Population
: 87 million
Area: 307, 690 sq km
Capital: Bombay
People per sq km: 282
Main Language: Marathi
Literacy Rate: 63%

The
state of Maharashtra is one of the largest in India, both in
terms of population and in area. Its booming capital, Bombay,
makes it not only one of the most important states
economically, but also a major gateway for overseas visitors.
From Bombay you can head off into India in a number of
directions, but most travellers will either be going to
Goa, south-east to Pune with its famous Ashram, or north-east
to the amazing cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora.
Bombay
Bombay,
India's premier commercial and financial city is ever on the
move. Every industrial and trading house in the country has
eithers its headquarters or a major presence in this
metropolis. Its towering offices and appartment complexes
remind the visitors of Manhattan. Still it has also many
splendoured buildings of Victorian vintage, all intact. It is
the worlds biggest film making centre as well as the premier
centre for performing arts, galleries, museums, libraries and
institutions of academid excellence.
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Matheran
Matheran
is the nearest hill station to Bombay The name means Jungle Topped
or Wooded head, which is just what it is an undulating hilltop
cloaked in shady trees. It undulating hilltop cloaked in shady
trees. It became a popular hill station during the days of the Raj
as the abundant shade and altitude (800metres) made it slightly
cooler than the capital. Hugh Malet is credited with its discovery
in 1850.
In the days when most visitors came to India by ship and when Bombay
was India s port, this was indeed the 'gateway to India.
Today it s merely Bombay's 1'oremo'it landmark, riie gateway was
conceived fol lowing the visit of King George V m 1911LiaUy opened
in l-24 Ari-hiteclur ally it is a conventional Arch of Triumph,with
elements in its design derived from the Muslim styles ot
16th-century Gujardt It is built of yellow basalt and stands on the
Apollo Bunder, a popular Bombay meeting place m the evenings.The Taj
Mahal Intercontinental Hotel overlooks the pollo Blinder and
launches run from here across to fclephantd Island Close to the
gateway are statues of Swami Vivekananda and of the Maratha leader
Shivdji astride his horse Flora Fountain This is the business centre
of Bombay, around which many of the major banks and business offices
are centred. The fountain stands on Martyr's Square, offi cially
renamed Hutatma Chowk, at the heart of a busy five-point
intersection. It was erected in 1869 in honour of Sir Barllc Frerr
who was governor of Bombay from 1812-07, during which time Bombay
experienced its most dramatic growth due to the worldwide cotton
shortage caused by the American civil War.
Others
Ajanta, Alora, Karla & Bhaja Caves, Bedsa Caves, Lohagad
Fort, Visapur Fort, Murud-Janjira Governor Hill Mt Barry, Bhushi
Lake, Tungauli Lake Walvan Dam, Rajmachi Fort etc.
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Lonavla
Situated 106 km sough-east of Bombay in the hills on the main
railway line ot Pune, Lonavla is the Place from which to visit the
Karla and Bhaja caves.
There is nothing of interest in the town itself unless you're a
Bombay yuppie with a country cottage or a real eastate developer
looking for a contract to build one. In that respect, the town has
changed dramatically in recent years from a sleepy little backwater
into a major development area.
Just before Lonavla, Khandala is picturesquels situated overlooking
a ravine. In the wet season there is a fine waterfall near the head
of the ravine
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Pune
Shivaji, the great Marath leader, was raised in Pune, which granted
to his gradfathers in 1599. Later in became the capital of the
Peshws, but in 1817 went to the British, under whom it become the
capital of the region during the monsoon. The city had a rather more
pleasant climate at that time that muggy Bombay.
For many Western visitors, the city's major attraction is the Osho
Commune International, better known as the ashram of Bhagwan
Rajneesh.Most Indians will assume that you're in Pune for just that
and the ashram is so well known that it was formerly even included
on the city bus tour, where, in a superb reversal of roles, Indians
flocked to view Westerners.
Others
Bund Gardens, Shivaji Nagar Railways Station, Pataleshwar Temple,
Tribal Museum, Nehru Stadium Saras Baug Ganesh Temple, Swargate Bus
Terminal, Parvati Temple, Raja Kelkar Museum Thomas Cook, Empress
Botanical Gardens etc. |