Places of Interest in Maharashtra
Mumbai (Bombay): Mumbai
was given by Portuguese as dowry to Charles II of England when he married Catherine.
The group of seven island was leased to the East India Company who offered freedom
of business and religion to persons who came and settled here. Initially a few
Parsis and Gujarati came but soon a sizeable population began to thrive here.
This was way back in the 17th century. Today also Mumbai is a city of migrants.
People from all over the country have come and settled here. This gives the
society of Mumbai a multi-lingual and multi-cultural colour.
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Ajanta & Ellora:
Ajanta & Ellora among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist
architecture, caves-paintings and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaitya Halls,
or shrines, dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas, or monasteries, used by Buddhist
monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that
adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of
the Buddha and various Buddhist divinities.
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Aurangabad: Today Aurangabad,
it is known for some of the finest colleges and university in Maharashtra. And
it is the fastest growing industrial town in India. But the charm and glory
of its long past has not been lost. And its heritage is rich and varied - the
result of the artistic and cultural influences of several dynasties since its
first Stone Age inhabitants.
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Bhandardara: Amidst the
dense green forest, lies the most splendid lake of country - Arthur Lake. It
is formed by the dammed waters of the Pravara river. Legend has it that Shri
Agasti Rishi meditated continuously for a year, living only on water and air.
Pleased with his tremendous devotion the Lord came down to Earth. He blessed
Shri Agasti Rishi and left leaving behind a stream of Ganga - now known as Pravara
River. Bhandardara is easily among the most beautiful holiday resorts.
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Elephanta: The history of
elephanta is the hoary mists of time. Crowning the island's easteem hill, and
commanding a panoramic view of wood-land, marsh and sea, are the Buddhist stupas'
or burial mounds and cisterns. Their antiquity has been traced back to the third
century or even earlier.
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Ellora: Ellor Caves: Spanning
a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest
excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (cave 29). The most imposing excavation
is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is
the largest single monolithic structure in the world. Interestingly, Ellora,
unlike the site of Ajanta, was never 'rediscovered'.
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Ganpatipule: This is Ganapatiphule
Land of the 400- year old Swayambhu ganapati and eager tourists. Set along the
western coast of maharastra, is a small little village called Ganapatiphule.
It is known for it's scerene sedate beach. Unlike most beaches which are spoilt
by tourist traffic, the Ganapatiphule beach is as natural and pristine as ever.
Even today, the waters are blue and the sands, white.
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