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Asia

Ten Excellent Places in Maharashtra to Visit

Maharashtra is one of the biggest and most prosperous states in the country. It has a rich history and great Maratha culture; the remnants of which are still sprinkled around this state. While a complete list of must-see tourist attractions would be beyond the scope of any article, today we are going to make a non-exhaustive list of must-see list places in this state.

Let us get started with the list;

1. Aurangabad

The first must-see place in Maharashtra is Aurangabad. Called the tourist capital of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is famous for Ajanta, and Ellora Caves is also one of the most famous tourist spots in the country. These caves offer tourists some of the best pieces of art. The complex is adorned with magnificent paintings, and sculptures from Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Ajanta mostly boosts paintings made on walls while Ellora is more of a sculpture work and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both these caves are located in the Aurangabad district. Named after the infamous Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, the city has some other tourist attractions to offer as well including Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, etc.

2. Shirdi

Sai Baba is a sage that has acquired deity-like importance in the Hindu religion. He is believed to have arrived at Shirdi in Nasik district and spent six decades here before dying in 1918. It is thus hardly a wonder that Shirdi has a magnificent temple dedicated to him. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage centers for Hindus.

3. Mumbai

The next must-see place on this list will hardly come as a surprise to anyone. The capital of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India, Mumbai, has been called the land of dreams – being home to the Bollywood industry. The city also has numerous tourist attractions – too many to be listed exhaustively here. Some of the most important of these tourist attractions include The Gateway of India, Elephanta Island (a UNESCO Worl Heritage Site) Marine Drive, Taj Mahal Palace, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Kanheri Caves, etc. We can’t go further without recommending the street food here which is just yummy.

4. Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani

The next must-see place in Maharashtra is Mahabaleshwar. Mahabaleshwar is the picture-perfect go-to hill station of Maharashtra. It is one of the best places to explore the beauty of the Western Ghats. If you will like something even more stunning, we recommend the astonishingly beautiful Panchgani. Taking its name from the five hills surrounding it, the valley is a perfect place full of sunset and sunrise points.

5. Lavasa

Is it possible to create perfect and beautiful hill stations artificially? Lavasa Corporation is trying to do that by building what is rightly being called ‘India’s newest hill station’/ The project is styling itself on the Italian town Portofino and is spread over seven hills, an area of 25000 hectares. This human endeavor to create a home in the untouched cradle of nature is worth exploring.

6. Kolad

The next-must-see place in Maharashtra is something for adventure lovers – Kolad. It is full of all kinds of sporting opportunities and has several beautiful waterfalls, meadows, etc. to boost.

7. Kashid

When one thinks of sea beaches in Maharashtra, it is natural to think of Mumbai or Alibaugh, however, these sea beaches may also be too crowded. Kashid is located in the Konkan region and has a relatively quiet sea beach popular for its white sand and thus a much better candidate for this list of must-see places in Maharashtra.

8. Nashik

Nasik is a religious Hindu city, It owes its popularity mostly to the fact that it is home to the famous Kumbh Mela that is held every 12 years. A less-known fact is that Nashik is also a perfect wine-tasting destination.

9. Pune

The next must-see place in Maharashtra, Pune is fast developing into a strong strong metropolis. The city always has had a rich educational system which has made the first prime minister of the country and great freedom fighter, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru called it the ‘Oxford of the East. It has several excellent tourist attractions including Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, the Osho Ashram, Katraj Snake Park, etc.

10. Tadoba National Park

The last must-see place in Maharashtra to make it to this list is the Tadobe National Park. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts wishing for a tiger sighting. Some of the exotic animals you can expect to find here include leopards, gaur, nilgai, sloth bears, dhole, sambar, barking deer, small Indian civet, jungle cats, chausingha, honey badger, chital, etc.

The above list of tourist attractions in Maharashtra is not at all exhausting. Numerous awesome places didn’t make the cut.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to Maharashtra and its must-see places. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: How to reach Maharashtra?

Answer: Maharashtra enjoys a good connection with the rest of the world by air, road, rail, and (sometimes) water. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is one of the biggest airports in the world. Several other major cities have their own airports too. Shirdi, Nagpur, Nashik, and Pune are some of the other cities with international airports.

Question: What is the best way to travel within Maharashtra?

Answer: All the major cities in Maharashtra are well-connected with each other via road and public transportation buses.

Question: What to eat in Maharashtra?

Answer: Maharashtra has a rich cuisine that everyone should definitely try. One should also try street food from Mumbai. The oranges from Nagpur are legendary and should not be missed.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that Maharashtra has a great number of tourist attractions and it may require more than one tour to see them all.

Categories
Adventure Corporate Outings Rejoice Western Ghats

Places where you can indulge in team sports in Pune

To discover an enthralling paradise and a peaceful retreat with your team, Pune is one of the best highlights. It lets you indulge in a lot of adventurous activities and enriching moments. So why wait? Take a day or two away from work and head off from Pune to taste some fun. Below are some of the things you can do in Pune as a team.

Corporate Day Outing and Team Building activities near Pune

The day begins with your arrival at Golewadi at around 10.30 am. The much-needed break from corporate life begins here. Following, allocation into smaller groups, engage in Raft Building and compete with your opponents.

Embark on the breathtaking river-crossing at the Dhom Dam, and indulge in a delicious lunch for a change.

Participate in team building activities like Australian Plank, Egyptian Walk, Bomb in the City, Caterpillar Walk, and 3D Pool with colleagues for enriching moments.

Kamath Residency Resort- Located right next to the very famous Alibaug beach, the resort is a pure fun place to hang out with your office mates. Raigad fort is also quite nearby to serve the history enthusiasts quite well. There are a few beaches around the place and a lot of other places which can prove to be great for some refreshments and sightseeing. This retreat offers the much-required change for the corporate team with a host of activities such as white water river-rafting on the River Kolad, It offers adventure activities such as ziplining, rock climbing, rappelling, rifle shooting, water sports and sightseeing for guests.

Della Resorts- Situated in Lonavala, a great picturesque location and one of the most important tourist attractions in the state, Della resorts is another superb place to satisfy your cravings for some unadulterated fun. There are more than 100 adventurous and fun activities which can be performed in groups. A restaurant, a coffee shop and other symbols of convenience are also there. Its an iconic place to bond with your colleagues over several adventure games be it on land, water or in the air. Chase adventure sports activities like zorbing , ziplining, bungee jumping, treasure hunt, and keep the fun going with several rides that will blow your mind away. The Della Adventure Resort is unquestionably one of the best resorts for the corporate outing in Pune.

Empower camp- Kolad has this wonderful camp where office and the college groups can be seen crowding the place almost all the time. The place is located at a very short distance from Mumbai and Pune and a great place to release the clustered stress due to the insane working hours. Sumptuous Buffet meals are just add ons to the services that are made available for the visitors. The camp is the perfect option to immerse in unlimited fun, thrill, and enthusiasm with activities like raft building and rafting.

Water Rappelling and Trekking in Lonavala- One other super fun activity that could be done in Lonavala is the trekking and waterfall rappelling. The trek will begin at 9 in the morning and will take you through some great locations and adventurous spot to tickle the risky bones inside you. Lonavala is one of the most picturesque hill stations in the entire country and trekking in here is a mind blowing experience. The waterfalls which cascade down the ridges of Sahyadri Ranges offer charming views of the valley below. One can indulge in climbing up the forest trails and rappel down with a harness through the refreshing falls.

Adventure Plus- One of the most popular spots for team outings near Pune and the biggest adventure camp in the entire country, the Adventure plus is the perfect place to spend a good day at. Very nice accommodations are provided to the visitors and a host of services along with the great visuals is the highlight of this wonderful camp. The site offers numerous water activities right from Hydro Bike rides, Kayaking, Paddle Boating, Paddle Caddie, Water Ball to water inflatable sports. Air based activities comprise aero modelling and zip lining. Group activities comprise army obstacle course, excursions, forest walk, paintball and treasure hunt.

Tapola River Camp- Also known as Mini Kashmir, the Tapola river camp is located near the great tourist destination Mahabaleshwar. The comfort and enjoyment factor is quite high in this one and it offers some great fun activities to do in teams. The madness and stress from the tiring work routine takes a backseat here as the groups enjoy themselves to their fullest.

Water scooter rides, kayaking or swimming, you can enjoy a horde of activities as you soak in the natural beauty of the region. In addition, there are several tourist destinations in the vicinity of the resort which are perfect for sightseeing and trekking trips. The adventure begins here at Tapola. It serves as the base camp for several trekking trails.

Team outings are important on so many levels. For one, they give a chance to the employees to connect on a wider level outside their small offices. Also, the productivity increases as the manpower goes to spend some quality times in the arms of nature.

 

Categories
Architectural Corporate Outings North-West India Spiritual Hubs Uncategorized

Mahabaleshwar is the place to be this weekend

Located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and nestled among the Sahyadri Mountain ranges, Mahabaleshwar happens to be one of the most important and often underrated gems of a tourism place. There are numerous enchanting places one can visit in the city. A day is far less than enough to totally grasp in everything that the city has to offer. But still, if you are short on time, there is much you can do. Let us start exploring the place through our lens.

After the breakfast in the morning, you must visit the place the city has been named after, the Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple happens to be a great monument full of the architectural magic of the medieval era. The city is, however, full of many different temples dedicated to many different gods from the ancient Hindu mythology which you can visit. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Panchganga Mandir, Shankar Temple, Mahabaleshwar Shiv Mandir, Janni Mata Mandir, Shree Ganesh Mandir are some of the temples to check out. You may have to hurry as there are a lot more places to see during the one day tour.

The next stop could be the Panchganga temple which happens to be around for more than 4500 years. The temple is known to be the origin of seven different rivers. Out of all of them, spring of five keeps flowing in the direction of the temple, hence the name Panchganga- Five Ganges.

Behind the Panchganga temple is the Krishnabai temple where the Krishna River gets worshiped, one of the seven rivers that emerge out of Panchganga. The temple was built in the year 1888 by the ruler of Ratnagiri on the Konkan coast. There is a beautiful Krishna statue in the premises along with a very old and beautiful Shiv Linga.

Vena Lake and the elephant point are two more places which you can visit in case you still have the time left before the sun goes down. The elephant point is also known as the needle point. The name was given to it because it has two massive rocks with a hole in the middle. Thus, the needle point.

You can relish some of the most delicious cuisines from all over the country. Some of the best restaurants in Mahabaleshwar one should visit are Mapro, The Grapevine, The Olive Garden, Saayali Restaurant, Little Italy, Sizzler Place and much more. It’s a kind of food paradise visiting these places.

How to reach there

The city is located at about a distance of 250 kilometers from the state capital of Mumbai and the railways are the roads are well connected to ensure a safe and sound journey to the place. The nearest airport to the place is the Mumbai international airport.

Mahabaleshwar happens to be a very ancient city, full of many old temples and monuments that remind one of the eccentric cultures and histories the city once had. Many different rulers, especially the Marathas, have given the city a lot to cherish which, in the present times are the biggest attractions of the city.

Categories
Foodie

Vegetarian Food trails in Mumbai 

Finding some really iconic vegetarian food spots is more difficult than breaking Da Vinci Codes in western countries. However, if it is about India then you have got more than you can count in your smart zippy calculators. Touted as the economic city of India, the city of dreams Mumbai also has a rich cultural flavor that fails to die even today. It is revered for its temples, rituals, and, more importantly, vegetarian food. From signature vada pav to exploding colorful pohas, Mumbai beats other cities of India with its vegetarian delicacies.We bring you the best vegetarian food trails in Mumbai right away. Here we go:

Shree Thaker Bhojanalay at Kalbadevi

It is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Mumbai that can even serve Hulks without breaking a single drop of sweat. They bring in so much food on your platter that by the time you are done looking what you have got you feel full.

They serve you four types of Indian bread, five types of Indian sweet dishes, curries, sauces, veggies, salads, pickles, yogurt, rice, and everything vegetarian Mumbai has under the sky. Remember; visit this restaurant only on empty stomach.

Cannon at Churchgate

Pav Bhaji is the second most popular Maharashtrian dish after Vada Pav. You can easily find it at every corner of Mumbai city. But not all of them serve them as delicious as Cannon at Churchgate. Soft mouth-melting buns with some really spicy Indian veggies, onions, green chilies, and loads of butter, the bite just explodes in your mouth. Best value at the best price and the best taste.

Khau Gali at Churchgate

After Cannon at Churchgate station, it is now turn of Khau Gali in the same area. This place bustles with loads of other tourists from other parts of India. On the both sides are eateries serving some of the best Indian street dishes at very affordable prices. From sandwiches to vada pav to sugarcane juice, this place is like a small food fair.

Kyani & Co at Marine Lines

No food experience is complete without an authentic Parsi food in Mumbai. And one of the best ways to explore the delicacies is Kyani & Co located in the heart of Marine Lines from over a century now. Although this is not a completely vegetarian restaurant, there are some vegetarian dishes on the menu that are better than some of those mentioned above.

Its pastries are incredible and so as mava cake with loads of dry fruits. Irani tea is outstandingly exotic. One word—out of the world.

Prakahsh restaurant at Dadar

This is not one of the plushest restaurants on the list. It is small and unnoticeable to some extent in the heart of beautiful Dadar. But its food is just more than delicious.

Thalipith, Kothimber Wadi, Misal, Bharli Wangi, Sabudana Wada, Solkadh, and Piyush are some of the delicacies served on the menu.

Mumbai is not just about Bollywood, it has its own spiritual soul that reflects in its cultural amalgam and unforgettable food trails.

Categories
Western Ghats Western India

“Matheran” Excellent idea to Hang Out!!

Maharashtra is one of the most happening states in the country, and we don’t mean it by the tourism point of view. Of course, there are some places which are tourist’s delight, but they aren’t in abundance. Once such place is Matheran, which is closest to the state capital Mumbai. Located in the arms of the great Sahyadri hills, Matheran offers some great visuals worth savoring.

How to reach there

Reaching here is no big a task. A Karjat bound local train will bring you here. As the motor cars are banned, you may have to find a parking spot somewhere else to park your car and then you can walk barefoot to Matheran. The entry ticket for the adults is INR 40 while the minors can get in at half of that amount.

However, there is one thing where the place serves as a great example for the rest of the country, any kind of motor vehicles are banned here completely. This step was taken in order to keep the place as pollution-free as possible. And the result shows, the air smells the best, the green is really green and the sky seems bluer than ever. There are talks about making some other places in the country to make them the same way as Matheran.

About the place, Matheran is a picturesque valley full of natural beauty which happens to be present here in abundance. People say that almost all the points of this beautiful place are visually stunning; at every point, you can get a great view of the sunrise, the sunset, and the photogenic valleys. A walk, rickshaw or a horseback ride, choose whatever, the experience will be far better than you must have imagined. However, one thing that must be kept in mind is that most of the best places where you would want to see the sunrise and the sunset will be crowded almost all the time. There will be aggressive monkeys that are known as great thieves. Watch out for them as they keep lurking around some corner waiting to get a chance to snatch some food and eateries.

Some of the most popular sites in Matheran are the Lake Charlotte, where a magnificent waterfall overflows from the lake. Other best places to visit in Matheran are Louisa Point, Charlotte Lake, Porcupine Point (Sunset Point), Panorama Point, Alexander Point, Echo Point, Prabal Fort and many more others.

Charlotte Lake is a serene scenic spot and a prominent lake in Matheran. This lake is the prime source of the supply of water to the Matheran region. With the truly mesmerizing waterfalls that spill out around the Lake during the monsoon season, the lake becomes a splendid site to explore.

The central bazaar is one of the most interesting places to shop for all those who want a taste of the local culture. There are plentiful little shops in the Central Bazaar loaded with stuff such as leather goods, hats, footwear and the very ambrosial sweet ‘chikki’ – which is a key attraction here.

For the adventurous trekkers, Matheran is a pure indulgence. There are manifold trekking routes to Matheran, the most famous being the one through the Garbett Plateau.

Categories
Beaches Western Ghats

Scoot out for a much awaited break at Malvan

Malvan happens to be a picture perfect fishing port town located in the Konkan district of Maharashtra. Apart from the beaches where you could relax and spend some wonderful time, the place also has a few historical monuments which make the place perfectly balanced on the scale of natural and manmade beauty.

How to reach

Dabolim in the northern part of Goa is the nearest airport to the place which is a few hours ride away. Kudal is the nearest railway station belonging to the Konkan railways and located about 30 kilometers from the town. However, buses remain the best option to travel to the place. Mumbai-Goa highway is a clean road and Malvan is located at about 35 kilometers west of the highway, so getting there shouldn’t be a problem.

Places to visit

Among the many reasons to visit Malvan, here are a few that may compel to form your next trip around the beautiful fishing port.

Sindhudurg Fort- The great fort was built by the great Maratha warrior Shivaji in 1664. The ferry services which will take you to the fort from the town begin their rounds early in the morning from 8 AM. The fort is a magnificent monument full of reminiscent of the era this fort belongs to.

Rock Garden- After a day well spent watching the monuments and sightseeing around the place, Malvan is the best place to relax on the rocks. situated near the Arase Mahal, on the rocky shore of Malvan, it is a marvelously built garden overlooking the Chivla beach. enjoy the calm of the seaside and the sunset and sunrise amidst its all green and raw vibe, while you are here.

Tarkali- Located at a distance of about 6 kilometers from Malvan, is Tarkali. The very long and narrow stretch of the beach is the biggest attraction of the place and being very close to Malvan, the place deserves a visit.

Devbag- The long beach around the coast, an exquisite boat ride to the tsunami island is the biggest attractions of the place. The Sangam point can also be seen from here. Parasailing and other water sports add a lot more fun to the overall joy of having visited the place.

 Beaches Malvan is surrounded by striking beaches which are refreshing and relaxing and offer you a wide view of the calm sea. As many sea birds visit here in thousands the place is a great sight for the visitors.

Boat rides in Karli backwaters can be enjoyed by visitors. Scuba diving on the Dandi beach, located at around a 3 kilometers distance from the main Malvan bus stand, is one rather sporty thing to do in otherwise peace-loving town. However, the scuba diving facilities are not the best in the country, but coming at half the price of other places, it is definitely worth a shot.

Food

Malvan will offer you some of the most delicious seafood that you may have ever tasted in your life. Hotel Chaitanya near Malvan Bharad road is known for authentic Malvani food and offers some of the best-fried fish. There are other great places near the Malvan fish market which take your taste buds on an amazing roller coaster ride. Other restaurants to try include Atithi Bamboo, Swami Family Restaurant, Only Fish and Ocean’s Paradise.

Stay

Malvan has many hotels and resorts that remain booked almost all the time in a year. Ai beach home, Manorama Niwas, Sagar Sangam and the Tian beach resort stands out among the many other places to stay.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the place is from October to May and as the season approaches, you need to start finding all those fancy backpacks. Malvan acts both as a foodie’s paradise and a great tourist spot and one trip to the place is enough for you to fall in love with it.

Malvan serves as not just the perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. With one of the best beaches in India and cheaper water sports such as at Tarkali, Malvan is a place that must be visited once in a lifetime.

Categories
Beaches Western Ghats

Scoot out for a much awaited break at Malwan

Malwan happens to be a picture perfect fishing port town located in the Konkan district of Maharashtra. Apart from the beaches where you could relax and spend some wonderful time, the place also has a few historical monuments which make the place perfectly balanced on the scale of natural and manmade beauty.

How to reach

Dabolim in the northern part of Goa is the nearest airport to the place which is a few hours ride away. Kudal is the nearest railway station belonging to the Konkan railways and located at about 30 kilometers from the town. However, buses remain the best option to travel to the place. Mumbai-Goa highway is a clean road and Malwan is located at about 35 kilometers west of the highway, so getting there shouldn’t be a problem.

Places to visit

Among the many reasons to visit Malwan, here are a few that may compel to form your next trip around the beautiful fishing port.

Sindhudurg Fort- The great fort was built by the great Maratha warrior Shivaji in 1664. The ferry services which will take you to the fort from the town begin their rounds early in the morning from 8 AM. The fort is a magnificent monument full of reminiscent of the era this fort belongs to.

Rock Garden- After a day well spent watching the monuments and sightseeing around the place, Malwan is the best place to relax on the rocks. situated near the Arase Mahal, on the rocky shore of Malvan, it is a marvelously built garden overlooking the Chivla beach. enjoy the calm of the seaside and the sunset and sunrise amidst its all green and raw vibe, while you are here.

Tarkali- Located at a distance of about 6 kilometers from Malvan, is Tarkali. The very long and narrow stretch of the beach is the biggest attraction of the place and being very close to Malwan, the place deserves a visit.

Devbag- The long beach around the coast, an exquisite boat ride to the tsunami island is the biggest attractions of the place. The sangam point can also be seen from here. Parasailing and other water sports add a lot more fun to the overall joy of having visited the place.

 Beaches Malvan, the popular fishing port town in Konkan region of Maharashtra is surrounded by beautiful beaches which are refreshing and relaxing, can offer you a wide view of the calm sea where sightseeing can be done as many sea birds visit here in thousands making it a great sight for the visitors. Boat rides in Karli backwaters are also enjoyed by visitors.

Scuba diving on the Dandi beach, located at around a 3 kilometers distance from the main Malwan bus stand, is one rather sporty thing to do in otherwise peace-loving town. However, the scuba diving facilities are not the best in the country, but coming at half the price of other places, it is definitely worth a shot.

Food

Malwan will offer you some of the most delicious seafood that you may have ever tasted in your life. You can have all the different varieties of it in Malwan. One place to go is Hotel Chaitanya near Malvan Bharad road and it offers some of the best-fried fish. There are other great places near the Malvan fish market which take your taste buds on an amazing roller coaster ride.

Stay

Malvan has many hotels and resorts that remain booked almost all the time in a year. Ai beach home, Manorama Niwas, Sagar Sangam and the Tian beach resort stands out among the many other places to stay.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the place is from October to May and as the season approaches, you need to start finding all those fancy backpacks. Malwan acts both as a foodie’s paradise and a great tourist spot and one trip to the place is enough for you to fall in love with it.

Categories
Architectural North-West India

Historical Epoch – The Elephanta Caves

Situated right in the heart of Elephanta Island of Maharashtra, Elephanta Caves are described as a string of sculpted caves with two significant groups. Group one showcases Hindu caves while the other caves host a few Buddhist caves. Hindu caves have rock cut sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva.These caves were discovered somewhere between 5th and 8th centuries. However, the identity of real builders of these sculptures has not been established yet.

How to Reach

Elephanta Caves are situated on an Island in Maharashtra’s Mumbai Coast. This is why one must first reach Mumbai. Mumbai is one of the most well-connected cities of India. Daily flights from all other major cities of India are available regularly. Even international flights are regular.

Once you are in Mumbai. Go to Gateway of India. From here you can get ferries to Elephanta Caves. However, these ferries are crowded during peak hours and are not operational during Monsoons.

Places to visit

Main Cave Shrine

One of the most visited places in Elephanta caves is Main Cave Shrine. This cave has been dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Linga, the symbol of Lord Shiva, and Yoni, the symbol of Goddess Parvathi, has been depicted in this cave as a mark of supreme unity.

Trimurti and Gangadhara

Trimurti is one of the most sculptures in Elephanta Caves. Tourists from around the globe visit this place regularly to take a glimpse of Gupta Chalukyan masterpiece art.

East Wing

Another most popular place to visit in Elephanta Caves is East Wing that gives access to a 55 ft. long courtyard. The circular pedestal in the courtyard is considered as the mount of Lord Shiva—Nandi.

West Wing

To reach West Wing cave one must go through the main cave. Despite being a popular site in Elephanta Caves, it is now in a semi-ruined state. West Wing hosts a chapel and a cistern, which many believe is Buddhist.

Shiva Slaying Adhaka

One of the main reasons why this Shiva Slaying Adhaka is famous is that it depicts Virabhadra or Bhairava form of Lord Shiva. It is one of its kind places here because there are very rare works on this furious form of Lord Shiva.

Shiva Cave

The main cave of Elephanta Caves is also known as Shiva Cave. It covers an area of around 27 sq. m. Shiva Cave also has a hall that in colloquial language is known as Mandapa.

Things to Do

Visit Archaeological Museum

Started in the year 1999, Archaeological Museum is one of best places in Elephanta Island where you can spend some quality time. The museum boasts pictures of all the sculptures of Elephanta Caves with information.

Enjoy a ride in Boat Jetty

This is a fun ride that lasts just a little more than a kilometer. It is a train with vibrant colors and sound, which does not look like made for transportation. However, if you are on the Island we recommend you to try the ride.

Best places to Eat

Elephanta Island is not famous only for its caves but also for its variety of Indian delicacies. Some of the best places to eat in this Island are:

Bhagat Tarachand

It is a reasonably priced restaurant in Elephanta Island that serves Indian vegetarian food only.

AER—Bar and Lounge

If you are tired of whole days sightseeing then AER—Bar and Lounge is the best place to unwind and rejuvenate with a variety of food and drinks.

Farzi Café, Kamala Mills

It is a great place for people who love party hard late night. The food is delicious here. Drinks are also good.

Places to stay

One may find the lot of guest houses, resorts and budget hotels in case you are eager for an overnight stay.The Elephanta Island is a serene and picturesque island with the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated with the cult of Lord Shiva. You must head to this place once in a lifetime. The Elephanta Island is a serene and picturesque island with the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated with the cult of Lord Shiva. You must head to this place once in a lifetime.

Categories
Adventure Beaches South India Western India

Best places to enjoy Marine Life in India

Swimming side by side innumerable schools of dazzling fishes, peeking under the corals hoping to spot an unusual marine creature, adoring the heavy silence as you blade through azure waters with only the noise of your inhalation to accompany you – yes, that is what snorkeling is all about. The Ghoomophiro team checks out the best snorkeling destinations in India as follows.

The Andamans

Snorkeling in the magnificent and turquoise waters of the Andaman Islands is equivalent to doing it in Seychelles or Maldives. Havelock Island, known for its flawless, white sand beaches, is the ultimate hub for lovers of the sport. Unadulterated coral reefs remain of sunken sea vessels, gorgeous underwater rock formations, and lively marine life- all make for an amazing and unforgettable experience. Cinque Islands and Passage Island, which are known for shark sightings, are other famous spots in the Andamans.

Lakshwadeep

The best thing about Lakshwadeep is that it is less frequented as a tourist destination. The reefs around the islands are pure and unspoiled by human intervention plus the beautiful blue waters bustle with a variety of sea life. Kadmat Islands and Bangaram are the most visited and the former even has a diving school. Tourism policies for Lakshwadeep keep on changing, so make sure you acquire the required permits before planning a vacation.

Goa

Goa, India’s party capital is also a paradise for water sports aficionados. More than the sea life, which is present in plenty in the tepid waters of the Arabian Sea, it is the shipwrecks along the coastline that pull divers from all over the globe to this place. Some of the most well- known sites are Wreck of Suzy, Grande Island, Bay of Bounty and Cove of Shelter. Expect to sight angelfish, parrotfish, barracudas, snappers and Moorish idols. You should avoid going here during monsoons as the water gets dull and the ebbs are not very welcoming.

Maharashtra

Tarkarli is a hidden treasure on the Konkan coast. The Sindhudurg Fort has a grand coral growth on the submerged walls which houses plenty of aquatic creatures. The pristine, unpolluted waters allow excellent visibility and since tourism is still in its initial stage, snorkeling and diving here are much cheaper comparatively. Tarkarli is easily accessible by road from Goa, Pune, and Mumbai.

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Pondicherry may not have acquired a name as a scuba diving destination in India but you’ll be happily surprised with what its warm waters have to provide. Arvind’s Wall, 4 Corners, Cool Shark Reef, The Hole and Danny’s Eel Sanctuary are pervasive with aquatic life and you can spot sea snakes, parrot fish, lion fish, crustaceans, groupers, moray eels, and triggerfish. If you are lucky enough, you may even have a tete-a-tete with a turtle or a reef shark. Chennai is the closest airport to Pondicherry.

Netrani Island, Karnataka

This tiny island off the coast of Karnataka is growing quickly in fame as a snorkeling destination. Also called as the Pigeon Island, Netrani is a coral island that is accessible from Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai. Barracudas, manta rays, stingrays, reef sharks, turtles, and stonefish are commonly sighted around this place. Because sharp rocks surround the island, it is not really possible to step onto it, Therefore, snorkeling expeditions are often launched from a vessel. The monsoon season should be avoided.So, a shout out to all the snorkeling enthusiasts to visit these amazing sites in India!

So, a big shout out to all the snorkeling enthusiasts to visit these amazing sites in India!

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