Beyond Mumbai: What to see and do in Maharashtra

Don’t get us wrong – Mumbai, on India’s west coast, is spectacular. This is, after all, where you’ll find some of India’s most beautiful temples and finest architectural gems, including the city’s UNESCO-listed collection of art deco buildings. But it’s also worth bearing in mind that Maharashtra, the state in which it’s located, is one of India’s most diverse regions. There’s a reason the state is often referred to as the Gateway of India; you’ll find everything from beautiful hill stations and ancient palaces to geological wonders and national parks filled with flora and fauna. It’s also a state which is relatively easy to explore, thanks to India’s rapidly expanding rail network and a growing number of regional airlines offering flights to areas which were once much harder to get to. Here's our guide to Maharashtra’s best bits.

Delve into rich cultural heritage

Fancy diving into India’s rich heritage? You’re in the right place. In Mumbai, highlights include the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, designed by British architect F. W. Stevens. Every day three million people pass through this train station, with its vaulted ceiling and honey-hued façade, adorned with intricate carvings of gargoyles and lizards. Maharashtra is also famous for its caves (more of which later), and one of Mumbai’s most beautiful sites is the UNESCO-listed Elephanta Caves, which date back to the fifth century AD. You’ll find them on Gharapuri (meaning ‘city of caves’) island, a short ferry ride from Mumbai’s Gateway of India monument.

For something completely different, head to Lonar Lake, 470 kilometres east of Mumbai (a reminder of the state’s sheer size). This National Geo-heritage Monument is one of only four hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock. Technical jargon aside, it’s one of the world’s most spectacular meteorite craters, and the area around it – the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary – is also worth checking out. Species regularly spotted here include red-wattled lapwings, tailor birds and chinkaras (Indian gazelles).

Elsewhere in the Nashik District of Maharashtra lie the majestic Mangi Tungi Hills. These cone-shaped twin peaks are separated by a plateau, making for spectacular views. They’re famed for their medieval Jaina caves and icons carved into the rock face. A sacred place to Jainism, the Mangi Tungi Hills offer insight into Maharashtra’s rich cultural and religious heritage as well as showing off some of the state’s most unique landscapes.

Marvel at fantastic forts

A fun fact? Maharashtra, India’s third-largest state, covers 9.36 per cent of the country’s geographical area. It also encompasses 720 kilometres of coastline which, at various points, has required some seriously fearsome protection. This is where the state’s sea forts come in. We suggest putting Murud-Janjira Fort at the top of your list. Perched on an island near the city of Murud, the fort is accessible via public ferry and was built in the 1100s by fishermen. It eventually ended up in the hands of the Siddis, an Indian tribe with African ancestry. Its 12-metre-high walls, canons and sculpted bastions repelled countless attacks by the British.

Then there’s Sindhudurg Fort, a short ferry ride from the city of Malvan and a truly impenetrable structure built in the seventeenth century; 4,000 pounds of lead was used in its foundation alone. One of Maharashtra’s most impressive forts is Vijaydurg, which rises up from the golden sands of the Sindhudurg coast and was constructed in the 1100s during the Shilahara dynasty. Built with laterite stone, it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides.

Explore ancient caves

We’ve mentioned Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves, which are easily accessible from the city centre and comprise a series of highly ornate cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, but Maharashtra state is one of the best spots in India for underground explorations. The UNESCO-listed Ellora caves, near the city of Aurangabad, offer a fantastic insight into the religious tolerance typical of ancient India – the site’s structures, many of which date back to 600AD, honour Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The Kanheri Caves, in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, comprise 100 caverns excavated from the first century BC onwards, while the highlight at the Karla Caves, near Pune, is the vast Chaitya (prayer hall), which has 37 octagonal pillars carved out of rock.

Equally ornate are Nashik’s Pandav Leni caves, famous for their intricate sculptures and doubled as viharas (residences) for monks. Finally, don’t miss the chance to check out the Ajanta Caves, rock-cut temples carved into cliffs near Aurangabad in north-central Maharashtra. Excavated around the first century BC, the caves contain rock art which was created thousands of years ago and depicts Buddhist divinities.

Unwind on blissful beaches

Thought India’s most beautiful beaches were only in Goa? Think again. No beach enthusiast should miss the Konkan Coast, which stretches from Daman at the mouth of Daman Ganga River in the north, to Karwar in the south. Much of this spectacular coastline can be found in Maharashtra. One of the most impressive beaches is Ganpatipule, a long, wide stretch of sand where you’ll find plenty of space to lay out your beach towel. You’ll find it 300 kilometres south of Mumbai – Ratnagiri is the nearest station if you’re heading there by train.

If you prefer to explore the underwater world then Tarkarli, in the south Konkan region, is a popular snorkelling and scuba diving spot. The bobbing houseboats and lush backdrop of betel nut and palm trees give this particular beach an especially laid-back, Kerala-like feel. Wildlife fans, meanwhile, should flock to Velas beach, a popular turtle nesting site to the south of Mumbai. To witness the incredible sight of sea turtles hatching, make sure to visit in March and April, when the Velas Turtle Festival takes place.

Head to high altitude hill stations

Hill stations are high altitude towns in rural areas originally built as retreats for people who spent much of their time in India’s cities, but who were keen to escape India’s blistering heat. Maharashtra has dozens of them, many of which are easily accessible from cities such as Mumbai and Pune. We suggest starting in south Maharashtra, where you’ll find Amboli, which became a popular retreat for the British in the late 1800s. Here, lush flora flourishes due to regular rain showers, and nearby landmarks include the Madhavgad Fort and the thundering Nangartas waterfall.

You’ll find another hill station, Chikhaldara, in Amravati district. Perched at 1,118 metres above sea level, the town’s high altitude makes the surrounding landscapes a great coffee growing spot, and several of the coffee plantations here offer guided tours. Not to be missed either are the lush landscapes of Bhandardara, which comprise sprawling greenery, mighty waterfalls and the flowing waters from Wilson Dam on the Pravara River. Bhandardara is also home to Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra, which stands at 1,600 metres and is well worth the hike for rewarding mountaintop views.

If you’d rather not stray too far from Mumbai, consider Mahabaleshwar, a hill station in India's forested Western Ghats range, Lonavala hill station, where the star of the show is Lohagad Fort, or Matheran in the Sahyadri Mountain Range. This latter hill station is car-free – visitors park outside the town then finish their journey via train, on horseback or on foot.

Wander through wildlife sanctuaries

You can’t beat Maharashtra for a walk on the wild side. 2023 marks 50 years since the founding of Project Tiger, a government-run conservation project credited with bringing the big cats back from the brink. The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the best places to see these majestic creatures. The reserve is part of the Tadoba National Park, which was created in 1955 and is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park. Bonus points if you spot a sloth bear or wild dog – both of these elusive species can be found here.

If leopards are your thing, consider Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary in the Satpura Hills (lesser-known species such as the fox-like Ussuri dhole also thrive in this park), although for sheer diversity, it’s hard to beat the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. This might not be the state’s largest reserve but it’s another great spot to see some of India’s rarest species, including the Indian giant squirrel. The sanctuary was the first protected habitat for this impressively photogenic creature, which is the state animal of Maharashtra.

Feeling inspired?

For more information about this remarkable region of India, visit the official Maharashtra Tourism website.

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See the latest inspiration from Maharashtra on social media at @maharashtratourismofficial on Instagram, Maharashtra Tourism Official on Facebook and @maha_tourism on Twitter. Alternatively, you can request more information via WhatsApp on: +919403878864