Maharashtra’s top tourism places: Explore Shirdi, Kolad and more!

Maharashtra is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Heart of India’. It is the third-largest state in the country and the second most populous. Due to its location near the Western Ghats mountain range, Maharashtra has a picturesque landscape, with mountains on one side and the beautiful Konkan coastal region on the other side.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Maharashtra is during the period from October to February. This stretch of months sees hot and dry weather conditions prevailing across most regions of the state. However, the eastern areas of Maharashtra may experience some rainfall during this period.

The Ajanta and Ellora caves are ancient rock-cut caves located near the city of Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, India. These caves are considered to be among the finest examples of ancient rock-cut architecture and are famous for their beautiful sculptures, paintings, and frescoes. The caves include Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and Jain temples.

The Ajanta caves are 29 in number and were built between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. The Ellora caves are more spread out, with 34 caves in total, and were built between the 6th and 11th centuries AD.

Both the Ajanta and Ellora cave complexes are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and they attract many visitors from around the world. The Ellora caves, located just 15 km west of Aurangabad, have a better mix of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist sites.

Panchgani is a popular hill station located near Mahabaleshwar in the state of Maharashtra, India. It gets its name from the five hills (panch means five, gani means hills) that surround it. Panchgani is famous for its scenic views of the valleys below and the vantage points to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Situated at an altitude of 1,334 meters, Panchgani is nestled in the Sahyadri mountain ranges. The backdrop of hills on one side and coastal plains on the other side creates a picturesque setting. During British rule, Panchgani was a summer resort, so you can still see some colonial-era buildings.

Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are considered twin hill stations due to their proximity. Apart from lush green valleys and a soothing environment, Panchgani is renowned for its strawberry farms. Rightly called the ‘Strawberry Garden of India’, the strawberry fields in February and March are a major attraction.

Lavasa is a privately developed planned hill city located near Pune in Maharashtra. It is promoted as India’s newest hill station.

The city is being constructed by the Lavasa Corporation across 7 hills covering an area of 25,000 acres. Lavasa is stylistically modelled on the Italian town of Portofino, blending natural beauty with modern infrastructure.

This planned hill city offers picturesque sceneries amidst lush green hills as well as well-developed amenities like hotels, resorts, educational institutes, malls, residential properties and workplaces for IT companies.

Lavasa is emerging as a popular getaway destination for people looking to escape from the hustle of city life. It provides a leisurely holiday experience surrounded by the scenic Western Ghats mountains.

In essence, Lavasa is an ambitious private city development project aiming to create a modern hill station with Italian-inspired architecture and comprehensive amenities nestled in the Western Ghats region near Pune.

Shirdi is a town located 122 km from Nasik in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. It is the home and final resting place of the famous spiritual leader Sai Baba.

According to beliefs, Sai Baba arrived in Shirdi in 1858 and lived there for 60 years until he died in 1918. He is popularly known as the ‘child of God’ for preaching the message of universal brotherhood.

The main attraction in Shirdi is the shrine and samadhi (final resting place) of Sai Baba. The complex also has several small temples like Chavadi, Samadhi Mandir and Dwarkamai associated with him.

Shani Shingnapur, another religious town, is located 72 km away from Shirdi.

Kolad is a small village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, famous for white water rafting. It is known for its cascading waterfalls, green meadows, and scenic backdrop of the Sahyadri mountain range. Kolad is gaining popularity as an adventure sports destination, offering activities like rafting, rappelling, and kayaking.

The natural beauty of Kolad truly blossoms during the monsoon season. Dubbed the “Rishikesh of Maharashtra”, its majestic valleys and picturesque landscapes make it a delight for nature lovers and photographers alike. The Kundalika River is a major attraction, especially for those interested in white water rafting, as it is one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the region, ideal for adventure sports.

In addition to the river, Kolad also has a few forts, dams, and waterfalls, making it a well-rounded holiday destination with something to offer everyone, from adventure seekers to leisure travellers.