Maharashtra
India's commercial powerhouse state
Maharashtra is India's commercial powerhouse, home to Mumbai, the country's financial capital and its largest city by economic output, and the Bollywood film industry that operates from its studios. The state's Ajanta and Ellora cave complexes, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites carved between the 2nd century BCE and 10th century CE, contain some of the finest rock-cut Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art anywhere in India.
The Western Ghats hill stations of Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar, along with the historic Maratha forts built under Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century, reflect the state's role in both natural scenery and Indian military history. Maharashtra contributes the largest share of any state to India's GDP, with Mumbai's stock exchange and Pune's IT and manufacturing sector anchoring its modern economy.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in India.
Categories
Points of Interest
16 places
Attraction
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is a 1924 basalt arch on Mumbai's Apollo Bunder waterfront, facing the harbour.
Attraction
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Ajanta and Ellora are two UNESCO-listed rock-cut cave complexes near Aurangabad, famous for murals and the Kailasa temple.
Attraction
Lonavala
Lonavala is a hill station in the Sahyadri hills between Mumbai and Pune, famous for monsoon views, forts and chikki.
Viewpoint
Marine Drive
Marine Drive is Mumbai's curving seafront promenade along Back Bay, known at night as the Queen's Necklace.
Attraction
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves are 5th to 7th century rock-cut temples to Shiva on an island in Mumbai harbour, reached by ferry.
Attraction
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is Mumbai's 1888 Victorian Gothic railway station, a working UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attraction
Dhobi Ghat
Dhobi Ghat at Mahalaxmi is Mumbai's huge open-air laundry, where clothes are still washed by hand in rows of concrete pens.
Temple / Religious Site
Haji Ali Dargah
Haji Ali Dargah is a 15th century shrine on an islet off Worli, Mumbai, reached along a causeway walkable at low tide.
Market / Shopping
Colaba Causeway
Colaba Causeway is South Mumbai's lively street market and cafe strip, near the Gateway of India.
Attraction
Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves are 34 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples near Aurangabad, including the monolithic Kailasa temple.
Attraction
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves are about 30 Buddhist caves near Aurangabad with some of the oldest surviving paintings in India.
Temple / Religious Site
Grishneshwar Temple
Grishneshwar Temple near the Ellora Caves is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar.
Attraction
Daulatabad Fort
Daulatabad Fort is a medieval hill fortress near Aurangabad, once Devagiri, briefly the capital of the Delhi Sultanate.
Attraction
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad is a 17th century Mughal tomb modelled on the Taj Mahal, called the Taj of the Deccan.
Other
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is Mumbai's main airport, where direct flights from Singapore land at Terminal 2.
Museum
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Aurangabad
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Aurangabad displays Maratha arms, armour, coins, manuscripts and a Paithani saree.
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
October–March
Other Districts in India
Stories from Maharashtra
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