Maharashtra Tourism

As most of you are aware, i am working out of Pune for the past 7 months. I managed to visit many places over this period and wanted to share my experience with Maharashtra tourism. what to expect, what not to expect...


1. Maharashtra is filled with mountains and hence lot of Ghat roads. Pls do not ever think that you can cross one KM in one minute at 110km speed in your car. 150 KM trip will take 5 hours... so pls be prepared for that. Dont even take the word of your tour operator.

2. Roads are mostly bad due to heavy rain effect, ghat related water stagnation etc. So, do keep your backup tyre intact.

3. Food availability is very stable. One will get Pav misal (bread with gravy), vada pav, rice, dal anywhere inside the state. Same with Non-Veggies.

4. Climate is mostly dry. Rainy season is July, Aug and September. Winter in December & January.

5. Accomodation booking to be done in advance... Payment (50%) has to be transferred while booking. Lot of people travel on three day week ends. So., planning has to be done atleast one month before.

6. Coastal towns are very sleepish but homely. Not knowing Hindi / Marathi will be an issue to interact. Dont expect too much of facilities and blindly trust the web page pictures. They are often misleading.

7. People are relatively nice and not at all arrogant. They are willing to guide and help while you are on the road.

8. MTDC runs resorts at decent rates everywhere.

9. Price of a "Guide" services is very very affordable in historical places. Pls pls use them.

Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/AjantaCaves#
http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/ElloraCaves#
http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/DauladabadFort#

Ajanta is one of the finely maintained places. MTDC's facilities, food is very good here.

Ahmednagar

Dont miss the hot Jilebi and Pan / beeda.

Lavasa

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/LavassaUnderCloud#
http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/LavassaUnderLights#

City being built as of now. Decent for a day's trip. Can go in bike too

Bhimasankar

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/Bhimasankar#

Nashik

Trimbakeshwar is a very good shiva temple.

Malshej Ghat

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/MalshejGhats#

Decent for a day's trip. Food is not great.

Dapoli

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/DapoliKonkanCoast#

The best food town on the coastal.

Sinhagad

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/Sinhagad#

Good for nature glimpse.

Raigad Fort

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/RaigadFort#

Murud Janjira

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/JanjiraFortMurud#

Cochin like town with lot of guest house stay options.

Diveagar

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/DiveagarBeach#

Got lot of guest house stay options.

Pune

http://picasaweb.google.com/svijayganesh/GaneshVisarjanPune#