AJANTA-ELLORA
CAVES: Dating back to the 2nd BC and artistically
built over a few centuries, the Caves of Maharashtra have
an extraordinary appeal and aura. Nestled in the formidable
Sahayadri Mountain Range, these caves have been home to
monks of different religions.
Be it the paintings in the Ajanta caves or the sculpture
of the Ellora caves, or the divine presence in the Elephanta
caves, the visitors have always and will always continue
to be spellbound. These caves offer a visit that is truly
unforgettable. A visit that will induce a sense of discovery,
a discovery of the self, and of the divine.
AJANTA- ELLORA
CAVES + DAULTABAD FORT [ Add
on: Trimbukeshwar Temple, Lonar Crater ]
ELEPHANTA
CAVES: 9 nautical miles across the sea from the
Gateway of India lay Elephanta, also known as 'Gharapuri'.
Visit this green island for the wonders of the 7 th century,
the painstakingly hewn rock-cut cave temple, dedicated to
Shiva. The Maheshamurti panel in which Shiva is shown as
a creator, protector and destroyer, is a sight that should
be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime. Regular excursions
to Elephanta start every day from the Gateway of India.
FULL
DETAILS AND LOCATION
PITTALKHORA
CAVES: Not as well known as Ajanta yet also interest
are the rock-cut caves of Pitalkhora in the Satamala range
of the Sahyadri hills. There are thirteen caves, set high
up on the hill, overlooking picturesque ravines. Many of
the caves contain carvings and paintings that date from
the 1st century B.C. to the 5the century A.D. They were
discovered after Ajanta and are first mentioned in a publication
of 1853 where Caves 3 and 4 are described.
FULL
DETAILS OF CAVES AND LOCATION
LONAR
CRATER : Lonar
crater, located about 122 km away from Aurangabad is one
of the world's 5 largest craters, formed by the impact of
meteorite is nearly 50,000 years ago. It is also believed that
impact craters like the Lonar crater is one of the probable
causes for the extinction of dinosaurs. The surface diameter
of the crater is nearly 1.75., and its depth is nearly 132
meters. At its base has formed a beautiful lake, formed
over thousands of years by the perennial streams flowing
into the crater. On the periphery of the lake are temples built
in the 12th - 13th century. Their exquisite carvings are
remnants of their glorious past.
FULL
DETAILS AND LOCATION
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TRIBAL
MUSEUM- PUNE: Tribal Museum is situated at Pune
in Maharashtra. It is close to the railway line, which is
just east to the railway station. Maharashtra is a huge
country and there are uncountable numbers of tribal in this
country. Having diverse languages, these tribes have their
own food habits, taboos, and beliefs - in short distinct
cultures. Tribal
Museum exhibits the cultures of the tribal communities mainly
from the Sahyadari and Gondwana regions. It is a position
where one can find to get an insight into the lives of the
tribal communities of Maharashtra.
TARAPOREWALA
AQUARIUM - MUMBAI :- Taraporewala Aquarium is at
crowded locality of Marine Drive in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
It has nautical life and rare kind of fishes and beautiful
pearl jewellery. The aquarium has plans to renovate shortly
into a high-tech Aquarium with special attractions like
glass vision sea-world and an underwater sea walk. The first
President of free India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad officially
opened it in 1951. The Aquarium has sea life like shark,
octopus, kite fish, corals, worms, sea flower, sea horses,
pearls and shells. Articles crafted from shells and pearls
are also displayed here.
SINHGAD
FORT - PUNE :- Where valour is etched on every
stone and the soil has turned red seeped by the blood of
martyrs! From the time when a Koli chieftain, Nag Naik stoutly
defended this fort (AD 1328) against the might of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
for nine months to Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb's commander,
who dragged his guns up the fort's steep shoulders to avenge
the insult to Shaista Khan, who was rebuffed by Shivaji,
this fort has been infused by tales of bravery. It was here
that Shivaji's general, Tanaji Malusare launched an attack
to recall the fort. In the resulting battle, Tanaji valiantly
laid down his life, but captured the fort. A grieving Shivaji
is known to have said,"Gad ala pan sinh gela"
(The fort is won but the lion has gone). And this is how
the fort got its name: sinh (lion's) gad (fort).
SHRI BAHAVANI MUSEUM ( Aundh ) - Shri
Bhavani Museum in Aundh, which is 48 km from Satara in Maharashtra.
The museum has 500 miniature paintings of all major schools
- Jaipur, Kangra, Mughal, Punjab, Bijapur, Pahadi and Maratha
of the period between 15th and 19th century. The Museum
exhibits mainly the work of Bhawanrao done in his lifetime.
Shri Bhavani Museum also has the famous stone shaped structure
of 'Mother and Child' by Henry Moore. It was final exhibited
in Delhi 10 years ago. Shri Bhavani Museum has a large division
devoted to stone created structures including the famous
'Mother and Child' by Henry Moore. The museum has four sections
completely devoted to Western paintings that include Madonna
of the Book by Andrea Del Sarto; a Rembrandt self-portrait,
In The Prison Of Aurangzeb by A.H. Muller, Beggar Boy by
Bartona Morilla, Franciso by L. Goya, Boy Volunteer by G.G.
Hierice, Game of Draughts by F. Morelli, Pairs by Cornil
and many more.
RAJA
DINKAR KELKAR MUSEUM (Pune) : Raja Dinkar Kelkar
Museum is in Pune, Maharashtra. The museum has nearly around
20,000 collections of objects paintings, handicrafts, armour-suits,
musical instruments and many other objects of art and artifacts
collected from all over the world. The building has been
designed in a Rajasthani-style, but the galleries give a
clear depiction of the life and culture of the Marathas.
Dinkar Kelkar spent almost 60 years traveling and purchasing
objects from the remote areas and towns of India. Dividing
into 36 sections, the collections are confined mostly to
everyday life like pots, lamps, containers, nutcrackers,
pen stands. 'Mastani Mahal' is regarded to be the masterpiece
to this museum, which was erected here in its original form.
The wood carvings include carved wooden doors and windows
from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The metal
objects include locks, ink pots, ritual bowls and nutcrackers.
There are also an assortment of oil lamns in and copper.
Another collection is of the paintings from addition is
the section on women, which depicts their important role
in Indian society. Articles belonging to Mughal and Maratha
periods that date back to 17th century are displayed at
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. Musical instruments, metalwork,
exquisite chitrakathi paintings and a unique lock collection
are the other attractions of the museum.
RAIGAD
FORT- PUNE: 126 kms from Pune, This is the very
heart of Maratha country -- Raigad, the capital of Shivaji's
kingdom. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block
of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible
from three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic
deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad. It was here
that Shivaji built his capital city in the 14th century,
and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati. For six years
up to his death, Raigad remained the capital of the Marathas
with its broad gates and magnificent monuments. There was
only one pathway leading to the top, and prizes were offered
to those who scaled the fort through unconventional methods.
Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire an
aura of grandeur. Shivaji's impregnable capital, the place
where he was crowed and where he died. Besides the fort,
you'll find his samadhi and the remains of his palace.
MURUD
JANJIRA - The island fort of Murud Janjira is a
well-known architectural heritage from a lesser-known dynasty
that has stood unconquered for centuries. A symbol of the
Siddi dynasty from Janjira that stood strong against the
British and Maratha Empires, there are number of tourists
attractions present at Murud Janjira. From the beaches at
Nandgaon (Ganapati Temple) and Kashid to the Palace of the
Nawabs and Janjira caves, you can see them all on your tour
to Murud Janjira Fort in Maharashtra.
MASTANI
MAHAL- KOTHRUD: Legends about Mastani and her presumed
stay at Shaniwar Wada apart, it is most certain that Bajirao
I did build for her a palace at Kothrud. Laying waste in
the wilderness, the Mahal was recreated by Pune's 'Kaka'
Dinkar Kelkar. An avid art collector, 'Kaka' transplanted
the fine wooden pillars and wall paintings to his museum
at Pune. The
living room of the Wada as assembled in the same style from
the original woodwork here reveals the intricate architecture
and woodcarving as well as wall paintings. The superb furnishings
evoke the atmosphere of the home of Mastani,whose portrait
on glass is also present in the museum
TRIMBUKESHWAR
TEMPLE: Trimbakeshwar
temple is a religious center having one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here
is its three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and
Lord Rudra. Due to excessive use of water, the linga has
started to erode. It is said that this erosion symbolizes
the eroding nature of human society. The Lingas at Trimbakeshwar
are covered by a jeweled crown which is placed over the
Gold Mask of Tridev (Brahma Vishnu Mahesh). The crown is
said to be from the age of Pandavs and consists of diamonds,
emeralds, and many precious stones. The crown is displayed
every Monday from 4-5 pm (Shiva).All other Jyotirlingas
have Shiva as the main deity. The entire black stone temple
is known for its appealing architecture and sculpture and
is at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri.Three
sources of the godavari originate from the brahmagiri mountain.
Introduction of the holy place Shri Trimbakeshwar
