Places to visit in Maharashtra

Caves, forts, hills and the maximum city.

Capital MumbaiPlaces in this guide 11

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Places to see

Ajanta Caves

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Buddhist rock-cut caves with 2,000-year-old paintings, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Jun–Mar

Ellora Caves

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Hindu, Buddhist and Jain caves, including the monolithic Kailasa temple.

Best time: Jun–Mar

City

Gateway of India

Mumbai

Waterfront arch facing the Arabian Sea and the Taj hotel.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Lonavala

Pune

Monsoon getaway of waterfalls, forts and chikki.

Best time: Jun–Feb

Mahabaleshwar

Satara

Strawberry farms and viewpoints in the Sahyadris.

Best time: Oct–May

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Chandrapur

Maharashtra’s oldest national park and a reliable tiger reserve.

Best time: Oct–Jun

Lonar Crater Lake

Buldhana

A lake inside a meteor crater, with old temples on its rim.

Best time: Jul–Feb

Kaas Plateau

Satara

UNESCO-listed plateau that blooms with wildflowers after the rains.

Best time: Aug–Oct

Raigad Fort

Raigad

Shivaji's capital fort, reached by ropeway or a long climb.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Bhandardara

Ahilyanagar

Lakeside village below Kalsubai, Maharashtra's highest peak.

Best time: Jul–Feb

Shirdi

Ahilyanagar

Home of Sai Baba's samadhi temple, visited by millions.

Best time: All year

Food to try in Maharashtra

Vada pav, Misal pav, Puran poli, Modak.

Crafts and products

Paithani saree, Kolhapuri chappal.

Festivals

Ganesh Chaturthi, Mumbai: Aug–Sep (10 days). Huge pandals and the immersion processions to the sea.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.