Maharashtra State of India: A Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

There is Mumbai, with its local trains, Art Deco buildings, crowded markets and Arabian Sea sunsets. There are the basalt cliffs of the Sahyadris, where ancient forts appear suddenly above valleys covered in monsoon mist. There is the Konkan coast, where red earth meets coconut groves and fishing villages. Further inland, the landscape changes again—dry farmland, temple towns, old trading routes and enormous rock-cut monuments.

Introduction: Maharashtra Is Not One Destination

The first thing to understand about the Maharashtra State of India is that it refuses to fit into a single travel story.

There is Mumbai, with its local trains, Art Deco buildings, crowded markets and Arabian Sea sunsets. There are the basalt cliffs of the Sahyadris, where ancient forts appear suddenly above valleys covered in monsoon mist. There is the Konkan coast, where red earth meets coconut groves and fishing villages. Further inland, the landscape changes again—dry farmland, temple towns, old trading routes and enormous rock-cut monuments.

At Ajanta, paintings survive inside a horseshoe-shaped gorge, far removed from the noise of modern India. At Ellora, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments were carved into the same basalt escarpment over centuries. On Elephanta Island, just offshore from Mumbai, enormous sculptures emerge from darkness inside a rock-cut sanctuary. UNESCO describes Elephanta as one of the finest expressions of Indian art, while Ellora is remarkable for its monuments representing three major religious traditions.

And then there are the caves.

At Ajanta, paintings survive inside a horseshoe-shaped gorge, far removed from the noise of modern India. At Ellora, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments were carved into the same basalt escarpment over centuries. On Elephanta Island, just offshore from Mumbai, enormous sculptures emerge from darkness inside a rock-cut sanctuary. UNESCO describes Elephanta as one of the finest expressions of Indian art, while Ellora is remarkable for its monuments representing three major religious traditions.

For a photographer, Maharashtra is particularly rewarding because the landscape keeps changing. One morning might begin with blue-hour fishing boats in Mumbai. By afternoon, you could be photographing temple bells in Pune. A few days later, you may be standing on a fort wall above a valley of clouds. This is not a state you simply "cover."

For a photographer, Maharashtra is particularly rewarding because the landscape keeps changing.

One morning might begin with blue-hour fishing boats in Mumbai. By afternoon, you could be photographing temple bells in Pune. A few days later, you may be standing on a fort wall above a valley of clouds.

This is not a state you simply "cover."

It is a state you slowly read.

Why Visit the Maharashtra State of India? Maharashtra works especially well for travelers who enjoy combining different experiences rather than following a conventional sightseeing checklist. You can build an India trip around: Ancient rock-cut architecture Maratha forts and military history Mumbai's urban culture Konkan beaches and fishing villages Western Ghats landscapes

Why Visit the Maharashtra State of India?

Maharashtra works especially well for travelers who enjoy combining different experiences rather than following a conventional sightseeing checklist.

You can build an India trip around:

  • Ancient rock-cut architecture

  • Maratha forts and military history

  • Mumbai's urban culture

  • Konkan beaches and fishing villages

  • Western Ghats landscapes

  • Wildlife safaris

  • Tribal art and rural communities

  • Pilgrimage towns

  • Regional Maharashtrian cuisine

  • Photography and cultural documentation

  • Monsoon road trips

  • Weekend escapes from Mumbai and Pune

The official Maharashtra tourism portal itself highlights the state's combination of forts, spiritual sites, UNESCO heritage, wildlife and diverse landscapes.

But what makes Maharashtra interesting is the proximity of these different worlds.

You can leave a modern financial district in Mumbai and, within a few hours, find yourself in a village where the pace of life is governed by farming, rainfall and local festivals.

That contrast is the real attraction.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Maharashtra Maharashtra's history is layered rather than linear. The Deccan plateau was shaped by several dynasties, trading networks, religious movements and military powers. Buddhist communities carved monasteries and prayer halls into basalt. Later Hindu and Jain traditions created monumental cave architecture. Medieval kingdoms established fortified settlements, while the Maratha period transformed the Sahyadri landscape into a sophisticated network of hill forts.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Maharashtra

Maharashtra's history is layered rather than linear.

The Deccan plateau was shaped by several dynasties, trading networks, religious movements and military powers. Buddhist communities carved monasteries and prayer halls into basalt. Later Hindu and Jain traditions created monumental cave architecture. Medieval kingdoms established fortified settlements, while the Maratha period transformed the Sahyadri landscape into a sophisticated network of hill forts.

The Maratha connection The forts are perhaps the most visible reminder of this history. Torna, for example, occupies an important place in the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to Maharashtra Tourism, Shivaji captured Torna at the age of 16 in 1646, making it an important early step in the formation of his kingdom. At 1,403 metres, Torna is also one of the highest hill forts in the region.

The Maratha connection

The forts are perhaps the most visible reminder of this history.

Torna, for example, occupies an important place in the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to Maharashtra Tourism, Shivaji captured Torna at the age of 16 in 1646, making it an important early step in the formation of his kingdom. At 1,403 metres, Torna is also one of the highest hill forts in the region.

Panhala tells a different story. Its location controlled an important route between the Deccan and the Konkan, giving the fort enormous strategic value. It later became closely associated with Shivaji's campaigns and the Maratha period.

These forts are not merely monuments.

Their locations explain their purpose.

Stand on a fort rampart at sunrise and look across the valleys. Suddenly, the history becomes easier to understand.

Ajanta, Ellora and the Art of Carving a Civilization For many travelers, the Ajanta and Ellora caves are the intellectual heart of a Maharashtra trip. Ajanta's earliest Buddhist monuments date to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, while later additions were made during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The complex contains monasteries and prayer halls excavated into a cliff above the Waghora River. Its paintings and sculptures are regarded by UNESCO as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.

Ajanta, Ellora and the Art of Carving a Civilization

For many travelers, the Ajanta and Ellora caves are the intellectual heart of a Maharashtra trip.

Ajanta's earliest Buddhist monuments date to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, while later additions were made during the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The complex contains monasteries and prayer halls excavated into a cliff above the Waghora River. Its paintings and sculptures are regarded by UNESCO as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.

Ellora is different. Its 34 monasteries and temples stretch for more than two kilometres along a basalt cliff. The complex contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, representing centuries of artistic activity and religious coexistence.

Ellora is different.

Its 34 monasteries and temples stretch for more than two kilometres along a basalt cliff. The complex contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, representing centuries of artistic activity and religious coexistence.

A photographer's observation Don't photograph these places only as monuments. Look for transitions. Light entering a cave entrance. A pilgrim standing beside a massive sculpture. A tiny human figure beneath an enormous carved wall.

A photographer's observation

Don't photograph these places only as monuments.

Look for transitions.

Light entering a cave entrance.

A pilgrim standing beside a massive sculpture.

A tiny human figure beneath an enormous carved wall.

The texture of basalt. The relationship between shadow and stone. At Ajanta, subdued light is part of the experience. Modern lighting and conservation restrictions mean that you need to work with what is available rather than trying to recreate the dramatic lighting you might imagine from photographs.

The texture of basalt.

The relationship between shadow and stone.

At Ajanta, subdued light is part of the experience. Modern lighting and conservation restrictions mean that you need to work with what is available rather than trying to recreate the dramatic lighting you might imagine from photographs.

A fast prime lens, high ISO capability and careful exposure can be more useful than carrying a large collection of equipment.

Mumbai deserves more than a day squeezed between flights. It is one of those cities where photography becomes a form of observation. Start early. The city is softer before the traffic fully takes over. Around the waterfront, fishermen work with the concentration of people who have repeated the same movements for decades. Local trains begin filling. Newspaper vendors arrange their stacks. Tea stalls become informal meeting places.

Mumbai: The Urban Face of Maharashtra

Mumbai deserves more than a day squeezed between flights.

It is one of those cities where photography becomes a form of observation.

Start early.

The city is softer before the traffic fully takes over. Around the waterfront, fishermen work with the concentration of people who have repeated the same movements for decades. Local trains begin filling. Newspaper vendors arrange their stacks. Tea stalls become informal meeting places.

Then there is the architecture.

South Mumbai's colonial-era buildings, Art Deco facades and grand railway architecture offer a completely different photographic vocabulary.

Try looking beyond famous landmarks.

Photograph: Reflections in old shop windows Street signs Architectural details Local markets Fishermen repairing nets Workers opening shops Commuters during the morning rush Buildings framed through narrow lanes

Photograph:

  • Reflections in old shop windows

  • Street signs

  • Architectural details

  • Local markets

  • Fishermen repairing nets

  • Workers opening shops

  • Commuters during the morning rush

  • Buildings framed through narrow lanes

Mumbai becomes much more interesting when you stop trying to photograph "Mumbai" and start photographing the people who make the city work.

Pune and the Sahyadris Pune is an excellent base for exploring Maharashtra's fort country. Sinhagad is the obvious choice, but experienced travelers should consider spreading their time across lesser-known forts and rural landscapes.

Pune and the Sahyadris

Pune is an excellent base for exploring Maharashtra's fort country.

Sinhagad is the obvious choice, but experienced travelers should consider spreading their time across lesser-known forts and rural landscapes.

Shivneri is especially significant because it is traditionally identified as the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. The fort also contains historic water springs, including those locally known as Ganga and Yamuna.

Shivneri is especially significant because it is traditionally identified as the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. The fort also contains historic water springs, including those locally known as Ganga and Yamuna.

For photography, the Sahyadris are seasonal. During monsoon, hills become intensely green and waterfalls appear along the slopes. Roads can become slippery, however, and trekking conditions change quickly. Maharashtra Tourism specifically recommends caution on wet trails. Winter is easier.

For photography, the Sahyadris are seasonal.

During monsoon, hills become intensely green and waterfalls appear along the slopes. Roads can become slippery, however, and trekking conditions change quickly. Maharashtra Tourism specifically recommends caution on wet trails.

Winter is easier.

The air is clearer, trails are more comfortable and distant ridgelines become visible.

The best fort photography strategy Don't arrive at noon. Start before sunrise. The first light creates long shadows across the fort walls and gives the surrounding mountains depth. If you are photographing people, early morning light also tends to produce softer skin tones than harsh midday sunlight.

The best fort photography strategy

Don't arrive at noon.

Start before sunrise.

The first light creates long shadows across the fort walls and gives the surrounding mountains depth. If you are photographing people, early morning light also tends to produce softer skin tones than harsh midday sunlight.

Konkan: Where Maharashtra Meets the Arabian Sea The Konkan coast is one of the best reasons to slow down. Instead of treating coastal Maharashtra as a collection of beaches, explore the landscape behind them. There are villages, mango orchards, fishing settlements, temples, laterite houses and winding roads disappearing into coconut groves.

Konkan: Where Maharashtra Meets the Arabian Sea

The Konkan coast is one of the best reasons to slow down.

Instead of treating coastal Maharashtra as a collection of beaches, explore the landscape behind them.

There are villages, mango orchards, fishing settlements, temples, laterite houses and winding roads disappearing into coconut groves.

This is a region where travel becomes less about attractions and more about rhythm.

A typical day might involve:

  1. Early morning walk through a fishing village.

  2. Breakfast at a small local eatery.

  3. Drive through coastal countryside.

  4. Visit a fort or temple.

  5. Spend the afternoon at the beach.

  6. Photograph sunset.

  7. Eat a seafood dinner or vegetarian Konkan meal.

The red laterite soil is particularly striking after rain.

For photography, cloudy monsoon conditions can actually be an advantage. The sky becomes a giant softbox, reducing harsh contrast and bringing out the texture of wet roads, tiled roofs and vegetation.

Hidden Maharashtra: Places Worth Going Beyond the Usual Circuit A good India trip should leave room for detours. Jawhar Jawhar in Palghar district offers a combination of forested hills, waterfalls, royal history and Warli culture. The region is associated with traditional Warli painting, an indigenous visual language depicting everyday life, rituals, farming and nature.

Hidden Maharashtra: Places Worth Going Beyond the Usual Circuit

A good India trip should leave room for detours.

Jawhar

Jawhar in Palghar district offers a combination of forested hills, waterfalls, royal history and Warli culture. The region is associated with traditional Warli painting, an indigenous visual language depicting everyday life, rituals, farming and nature.

For photographers, Jawhar becomes particularly atmospheric during the monsoon.

Fog hangs over the hills. Waterfalls become louder. Roads turn reflective.

If you photograph Warli artists, spend time learning about the work rather than treating the paintings merely as souvenirs.

Paithan

Paithan is another fascinating detour.

The town is associated with Saint Eknath and is famous for Paithani silk weaving. Maharashtra Tourism also identifies Paithan as a historically important settlement with connections extending back to ancient periods.

A visit to a weaving household or workshop can become one of the most memorable cultural experiences of a Maharashtra journey.

Watch the hands.

The movement of the loom tells a better story than a photograph of the finished sari.

Pauni

In eastern Maharashtra, Pauni offers a very different landscape and cultural atmosphere. The town sits near the Wainganga River and is sometimes referred to as the "Kashi of Vidarbha." Its fort, river landscape and temples provide an unusual combination for travelers exploring beyond western Maharashtra.

Best Photography Spots in Maharashtra Location Best subject Ideal light Mumbai waterfront Boats, skyline, people Sunrise / blue hour South Mumbai Architecture and streets Early morning Elephanta Rock-cut sculpture Morning Ajanta Caves and landscapes Morning Ellora Architecture and scale Morning to afternoon

Best Photography Spots in Maharashtra

LocationBest subjectIdeal light
Mumbai waterfrontBoats, skyline, peopleSunrise / blue hour
South MumbaiArchitecture and streetsEarly morning
ElephantaRock-cut sculptureMorning
AjantaCaves and landscapesMorning
ElloraArchitecture and scaleMorning to afternoon
SinhagadFort and mountain landscapeSunrise / sunset
TornaSahyadri panoramaSunrise
Konkan coastVillages, beaches, fishingEarly morning / golden hour
JawharWarli culture and landscapesMorning / monsoon
MatheranForests, cliffs and valleysEarly morning
MahabaleshwarValleys and countrysideSunrise / late afternoon
PanhalaFort architectureEarly morning

Matheran deserves special mention because motor vehicles are prohibited beyond Dasturi Naka, meaning the final approach is on foot, horseback or by hand-pulled rickshaw. That restriction gives the hill station a very different atmosphere from many other popular destinations.

Photography Tips for Maharashtra Carry less equipment than you think you need. A practical kit would be: One wide-angle lens One standard zoom or prime One telephoto if wildlife is part of the itinerary Polarizing filter Rain protection Extra batteries


Photography Tips for Maharashtra

Carry less equipment than you think you need.

A practical kit would be:

  • One wide-angle lens

  • One standard zoom or prime

  • One telephoto if wildlife is part of the itinerary

  • Polarizing filter

  • Rain protection

  • Extra batteries

  • Microfiber cloths

  • Small tripod for low-light work

Photographing during monsoon

Keep a simple rain cover accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your backpack.

Rain can arrive quickly in the Sahyadris.

Also remember that fog is not a problem to eliminate.

It is a compositional tool.

Use silhouettes, layers and negative space. A mountain disappearing into mist can sometimes communicate Maharashtra's monsoon landscape better than a perfectly sharp panorama.

Photographing people Ask before making a close portrait. If communication is difficult, a smile and a gesture toward your camera usually work better than immediately raising the lens. And after making the photograph, show the person the image when possible. That small interaction c

Photographing people

Ask before making a close portrait.

If communication is difficult, a smile and a gesture toward your camera usually work better than immediately raising the lens.

And after making the photograph, show the person the image when possible.

That small interaction can turn a photograph into a human exchange.

Food: Maharashtra on a Plate Maharashtra's cuisine changes dramatically with geography. Coastal cooking uses coconut, seafood and kokum. Inland regions rely more heavily on grains such as jowar and bajra, along with pulses, chutneys and pickles. Some foods worth seeking out include:

Food: Maharashtra on a Plate

Maharashtra's cuisine changes dramatically with geography.

Coastal cooking uses coconut, seafood and kokum. Inland regions rely more heavily on grains such as jowar and bajra, along with pulses, chutneys and pickles.

Some foods worth seeking out include:

  • Misal pav

  • Vada pav

  • Pithla bhakri

  • Thalipeeth

  • Bharli vangi

  • Kothimbir vadi

  • Sabudana khichdi

  • Sol kadhi

  • Puran poli

  • Ukadiche modak

  • Kolhapuri-style dishes

  • Konkan seafood preparations

Do not judge Maharashtrian food solely by what you find in Mumbai.

Try regional food in smaller towns.

That is where ingredients, cooking methods and family traditions start revealing the geography behind the cuisine.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, ukadiche modak becomes particularly important. The festival itself has a special place in Maharashtra's cultural identity, and public celebrations were famously transformed by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 into a major community festival during the freedom movement.

Local Conversations: The Stories Between the Attractions Some of the strongest travel memories are not attached to monuments. They happen over tea. A shopkeeper may recommend a fort you had never heard of. A taxi driver might tell you about a waterfall that doesn't appear in your itinerary. A farmer may explain why the road looks different after the monsoon.


Local Conversations: The Stories Between the Attractions

Some of the strongest travel memories are not attached to monuments.

They happen over tea.

A shopkeeper may recommend a fort you had never heard of. A taxi driver might tell you about a waterfall that doesn't appear in your itinerary. A farmer may explain why the road looks different after the monsoon.

Listen.

Maharashtra's cultural landscape is often easier to understand through ordinary conversations than through formal sightseeing.

In rural areas especially, avoid arriving with the assumption that your camera gives you automatic access.

People are not props.

If someone invites you for tea, accept when practical. If someone doesn't want to be photographed, respect it immediately.

Travel becomes richer when curiosity goes both ways.

Best Time to Visit Maharashtra

There is no single best month for the entire state.

It depends on what you want to photograph and experience.

October to February: Best overall season

This is generally the easiest period for sightseeing, trekking and road trips. Maharashtra Tourism identifies October to February as a particularly favorable period for many destinations.

Expect:

  • Pleasant weather

  • Clearer skies

  • Better trekking conditions

  • Comfortable city exploration

  • Strong photography opportunities

June to September: Best for landscapes

Monsoon transforms the Western Ghats.

Waterfalls appear. Hills become green. Clouds settle into valleys.

For photographers, this can be the most dramatic season.

But don't underestimate the rain. Heavy showers can affect roads, trekking trails and outdoor plans.

March to May: Hot but useful

Summer can be uncomfortable in the plains.

However, early mornings and evenings can still work well for photography. Hill stations such as Matheran can offer relief from the heat.

How to Reach Maharashtra Maharashtra is one of India's best-connected states. By air Mumbai and Pune are the main international and domestic gateways for many travelers. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is useful for exploring Ajanta, Ellora and the surrounding heritage region.

How to Reach Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of India's best-connected states.

By air

Mumbai and Pune are the main international and domestic gateways for many travelers. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is useful for exploring Ajanta, Ellora and the surrounding heritage region.

By train

Rail is particularly useful for an India trip involving Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other major cities.

By road

A road trip is arguably the best way to explore the less obvious Maharashtra.

The highways can get you between major cities quickly, but the smaller roads are where the photographic surprises often happen.

Where to Stay in Maharashtra

Your accommodation strategy should depend on the kind of trip you are planning.

For cities

Choose central locations in Mumbai or Pune when you want easy access to public transport, markets and cultural attractions.

For heritage travel

Stay around Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar when visiting Ajanta and Ellora.

For mountains

Consider smaller hotels, guesthouses and homestays around Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani or Jawhar.

For rural experiences

Look for legitimate farm stays and rural homestays.

Maharashtra Tourism specifically promotes agro-tourism and homestays as ways of experiencing local agriculture, food and rural life more closely.

Budget Tips for a Maharashtra Trip

Maharashtra can be expensive or surprisingly affordable depending on how you travel.

Budget traveler

Use:

  • Trains

  • State buses

  • Local eateries

  • Guesthouses

  • Homestays

  • Shared transport

Mid-range traveler

A combination of trains, hired cars for selected sections, comfortable hotels and local restaurants works well.

Photographer's approach

Spend less on changing hotels every night.

Instead, stay two or three nights in one location and explore slowly.

The best photographs rarely come from rushing between ten attractions.

Suggested 10-Day Maharashtra Itinerary

Day 1–2: Mumbai

Explore South Mumbai, markets, waterfronts and heritage architecture.

Day 3: Mumbai to Pune

Travel to Pune and explore its historic neighborhoods and food scene.

Day 4: Pune and Sinhagad

Start early for Sinhagad and spend the afternoon exploring Pune.

Day 5: Pune to Mahabaleshwar

Drive through the Western Ghats.

Stay overnight.

Day 6: Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani

Focus on viewpoints, rural landscapes and local food.

Day 7: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Travel toward Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Day 8: Ellora

Spend substantial time at Ellora rather than rushing through the caves.

Day 9: Ajanta

Start early and dedicate most of the day to Ajanta.

Day 10: Return

Depart from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar or return toward Mumbai/Pune depending on your onward plans.

For a longer India trip, extend the journey toward Konkan, Kolhapur, Tadoba, Nashik, Jawhar or the eastern districts.

Responsible Travel in Maharashtra

Responsible travel here is less complicated than it sounds.

It mostly means paying attention.

  • Don't litter around forts or waterfalls.

  • Avoid damaging rock surfaces.

  • Don't touch ancient paintings or sculptures.

  • Respect temple photography restrictions.

  • Ask before photographing people.

  • Avoid loud behavior at religious sites.

  • Carry reusable water bottles.

  • Support local eateries and artisans.

  • Buy genuine local crafts rather than mass-produced "tribal" souvenirs.

  • Avoid disturbing wildlife.

  • Be particularly careful with plastic during monsoon treks.

At heritage sites, remember that some of what looks like ordinary stone may be hundreds or thousands of years old.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Trying to see the whole state in one trip Maharashtra is enormous. Choose one region and explore it properly. Visiting forts at midday You will get harsh light, heat and fewer photographic opportunities. Go early.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trying to see the whole state in one trip

Maharashtra is enormous.

Choose one region and explore it properly.

Visiting forts at midday

You will get harsh light, heat and fewer photographic opportunities.

Go early.

Treating Mumbai as a two-day stopover

Mumbai needs time.

Even if you don't love cities, its street life and architecture deserve observation.

Ignoring monsoon conditions

The landscape may be spectacular, but roads and trails can become dangerous.

Eating only familiar food

If you spend your entire trip eating generic restaurant food, you miss one of Maharashtra's strongest cultural experiences.

Photographing without engaging

The best photographs often come after a conversation.

FAQs About the Maharashtra State of India What is Maharashtra famous for? The Maharashtra State of India is famous for Mumbai, Maratha forts, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Elephanta Caves, Western Ghats landscapes, Konkan beaches, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtrian cuisine and diverse cultural traditions.

FAQs About the Maharashtra State of India

What is Maharashtra famous for?

The Maharashtra State of India is famous for Mumbai, Maratha forts, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Elephanta Caves, Western Ghats landscapes, Konkan beaches, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtrian cuisine and diverse cultural traditions.

Which are the best places to visit in Maharashtra for the first time?

For a first trip, consider Mumbai, Pune, Sinhagad or another Sahyadri fort, Mahabaleshwar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ajanta and Ellora. If you have additional time, explore Konkan or Jawhar.

What is the best time to visit Maharashtra?

October to February is generally the easiest period for sightseeing and outdoor activities. June to September is particularly attractive for Western Ghats landscapes, waterfalls and monsoon photography, although heavy rain can disrupt travel.

Is Maharashtra good for a photography trip?

Absolutely. Maharashtra offers urban photography, architecture, wildlife, landscapes, portraits, cultural photography, heritage architecture and dramatic monsoon scenes.

How many days are enough for Maharashtra?

A week is enough for a focused regional trip, but 10–14 days gives you considerably more flexibility. Exploring the entire state properly would require multiple trips.

Are Ajanta and Ellora the same place?

No. Ajanta and Ellora are separate cave complexes. Ajanta is particularly renowned for Buddhist paintings and sculptures, while Ellora contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments.

What food should I try in Maharashtra?

Try misal pav, vada pav, pithla bhakri, thalipeeth, bharli vangi, kothimbir vadi, sol kadhi, puran poli and ukadiche modak. Along the Konkan coast, explore regional seafood and coconut-based dishes.

Is Maharashtra suitable for a road trip?

Yes. A road trip is one of the best ways to explore the Sahyadris, Konkan villages, forts and lesser-known destinations. However, monsoon driving requires additional caution.

What are some lesser-known places in Maharashtra?

Jawhar, Paithan and Pauni are interesting alternatives to the standard Mumbai-Pune-Mahabaleshwar circuit. Jawhar is especially interesting for travelers interested in Warli culture and monsoon landscapes.

Final Thoughts: Maharashtra Rewards the Curious Traveler The Maharashtra State of India is not a destination that reveals itself immediately. Its famous landmarks are impressive, certainly. The caves are extraordinary. The forts are dramatic. Mumbai is endlessly photogenic. But those are only the entry points.

Final Thoughts: Maharashtra Rewards the Curious Traveler

The Maharashtra State of India is not a destination that reveals itself immediately.

Its famous landmarks are impressive, certainly. The caves are extraordinary. The forts are dramatic. Mumbai is endlessly photogenic.

But those are only the entry points.

The deeper experience happens on a narrow road through the Sahyadris. It happens while watching a fisherman pull a net toward shore. It happens when a fort wall suddenly appears through monsoon fog. It happens inside a small restaurant when someone puts an unfamiliar Maharashtrian dish on your table and explains how it is eaten.

It happens when you stop checking the itinerary.

For a photographer, Maharashtra offers another lesson: look for relationships rather than objects.

A person beside an ancient wall.

A fishing boat against a changing sky.

A temple bell framed through a doorway.

A village road disappearing into green hills.

A loom moving rhythmically inside a weaver's home.

These are the photographs that stay with you.

And perhaps that is the best way to approach Maharashtra—not as a state to be completed, but as a collection of stories that gradually become personal.

Come for Mumbai.

Stay for the forts.

Return for the food.

And leave with photographs that tell you something about the people, landscapes and history you encountered along the way.

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Introduction: When the Landscape Refuses to Stay Still There are places you visit for monuments. There are places you visit for food. And then there are places where the landscape itself becomes the story.

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Nestled on the picturesque eastern coast of India, the town of Konark boasts a cultural jewel - the Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts visitors from across the globe. However, a perplexing question echoes through the town's narrow lanes and serene beaches: why hasn't Konark witnessed the same level of development that its revered temple suggests? In this exploration, we delve into the factors that contribute to Konark's developmental conundrum.


Odisha State of India: A Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

To understand the Taj Mahal fully, one must not stop at its gates. Across the Yamuna River lies a quieter counterpart — Mehtab Bagh, or the Moonlit Garden — a space that once framed the Taj within a grand Mughal landscape design. Today it serves as one of the most atmospheric viewpoints for the Taj Mahal, especially during late afternoons and twilight.

Explore Uttar Pradesh State of India: A Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

I never saw a person throwing garbage on the road and almost every place has dustbins. Many of the taxi drivers keep plastic-bins to keep the waste. Every village is equipped with dustbins which are most of the times made up of waste. This level of awareness and proactive planning is very much required to encourage tourism in right way. Involving local communities always help in maintaining places well and they start seeing huge value in ensuring that places remain clean and well maintained. Most of the folks we encountered were very humble and cheerful.


One of the most exciting places we visited during our road-trip from Noida to Rameshwaram is Gandikota and there are multiple reasons for that. This blogpost will share more about Gandikota, the amazing places to explore around it, along with specially curated list of tips by Travellingcamera.


Nested between the Kandariya Mahadev and the Devi Jagdambi Temples is a small temple knowns as the Mahadev Shrine. The sculpture of a rampant lion fighting a kneeling figure has been installed on the porch. This is supposed to be the emblem of the Chandelas.

The West Bengal State of India is difficult to understand from a single itinerary. One morning can begin with the sound of temple bells in Kolkata, move through mustard-coloured fields and sleepy railway stations by afternoon, and end several hundred kilometres away with Himalayan mist settling over a Darjeeling tea garden. Travel south and the landscape changes again: rivers widen, land disappears into tidal channels, and the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans begin to feel less like a destination and more like another world.

West Bengal State of India: A Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

When in Mumbai, we drove around few of the popular places in Mumbai and Travellingcamera visited Sea-link twice in 2 days and loved shooting here. Sea Link connects old Mumbai with new city. This Photo Journey shares more photographs of Sea Link and places from where this beautiful bridge is viewed and clicked.I was staying at JW Marriot near Airport and didn't want to go to other side of Mumbai city and there is a toll at beginning of Sea Link. So we went till the beginning of Sea Link and took u turn from left after clicking few shots of sea, sea link and high-rise buildings on other side of the sea.I was not happy with what I clicked at this place, so planned to come again but overall all the photographs in my opinion are average. I have seen some of the stunning photographs on web but then realized that I needed to know more about the geography of the place and what makes the best choice to shoot Sea Link.The weather was rainy and it was hazy all around. I clicked some of these plain shots of high-rise buildings on other side of the sea.After taking u turn before the sea link starts, we went to bandstand. After little disappointment about Shahrukh Khan's house at Bandstand, we headed towards Taj LandsEnd and came across these amazing views of Sea link. This certainly is beautiful place to shoot Sea Link and I was imagining how the bridge would look in night when lights on the bridge shine.Next day, plan was to visit Gateway of India and we had to cross the Bridge, so we planned to stop our cab again. Light was a little better, but there was hardly any scope of moving around and trying different things and we were in little hurry.Now we had to cross the bridge, but stopping the cab on bridge was not allowed and our driver strictly conveyed the same to us. So we calmly sat on the back seat and made our cameras to shoot while driving.As we hit the bridge, it started raining heavily and now wiper was also running on the front glass. So we had to manage our clicks in such a way that we shoot front view without much distraction :)Mumbai rains are crazy and very unpredictable. That was one of the main reason that we booked the cab for whole day. It was my first attempt to book Ola cab for whole day and it was not so bad, like my earlier experience with Ola.Overall it was fun driving around Bandra-Worli sea link and clicking these photographs. I wish to spend more time in Mumbai and understand these places in better way.

Mumbai Travel Guide: City of Dreams, Heritage, Food & Bollywood - Capital Cities of Indian States [Maharashtra]


In city life we live & travel in cement jungle. We need to breath and experience true nature and its love. Matheran is really such amazing place where nature is playing active role with you and where you can enjoy every breath with nature.


Located in the town of Ramtek in Maharashtra, the Ramtek Fort is a historic fort that is of significant cultural and historical importance. The fort is a popular tourist attraction and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, and natural beauty.


Located in the town of Ramtek, Maharashtra, Karpur Baoli is a stepwell that is of significant historical and architectural importance. The stepwell is a hidden gem that is not widely known and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a unique and offbeat travel experience. This is the place we visited first, after reaching Ramtek from Nagpur.

Reached this huge campus of Four Seasons Vineyard in Baramati region of Maharashtra. Above photograph shows the view of vineyard from reception area. Not sure if you would be able to figure out the gate on other end which shows the boundry of this 55 acres vineyard. Different types of grapes were hanging all around the place with exotic name tags around the boundaries. After having a quick sight of the place, we headed for refreshing welcome drink at reception. It was time to head towards our rooms and gear up for lot of exciting activities.Lunch was arranged at the vineyard and Chef Hitesh Gautam had come from Hyatt Banglore to Baramati to meet the bloggers & help them understand the wine-food pairing. He introduced us to different types of Indian preparations and did appropriate wine pairing for us. Dining sessions with appropriate wines was one of the exciting things during this visit and I personally loved the way Chef Hitesh put his best efforts in making things rock every time. Probably I would share a separate post on the food served with various Four Seasons wines during lunch and dinner at the vineyard.Here is the gang of Delhi and Banglore Bloggers with Mr Bala. Chef Hitesh Gautam is there on left image, who offered great food-wine pairings during the lunch. And Mr. Datta on right image, who served us all the wines while Mr. Bala was explaining us about various Four Seasons wines. Apart from Four Seasons, we also tried 'Ritu' wines during the lunch. After some rest, we headed to understand the 5 step wine making process. Grapes are harvested and brought to the winery. Some grapes are grown in this campus and lot of material is brought from other farms as well. Next step is to sort these grapes and pass through crushing machine to get juice which is transferred to these huge stainless steel tanks for fermentation. After fermentation process, wine is stabilized and then filtered.This filtered wine is transferred to barrels for maturation, but not every wine is put in barrels for maturation and also the quality of barrels varies for different kind of wines. Finally this wine is bottled and distributed to the customers through various channels. This is a very top level overview of the way wine is made. But there is a long process to be followed to produce good wine and that's what we understood from this visit. Each of these stages of creating wine have various quality assurance steps.The huge fermentation tanks you see in above photographs are temperature controlled. Pneumatic Press machine is used for crushing wine grapes. Supposedly this machine is considered as one of the best machines to handle grapes in gentle way, in absence of oxygen to maintain the quality. During these conversations Mr Raghu clarified lot of our confusions about wine. The way wine bottles should be put, why/why-not, type of wines, the way they should be consumed etc.All the barrels at Four Seasons Winery are imported from France. These are made up of oak, which is considered as best wood to make barrels for wine-making. It seems that maturing & aging of wine in oak barrels smoothen out the tannins. During the visit, Mr Raghu also shared various facts about different types or barrels and difference between barrels used for whiskey & wine. Wine is kept in these barrels for long durations and duration varies from one type of wine to the other. Throughout the process, wine is monitored on regular basis to ensure that things are going in right way. With time, quality team also figures out that some of the barrels are doing pretty good, which are used for premium wines later and some needed to be discarded as well. On regular basis, wine is taken from these barrels and tested in lab for acidity & other relevant parameters to ensure that it's maturing in the way team wants it to be.Bottling unit in this wineyard is also used for Golconda premium. When we entered into the bottling hall, Golconda was being bottled & labeled. This bottling unit is imported from Italy and has a capacity of bottling 2500 bottles in an hour. It's fully automated. At each stage, people ensure that each bottle is properly cleaned, filled, closed or labelled. If there is some problem, bottle is removed form the queue. Apart from that few bottles go to the lab to check that cap/cork is appropriately put on top of bottle. There are some standards to ensure the pressure. Idea is not to have them loose or very tight on wine bottles. During this whole session of understanding wine making process, we tried 6-7 more types of wines - some from barrels with 4-5 year old wine, few from fermentation tanks & grape juice. Personally I hated the grape juice and wine from fermented tanks. One of the old Shiraz wine was amazing. This was first time when I was really able to appreciate the aroma of a wine. This one had subtle aromas of oak wood with decent smoothness. Also acidity was perfect for me to consume. I was about to ask if I can have a bottle from that barrel, but stopped my emotions :) . At the end Raghu told us that more wine will be served with bar-b-Que and especially the sparking wines :) .. It was the time, when we already had 12-14 glasses of different types of wines. Of-course, some of them were kept aside after few sips.After a brief tour of the winery, we took an extended tour of the property. This Vineyard has 10 rooms and 4 suites, all of them beautifully done and give a feel that you are living in a Vineyard. There is a huge palace like complex in the vineyard which has all these rooms and there are plans to expand the capacity so that larger groups can also come and enjoy the experience to spend time in a vineyard. Apart from that, this vineyard has a swimming pool, party deck with lawns, terrace and a spa which is not yet functional.In this winery, wines are made from grapes grown in Sahyadri valley of Maharashtra State in India. This Four Seasons Winery is located at ~65 kilometers from Pune and ~30 kilometers from Baramati. There is a multistory tower in this complex which gives amazing views of the vineyard and forest area behind it. In this tower, plans are to make a sports room on one floor, Library with wine lounge on another floor and some exciting plans under discussion with hospitality partners, who were there at the property when we visited. In long run, idea is to open this place for tourists to come and have an unmatchable experience.During night, this campus looks awesome. I should admit that I could not do justice to the beauty of the place and I also have series of excuses ready with me :) . Anyways, I will not discuss them here but want to share the fact that night photographs are shot by using a plastic table as tripod :). I forgot take my tripod with me.These series of fountains in front of Four Seasons Winery look amazing and at the same time, I wish that grass would have been maintained in better way :) . These lawns are looking worse in the photographs and that's one of the main reason that I have included very few of the shots I took around these fountains. This was the time when everyone was enjoying high tea on the front balcony of main restaurant. Few of the bloggers had stepped down to meet two attention seeking dogs in this vineyardSoon after we headed towards the swimming pool and lawn areas around it. It was getting windy, so we had to grab some warm cloths before hitting the next venue for enjoying wine with snacks served by Chef Hitesh Gautam. All the snacks were served on terrace gardens by the pool with live music performance. I thoroughy enjoyed the performances. Different wines accompanied us during this evening but Shiraz was the one that was there with me till 1:00 am. It was great to interact with Chef during the evening and know more about him & his profession. The beautiful evening ended with empty glasses all around and most of us were excited about morning walk in the grape farms with different varieties of grapes growing. We also planned to visit the forest on back side because Mr. Bala had shown us some photographs of forest having dears and hyenas.Next day started for us at 7am and as per plan, we were late. So first we walked around the grape farms having different varieties like - Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz etc. Apart from these various other types of grapes are used to produce Four Seasons wine at this Winery. These include - Viognier, Merlot, Zinfadel, Sauvignon Blanc.These grapes were not very photogenic, but as we moved we came across some decent sized Zinfadel grapes. Finally we ended up spending lot of time than what we had planned, but it was all worth. We had fun in grape farms. We tasted few of them but believe me, none of them tasted like what we consume in our routine life. It seems these particular grapes are more acidic and of-course they were not ready to consume yet.Four Seasons has a good range of wines including - Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Sauignon Blanc & Blush. My personal favorite is Four Seasons Chiraz which has a ruby-red classic shade with it's unique blend of violets & raspberries infused with spice & smoky character. Shiraz makes it an ideal accomplishment to Indian cuisine, particulary tandoori meats and biryani. It's always fun to have Shiraz with friends over bar-be-que. We also tried 'Ritu' wines which is an award winning international brand. 'Ritu' is a hindi word which means 'Season'.India’s most experienced wine maker Abhay Kewadkar joined us on last day. After having lunch with Mr Kewadkar, we moved our journey back to Pune. It was time to rewind the Vineyard memories during 2 hours drive with other bloggers. When we thought again about these two days, everything looked very hectic but it was all worth it. It was a great opportunity to learn, a special experience to stay in a Vineyard and lot more. I am sure that it would be one of the special experiences of 2014 for me. Thanks to Four Seasons Team for wonderful stay at the Vineyard and to all the bloggers for great company.To know more about the Four Seasons Vineyard in Baramati, check out - http://www.fourseasonsvineyards.com/

A visit to Four Season Vineyard in Baramati during Harvest Season (Maharashtra, India)

Digambar Jain Temple in Ramtek, Maharshtra : A Spiritual and Architectural Marvel

This filtered wine is transferred to barrels for maturation, but not every wine is put in barrels for maturation and also the quality of barrels varies for different kind of wines. Finally this wine is bottled and distributed to the customers through various channels. This is a very top level overview of the way wine is made. But there is a long process to be followed to produce good wine and that's what we understood from this visit. Each of these stages of creating wine have various quality assurance steps. The huge fermentation tanks you see in above photographs are temperature controlled. Related Blogpost - The Time-Turner Series || City of Hidden Treasures - Pune

Our First visit to a Vineyard in India - United Breweries in Baramati is a great place to have an exceptional wine tasting experience along with a well curated tour of the winery

Nestled in Maharashtra's Sahyadri mountain range, Warasgaon Lake and Lavasa emerge as an oasis of tranquility and natural splendor. This blog unveils the allure of this hidden gem, offering insights into the scenic vistas, outdoor activities, and cultural richness that attract travelers seeking rejuvenation and adventure.

Exploring the Serenity of Warasgaon Lake and Lavasa: Maharashtra's Hidden Gem

In the month of Feb, we visited Four Seasons Vineyard in Maharashtra state of India. We flew from Delhi to Pune and then took taxi for Baramati, where this beautiful vineyard is located. This Photo Journeys shares about this 2 hours drive in Maharashtra state and some interesting experiences. Four Seasons Vineyard had organized a Blogger Meet in Baramati and hence other bloggers from other Indian cities were also visiting. So two bloggers from Banglore & another one from Delhi was accompanying us in same taxi. Journey started with brief introduction by each blogger, their blogs and other things they do in life. It was an interesting round of discussions around Travel, India, Culture, Women, Politics, Arvind Kejriwal, Monetizing Blogs etc.It was Shivaji Jayanti on same day and we noticed lot of celebrations happening on the way. Since main highway was heavily jammed due to various processions, our driver chose to drive us through countryside roads and this decision made our journey more exciting.We crossed through various villages of Maharashtra. And it was awesome to see Shivaji Birthday celebrations everywhere. We noticed Shivaji statues outside almost every house on our way. Shivaji Bhonsle was an Indian warrior king. An aristocrat of the Bhonsle Maratha clan, Shivaji, carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of an independent Maratha kingdom with Raigad as its capital. To know more, you may want to check out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShivajiIt was harvest season, so lot of bullocks on the way with tons of sugarcane. This part of Maharashtra state in India is popularly known for Sugarcane and Grapes production. Most of the farmers in this part of country are dependent on these two crops and it's very important for them to have good crop & take the output to the market without any problem. Many times weather doesn't support these folks and total loss is in hundreds of crores at times.I had never seen grapes shops like these. There were hundreds of such small counters to sell different types of grapes. This photograph is clicked on main highway, where lot of vehicles were stopping around these counters to buy good quality grapes at reasonable rates. Maharashtra state of India occupies the western and central part of the country. It's spread around Arabian Sea. The Sahyadri Mountain ranges provide a physical backbone to the state on the west, while the Satpura Hills along the north and Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri ranges on the east serve as it’s natural borders. It's surrounded by Gujarat to the north west, Madhya Pradesh to the north, Chattisgarh to the east, Andhra Pradesh to the south east, Karnataka to the south and Goa to the south west.From Pune to Baramati, terrains changed but few things were common - dressing sense of folks in rural Maharashtra, architecture etc. Nehru cap is quite popular in this part of the country and can be seen very easily. This 2 hours journey exposed us to lifestyle of Maharashtra State.

2 Hour drive from Pune Airport to Baramati through Sugarcane & Grape Farms

After our Baramati visit, we came back to pune and had 3 days in hand. It was amazing to know about plenty of weekend destinations around Pune, but it made difficult for us to decide on 1-2 of the destinations we could plan for. A day trip to Lonavala & Khandala was something that we planned on day one. This Photo Journey shares more about this one-day road-trip to Lonavala & Khandala from Pune.When we were deciding one-day destinations around Pune, we had a very long list and with time, it was getting difficult to decide. We hadn't enough time to go through blogs and decide the best options as per our taste of travel. Lonavala was most familiar name in the list and it was easily approachable through Pune-Mumbai highway. So we chose to drive to Lonavala and explore this part of Maharashtra state. So picked car of our cousin, who stays there in Pune and moved towards Lonavala. We started from Pune and followed Pune-Mumbai highway till the point which tells you to take left for Lonavala. Above photograph shows the exact point where we took this left to hit Lonavala.Just taking this left from the highway, we stopped at one of the shops to know what exactly is there in Lonavala and where should we go now :). I know that it sounds odd that we were not even sure that what we would be doing in Lonavala. Somehow we had no clue till we talked to the shopkeeper. And the response from other side way - 'There is hardly anything in Lonavala, especially in the month of Feb, During Monsoons you can see hundreds of waterfalls all around the hills of Lonavala'. This was quite disappointing and after a short chit-chat, we were wondering if we should spend more time around this town or drive towards Mumbai. After a quick thought we thought of going towards the hilly part of Lonavala which was 20 kilometers from main town. After few kilometers of drive, we reached on top of hills which were looking beautiful from Pune-Mumbai highway. These hills of Lonavala was quite different with hundreds of marks of waterfalls, which were inactive during winters.Soon after we hit a picnic spot called Tiger-Point, which was a typical point which are marketed very well in most of the tourist destinations :There was a huge parking space on roadside, with few stalls around the corners, camels and few other things to keep tourists engaged. We also thought of parking and see what's there. Various groups were sitting around the other side of this parking lot. As we moved towards these groups, we realized that other side of this hill had huge valley full of different elevations making beautiful formations. This was one of the views from Tiger-point around these hills in Lonavala. Although I am not sure if this part is also considered in Lonavala or not. These views were breathtaking and I had never seen something like this.Tiger's Point is a cliff-top with a sudden drop of over 700 meters giving an amazing view of relatively lower hills spread over a huge area around Lonavala. It seems that buses for Tiger and Lion points are available to this place from Lonavala town. I also noticed few Auto-Rickshaws coming to this place from main town. It seems that during Monsoons, the view from Tiger's point is phenomenal with lot of waterfalls. During monsoons, tourists prefer to sit around these waterfalls instead of Bushy dam which comes on the way to Tiger point from Lonavala Town. The place around Bushy dam didn't seem that exciting so we skipped stopping there. One needs to park the car on road-side and need to walks for few minutes to hit Bushy Dam. Just next to Tiger Point, there is another point called Lion point. I didn't understand of point of these two different tourist spots nearby and didn't even bother to figure out. The only thing on my mind was the location on other side of this hills, the amazing views of gorges all around. After spending some time around these hills, we planned to drive towards Ambey Valley, which is 20 kilometers away from Tiger Point. When we asked folks at Tiger Point, they described Ambey Valley as a place where you can find big houses and villas of all Bollywood actors and big personalities of India. Since we had some time in hand, we thought of driving till Sahara City in Ambey Valley. I will be sharing a separate Photo Journey from Ambey Valley, which is a city developed by Sahara and has a private Airport as well. Lonavala is a town and a hill station is part of Pune district only. It takes around 1.5 hrs to reach Lonavala from Pune. It is located around 55 kilometers from Pimple Saudagar part of Pune city. and Mumbai from here is around 90 kilometers away.Lonavala is known for its production of the hard candy known as chikki and Chocolate fudge. It's one of the major stations on the rail line connecting Mumbai and Pune. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Chennai highway pass through Lonavla. We explored both these highways and opted for the other route while going back.Having tea while travelling is a very special experience and a short conversation with Tea-stal owners makes it special. You get to know a lot about the place, culture and local things. We had few cups of tea and some maggie at this shop which is located around a Shiva temple which comes on the way from Lonavala to Ambey Valley in Maharshtra. The Journey of our day didn't end here. After a quick drive to Ambey Valley, we moved back to Loanavala Town and then Khandala. I shall be sharing the next part of the Journey in upcoming post

Scaling the heights of Lonavala for the first time || Weekend Destination around Pune

Recently we were in Baramati to explore UB's Four Seasons Vineyard spread over 55 acres of land. This Photo Journey shares some quick glimpses from the visit and detailed post will be coming soon. Enjoy and do check out the detailed post next week with some exciting stuff from Vineyard and some surprises including wildlife encounters around the place.

A visit to UB's Four Seasons Vineyard in Baramati, Maharashtra, India

Located in the town of Ramtek, Maharashtra, Ambala Lake is a beautiful and serene lake that is a popular spot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The lake is surrounded by lush green forests and is a perfect place to relax and unwind amidst nature.

Ambala Lake in Ramtek, Maharashtra: A Serene and Picturesque Spot for Nature Lovers

We started early from Nagpur on the 12th day of our 14-day long trip from Noida to Rameshwaram and back via the Eastern Ghats, and took our first stop at Ramtek. This turned out to be quiet, charming place. There we visited the serene and secluded Karpur Baoli, which is an ancient stepwell and temple located near Ramtek, Maharashtra. It is believed to be around 1200 years old and holds historical and architectural significance. The stepwell, also known as "Karpuracharanya Baoli," is said to have been built during the reign of the Nag Dynasty.

Nagpur to Sagar and a fantastic stop at Ramtek - 12th day of our 14 days long trip through east coast of India || Noida to Rameshwaram

The drive from Ramtek to Sagar through Pench National Park is a scenic route that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in central India. The journey covers a distance of approximately 250 km and can take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

A Scenic Journey Through Central India: Driving from Ramtek in Maharshtra to Sagar Madhya Pradesh, via Pench National Park

Today I thought of continuing the Blogging took me there' series with one of our special experiences of Four Seasons Vineyards in Baramati, Maharashtra. During the month of January, I received an email with an invite to visit UB's vineyards in Baramati. It was a very special invite because of various reasons - visit to a vineyard, opportunity to explore Baramati/Pune region of Maharashtra and many more. During the month of February, we flew from Delhi to Pune and hit the vineyards of Baramati after a drive of 2 hrs through farms of grapes and sugarcanes. There were few more bloggers joined from Mumbai and Banglore. Things were all set for our welcome and as we entered, few well dressed folks guided us to our suite. This vineyard is not open for all, but has brilliant space to stay overnight. Our suite was amazing and couldn't understand how I missed clicking any photograph of the suite. Probably because I hardly spent time inside the room and preferred spending more time with wine & the vineyard :) My wife Vibha (who is also a blogger ) was also accompanying me. This vineyard was located in a very peaceful part of Baramati region. So she found this as a writer friendly place and wrote few pages of her novelWe spent 2 nights and 3 days at the vineyard. Most of the time was spent to understand wine making process, wine tasting sessions with a specialized chef who had come from Hyatt Banglore. Rest of the time we spent exploring the vineyard and surrounding forests. Sunset looks amazing from the the residency inside the vineyard. It was fun to have wonderful parties with the vineyard staff and musicians from Mumbai, who had specially come for the blogger evenings.This vineyard is spread over a huge land, having grape farms all around and a helipad. Here I don't want to share the repeated details of this experience, so would recommend checking out my old posts on Four Seasons Vineyard in BaramatiAfter lot of wine during these 3 days, we moved back to Pune and planned to extend this break. We stayed in Pune for 2 more days and planned to visit Lonavala Khandala & Lavasa.

The intoxicating Four Seasons vineyards of Baramati || Blogging took me there


When in Pune, we planned to drive to Lavasa through hills and that's when we took a break around Temghar Lake of Maharashtra state. Somehow I had heard name of this lake and the mention of dam built over it. More than lake, there were lot of other things that inspired me to explore more and know about this locality of Mahrashtra state. And it was not only about this beautiful lake but also about surrounding villages & their lifestyle.

Temghar Lake on the way to Lavasa in Maharashtra state of India

Recently we were in Pune for few days and the only agenda was exploring this part of the country. This was my second visit to Maharashtra state and was very excited about the same. After going through different options to explore, we finalized on Lavasa for a day trip. This Photo Journey shares some photographs from India's first planned hill station and some of the interesting facts about it. So join us in this journey to explore something special and different in India.When we were exploring the options around Pune for a day trip or 2 day outing, there were plenty of options contrary to Delhi. All this made our job difficult to finalize places we could explore. Our base was pune and we wanted to make best of each day there. So for one day, we thought of driving to Lavasa from Pune. Above photograph shows the view of Lavasa town in Maharashtra. You see the town something like this after a drive of 55+ kilometers from pune. Road from Pune to Lavasa is average and has some bad patches and has decent hilly terrains. Vibha was driving in hills first time and it was a good experience for her and she thoroughly enjoyed it. I am sure that it was a good learning experience as well.After a long drive from Pune, you hit a hill-top where main gate to Lavasa town is situated. After this gate, things suddenly change. Road becomes neat with sufficient street-lights throughout, colorful flowers surrounding these roads, toilets, places to sit and what not. Above photograph shows the very first view of Lavasa town from entry gate of the town. It's beyond imagination to see such township in the middle of nothing. There are very small villages around this part of the state and hardly any major development. All this makes Lavasa more special. Surprisingly there were security guards on each turn inside the town and there were plenty of turns on these hills. Not sure if these guards are permanently appointed on these location or it was just for that day, because a women car rally was also happening on same day. This rally also started from Pune and ended in Lavasa. All big brands were on this road on same day.This town is located around the lake. These colorful apartments are located on the shoreline and all beautiful villas are strategically located on different parts of the surrounding hills with brilliant views of lake and green hills around Lavasa town. There is enough parking space in the town. Vehicles can be parked on one side of the road and there are proper markings. Apart from these covered/paid parking is also available in different buildings around the lake. Initially we felt very uncomfortable in the town because in other Indian cities, you don't see such discipline culture. It was quite unusual to keep track of all sign-boards in the city and act accordingly.Luxuy of the city was high on our minds and soon after we noticed a chopper roaming around the hills. After a few rounds, it settled on one of the hills. Later we got to know that many of the residents of Lavasa use choppers and private planes to commute to this place from Delhi and other distant town of the country. While going back towards pune, we saw this helipad on the hilltop surrounded by beautiful gardens.After parking our car we climbed down towards the lake. We descended upon the lively promenade and discovered that it was lined with restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Most of the options are quite expensive and many were also closed. Some of the popular restaurant chains are present here in Lavasa.On regular intervals, a musical fountain keeps entertaining visitors. These are huge and perform dance on music. Suddenly people go to the shoreline as fountain starts and whole environment changes for some time.Lavasa is a private planned city, which is stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino.There are few adventure sport options available in Lavasa, including lakeshore watersports. One can opt for city tour via tourism buses. We also thought of taking bus tour but we couldn't figure out the way to buy tickets. We went to tourism information center and they asked us to visit Town-hall. And we went to town-hall, they directed us to Tourism Information Centre. This weird. So finally we dropped this idea and thought of driving around the place in our car.Lot of resources have been used to ensure that water inside the lake is clean and well preserved.A photograph from Sales office of Lavasa town. We also thought of doing some timepass by looking at the offerings they have in the city. We were really impressed with the options available and the plans of the town. It seems that Lavasa town aims to provide space for .3 million permanent residents. And at the same time offering facilities to take care of 2 million tourists in an year.While in Lavasa, we though that we should have planned a night stay in Lavasa. I am sure that it would be worth to spend whole day and night to experience the hues of nature & the way this town lit up during night. There are some very good options to stay in Lavasa. Apart from hotels, there are options to book service apartments and it seems that service apartments are quite reasonable. In my opinion, these apartments are good options as they are very close to the lake. Some of the villas on hills are also available on rent. So if someone wants to have more peaceful place to stay, these are definitely better options as compared to the apartments. After spending few hours at Lavasa town, we thought of heading back before sunset. We wanted to cross the hilly area before it gets too dark. Water in the lake was shining beautifully under sun. This photograph shows extended part of the lake and it seems that similar city is being developed in this stretch as well.A view of lake from other side. We drove to the opposite side where lot of villas are located. In above photograph you can see roofs of the villas. These villas are located brilliantly with amazing views of the lake and hills. There is lot of green area around this place and I am sure that place would look far better during monsoons. Probably monsoon would beAnother photograph with clear view of Lavasa lake from one of the villas on hill topRoads in proximity of Lavsa town are very well maintained.There is not much to do in Lavsa and if something is available, options are expensive. But it's a highly recommended destination for folks who love to explore something different. Lavasa is unique in India and it's worth a visit. Next time, when I visit Lavasa I will make sure to stay here for a night and leave early in the morning towards konkan beaches. Few more Photo Journeys are planned from Lavsa, so keep looking this space for next few weeks to check out more stuff from this beautiful destination for folks in Pune and Mumbai.

Chance visit to the first planned hill station of India - Lavasa || A beautiful & unique place near Pune/Mumbai

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