Location & description
Maharashtra is one of the most important states in India not because it is the third largest state by size and second largest by population, but because it is home to Mumbai, the commercial and film capital of India. Much of Indian happenings are affected by Maharashtra. It is the wealthiest state in the country.
Marathi is the main language spoken by most of the inhabitants, though there are many dialects of the language.
On the West, the state is bounded by Arabian sea and the Western Ghat mountains, while on the North it has the barrier of Satpura hills.
The state historically has been the home of strong rulers and many battles. Largest number of forts in the state is a testimony.
On the West coast Mumbai is its capital while at the center of India Nagpur is considered as its auxiliary capital. Pune can be considered as the sister city to Mumbai, and is the home to original Marathi culture.
In tourism Maharashtra offers a rich fare from culture and history, world heritage sites, beaches and hill stations, to some of the most visited forests in the country.
Ajanta and Ellora caves are the two most renowned heritage sites in the state, whereas Aurangabad is considered as its tourism capital because of its rich history. Ajanta and Ellora are both UNESCO World heritage sites.
Lonavla and Mahabaleswar are two the famous hill stations in Maharashtra, favored by weekend tourists from Mumbai and Pune, while Shirdi is one of the most well-known pilgrimage destination of India because of Shirdi Sai Baba.
Apart from its more well-known tourist destinations, Maharashtra is also one of the leading states in promoting tiger protection through its tiger reserves, Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Navegaon-Nagzira and Bor.
Tadoba is one of the leading tiger reserves with high possibility of tiger sighting in the country whereas, Nagzira Reserve forest though comparatively small in area ranks high in bio-diversity and quality of its forests.
Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra provides online booking facility of forest resorts at Bor, Kolara, Moharli, Nagzira, Navegaon, Pitezari and Umarzari.
Links
Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM)