
Yavatmal	Yavatmal	13,582	www.yavatmal.nic.in/
Ahmednagar	Ahmednagar	17,048	www.ahmednagar.gov.in/
Akola	Akola	5,429	www.akola.nic.in/
Amravati	Amravati	12,235	www.amravati.nic.in/
Aurangabad	Aurangabad	10,107	www.aurangabad.nic.in/
Bhandara	Bhandara	3,890	www.bhandara.gov.in/
Beed	Beed	10,693	www.beed.nic.in/
Buldhana	Buldhana	9,661	www.buldhana.nic.in/
Chandrapur	Chandrapur	11,443	www.chanda.nic.in/
Dhule	Dhule	8,095	www.dhule.gov.in/
Gadchiroli	Gadchiroli	14,412	www.gadchiroli.nic.in/
Gondia	Gondia	5,431	www.gondia.gov.in/
Hingoli	Hingoli	4,526	www.hingoli.gov.in/
Jalgaon	Jalgaon	11,765	www.jalgaon.nic.in/
Jalna	Jalna	7,718	www.jalna.nic.in/
Kolhapur	Kolhapur	7,685	www.kolhapur.nic.in/
Latur	Latur	7,157	www.latur.nic.in/
Mumbai City	Ñ	69	www.mumbaicity.gov.in/
Mumbai suburban	Bandra (East)	534	www.mumbaisuburban.gov.in/
Nandurbar	Nandurbar	5,055	www.nandurbar.nic.in/
Nanded	Nanded	10,528	www.nanded.nic.in/
Nagpur	Nagpur	9,892	www.nagpur.nic.in/
Nashik	Nashik	15,539	www.nashik.nic.in/
Osmanabad	Osmanabad	7,569	www.osmanabad.nic.in/
Parbhani	Parbhani	6,511	www.parbhani.gov.in/
Pune	Pune	15,643	www.pune.gov.in/
Raigad	Alibag	7,152	www.raigad.nic.in/
Ratnagiri	Ratnagiri	8,208	www.ratnagiri.gov.in/
Sindhudurg	Oras	5,207	www.sindhudurg.gov.in/
Sangli	Sangli	8,572	www.sangli.gov.in/
Solapur	Solapur	14,895	www.solapur.gov.in/
Satara	Satara	10,475	www.satara.gov.in/
Thane	Thane	9,558	www.thane.gov.in/
Wardha	Wardha	6,309	www.wardha.gov.in/
Washim	Washim	5,155	www.washim.gov.in/