| Maharashtra Airports
Maharashtra is well connected with all the parts of India
through various means of transportation, namely air,
rail and road. Being home to a number of coastal cities,
the state can also be approached from the sea. However,
it is by air that a major percentage of visitors enter
Maharashtra. Even amongst the air travelers, the maximum
amount of rush is seen entering the state through the
two airports in Mumbai. In this article, we have provided
information on all the major airports of Maharashtra.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, with the traffic
of up to 45 landings and takeoffs per hour, is the
busiest airport not only in the Maharashtra, but also
the whole of India. Situated at Sahar, this airport
has two main terminals - Terminal 2A and Terminal 2C.
Facilities like ATM, Wheelchair, Inter-terminal Coach
Service, Medical Room, Lost & Found Counter, Shops,
Restaurant and Snack Bar are available at the airport.
Santa Cruz Domestic Airport (Mumbai)
Santa Cruz is the domestic airport of Mumbai, situated
in the Santa Cruz locality. It also comprises of two
terminals - Terminal 1A and Terminal 1B. There are
shuttle services provided for those who want to go
from the domestic airport to the international airport.
All the domestic airlines of India operate from the
Santa Cruz Airport only.
Lohegaon Airport (Pune)
The airport of Pune is situated in the Lohegaon area,
lying at a distance of 10 km to the northeast of the
city. Domestic flights, connecting the city with the
rest of India, operate from here. Apart from that,
you can also take international flights from here,
to Singapore and Dubai. A new airport is proposed to
be built between the area of Chakan and Rajgurunagar,
along the Pune-Nashik National Highway.
Chikkalthana Airport (Aurangabad)
Aurangabad city has an airport of its own, situated at
a distance of about 10 km from the heart of the city.
It is a domestic airport and has direct flights to
key cities in India, like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, etc.
The airport holds a lot of traffic of people coming
to visit the caves of Ajanta and Ellora.
Dr. Ambedkar International Airport (Nagpur)
One of the major airports of Maharashtra is situated
in Nagpur, around 8 km from the city center. Till October
2005, the airport was catering only to the domestic
travelers. But since then, it has also started operating
a few international flights, the first being the Air
Arabia of Sharjah. Presently, the airport operates
international flights to Sharjah and Bangkok.
Kolhapur Airport
Kolhapur Airport is around 9 km away from the heart of
the city. Spread over an area of approximately 180
acres, the airport has been catering to only domestic
carriers till date. You will get regular flights to
all the major parts of India, from this airport.
Sholapur Airport
Another major domestic airport of Maharashtra is situated
at Sholapur. The airport has not started international
flights yet and still operates domestic carriers only.
However, you can get direct as well as regular flights
to all the key cities in India from here.
Best Time to Visit Maharashtra
Best Time to Visit : October
to February Maharashtra is counted amongst those states in India
that are visited by tourists in large numbers. Be it
the beaches of the state or its revered temple and shrines
or its magnificent historical monuments, travelers love
coming here and spending their holidays. It is quite
obvious that they would like to come at a time when the
weather conditions are at their best. From this point
of view, the best time to visit Maharashtra comes out
to be the period between October and February.
By this time, the summer season is far behind and even
monsoons have already poured themselves like cats and
dogs. So, you will neither have to worry about the scorching
heat of the sun nor about the sticky humidity that is
the usual after-effect of rains. By October, the climate
is very pleasant, making it the ideal time to visit the
state. By the end of November, winters set in and last
somewhere around mid-February.
Even after that, the pleasant spell of the weather continues
till early March, thus making the period of October to
February, the peak season for Maharashtra travel. Unlike
the northern parts of India, even during winters, the
weather in Maharashtra is chilly, but not extremely cold.
So, it is advisable for you to carry light woolens with
you. What are you waiting for guys? Just pack your bags
with some woolens and get ready to bid adieu to your
city for a few days!
Maharashtra Cuisine
The people of Maharashtra equate anna (food) with Lord
Brahma. They believe that feeding a hungry person is
like feeding Lord Brahma. No wonder their traditional
food tastes so delicious that it seems to satisfy your
appetite as well as soul. The warm hospitality extended
by the people of the state adds to the taste of the
food. The cuisine of Maharashtra is largely based on
the crops that are grown in and around its various
regions. Grated coconut is a very common ingredient,
used in most of dishes made by Maharashtrians.
However, their main medium of cooking is peanut oil.
Infact, they make extensive use of peanuts and cashew
nuts in their vegetables. Kokum, a deep purple berry
that gives a sweet-cum-sour taste, is also a very popular
ingredient used in Maharashtra cuisine. One of the most
popular dishes of the state is bharlivangi (small brinjals
stuffed with coconut). As for sweet dishes, people of
Maharashtra love puran poli. It is basically a kind of
bread (roti), with rich stuffing of a sweet mixture of
jaggery and gram flour.
Even Shreekhand, sweetened curd with the flavor of cardamom
and saffron, is liked by almost all Maharashtrians. However,
on a more generic basis, we can say that the traditional
food of Maharashtra is known for its subtle variety and
strong flavor. Maharashtrians pay as much attention to
the presentation of the food as its preparation. In the
traditional families of the state, the family members
as well as guests sit on the floor rugs or red wooden
seats for eating the food. The cutlery for eating as
well as serving the meal is either that of silver or
metal.
A short decorative table, known as 'chowrang', is kept
in format of every person and it is on this table that
thalis (plates) as well as the katoris (bowls) are kept.
In the earlier times, the area around chowrang or the
thali used to be decorated with rangoli designs. Since
the meals comprise of a number of courses, each person
is given a bowl of water, scented with saffron. He dips
his fingers in the bowl after every course, to ensure
that its flavor doesn't get mixed with the next.
Even the courses, comprising of curries, vegetables,
rice or rotis, savories and sweets, are not served haphazardly.
There is a particular order that has to be followed in
serving these dishes. A person who doesn't know the order
of serving various courses is considered a bad host by
the people of Maharashtra. Last but not the least; ambience
is also paid much attention. Some people even burn incense
in their house to make the guest feel welcome.
How to Reach Maharashtra
Maharashtra is located in the
western part of India and is today, counted amongst
the industrially
advanced states of the country. Being home to important
cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, etc, the state has
gained international recognition. Combine this with the
fact that Maharashtra has a number of magnificent tourist
attractions to boast of and we get the reason why the
state is so popular amongst tourists.
Obviously, the tourists would like to get information
on how to reach Maharashtra i.e., the various means of
traveling to the state. The location of Maharashtra is
such that it is accessible by all the four modes of transportation
- air, rail, road and sea. Thus, getting to the state
is by no means, a difficult task. To make visitors understand
the methods of reaching the state, we have provided complete
information on the same, in the lines given below.
By Air
There is basically one major international airport in
Maharashtra i.e. the Chhatrapati Shivaji International
Airport of Mumbai. Apart from that, the city also has
a domestic airport - Santa Cruz Domestic Airport. The
airports at Nagpur and Pune also operate a few international
flights, apart from the usual domestic ones. The cities
of Kolhapur and Aurangabad also have a domestic airport
of their own.
By Rail
The largest as well as the most important railway station
of Maharashtra is situated in Mumbai and is known as
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. From there, you can get
trains to almost every part of India. Apart from that,
there are railway stations in Pune, Nashik, Nagpur,
Kolhapur, Aurangabad, AMravati, etc. In short, Maharashtra
is well connected with the other states via railways.
By Road
There are a number of National Highways and State Highways
crisscrossing Maharashtra, which make it easier for
any visitor to visit the state by road. Infact, through
these highways, you can easily approach the state from
any and every part of the country. Apart from that,
you can easily get buses and taxis from the numerous
cities in Maharashtra to travel within as well as outside
the state.
By Sea
Since a number of cities in Maharashtra are situated
on sea banks, you can also go there via ship from the
neighboring countries. Apart from the international
naval port at Mumbai, there are a number of other minor
ports in the state. Thus, reaching Maharashtra by presents
no problems for the tourists
Maharashtra Languages
Official
Language : Marathi
Maharashtra is counted amongst the coastal cities of
India and has been gifted with natural beauty in abundance.
Combine this with the architectural splendor of the state
and voila, you have the perfect answer to why the state
is so popular amongst Indian as well as foreign tourists.
If you are going to a new place, especially if it's in
a foreign country, it is better to be prepared with all
the information regarding it, right from the weather
to location to languages spoken there.
It will help you avoid a number of problems. As far
as Maharashtra is concerned, the official language is
Marathi. Infact, this language is spoken by the majority
of population living in the state. In the bigger cities
of Maharashtra (like Mumbai, Pune, etc), where the populace
has acquired cosmopolitan nature, Hindi and English are
counted amongst the major languages. Along with this,
people are also found speaking Gujarati and Urdu. You
can also find a number of dialects spoken in the state,
which differ as you move from one region to another.
For instance, in the northwest parts of Maharashtra,
Ahirani dialect is spoken. As you move the south Konkan,
you will hear many people speaking in Malvani - a dialect
of Konkani. Then, in the Desh region of the Deccan Plateau,
you will come across people speaking in Deshi. Even the
Varhadi dialect can be heard from the people of Vidarbha
region. However, whatever be region that you visit or
the language that you hear, the hospitality offered by
the people of Maharashtra will remain the same, now and
always!
Local Transport in Maharashtra
The main purpose of going on
a vacation to any place is to roam around, go on sightseeing
trips and
have fun. However, for moving around in a state, or for
that matter even a city, you need to know about the modes
of local transport that are available there. Unless and
until you are planning to drive down there in your car,
you are bound to become dependent on the public transportation.
At the same time, moving around this way helps in knowing
much more about the place, its people as well as its
culture. Keeping this in mind, we have provided information
on the forms of local transportation that are available
within the state.
Trains
There is a railway junction, whether small or large,
in the majority of cities in Maharashtra. Through these
trains, you can easily travel from one city to the
other. Apart from that, some of the cities in Maharashtra,
like Mumbai, have their own suburban railway network,
through which people can move from one locality to
the other. However, you will have to make yourself
used to the heavy rush at railway stations.
Buses
State-transport as well as private buses run throughout
the length and breadth of Maharashtra. You can get
local buses, semi-deluxe buses, deluxe buses, and so
on, for traveling to one city from the other. Local
buses are also available for covering short distances
within the city.
Taxis
Taxis are easily available in Maharashtra, for going
from one city to the other as well as for traveling
within the city. However, make sure to either go by
meter or to fix the fare in advance. In the latter
case, bargaining will help you reach a justified cost.
Auto Rickshaws
Auto Rickshaws are the perfect for moving over short
distances, in the city itself. Infact, if you are in
group of three-four, it is much better to hire an auto
rickshaw. Most of the auto rickshaws in Maharashtra
go by meter. However, if they are not willing to go
by meter, ask the fare in advance and make sure to
bargain a little.
 Location
of Maharashtra
Location
: Western Part of India
Maharashtra
is situated in the western part of India and
covers the entire Deccan region. With an area
of approximately 308,000 sq km (119,000 sq miles),
it claims the distinction of being counted amongst
the largest states of India. The state stands
bounded by Chhattisgarh in the east, Madhya Pradesh
in the north, Karnataka in the south, Goa in
the southwest, Andhra Pradesh in the southeast
and Gujarat in the northwest. Situated in between
Maharashtra and Gujarat is the Union territory
of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The
mighty Arabian Sea makes up the west coast of
Maharashtra. Running parallel to this coast are
the Sahyadri Hills, also known as the Western
Ghats, which rise upto the height of 1,200 meters
(4,000 feet). To the east of the ghats lies the
Deccan Plateau. On the other hand, the Konkan
coastal plains are situated to their west and
boast of a width of 50-80 kilometers. Western
Ghats are one of the three watersheds of India
and it is from here that most of the rivers in
South India have found their origin.
Even
Godavari River and Krishna River flow from there
and go till the Bay of Bengal. A number of small
rivers also originate from the ghats, and go
towards west, ultimately emptying into the Arabian
Sea. In the eastern side of the state, one can
find the Vainganga, rushing towards the Bay of
Bengal. The plateau of Maharashtra is made up
of black basalt soil, which is quite rich in
humus and is the best suited for cotton cultivation.
Wait no more! Just come to Maharashtra and explore
the state on your own. |
|
|
Maharashtra Weather
Main Seasons
: Summers, Winters and Monsoons
Maharashtra is situated in the western part of India
and this location has accorded the state with a tropical
monsoon type of climate. Thus, the main season experienced
by it comprise of hot, rainy and cold i.e. summer season,
monsoon season and winter season. The tropical conditions
that are prevalent all over Maharashtra have a similar
effect on its hill stations also. Though they are colder
than the other cities in the state, the winters there
are not extremely cold (like the hill stations in northern
part of India). In the following lines, we have provided
complete information on the weather of Maharashtra.
Summers
Summer season in Maharashtra sets somewhere around the
month of March and till May, the temperatures are at
their highest. However, the occasional thunderstorms
are what bring relief from the scorching sun. During
this time, the average temperature remains in the range
of 22 deg C to 40 deg C.
Monsoon
The areas in and around Maharashtra usually experience
the onset of monsoon before the northern cities. By
the first week of June, monsoon arrives in the city
and starts retreating somewhere in the month of September.
However, the maximum rainfall is received by the state
in July, followed by August.
Winters
In the month of October, the weather in Maharashtra is
quite pleasant. It is around November that the chill
starts setting in. Till February, the state experiences
winter season, characterized by clear skies, gentle
breezes and pleasant weather. The usual temperature
around this time is somewhere between 12 deg C to 25
deg C.
Rainfall
Maharashtra experiences a decent spell of rainfall every
year. The maximum rain is received by Konkan, Sahyadrian
and eastern Vidarbha region, while the central region
receives less rainfall. For example - the annual average
rainfall in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg
districts is around 200cm. On the other hand, cities
like Nasik, Pune, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Satara,
Sangli, Solapur and parts of Kolhapur receive less
than 50 cm rainfall every year.
What to Wear in Maharashtra
Maharashtra experiences a tropical
monsoon climate, in which there are three seasons -
summers, winters and
monsoons. If you want to known what clothes to wear in
the state, the first thing that you will have to keep
in mind is the weather. Thereafter, you will have to
check out the particular city in Maharashtra that you
will be visiting. Only after defining both the aspects
will you able to decide how to dress up in Maharashtra.
In case you are going to Maharashtra in summers, remember
that the mercury touches 40 deg C quite easily. Therefore,
you are required to carry light cotton clothing with
you. Synthetic and clingy fabrics are a strict no-no.
By any chance if you happen to visit the state in monsoons,
remember that most of the cities here experience high
levels of humidity during this time. Thus, it is advisable
to avoid figure hugging clothes and better to stick to
loose cottons.
Winters in Maharashtra are chilly, but
not freezing cold. However, you must carry light woolen
clothing with
you, including sweaters, shawls, socks, etc. Now, let's
come to the place you are visiting. In bigger cities,
like Mumbai and Pune, women can easily wear figure hugging
and short, revealing clothes, especially while visiting
pubs and discothèques. However, in small cities
like Amravati, they should stick to a bit loose and completely
covering clothes.
This is because too tight or too revealing clothes might
hurt the sensibilities of the people who live there.
Care should be taken while dressing up for places like
temples, gurdwaras, etc. If you can wear Indian suits
to such places, nothing like it! Otherwise, stick to
jeans and t-shirts. You can also wear ankle length skirts,
but no shorts please (even guys). Just keep these small
points in mind and we can assure you that your trip will
be as smooth as possible.
Shopping in Maharashtra
Apart from visiting the numerous tourist attractions,
shopping is the only other significant factor that
adds to the excitement of a person while visiting a
new place. Almost all of us buy something, whether
for ourselves or to take back home as souvenirs or
gifts, whenever we go to a new destination. The tourists
coming to Maharashtra are no exception to this fact.
However, the best part is that the state offers such
a wide variety of shopping places as well as shopping
items that you will get tired, but the list will not
end.
There are so many cities in Maharashtra and almost every
city offers a shopping item, which is unique from the
others and speaks volumes about its culture. In Kolhapur,
you will find the popular Kolhapuri Chappals (leather
slippers). Then, there are the beautiful Kolhapuri sarees
and typical Kolhapuri jewelry, comprising of ornaments
like mohanmal, bormal, chaplahar, kolhapuri saaj, pohehar
and putlihar, thushi, etc. Aurangabad is known for himroo
shawls, mashroo and kimkhab weaves, and the stunning
paithani silk sarees.
As you move to Nashik, you will find wide varieties
of brass statues and beaded necklaces, not to forget
excellent jewelry. The cities of Nagpur, Pune and Mumbai
are known for providing an assortment of shopping items
to the shoppers, right from clothes and jewelry to accessories,
footwear and even bags. In Nagpur, Sitabuldi, WHC Road,
Dharampeth Road, Residency Road (Sadar) and Chhindwara
Road are the places where you will find the maximum shops
as well as the maximum variety in shopping items.
Right from flea market stuff to branded and designer
wear, Pune and Mumbai shopping markets offer all. In
Pune, Deccan Gymkhana, Laxmi Road, M.G. Road, Fashion
Street, Koregaon Park and Fergusson College Road are
the best shopping markets. When in Mumbai, Crawford Market,
Fashion Street, Zaveri Bazar, Chor Bazaar, Hutatama Chowk,
Juhu Road, Linking Road, Cuffe Parade, Breach Candy and
Kemps Corner are the places to shop at. So, just go and
shop to your heart's content!
Maharashtra Tourist Attractions
Maharashtra is one of the largest as well as one of the
most popular states of India (in terms of tourism).
It is home to a large number of attractions, drawn
by which people come here on sightseeing tours. The
state, with its lush green locales, picturesque hill
stations, exotic beaches and rich wildlife, is surely
a nature lover's paradise. Add to this, the numerous
historical monuments, rock cut caves and religious
shrines Maharashtra offers and you have a variety of
reasons to plan a holiday trip to the magnificent land.
In this article, we have provided you with a list of
the attractions that you must visit on a tour of Maharashtra.
 Beaches
Maharashtra, one of the biggest states in India, has
a long coastline to boast of. This extensive coastline
has resulted in the state being blessed with a number
of beaches, which are known throughout the world for
their white sands, serene locales and stunning environs.
............................... >>
more information
Caves
The amazing caves situated at Maharashtra showcase the
age-old culture and rich legacy of the state. Some
of these caves, like Elephanta Caves, Karkla Caves
and Bhaja Caves, boast of stunning rock cut architecture.
On the other hand, those at Ajanta and Ellora have
been adorned with beautiful paintings.
............................... >> more
information
Religious Places
Maharashtra has always been one of the favorite destinations
of the tourists visiting India. One of the reasons
for this huge popularity is that the state is home
to a large number of religious places, comprising of
temple, mosques, Jyotirlingas, etc.
............................... >> more
information
Hill Stations
Are you tired of toiling away to work every day? Do you
need a break from the monotony that has become so widespread
in the life of city dwellers? Welcome to the hill stations
of Maharashtra! The state is home to the Sahyadri hill
ranges and this has resulted in it being gifted with
a number of hill resorts.
............................... >> more
information
Monuments
Maharashtra, one of the leading industrial states in
India, is known throughout the world for being home
to a large number of historical monuments. These monuments
today stand as testimony to the rich past which the
state boasts of. Most of the famous monuments in Maharashtra
are situated in the capital city.
............................... >> more
information
Wildlife
The nature lovers, who come to India to explore its rich
wildlife, must make a sojourn at Maharashtra also.
The state is virtually a delight for those who love
to visit wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and
be a witness to nature's beauty. The various protected
areas here are home to a wide variety of wildlife.
............................... >> more
information
Forts
For those who are interested in exploring the rich past
of Maharashtra, there are no better places to visit
than its magnificent forts. Each and every fort in
this Indian state has some or the other tales buried
within its boundaries, tales of courage, tales of valor,
tales of chivalry, and so on.
............................... >> more
information
|
