Things to do in Maharashtra

There is a treasure trove of things to do in Maharashtra, the third-largest state in India. Often an overlooked tourist destination, the state of Maharashtra is more than just Mumbai. Stunning coastlines, beautiful hill stations, ancient caves, historic forts, and modern structures are all a part of Maharashtra. Read this blog to find out more about the many things to do in Maharashtra.

Explore Mumbai

One of the most well-known places of Maharashtra and India is Mumbai, the city of dreams. The bustling city, with its rich history and culture, has to be on your bucket list if you are in Maharashtra. The financial capital of India has so much to offer, from historic sites like the Gateway of India to modern places of entertainment like luxe shopping malls. Plus, it is one of the best places to explore the food of India. Be it street food or fine dining, you can get to try everything from around the country in this city.

And not for nothing is Mumbai called the city that never sleeps. The nightlife of Mumbai is quite active, with clubs, bars, and fun events. Visit the beaches, sit at Marine Drive at night watching the city go by, or explore the bylanes of Mumbai. Visit the ancient Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the vast museum Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, or go shopping at Colaba Causeway or Linking Road for some inexpensive finds.

The festivals of Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, and Diwali are celebrated with a lot of aplomb in the city, so if you are in Mumbai during any festival, make sure to catch it. No matter when you visit, there will always be something to look forward to.

The financial capital of India, Mumbai

Visit Ancient Caves

Maharashtra has 13 caves spread throughout the state, most popular of which are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, Karla and Bhaja Caves, and Lenyadri Caves.

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the caves are divided into three parts, which include Hindu caves, Jain caves, and Buddhist caves. Intricately carved sculptures, paintings, and temples are also a part of these spectacular caves.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Embrace the religious spirituality

If you want to explore the religious and spiritual side of India, Maharashtra is home to many, many places of worship of all faiths. Visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, or the Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur, among others.

The Peer Haji Ali Dargah stands in the middle of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. You can also visit the Juma Masjid in South Mumbai, or the Bandra Masjid in Bandra. Mosques are open to people of all faiths, but there may be some restricted areas.

Maharashtra also has many churches, such as the Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra, St Thomas Cathedral in South Mumbai, or Gloria Church in Byculla.

Gurudwara Hazur Sahib, Gurudwara Banda Ghat, and Gurudwara Sri Mata Sahib are a few Sikh shrines in Maharashtra.

Haji Ali Dargah

Explore mighty forts

Maharashtra is home to many ancient, historic forts, many of which are amazing trekking destinations. The forts of Pratapgarh, Raigad, and Harishchangragad are excellent for treks. The fort of Murud Janjira is an architectural marvel, set amidst the Arabian Sea. Torna fort, Sinhagad Fort, Sindhudurg Fort, and Lohagad Fort are some other forts from the era of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Pratapgad

Escape to the Hill stations

Just 100 kilometers from Mumbai is the quaint hill station of Matheran, the only automobile-free hill station in Asia. Yes, that’s right. The town, literally translating to “overhead forest”, does not allow any vehicles. Walk around the small town with its 36 viewpoints offering panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountains. It is also a popular spot among trekkers.

Further away is the hill station of Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, famous for its strawberries, rivers, and stunning peaks. The hill station of Panchgani is also nearby. It derives its name from the five hills surrounding it. Panchgani has many scenic viewpoints to witness mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets.

Matheran

Relax at the Beach

Situated on the Western coast of India, Maharashtra is home to many beautiful beaches. The coastal regions of Alibaug, Konkan, and Tarkarli offer pristine beaches away from the chaos of the city.

Alibaug is a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune. Easily accessible by a ferry from Mumbai, Alibaug has beautiful beaches, temples, forts, and water sports. Some of the most popular beaches are Alibaug Beach, Kihim Beach, Nagaon Beach, and Mandwa Beach.

The Hedvi Beach along the Konkan coast is a black sand beach, known for its rock formation. Harihareshwar and Dapoli are two more beautiful beach destinations offering a pleasant climate and gorgeous beaches.

Tarkarli beach

Explore the Vineyards

The city of Nashik in Maharashtra is known as the wine capital of India. The city has many vineyards and wineries, along with beautiful lakes, rivers, and historic temples. The pleasant weather also makes it the perfect destination for nature lovers.

Visit the renowned Sula Vineyards, York Winery, or Soma Vine Village for a unique wine-tasting experience.

Sula vineyards

Go flamingo watching

Every year, thousands of pink flamingoes fly from Kutch in Gujarat to Mumbai and Pune for the winter. From March to May, you can watch a horde of these beautiful birds at Thane Creek, Bhandup, and Sewri in Mumbai and Bhigwan Bhuleshwar near Pune. The Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre at Airoli offers boat safaris to spot flamingoes.

Watch flamingos in Navi Mumbai

Visit the national parks

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Maharashtra has many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries you can visit. The most famous is the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, where you can spot the royal Bengal tiger. Located in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, you can also visit Tadoba lake, Erai dam, and nearby villages.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai is a beautiful natural cover in the midst of the concrete jungle. You can go on a lion and tiger safari, visit the ancient Kanheri Caves, go trekking, boating, cycling, or simply wander around the park.

Tadoba Tiger Reserve

Go Camping

There are many spots in Maharashtra where you can pitch a tent and camp in nature under the stars. Pawna Lakeside Camping lets you camp by the beautiful Pawna Lake. Bhandardhara is another place by the lake famous for its camping site and various activities. You can also camp at Karnala, Panchgani, or the Kaas Plateau.

Pawna Lake Camping

Indulge in adventure activities

Maharashtra has no dearth of adventure activities. Kamshet near Lonavala is one of the best spots for paragliding in Western India, thanks to the predictable weather conditions – imagine flying over the majestic Sahyadris, Indrayani river, and the Pawna Lake.

If you want to try white water rafting, Kolad is a tiny village in Raigad district that is perfect for rafting, kayaking, and rappelling.

Della Adventure Park in Lonavala is an amusement park that offers adventure activities like zip lining and bungee jumping, along with many other attractions.

If you love trekking, there are many forts and trails you can trek to, such as Visapur Fort, Sandhan Valley, Peb Fort, and Devkund Waterfalls. The monsoon season is one of the best times to go trekking, as the surroundings turn lush green from the rains.

So, does this make you want to visit Maharashtra as soon as possible? Let us know! At India Someday, we curate personalized trips to India based on your needs and requirements. Contact us and we will help you plan your perfect trip to India!

Paragliding in Kamshet

FAQs

What is Maharashtra famous for?

Maharashtra is a culturally rich and diverse state famous for its natural beauty, history, and modernity. The state is known for the ancient Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, the pristine beaches along the Konkan coast, and the financial capital of India, Mumbai.

Which is the most visited place in Maharashtra?

Some of the most visited places in Maharashtra are Mumbai, Lonavala, Ajanta and Ellora, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Nashik, Alibaug, Konkan coast, and the Western Ghats.

Which food is specially eaten in Maharashtra?

Maharashtrian cuisine is extremely diverse and changes according to region. The staples of Maharashtrian meals are rice and chapati (wheat flatbread) or bhakri (rice flour, jowar, or bajra flatbread). You will find delicious chicken, mutton, and seafood curry prepared differently in different regions. There are a lot of vegetarian dishes as well as desserts like Puranpoli and Modak. Some of the best street food in Maharashtra is vada pav, misal pav, and pav bhaji.

Where can you go for a two-day picnic in Maharashtra?

There are many options in Maharashtra perfect for a two-day picnic. You can explore Mumbai, the financial capital of India – this happening city always has something to offer. If you want to take in some natural beauty, you can visit Alibaug or Tarkarli beaches. To escape the heat, the hill stations of Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, and Panchgani are perfect. For a lesson in history, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, or one of the many forts in the Western Ghats near Pune. There are also many religious places of worship around the state. Take your pick – there is a lot to explore in Maharashtra.