225 The Land of the Marathas, Maharashtra is the 2nd most populated and the 3rd largest state in India. The state is bordered by the Arabian Sea and the primary language is spoken here is Marathi. The state of Maharashtra has a unique location of being situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. This makes the state a biodiverse region rich in flora and fauna. The Krishna, Godavari, Bhima, etc. are the rivers that run through Maharashtra. The state is also the richest state in India and contributes 13.3% of the country’s GDP and 15% of the country’s Industrial output. Top Place in Maharashtra 1. Mumbai Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it’s India’s largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city’s also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry. Top places in Mumbai Gateway of India Elephanta Caves Marine Drive Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Haji Ali Shrine Sanjay Gandhi National Park Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Markets of Mumbai Global Vipassana Pagoda Siddhivinayak Temple Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Beaches of Mumbai Flora Fountain Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum Fort Bassein 2. Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in India’s forested Western Ghats range, south of Mumbai. The average elevation of the place is approximately 1,353 meters above sea level and is the source of the Krishna River. The city is a famous summer retreat for the people in Mumbai and is famous for its lakes and trekking hotspots. Top Places in Mahabaleshwar Places to Visit Pratapgarh Fort Pratap Garden Afzal Khan Tomb Old Mahabaleshwar Bhawani Mandir 3. Pune Pune is a sprawling city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The land of Peshwas, Pune has held an important position; both culturally and historically since the times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In the present times, it is an important educational, cultural and economic hub in Maharashtra.There are many places of religious importance too like Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple, Chaturshringi Temple etc. Top Place in Pune Western Ghats Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati. Shivneri Fort Shanivar Wada Aga Khan Palace Parvati Hill Rajgad Fort Lal Mahal Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Sinhagad Fort 4. Aurangabad Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra state, in India. It’s known for the 17th-century marble Bibi ka Maqbara shrine, styled on the Taj Mahal. The city is famous for its historical monuments and the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora which are a national heritage site. The culture of this town is heavily influenced by the Mughal and the Muslim culture of Hyderabad and Marathi and Urdu are the main languages spoken here. Top Place in Aurangabad Places to Visit Ajanta Caves Ellora Caves Devgiri Fort Ghrishneshwar Temple Khuldabad Bibi Ka Maqbara Panchakki Salim Ali Lake & Bird Sanctuary Jama Mosque Aurangabad Caves 5. Kolhapur Kolhapur is a city on the banks of the Panchaganga River, in the west Indian state of Maharashtra. The city is considered to be the heart of the Maratha Empire and is famous for its various historical monuments and cultural heritage of the Marathi people. The climate is pleasant all year round with heavy rainfalls during the monsoons. The best time to visit the city is during any of the major Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashami, and Navaratri. Top Place in Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple Jyotiba Temple Rankala Lake Chhatrapati Sahu Museum Panhala Fort