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WEST INDIA
MAHARASHTRA

Located in the northern middle of peninsular India, Maharashtra is bounded by the Arabian sea in the west, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on the north, Madhya Pradesh in the east and Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on the south. Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra that derives its name from the Goddess Mumba Devi

Mughal rulers from Delhi tried their top to keep this region under their control. From the middle of the 17th century, a fresh group of warrior people came to rule the scene in Maharashtra and somewhere else in India called Marathas. The origin of Marathas is still arguable, but what is known is that they stole the attention from the grand Mughals and at one point of time even captured Delhi.

It was only after defeating the Marathas that the English can establish their rule in India. Shivaji was the first great monarch of Marathas and it was he who smooth the way for future Maratha influence on India.

Bombay (Mumbai)

Mughal rulers from Delhi tried their best to remain this region under their control. From the middle of the 17th century, a new group of warrior people came to dominate the scene in Maharashtra and in another place in India called Marathas. The origin of Marathas is still controversial, but what is known is that they stole the limelight from the great Mughals and at one point of time even confined Delhi. It was only after defeating the Marathas that the English could set up their rule in India.

Shivaji was the first grand ruler of Marathas and it was he who paved the way for future Maratha influence on India.

Mumbai (till recently known as 'Bombay') gets its name from the local deity Mumba Devi, whose temple is still there. The Portuguese predecessors of the British favored to think of the name as Bom Baim, the Good Bay. Bombay was once a bunch of seven islands called Heptanasia by Plotemy in AD 150. Mumbai is home to people of all Indian faiths and cultures.

Altitude: Sea level

Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max 33.3, Min 22.7; Winter- Max 29.5, Min- 19.4

Rainfall: 212 cms (June to September)

Seasons: Throughout the year

Places Of Interest:

Afghan Church, Chowpatty Beach, Gateway Of India, Haji Ali Tomb, Flora Fountain, Kamala Nehru Park, Crawford Market, Mahalakshmi, Marine Drive, Hanging Garden, Race Course, Rajabai Towers & Bombay University, Victoria Terminus , Nehru Planetarium, Taraporewala Acquarium , Jijamata Udyan, Nehru Science Centre, Prince Of Wales Museum.

Excursions:

Aarey Milk Colony- 35 kms, Bassein Fort- 77 kms, Elephanta Caves- 9 kms, Gorai Beach- 59 kms, Juhu Beach- 21 kms, Kanheri Caves- 42 kms, Karla Caves-100 kms, Karnala Bird Sanctuary- 61 kms, Madh, Marve & Manori Beaches, Powai Lake -26.6 kms, Vihar Lake- 28.6 kms, Tansa Lake- 10.3 kms, Tulsi Lake- 32 kms, Vaitarna Dam- 122 kms, Vajreshwari- 88 kms, Sanjay Gandhi National Park- 35 kms.

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Pune (Poona)

Located in Sahyadri hills close to the west coast of India, Pune is a charming city with a healthy climate all year around. The city was one of the pivotal bases of the 17th century great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who was born at the Shivneri Fort here upon became the seat of the innovative Peshwas, under whom Maratha authority rose into a major political force. The Peshwas were famous patrons of the arts and in their time, enriched the city with temples, grounds and educational institutions.

It was here that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak brought in the principle of Swadeshi during the Freedom Movement. Today Pune is one of the foremost metros in India, with the Film and Television Institute of India and National Defense Academy based here.

Altitude - 598 meters

Climate - (deg C)-Summer- Max 40, Min 26; Winter- Max 29, Min 19

Rainfall - 70 cms (June to September)

Best season - Throughout the year.

Places Of Interest:

Shaniwar Wada, Saras Baug, Parvati Hill, Raja Kelkar Museum, Shinde's Chhatri, Bund Garden, Kasturba Smarak (Inside Agha Khan Palace) etc.

Excursions:

Alandi- 22 kms, Dehu- 29 kms, Karla- 55 kms, Purandhar- 40 kms, Sinhagad- 25 kms, Panchgani- 98 kms, Mahabaleshwar-120 kms, Shivneri Fort- 94 kms, Bhima Shankar- 95 kms, Ashtavinayak Temples at Theur- 20 kms, Ranjangaon- 50 km, Morgaon- 65 km, Madh- 75 kms, Ojhar- 75 kms, Pali- 80 kms, Lenyadri- 90 kms & Siddhatek- 95 kms, Lonavala- 64 kms, Bhatghar Dam- 52 kms.

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Aurangabad - Ajanta & Ellora

Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II, established the city of Aurangabad in 1610 A.D, on the site of a village, Khirki. When Fateh Khan, Malik Ambar's son succeeded the throne in 1626, he named the city 'Fatehpur'. In 1653, when Aurangzeb became the Viceroy of the Deccan, he made it his capital, and renamed it Aurangabad. Maurya rule heralded the arrival of Buddhism in the state of Maharashtra. The first caves at Ajanta and Pithalkora were excavating in the 2nd century BC, during the Satvahana era. Paithan, then known as Pratishthana, was an significant trade centre at the time.
Aurangabad, 400 kms from Bombay, is associated by air too. Spectacular rock cut caves and cavern paintings exist at two nearby places, Ajanta and Ellora.

Altitude - 513 meters

Climate - (deg C)-Summer- Max 39, Min 21.5; Winter- Max 31.3, Min 10

Rainfall - 557 mms

Seasons - Throughout the year

Places Of Interest:

Aurangabad Caves, State Archaeological Museum, Nehru Udyan, History Museum of Marathwada University, Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki, Siddharth Udyan.

Excursions:

Daulatabad Fort-13 kms, Khuldabad- 26 kms, Grishneshwar Temple- 30 kms, Paithan- 56 kms, Shirdi-136 kms, Pithalkhora Caves- 78 kms, Aundha Nagnath-203 kms, Ajanta-106 kms, Ellora- 30 kms.

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Ajanta

It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta set of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved peak side, above the Waghora River, was discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt, stagger on these ancient works of art. They portray the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were built as private retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rites in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement.

Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures.

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Ellora

The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest models of cavern - temple architecture, they house complicated facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures on behalf of the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved in the 350 AD to 700 AD period.

The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre devoted to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.

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Mahableshwar

Not far from Pune and Mumbai is Mahableshwar, the most admired hill station in Maharashtra, located at an altitude of 1372 meters. A number of vantage points, brilliant views, pretty waterfalls and a lake with boating and fishing facilities are some of its major attractions.

Places Of Interest:

Walks and excursions to screening points such as Elphistone Point, Babington Point, Bombay Point, Kate's Point and waterfalls like Chinaman's fall and Dhobi Falls are enjoyable, Venna Lake and Panchganga Temple.

Excursions:

Pratapgarh Fort, and Panchgani.

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sTATES OF WEST INDIA