The diverse things to do in Maharashtra from holidaying in hill stations to adventurous activities like trekking and waterfall rappelling makes this Indian State a must-visit destination. Camping in the resort villages like Bhandardara, Karjat, and Kolad promises a heart-rending experience and a break from the mundane city life. Those who seek camping with a difference will find love amidst the exotic wildflowers of Kaas Plateau and the fireflies of Bhandardara.
The ancient forts and temples of Maharashtra like Rajmachi Fort, Bhimashankar Temple, and Harishchandragad are great places to trek and nature walk. Waterfall rappelling in Vihigaon is another nail-biting adventure that one cannot afford to miss. Jungle safaris in the various tiger reserves of the state like Pench, Tadoba and Meghat let tourists take a closer shot of the big cats in action.
There are also some other adventurous activities to do in Maharashtra that could make your heart skip a beat. To experience such spine chilling experiences, Tarkarli Beach, Alibaug, and Kolad. White River Rafting in Kolad is considered the second best in India with Grade II and Grade III rapids after Rishikesh in the North. Water sport enthusiasts can head to Tarkarli Beach in Malvan to seek your thrill quest with water sports like speed boat rides, parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, banana boat rides, and jet skiing.
You must visit Siddhivinayak Temple in Dadar which is one of the famous Ashtavinayak temples of Maharashtra. There are many renowned pilgrimage sites near Mumbai making to the top things to do in Maharashtra such as Shirdi, Shani Shringapur where pilgrims offer prayers to Sai Baba and Shani Dev respectively.
It is known that Shani Shringapur is the only town in India where the homes, shops, offices or any other building do not have doors and locks as there has been no case recorded of the theft. People of this town believe that Shani Dev being the lord of Karma, would punish the robber adversely. This strong faith in God is still found intact with the newer generations as well!.
Looking for some beautiful historical places? Pratapgarh Fort is one of the best Satara tourist places that you mustn’t miss. Well, the fort is completely suitable for clicking stunning pictures and photographs. Pratapgarh fort is quite nearby Mahabaleshwar, as being one of the most popular hilltops in Maharashtra. Astounding valleys, lakes and the entire city is visible from hill top of Pratapgad Fort.
Settled at a height of 4665 ft, Harishchandragad is an ancient hill fort of Ahmednagar district. This hill fort holds relevance to the history of Malshej Ghat and Kothale village in protecting and controlling the entire region. The strong fortifications of Harishcandragarh can be entered by multiple routes, including the Junnar gate, Sadhale ghat, Nalichi wat, and Indore wat.
When it comes to places to visit in Maharashtra, a plethora of attractions can be found at Harishchandragad. The religious folklore of this place leads to several temples and holy edifices. Moreover, the village houses Kedareshwar cave where a huge Shiva Linga is established. Also, you can witness grand architectural wonders at the Nageshwar temple and the temple of Harishchadreshwar. Both these places have carved out intricate work on the pillars, domes, and the interiors. Additionally, Harishchandragad is famous among trekkers and fun-seekers too and many tourists trek to Konkan Kada and Taramati Shikhar for a splendid viewpoint.
-Best time to visit
1. October to February – These months are the best to visit Harishchandragad. In this post-monsoon season, the weather will be pleasant and the region will convert into the serene lush green bed of forest.
2. March to June – These months constitute the summer season. During this period, Harishchandragad dries up and arid weather is usually observed. These months aren’t suitable to explore the trails of Western Ghats.
3. July to September – In this monsoon season, heavy rainfall takes place in Harishchandragad. The pathways become slippery and it isn’t safe to commute around this area during these months.
The oldest and largest tiger reserve in Maharashtra, Tadoba National Park resides in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Its name is taken from the god Tadoba, who is worshipped by the tribes living in the deep forests of Tadoba and Andhari region. Earlier, a national park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary were established in the adjacent forests. But in 1995, both were merged to introduce the now tiger reserve.
Stretched over 625.3 square kilometres, Tadoba National Park houses protected forest, the Tadoba lake, and Chimur Hills. The natural wonders of this place can be observed in life and in bold action. There are 88 tigers present in the reserve, along with other mammals like the Indian leopards, sloth bears, nilgai, sambar, barking deer, and much more. Also, the Tadoba lake houses a wide range of water birds and raptors. The grey-headed fish eagle, crested serpent eagle, and changeable hawk-eagle-like endangered species can also be spotted within the reserve.
-Best time to visit
1. November to February – The best time to visit Tadoba National Park is from November to February. The surrounding will compose of lush green setup and water birds can be observed in their element.
2. March to June – During this time, the temperature rises to 47 degrees Celsius. Exploring the wonders of Tadoba National Park can be hard but sighting mammals near the lake is highly possible.
3. July to October – These months constitute the monsoon. During this time, Tadoba National Park experiences heavy rainfall. The humidity also reaches extreme heights. Mammals and other species are hardly visible at this time.
Settled amidst the marvelous Arabian Sea, Murud Janjira Fort is a pristine landscape standing tall apart from the world and near the port town of Murud. The island was established in the 16th century by Raja Ram Rao Patil.
The tourist attractions of Maharashtra are incomplete without the imperial Murud Janjira. Famed as one of the strongest marine forts in India, it consists of three enormous cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri, and Landa Kasam. The fort also consists of 572 cannons, 26 round bastions, and sea-facing gates. Apart from the powerful war position, Murud Janjira also has an exotic small pond within the vicinity. Moreover, there is the grand palace of Nawabs residing in Janjira as well. To reach the fort, tourists are supposed to travel by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.
-Best time to visit
1. October to February – The best time to visit Murud Janjira is from October to February. The weather remains pleasant and appropriate for exploring the stunning town. Although a cool breeze rolls around this time, it’s bearable.
2. March to June – Summers take place from March to June in Murud Janjira. A heatwave can be experienced and the temperature usually drops by 42 degrees Celsius.
3. July to September – Settled near the Arabian Sea, Murud Janjira witnesses heavy rainfall this time. It is usually not advisable to visit during these months as the commute might not be easy.
Snuggled in the proximity of Karla caves, the Ekvira Devi temple is a spectacular spiritual retreat for the visitors. The goddess is believed to be an incarnation of the Goddess Renuka who is believed to be the mother of Parshurama. For the Koli fishermen and the local tribe, the goddess the supreme power and they visit the temple on a daily basis seeking her blessings.
At this temple, you can know about the learning of the Buddhist culture as it serves as a great cultural & spiritual center for that. On festive occasions namely Navratri and Chaitra the aura of the temple transforms completely and becomes even more lively.
Right from the traditional folktales to the vibrant decorations and dances, you can witness everything at the temple. To reach out to the temple you will have to traverse 200 steps that will take you to the notch and that’s where the temple is located. The temple was built by the Pandavas and this temple is one of the most serene temples of the region. If you are looking for a spot where you can witness a blend of spirituality and splendid views, then this is the right place for you.
Encircled by the clear blue waters of the Arabian sea and offering some of the most gorgeous views around, Kolaba fort is a historical building located in Alibaug. The fort is nearly 300 years old and it once acted as one of the major naval stations during the time when Shivaji Maharaj ruled in Maharashtra. The spectacular fort was once an isolated military fortification in the middle of the Arabian Sea, and had a strategic geographical importance for the Marathas when it came to warfare.
The fort is located just two kilometres from the Alibaug Beach, and if there is a low tide you can easily reach this place by walking here. However if there is a high tide you will have to hire a boat to visit the fort. If you happen to take a walk to the fort, you will be delighted by the serene and tranquil quality of the area, as this region is very thinly populated and only a few people go to the fort.
The fort itself is full of historical artifacts and various paraphernalia of its golden period. You will find huge cannons and sculptures of various birds and animals on the walls of the fort. You can also find various old temple buildings here. In fact, there is a Lord Ganesh temple that is present within the grounds and is still used as a place of worship by the local fishermen community. The fort is surrounded by the sea waters on all its sides, and a significant hallmark worth noting is the presence of a freshwater well within the fort.
The fort held an important geographical advantage for the Marathas and was used as a Chief Naval Station for planning strategic attacks on the British army. Nowadays it is a popular tourist attraction and one of the most important destinations in the town. The Archaeological Survey of India has declared it as a Nationally Protected Monument due to its historical significance.
Trekking is one of the most famous activities to do in Maharashtra and forts here are famous amongst trekkers as they offer a splendid view from the top.
Maharashtra is a very social state. Its temples are rich in architecture, and there are innumerable temples in Maharashtra just like any other state.
These are some of the most famous beaches in Maharashtra:
Paragliding is yet another outdoor activity sought by the visitors in Maharashtra as the state serves them with the joy of spreading the pseudo wings. Located approximately 99kms away from Mumbai and 47km from Pune, Kamshet is the place where the visitors hit on to fulfill their wish to fly like a free bird.
The average cost per person for paragliding on weekends is around ?2500 with the permitted duration of 1 hour. The difficulty levels are different and vary from easy to Moderate to suit every glider. The best time to get gliding is between the month of October to April. Prior to the ride, a instructor gives you the basic briefing of the flight followed by a tandem ride.
Hot air balloon rides have no doubt seeped into Indian fun zone lately but it is surely one of those sport which is enjoyed the most. This concept has slowly and eventually has begun to entertain people and that’s the reason we can find many places in our country which offers the joyous ride. Maharashtra is the richest state does offer the amazing ride at some of its prime location at an affordable cost. Let’s have a look.