Mumbai Tour

State:Maharashtra

Area:440 sq km

Altitude:10 Meters above Sea Level

Climate:Temperature(Humid)

Summer:Max.-34 degree C Min-23 degree C

Winter:Max -28 degree C Min-16 degree C

Language(s):Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati

Best time to visit:October - February

STD Code:022

Overview of Mumbai

On an average 50% of the city's total population is of non Maharashtrian. Among the major groups that has made Bombay their home away from home are the Gujratis, the South Indians, the Parsis and Sindhis and a large number of people from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that are scattered all over the city. It is also worthy to note that almost half of the total population in the slums.

Culture

The metropolis has its own local roadside fast food consisting of vada pavs and bhelpuri. South Indian and Chinese food is also very popular in the city. Other exotic foods to the city range from Lebanese, Korean, Thai and Mexican. Other than Chinese and South Indian, Mughalai, Punjabiand Continental are also popular.

Tea is the most popular beverage drunk followed by coffee. There are numerous tea stalls in almost all roads and corners catering to this drink. Other popular drinks include fruit juices and coconut water.

Mumbaikars belong to diverse ethnic and social backgrounds. People try to follow the celebrity lifestyle as they belong to the "Film City of India". They participate in every occasion irrespective of castes and religions. Festivals bring greater enthusiasm among the dwellers. People forget their caste, creed, religion, position and come together to share rare moments filled with divine ecstasy. The food they prepare, the clothes they wear, the music they play all have their unique fervor and charm.

Mumbaikars have their own blend of dialect, called the 'Bambaiyaa Hindi'. Other main languages spoken in the city are English, Hindi and Marathi. The smell of modern India can be better felt in Mumbai due to the conglomeration of Indo-western culture. People live in this teeming megalopolis with affection for each other.

History of Mumbai

When India became Independent in 1947 Bombay became the capital of Bombay state. In 1960 Bombay state was dissolved and the state of Maharashtra came into being, with Bombay as its state capital.In 1995 Bombay changed its name to Mumbai. The name Mumbai is derived from "Mumbadevi" the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folks.

Sighseeing in Mumbai

One of the most modern milk colonies in the world is Aarey Milk colony of Mumbai. The best way to reach Aarey would be to board a train to Goregaon Station West.From there visitors can avail auto rickshaws going towards Western Express Highway.

Flora fountain is beautifully adorned stone fountain which is located in the Fort area in South Mumbai. It is situated in one of the most congested areas of the Mumbai city. Surrounded by huge and impressive colonial buildings on all the sides, Flora Fountain has a magnificent statue of Flora - the Roman Goddess of Flowers, on top.

The Nehru Centre was constructed in 1972, not as a mute memorial, but as living testament and monument of faith in Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of human being's development and his compassion for humanity. It has a Mini Planetarium also, which is taken out to remote rural areas to project the astronomical shows. The centre is equipped with Digistar-3 Planetarium equipment and has maintained well furnished library. It offers wide variety of facilities which help in making any event a successful one.

It was a strategic place in the western coast of India. The Portuguese understood the importance and captured the fort and remodeled it according to their wish. Nowadays most of the part of this fort is in ruins. Most of the walls are hidden by the brushwood and palm groves. The roots of these trees have damaged a lot of the portion of this fort.

The Gateway of India was built to honor the visit of the King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised and draws a lot of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch are the steps leading down to the water. The Gateway of India was starting point for the tourists who come to Mumbai.

Offering a much needed escape from the chaotic city life, Powai Lake is an ideal spot for picnickers. You could laze around the bank of the lake and enjoy the nature in peace. Powai Lake can be approached by King's Circle, Sion and Kurla as well as from Santa Cruz and Andheri.

A person can reach this place via Andheri, Santacruz or alternately via Goregoan location as this famous lake is located in center of City. This is one of the famous source of Major water supply in Mumbai by Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Here too like other Dam sometime a person can see reptiles like crocodile and tortoises. Unfortunately this lake is restricted to public, where you can also see a plant in progress for water treatment.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway station connecting the city through the Mumbai suburban railway as well as connecting India through long distance trains. As the headquarters of the Central Railway, India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is also one of the bust railway stations in India.

The Great Cave at Elephanta is one of the great monuments in Mumbai near to Gate way of India.

Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali this mosque was built in the middle of the sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. The mosque can be reached only during low tide.

The Churchgate area is also a hub of educational institutions such as University of Mumbai, Jain Hind College, K.C. College, Government Law College and Indo-German Training Center. The area has also some of the high profile sport complexes such as Wankhede Cricket Stadium, Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Brabourne Stadium and Oval Maidan.

How to Reach Mumbai

Mumbai has more flights connecting it than even the national capital New Delhi. All major airlines fly to and from Mumbai to most of the important cities of the world.

Central Railways runs services to the east and north, the Western Railways also runs trains to North India from Churchgate and Central stations.

The National Highways No. 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 17 pass through the city, making it accessible from all parts of the country.

Pune Tourism

Pune

Pune, which was earlier known as Poona is the 8th largest metropolis in India and the 2nd largest in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It was one of the centres of power of the Maratha Empire. It is 560 metres over sea level and is placed at the junction point of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Pune is famous for temples and rapidly growing industries ranging from forging to automobiles to information technology and world class educational facilities, which attracts students from not only India, but also from abroad to the place, making it a place of varied cultures and communities.

History of Pune:

Pune established itself as a town, way back, at 937 AD. Maratha Empire founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has passed his youth over this place. Shivaji was crowned as Chatrapati in the year 1674, who made large contribution in the development of the place. Later on Baji Rao, who was appointed as prime minister of the Maratha Empire in the year 1720, made Pune as the base and made large development works. At the year 1837, Pune was made as the monsoon capital of the Bombay presidency, which continued till independence.

Industries at Pune:

Automotive giants like Tata Motors, Force Motors, and Mercedes Benz have their Industries at Pune. World famous automotive and allied companies like General Motors, Volkswagen, Visteon, Continental Corporation and Fiat have also followed this place. Because of the widespread development of Automobile industry at the place Pune is also known as "Motor City" of India. The India's biggest conglomerate, the Kirloskar Group, led the foundation stone by setting up the industry known as the Kirloskar Oil engineering limited at 1945. The Hinjawadi IT Park, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Park, has led to the widespread development of information and technology over the place.

Places to visit:

1) Prominent museums like national war museum, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Mahatma Phule Museum, Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Pune Tribal Museum.

2) Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, which is situated close to the city.

3) The College of Military Engineering

4) The Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, one of the most significant and well - known Indian classical music festivals in the country is held every year at December. This festival used to be organised every year by Late Pt. Bhimsen Joshi

Ways to reach Pune:

By air, the Pune International Airport is an international airport situated at Lohegaon.

The local trains (EMUs) connect Pune to neighbouring hill stations. Pune has daily express trains to Howrah, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderaba, Chennai, and Jamshedpur.

Aurangabad - An Historical Destination

Aurangabad Tour

State:Maharashtra

Area:138.5 sq.km

Altitude:513 metres above sea level

Rainfall(annual):557 mm

Temperature:Summer:21.5 to 39

Winter:10 to 31.3

Language(s):Marathi,Hindi,Urdu

Best time to Visit:November to February

STD Code:0240

Overview

Aurangabad city is known for its medieval monuments and cultural heritage.The city is beautifully surrounded by hills on all sides. Aurangabad is one of the cities which were established during Mughal era in India. Aurangabad is also famous for its silk and cotton textiles. The state capital of Maharastra, Mumbai is 375 kilometers from the Aurangabad. Bibi-ka-Makbara, the mausoleum of Aurangzeb's queen, is the main tourist attraction of Aurangabad. A small archeological museum is located behind the mausoleum.The city is properly connected with other parts of state via government buses and private cabs. The best time to visit Aurangabad is winter (September to March).

History

The city was founded in 1610 A.D. by Malik Amber, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar on the site of the village called Khirki. He made it his Capital and the men of his army raised their dwellings around it. Within a decade Khirki grew in a populous and imposing city. However, It was ravaged and burnt down in 1621 by the imperial troops under Shah Jahan. Fateh Khan son of Malik Amber changed the name of Khirki to Fatehnagar.

In 1633, when Prince Aurangzeb was appointed the Viceroy of the Deccan for the second time, he made Fatehnagar his Capital and called it Aurangabad.History of this dates back to the second century B.C., which indicates that it was located on ancient trade route from Ujjaini (North) to Pratishthana (Paithan), Capital of Satawahana, and the Tagare (Modernter) in South. The district of Aurangabad had attained high level of prosperity during these days. It containded Pratishthana, Capital of Satwahanas as the centre of trade. In addition to North-South trade links it had also trade links with Nasik, Kalyan, Shupara and Baruchha in West.

Sightseeing in Aurangabad

The Bibi-ka-Maqbara is a tomb built in memory of Aurangzeb's wife Rabia-ud-Daurani Begum. The tomb bears some resemblance with the Taj Mahal, and hence known as "Poor Man's Taj Mahal". This Maqbara attracts the tourists due to its wonderful architecture and historical importance.

The Aurangabad Caves were built during the 6th and 7th centuries. The walls of the caves have interesting illustrations from the Jataka stories.There are about 12 Budhist caves dating back to the 1 st century A.D. These caves, ten in number, are divided into two separate locations - Western Group Caves having caves 1-5 and Eastern Group Caves having caves 6-10, located 1 km apart. The designing and image is molded by Tantric Hinduism.

Cave 4 from Western Group group is the oldest cave. The remaining four Western caves are viharas depicting an early type of Buddhist monastery. Cave 6 which belongs to the Eastern Group has a large statute of Buddha supported with a form of Ganesh and Cave 7 has forms of women which are barely clad and bejeweled.

The mill used to grind grains for the pilgrims. It was so designed that it generated energy through water which was brought from a spring on a mountain.

These pipes are lined up at particular distances. To allow the water to flow through the pumps masonary pillars are erected. Water through the pipes flows with a force and it rises to a huge raised masonary pillar and from there it falls to make an attractive water fall.

Shirdi: It is situated about 144 km from Aurangabad and is considered a religious site famous for the Shrine of Sai Baba. This place is easily accessible from nearby towns and is one of the most important tourist attractions in Aurangabad city.

It is just 13 km from Aurangabad, and was built in the 12th Century AD. This fort was earlier known as Devgiri and was built by king Bhillama of Yadav dynasty. The name was changed to Daulatabad by Md Bin Tughlaq.

The Ajanta caves in Aurangabad date back to the second century BC and contain sculptures and paintings depicted from Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious art. Ajanta has a total of 29 caves and is one among the UNESCO World Heritage list.

These caves were built by the rulers of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty and are located just 30 km from Aurangabad and were built in the 7th century AD. Cave 16, which is known as the Kailashnath Temple is a masterpiece art at Ellora. The temple is a splendid achievement of the Dravidian style of art and was started by King Krishna of the Rashtrakuta dynasty that ruled Manyakheta. It took around 100 years to complete this cave. There are other caves here which depict the tradition and Philosophy of the Buddhist and Jain art and architecture.

Mahashivratri is devotedly celebrated in the temple of Ghrishneshwara during February and March. This temple is situated near Ellora.

Touristplacesinindia.com is an international travel site and a repository of useful information about Aurangabad and on other related information on the city.

How to Reach Aurangabad

The Airport is about 10km east on the Jalna road.

There are 2 direct trains daily to/from Mumbai.

There are MSRTC Buses From Aurangabad To Pune, Nasik, Indore and Mumbai. The MSRTC and MTDC also offer luxury overnight buses to Mumbai.

Khandala - Tour to Hill Station

Khandala is a hill station in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. It is located at one top end of Bhor Ghat, a major ghat (Valley) on the road link between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain. It is about 3 km from Lonavala and 7 km from Kajrat. The hill resorts of Khandala have a special attraction for the Mumbai crowd seeking a convenient weekend holiday in the hills.

How to reach here:

The nearest airport is Pune, 66 km. away.

There are connecting trains available from Mumbai Central Station and Pune Junction. All the trains halt at Khandala before travelling onto to Lonavala.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the main link between the major cities of Mumbai and Pune, passes through Khandala. The distance between Mumbai �Lonavala is 104 km. Pune-Lonavala is 66 km.

Places of interest:

The scenic beauty, green valley, gushing waterfalls and historic forts are the main attractions of these hill stations of Maharashtra. It is quite popular as health resorts.

Khandala having beautiful landscaped is famous for their seemingly innumerable varieties of chikki. But they also offer many sites worth visiting. Trekking is a good way to get around, but having a vehicle (even a bicycle) is still better, as some points of interest are quite some distance from the main towns.

Duke�s Nose is a majestic cliff on the Sahyadri range of mountains. This cliff resembles the nose of the Duke of Wellington, which explains its intriguing name. It is a popular viewpoint as it offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, valleys and forests

When viewing the valley from a certain point at this location, one has the illusion of a tiger leaping across the valley, hence the name. The echo caused by dropping rocks into the crevasse is another attraction.

Lohgad attracts visitors with its wide, refreshing waterfalls, an ancient fort, and, of course, those famous caves � atop a steep flight of steps

Korigad Fort in Amby Valley is located roughly 3050 ft. above sea level. To get there, you travel from Lonavla to the village of Shahpur using any available means of transport, and thence proceed by foot to the fort through rugged hills and forests.

Other attractions around Khandala are: Bhushi Dam, Valvan Dam, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital, Ryewood Park, Karla & Bhaja Caves is nestling in the hills of Lonavala, these rock-cut caves rank amongst the oldest finest examples of Early Buddhist temple art in India.

Lonavala Tour

State:Maharashtra

Area:30 sq.km

Altitude:625 metres above sea level

Rainfall:1800 mm

Temperature:Summer:Reaches upto 36 Deg C

Winter:Reaches upto 12 Deg C

Language(s):Marathi,Hindi and English

Best Time to Visit:October to May

STD Code:02114

Overview of Lonavala

Lonavala is an important hill station in the state of Maharashtra. It is popularly known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains.This hill sation is set amongst the Sylvan Hills of the Western Ghats.It is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune.This hill station is located at a distance of 106 km from Mumbai.It also serves as a starting point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, which are located near this hill station.

History of Lonavala

The area around Lonavala was an important Buddhist center in 2nd century BC and a number of ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave temples can be found in this area. As Lonavala is located in the inhospitable terrain of the Sahyadri mountain range, it was not an important site in terms of history. Chattrapati Shivaji, the founder of the first Maratha Empire, ruled this area. Later it came under the Peshwa rulers, who founded the second Maratha Empire. It was finally taken over by the British when they defeated the Peshwas.

Attractions in Lonavala

This hill resort has most places of tourist attractions like-Beautiful Hills,Deep Green Valleys,Huge Lakes,Historic Forts,Waterfalls.etc

There are numerous lakes around Lonavala,namely Tugauli,Lonavala and Bhushi lakes.

The small hill station Khandala is just 5 km from Lonavala.

The Karla and Bhaja caves are at a distance of 11 km from Lonavala.These rock-cut cave temples dating back to 2nd century bc and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.

Forts at Lonavala

Rajmachi Fort

Tunga Fort

Lohagad Fort

Visapur Fort

Tikona Fort

Koregad Fort

How to Reach Lonavala

Nearest airport is at Pune at a distance of 66 kms from Lonavala.

Lonavala is on the Mumbai Pune Rail line of the central Railway.

Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune Highway,104 kms, Pune-Lonavala, 66 Kms

Mahabaleshwar Tour

State:Maharashtra

Area:145.04 sq.kms

Altitude:1,372 metres above sea level

Rainfall:7640 mm

Temperature:13 to 29 Degree C

Language(s):Marathi,Hindi and English

Best time to Visit:

STD Code:02168

Overview of Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is also known as 'Queen of all the Hill Staions'.It is a very popular hill station because of its placid lakes,verdant hills and Cascading.It is also famous for its various temples, spectacular viewpoints and historically significant places.Mahabaleshwar lies on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.Its name is derived from a Lord Mahadev temple and three Sanskrit words, Maha (great), Bal (power) and Ishwar (God). Some people also relate the name with mythological past as the name 'Mahabaleshwar' means mighty God.

History of Mahabaleshwar

The history of Mahabaleshwar dates back to the year 1215,when the King Singhan of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. He built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna.In the year 1350 Mahabaleshwar was ruled by Brahmin dynasty.In 14th century it was ruled by the Moguls.In the 15th Century Mahabaleshwar was won by Muslim Kings of Bijapur and Ahmednagar. In 16th century it was took under the control of Maratha family of Chandarao.Finally, in the 17th century Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to show his resistance to foreign rule and for this he trained a large army and captured it. After him the Peshwas ruled till the year 1819, after which Mahabaleshwar came to be included in the territory of the Raja of Satara.

Sightseeing in Mahabaleshwar

Authur's Seat is 1470 meters high. The queen of all points, Authur's point got its name after Arthur Mallet as he was the first man to come here and build a house. The desolate deep valley Savitri on the left side and the not so deep green valley on the right side is a captivating sight. The Arthur's seat is the only point from where one can see clearly the geographical differentiation of Kokan and Deccan. Just below the point is the window point.

It is one of the greatest locations in Mahabaleshwar.This point is also known as Sydney point. It was renamed after a monument in honour of General Lodwick . He was the first European to visit Mahabaleshwar.

Lingmala and Chinaman's waterfalls are 6km and 4km respectively from the town and are at the top of Venna Valley.

Elphinstone Point is a small scenic spot overlooking the two valleys, koyna on the left & savitri on the right. Elphinstone Point is named after a former Governor of Mumbai.

This is Mahabaleshwar's 'echo point' which also offers great views of the surrounding countryside. You can see the ribbon-like Krishna river as it winds its way through green fields.The height of the point is 1473 mtrs. and 13 kms away from main market. This point is also called as Queen of all points.

The highest point in Mahabaleshwar at 4710 ft above sea level. It is a bare rock with three strategically positioned observation towers. It is also called as Sunrise Point.

It is called Sunset Point, since the expansive view of the sunset is one of the most beautiful sights in Mahabaleshwar. It Shows the sahyadri range koyana valley & pratap garh. One of the most popular and oldest point in Mahabaleshwar. It got it's name since it was on the old road to Bombay. Pratapgadh can be seen at north. Lovers point is left to Bombay Point.

The 2.4km Venna Lake is the favourite hangout of most tourists. It offers both boating and fishing facilities with the added attraction of wayside stalls and horse riding. It is also known for its luscious strawberries The lake is spread around 25 acres.The main purpose of this lake is to supply water to Mahabaleshwar. It was built by the King of Satara.

Pratapgad is 900 mts. above sea level. It was built in 1656 AD by Moropant Trimbak Pingale at the command of Shivaji Maharaja to dominate the road system of the empire. Pratapgad holds an ancient statue of Shivaji called Bale killa as well as Mahadev and Hanuman temples and a garden. There is a splendid view of the lush green valley and the forts Raigad and Makarandgad can also be viewed. On the east and the south the hills have steep slopes covered with dense forest in contrast with rocky west and the north. The hills gradually descend to the valleys separating Mahabaleshwar and Kineshwar range on the east and the Konkan valley on the west.

How to reach Mahabaleshwar

Pune is the nearest airport both for Mahabaleshwar (120 km) and Panchgani (98 km).

For Mahabaleshwar, the nearest railhead is Wathar (62 km), but Pune (120 km) is the convenient railhead.

The excellent road network links Mahabaleshwar with the other important places in Maharashtra. Regular buses of the state transport link Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar. Further from Mahabaleshwar buses are available for excursions and sightseeing trips to places like the Pratapgad Fort.

Nagpur Tour

State:Maharashtra
Best Time to Visit:September-April
Area:9892 sq.km
Languages:Marathi,Hindi,English
STD Code:0712

An Overview of Nagpur

Nagpur forms the second capital of Maharashtra. The foundation of this city was laid by the King of Deogad, "Bakht Buland Shah" in the year 1702. The name of this city is derived from the river Nag that flows through this land. The Nagpur is provided with rich forest resources. This city is the second greenest city in India.Nagpur is well known for its oranges. It is also called as the "Orange City".

Gems of Nagpur

One of well known specialties of Nagpur is the world famous Nagpur orange. The orange is cultivated in 80000 hectares area in Vidarbha with a total production of nearly 5 lakh tons. Nagpur orange in Nagpur district is cultivated in 20, 965 hectares area. There is an interesting story how the cultivation of Nagpur orange in this region started. The cultivation of Nagpur orange was tested for the first time as a kitchen garden plant during 1896 by Late Shri. Raghujiraje Bhonsle and observed as a successful venture. Since then, its cultivation attained momentum year after year and by now, it is claimed to be one of the most remunerative potential foreign exchange earning crops of not only this region but also as one of the horticultural crops after mango and banana at national level.

Deeksha Bhoomi is a holy monument for Buddhists where Buddhists receive Deeksha every year on 'Ashok Vijaya Dashmi Day'.Bharat Ratna Dr B. R. Ambedkar along with thousands of his followers embrassed Buddhism on Oct 14th 1956 at Deekshabhoomi located at western Nagpur near Ramdaspeth. Since then the site is regarded as a pilgrimage centre for Buddhist.

This place consists of temples which were 600 years old.This place is famous as where the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa composed his epic"Meghdoot".The main attractions here are the Ram temple which is more than 600 years old, as well as the Jain temple which has some beautiful carvings and sculpture.

This Sevagram is established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1993, where he spent 15 years. It is believed that this place had the honour of being the headquarters of the social service programmes that Gandhiji conducted.

This place is famous for its large lake. Boating facilities are also offered. Khindsi is very close to Ramtek.

This place is located on the bank of Vainganga river. The land gets its name from Sage Markandeya. A cluster of temples exist here housing 'Shiva Linga'. The cluster has approximately 24 temples and the architecture strongly resembles that of the Khajuraho temples.

At Vishvakarma nagar, on Manewada Road is yet another unique place which can truely be called gem of Nagpur. This is a building called Jaadu Mahal (the magic place) which is constructed by famous Magician of Nagpur Late Sunil Bhavsar. This is perhaps the only magic palace in the country with its unique characterisation. In this premises various magic tricks are demonstrated. The Jaadu Mahal remains open even on sundays. Its a treat to visit this gem of Nagpur.

The erstwhile Bhonsle rulers laid a beautiful garden,which is now known as The Maharaj Baug. It is converted into a botanical garden housing a zoo,containing some rare species of birds and animals.

Dhapewada is situated on the bank of Chandrabhaga river. The town possesses a notable temple of Vithoba, overlooking the river. It was built by Umaji Aba, Diwan to Raja Baji Rao Bhonsla. Dhapewada is being known as Vidarbha's Pandharpu.

A small village in the Nagpur District. The village contains fine old temples. In the temple of Ganpati the image consists of a single stone set up so that worshippers may walk around it. On a hill near the village is a temple of Mahadeo with three lingas, which are believed to have come out of the ground by themselves.

Situated around 86kms. from Nagpur, this National Park is a place good for a day's visit. It is built around the Pench Irrigation project, a joint venture of the Maharashtra and MP Governments.This park is also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Udyan.

Places of Worship

Shri Balaji Shri Karikiteya Temple Complex,Seminar Hills.
Shri Bhavana Mata Mandir, Pardi,Punapur Road,Nagpur.
Shri Ganesh Temple Tekdi Sitabuldi, Nagpur
Shri Geeta Mandir, Subhash Road
Shri Vyankatesh Temple, Dharaskar Road, Itwari, Nagpur

Churches

Arch Bishop House, Kamptee Road, Nagpur
Church Of God In India, 44/8, Dahpura Nar Ajantha Motors, Nagpur
Church Of The Nazarene, 226, Ram Nagar, Nagpur
New Life Fellowship, 51 G-F Sadiqeabad Manakpur Nagpur

How To Reach Nagpur

Sonegaon Airport at Nagpur is nearly 8 Kms south of Nagpur city. This domestic airport is connected to Mumbai,Calcutta, Delhi Hyderabad, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Raipur.

Nagpur railway station is an important rail junction on the Central and Southeastern lines. Electrified broad gauge railway track connects Nagpur to all four major metros.

The district is well connected by roads with all industrial centres of the Country.

Nasik Tour

State:Maharashtra

Area:5850 sq.km

Altitude:225 metres above sea level

Rainfall(Annual):722 mm

Temperature:Summer :42.5 to 21.5 Degree C

Winter: 28.3 to 6 Degree C

Language(s):Marathi,Hindi,English

Best time to Visit:October to February

STD Code:

Overview

Nasik city is located in Maharashtra.This city is at a distance of 185 km from Mumbai and 202 km from Pune.This city is popularly known as the 'Wine capital of India' or the 'Grape City'.Nasik city is located in the western Ghats,on the western edge of the Deccan Peninsula.Nasik is one of the four most holiest places in India.It is located on the banks of river Godavari and encircled by nine-hills Durga,Ganesh,Chitraghanta,Pandav,Dinger Ali Mhasarul,Jogwanda,Pathanpura and Konkani.he city is famous for Kumbh Mela which happens once in every 12 years and attracts tourists from all over the world.

There was a saying about this city is that,Lord Rama,along with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana stayed here for a while during their 14 year exile,and this is the place where Ravana abducted Sita and took her to his place on the island of Lanka,now known as Sri Lanka. It was here Laxman cut off the nose of Ravana's sister Surpanakha.The temples, the ghats on the Godavari river have made Nasik the holiest place for Hindus.

History of Nasik

Nasik was the capital of the powerful Satavahana (also spelt as Satvahans) dynasty. It was an important trading port to the west. The city of Nasik was called as "Gulshanabad" during Mughal period. Later, it was again given its old name when Peshwas took over in 1751, but they lost Nasik to the British in 1818.

In the year 1864, Nasik Municipality was formed and in 1869, it was made a full-fledged district with its present 13 'Talukas' (regions). Nashik also played a major role in the freedom struggle of India. The non-cooperation movement started by Mahatma Gandhi was a rage here. The temple entry movement to finish untouchability started by Dr. Ambedkar and the mass movement was also organized in Nasik in the year 1932.

Attractions in Nasik

The Kumbh Mela ,is the largest religious gathering on the earth.The piligrimage occurs four times for every 12 years.This mela occurs once at each of four holy cities in India.These cities are Nasik,Allahabd,Ujjain and Haridwar.The Allahabad Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest of them.The Mela is famous for the huge number of Hindu holy men, who gather here during this time.

During this mela all the devotees dip into the river Godavari.It is believed that this holy dip will cleanse their souls leading to salvation. One of the major event of the festival is a ritual bath taken at a predetermined time.

For this mela special arrangements will be made by the state government for the devotees coming here Many guest houses and Dharmasal's will be arranged for the visitors and piligrims to stay. Ghats are cleaned and security measures are taken.

This place is situated in the northern part of Nasik.According to a legend Lord Shri Ram and Sita along with Lakshman stayed at Panchavati for some time.The name 'Panchawati' is derived from the five Banyan trees present here.

This temple is situated at the corner of Ahillyabai Holkar Bridge in Nasik. This temple was built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in the year 1756.The worshipped God in this temple is Lord Vishnu,who is also known as 'SundarNarayan'.

The Ramkund is in the river Godavari.Here all devotees take a holy dip.This place is considered as 'Ganges of the South'.This is the place from where the river Godavari turns to right at an angle of 90 degrees.It is said that Lord Rama took a bath here, during his stay at Nasik.

This is another famous temple at Nasik.The idol in the temple is believed to be self emerged and is also known as 'Swayambhu'.The name of the temple is derived from 'Modak' a special Maharashtrian dish made of Coconut and Jaggery.This dish is considered to be Lord Ganesh's Favourite.

The literal meaning of Gumpha is cave,the Sita Gumpha is located near the five Banyan trees in Panchawati. It is one of the major attractions of Nasik. There is a narrow staircase used to enter the cave. In the cave one can see idols of Shree Ram, Laxman and Sita. It is believed that Ravan kidnapped Sita from the same place.

The Kalaram temple is one of the most important temple in Nasik.It is located in the Panchawati area. This temple was built by Gopikabai Peshwa in the year 1794.The unique feature of this temple is that it was built with black stones.

Fairs and Festivals

Festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm and excitement.Some of the important festivals celebrated are the Shravan Pornima and Maha Parva - Shravan Amavasya (new moon), in the month of August and the Bhadrapad Amavasya (new moon) in the month of September. Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali and Holi are the other festivals celebrated here with equal pomp and gaiety.

How to Reach Nasik

Nearest airport from Nasik is at Mumbai,at a distance of 185km.

Nashik is one the major stations on the Central Railway and there are a number of convenient trains that connect Nashik to other cities and towns. The fastest train to Mumbai is the Panchvati Express, which does the trip in 4 - hours.

The Nasik city is well-connected by road.There are several private and state buses available between Mumbai/Thane and Nashik.

Navi Mumbai Tour

Navi Mumbai is a sub-urb of glamorous Mumbai city, separated by Arabian Sea. This beautiful city in Thane district was founded in 1971. The eminent city planners or architects saw an alternative of rapidly growing Mumbai city land limitation in the form of Navi Mumbai.

It is separated from Thane by the Thane creek. Not many people are still interested in moving there. With IT and ITES industries are gradually putting a firm foot and other businesses trying to gain momentum the scenario is soon expected to improve.

The twin city of Mumbai is the largest planned city in the world. The two areas viz. Vashi and Nerul are popular as king and queen of Navi Mumbai respectively. Other regions of Navi Mumbai that are worth mentioning are Airoli, Kalamboli and Taloja.

The panoramic views of hills, gardens, waterfalls and nearby popular hill stations Lonavala-Khandala magnetize visitors with its contemporary charms. Cricket is popular sport in the city and finds its place in DY Patil stadium which has been host to many International cricket contests......including 3 IPL T-20 matches and the IPL T-20 Cricket Final. Cricket enthusiasts rate it among one of the best grounds in India.

City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) works responsibly towards the development of infrastructural needs of Navi Mumbai and thus is leaving no stone unturned to make it an independent, well-balanced, self-contained and planned metro city.

Navi Mumbai is a city of 21st century which is indeed emerging as new place for escape from hustle bustle of crowdy Mumbai and business and education destination. It is well-connected with all parts of the country through wide transportation network of Road, Rail and Waterways.

Climate

The city receives ample rains so it doesn't see extremities of temperature. The wet sub-tropical humid or semi arid climate is typically wet and dry. Temperature remains always fluctuating.

During winter temperature of Navi Mumbai varies between 17�C to 20�C while in summer mercury reaches from 36�C to maximum 41�C. Annually the average rainfall is 2000�2500 mm and due to this there is always humidity ranging around 61-86 %.

Places to see in Navi Mumbai

Beautiful Navi Mumbai or New Bombay is booming satellite town about 29 kms to the northeast of Mumbai in travel and tourism too.

The hills in Belapur are a cool place for hangout with friend on holiday and for a walk through in evenings and morning. Though being a must visit place, avoid going to this fun filled place during monsoon following the fear of landslide.

This garden situated nearby creek is a prominent retreat place provides beautiful view of the sea. People relish spicy chat watching variety of flora here. Thus we may say that it is like a second marine drive.

Monsoon doubles the excitement...cascading Pandavpada at kharghar looks stunning during rains. Tourists see it as an ideal picnic spot.

Rajiv Gandhi Maidan, Rain Tree Marg, temples of Balaji, Swaminarayan, Amritandamayi and Narayanguru, Little Flower Church, Epsworth Methodist church and Palm Beach are the other places that may interest people visiting Navi Mumbai.

Places to see in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is situated in the Western Ghats, in Satara District of Maharashtra, India. It is the most popular hill station in Maharashtra, and once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.

Mahabaleshwar means �God of Great Power� in Sanskrit. Indeed, the place is great and bountiful, rewarding the visitor with a mix of old-world charm, natural beauty and modernity.

How to reach here:

State Transport buses ply regularly between Pune-Mahabaleshwar and Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar.

Nearest railhead is Wathar, but Pune is considered to be more convenient.

The nearest airport is Pune, 120 km.

Places to see:

A tour of Mahabaleshwar town and the surrounding countryside would take at least a couple of days as there is much to see and experience.

Mahabaleshwar is known for its numerous sightseeing points, each providing a unique perspective of the majestic hill range. Old Mahabaleshwar and the famous Panchganga Mandir, which is said to contain the springs of five rivers: Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri and the sacred Krishna River. There�s also the Mahabaleshwar Mandir, revered for its Swayambhu Lingam.

There are many points offering great views of flat-topped ghats, dense forests and lush green valleys. Lodwick Point is one of the most visited Points and holds a great view of the Jor Valley. About a kilometer away lies Tiger�s Spring, and if you venture further down you�ll come to a ledge named The window � a point that�s famous for its mesmerizing view.

Other tourist attractions are Mount Malcolm was one of the famous buildings of its time built in 1829. Mahabaleshwar Club, built in 1881, offers a peaceful retreat and many recreational facilities, including a badminton court and a mini golf course.

Pratapgad Fort is about 24 km away from Mahabaleshwar, is the pride of the Maratha Empire built in 1656; it is a maze of ponds, chambers and long dark walkways, some of which lead to trap doors that open to a 100 meter fall. A visit to this historic monument is recommended.

Mahabaleshwar known for soaring peaks, breathtaking valleys, Lush flora, Cool, crisp mountain air. It is also famous for its fruit products, Strawberries, honey, Jams, crushes and chikki (a sweet made from jaggery and an assortment of nuts) are a favorite buy-and so is handcrafted leather footwear.

Satara Tour

Surrounded by seven hills the city Satara in west Maharashtra is a natural gift near the confluence of River Krishna. The one-time capital of Marathas is encircled by Pune in the north, Solapur in the east, Sangli in the south and Ratnagiri from west.

Satara has diverse topography, the Sahyadri and Mahadeo range stretches through the entire district. The district has two main rivers, namely Koyna and Krishna. Krishna is one of the three largest sacred rivers of southern India which originates from the east crest of the Mahabaleshwar plateau and then divides into several tributaries. Koyna is one of its tributaries and is the largest tributary of all.

Satara is a land of many renowned personalities. Most notable among them are the fighter Zanshichi Rani Laxmibai; freedom fighter Krantisinh Nana Patil; the first lady teacher in India, Savitribai Phule; first Chief Minister of Maharashtra Yeshawantrao Chavan; the great educationalist and founder of 'Rayat Shikshan Sanstha' Dr. Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil and Olympic Medal Winner Rajmata Sumitraraje Bhosale; etc.

History

The rich historical background of Satara district says that people believe Wai in Satara; then known as 'Viratnagari' provided temporary shelter to Pandavas in the 13th year of exile. Early North Satara was later renamed as Satara and the South Satara as Sangli in 1960.

Climate

The temperature varies between minimum 11.6 C and maximum 37.5 C. With an average rainfall of 1426 mm the distribution of rains is unequal like Mahabaleshwar receives heavy rains while Tehsil Man receives very less rains. Similar is the condition of distribution of vegetation, there are monsoon forest in the west on the other hand there are scrub and poor grass in the east.

Tourist Attractions

The beautiful and cool hill stations Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are the highlight of Satara district. Besides these, several attractions in Satara for visitors turn it out to be prime tourist destinations of the state.

Here you will find the temple of both Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva back to back. This historical temple of 'Swyambhu Ganesh' is the 'Gram daivat' of Satara.

Children enjoy gasping at playing rabbits and brightly coloured peacock. People of every age come here, some for praying whereas some comes to experience calmness in the nature�s bounty.

The Ajinkyatara fort built by Bhojraj II is central to the city. The 3300 feet high beautiful fort can be seen from any part of city vis-a-vis it offers amazing view of the city. The high walls of the fort enclose many water tanks and temples of Devi Mangalai, Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman in the north - east of fort.

Historically Ajinkyatara proved to be very important fort in Maharashtra as the erstwhile rulers used it to keep watch on entire South Maharashtra.

Thoseghar is a 1000 feet high waterfall. This spot is a famous picnic place for people especially in Rainy season. The natural beauty and pleasant climate compels you to visit Thoseghar during rains.

Hundreds of windmills spinning 24x7 producing thousands of megawatts electricity produce great sight at Chalkewadi. This place can rightly be quoted "Garden of windmills".

Other main tourist attractions of Satara include Yevateshwar temple, Char Bhinti or Hutatma Smarak, Nataraj Temple, Kas Lake, Shivaji Museum, Shri Bhavani Museum, Anudh, Siddhanath Temple, Mhaswad and Wai Ganpati Temple.

Solapur Tour

Solapur is a beautiful mix of Kannada, Marathi and Telugu culture. The name of Solapur is included in History in golden letters for enjoying freedom 3 days before India got independence. The statues of Mahatma Gandhi and many more freedom fighters stands in a memorial called Hutatma Chowk.

Sholapur lies near the western coasts of Arabian Sea. The temperature remains moderate all round the year, the maximum temperature during summers is up to 36�C and during winter the temperature dwindle between 23�C to 18�C.

The Subtropical climate of the city makes October to March best time to visit Sholapur.

The town has many religious places. Many Hindu saints have hailed from this place and the city is proud of its history.

Many pilgrimage spots are present in and around the district. Pandharpur holds the supreme place among. This revered place of Hindus is famous for saints like Sant Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. Every year huge festival known as Waari festival is held here and on Kartik or Ashad ekadeshi.

Sholapur has numerous temples especially Jain temples. Siddeshwar Temple, Revansiddeshwar temple, temples in Karmala, Barshi and Mangalwedha; Jain temples Mallikarjuna Temple, Parasnath Temple and the Adinath Temple are the major pilgrim places. The Samadhi of spiritual leader Swami Samarth Maharaja Known as Swami Maharaj Math at Akkalkot, Motibaug tank or Kambar Talao which houses thousands of migratory birds in winter and Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary are the other places that should not be missed.

Solapur has many small and medium scale industries. The unique designs and durable Bedding accessories ('chaddars') have earned fame for Sholapur.

Thane Tour

Abode of Lord Ganesha ...Thane district is northwest part of map of Maharashtra and has Nashik and Ahmadnagar to the east, Raigad to the south, Mumbai in north and Pune in the southeast. Popularly known as 'Sristhanaka'.

It was the terminus of the first railway in India and is thus an important landmark in Indian history. This is not all the city was also an important trading centre for Portuguese until 1739.

Thane Creek divides the city of hills and lakes into two distinct parts. It is a booming industrial town with rapidly growing trade, transport and construction activities.

Climate

The climate of Thane district is hot and humid. The temperature ranges between minimum 32.37'C and maximum 34.57�C. Due to the assorted topography the distribution of rainfall is uneven. In spite of average annual rainfall of 250-300mm, the mountainous region receives more rainfall than the coastal region.

Naturally beautiful and pollution free Jawahar and Suryamal are the popular hill-stations in Thane district that catch the attention of lot of people.

Rivers in Thane

The City of Lakes - Thane has around 30 lakes. People can enjoy boating and navigate the rivers by water scooter. Vaitarna, Upvan and Ulhas are the main rivers in Thane district.

Vaitarna River flows across Shahapur, Wade and Palghar. Ulhas River coming from Raigad originates from Borghat and end up embracing the Arabian Sea at the Vasai Creek. The Ulhas River divides into the western distributary falling into the Thane creek and Datiware creek near the orifice of the Vaitarna River.

Upvan Lake is located in the foothills of Yeour hills, surrounded by lofty Neelkanth on another side. Its scenic beauty makes it a popular hangout place for people; mainly the young couples find it good for having a tete-a-tete. People can enjoy the landscapic view either sitting on the benches inside the park or roaming around the lake. Some other important lakes are Masunda Lake, Kachrali Lake, Makhmali Lake, Ambe Ghonsali Lake, Siddheshwar Lake, Jail Lake, Wagle Lake, Upvan Lake, Yashasvi Nagar Lake, Kausa Lake, Kharegaon Lake, Raila Devi Lake, Balkum Lake, Rewale Lake and Bramhala-Kolbad Lake.

Places of interest in Thane

Besides Upvan lakeside Talopali is also popular place as meeting point for couples and sharing their best moments sitting on the benches or they can row around in the lake in boats or water scooters. Roadside eateries are a good option to enjoy tangy Bhel to yummy ice cream and nearby Restaurants offer tasty snacks. Talopali is frequently visited by people of all age.

Yeour hills or Mama Bhanja Hills is must visit for nature lover. The Swami Math is just the right place for those who are in search of peace. The hills house some wild animals too.

The backwoods of Tikujiniwadi is a good picnic spot; here you can spend the entire day playing as well as relish the good feast at the in-house restaurant in the lap of nature.

Essel World, Water Kingdom, Matheran, Nishiland, Bassein or Vasai, Tansa wildlife sanctuary, Kashi Mira villages and "Mahabaleshwar of Thane District", Jawhar Palace around Thane are the major places of interest to the visitors.