Maharashtra

Location:	West India
Capital:	Mumbai
Climate:	Tropical monsoon type
Best Time to Visit:	October to February
Major Languages:	Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati
Major Religions:	Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Zoroastrians and Jews
Major Airports:	Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik and Sholapur
Major Cities:	Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Shirdi, Kolhapur, Nashik, Aurangabd and Amravati
Business Hours:	9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Maharashtra - the land of diverse cultures, unsullied beauty and overwhelming variety! One of the largest states of India, in terms of population as well as area, Maharashtra is a place where sylvan stillness of the countryside mingles beautifully with the hubbub of the city life. It is as vivacious and full of life as it is huge and whoever has been here once, has always sought to come here again. In existence from the 3rd Century BC, the state has seen the rise and fall of numerous empires and kingdoms.

Today, it stands majestically - bearing the stamps of the past and hopes for the future. With a capital as magnificent and as glamorous as Mumbai, the state couldn't have asked for more. Here is the place where dreams come true. Visit Shirdi and you will find the place swarming with devotees, who go there with hopes in their hearts and who see miracles come true. Pune, the Cultural Capital of Maharashtra, is bound to make you fall in love with its sights and sounds. With the famous Ajnata & Ellora caves in its vicinity, Aurangabad surely stands apart.

On the other hand, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur and Thane continue to lure tourists as well as business travelers. In short, the cities of Maharashtra never let you go disappointed. The geographically rich state boasts of some of the most beautiful hill stations in Maharashtra, like Lonavala, Khandala, Matheran, Panchagani, Bhandardra, Mahabaleshwar and the like. Along with this, the beauty and serenity of its beaches is enough to remain etched in your memory forever. Also to be explored are its numerous wildlife sanctuaries, with some of the most exotic species of birds, animals, and even reptiles.

The religious travelers also have reasons to rejoice. Maharashtra is home to a large number of shrines, be it temples, or mosques or churches. With the seven Jyotirlingas, Siddhivinayak Mandir, Mahalaxmi Temple, Mount Mary Church and Haji Ali Dargah, the state manages to impress all. For those who love to explore historical places, the forts of Maharashtra present the present opportunity. Right from the majestic mountains to silvery sands of the beach, Maharashtra presents unscathed, unblemished, unrestrained beauty!