7 wonders of Maharashtra

Maharashtra Has its own 7 wonders and each destination will turn out to be definitely a zoom-worthy trip. Some of them are ancient heritage sites whereas some are just nature’s gift to us but all are famous destination for weekend holiday.

Lonar Lake: Home to the Earth’s only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock, the crater was formed fifty-two thousand years ago, when a meteor crashed into the earth at an estimated speed of 90,000 kmph, weighing 2 million tonnes. The lake is both alkaline and saline & micro-organisms which are rarely found anywhere else on earth are supported in this environment.

How to Reach:

By Air: Aurangabad is the closest airport to Lonar. The 120-125 kms drive from Aurangabad to Lonar runs through picturesque villages and fields of paddy

By Rail: Lot of trains run between Mumbai and Aurangabad via Manmad Junction.

By Road: Buses to Lonar ply via Jalna and take about 5 hours. Public and private buses run overnight services from Mumbai to Aurangabad

Where to stay:

The MDTC Holiday Resort is one of the few options in the area, and is decently located 1km from Lonar town centre. A better option would be to stay in Aurangabad and drive to Lonar Lake for a day trip.

Ajanta Caves: The Ajanta Caves were carved in the 2nd century BC out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff, situated overlooking a ravine, has beautiful paintings showcasing the life of Buddha in 29 caves. They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (chaitya grihas) and monasteries (viharas) for about nine centuries. These caves were abandoned until they were rediscovered in the year 1819.

How to Reach:

By Air: Aurangabad is the closest airport to Ajanta Caves. The 120-125 kms drive from Aurangabad to Lonar runs through picturesque villages and fields of paddy

By Rail: Lot of trains run between Mumbai and Aurangabad via Manmad Junction. Another railway station which can be considered is Jalgaon. An even more major station is Bhusaval, 28km from Jalgaon

By Road: Public and private buses run overnight services from Mumbai to Aurangabad. The drive from Aurangabad to Ajanta takes 2 to 3 hours

Where to stay:

The best option would be to stay in Aurangabad and drive to Ajanta Caves for a day trip

Daulatabad Fort: Built in 12th century, this architectural marvel is in the maze format, designed to keep the enemies confused and make it close to impossible to reach the top. The central structure is separated from the outer side through wide moats. You need to hike some 750 odd steps up to the top, but the view down below is a wonderful thing to behold.

How to Reach:

By Air: Aurangabad is the closest airport. Daulatabad fort is located 27 km away from Aurangabad and lies a half an hour drive away from the same.

By Rail: Lot of trains run between Mumbai and Aurangabad via Manmad Junction

By Road: Public and private buses run overnight services from Mumbai to Aurangabad. Buses run from Aurangabad to Daulatabad Fort quite frequently, or you can hire a private car

Where to stay:

Lot of stay option is available in Aurangabad so the travellers have the flexibility to choose depending on the budget

Kaas Plateau: Known as the valley of flowers, Kaas Plateau is especially beautiful in the monsoon and is home to about 850 species of plants. It is a UNESCO heritage because of its extensive range of flora and fauna. Kaas is also unique as the different flowers here flower at different times, so if you go in the beginning, middle or the end of the season, the place looks completely different. Some flowers, like the Topli Karvi blossom only once in seven years.

How to Reach:

By Air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to Kaas Plateau

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Satara after which you can take bus/auto to reach. The distance is approx. 25kms

By Road: The best way to reach is to drive in your car or with a group in a bus. Local transportation is available but not recommended

Where to stay:

Lot of stay option is available in Satara so the travellers have the flexibility to choose depending on the budget

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: A UNESCO World heritage site that operates both local and central railways, it is built on the concept of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture which makes for a majestic sight. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. The station is the most photographed building in the country after Taj Mahal.

How to Reach:

By Air: Mumbai airport is the nearest airport

By Rail: CST is a railway station in itself

By Road: You can easily hire a taxi to reach this iconic place from anywhere in Mumbai

Where to stay:

Lot of stay option is available in Mumbai so the travellers have the flexibility to choose depending on the budget

Global Vipassana Pagoda: Built in the year 2009, it is a Meditation Hall which has traditional Burmese design and is painted with glimmering Thai gold paint. The shape of the pagoda is replicated of the Golden Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. The centre of the Pagoda contains the world's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars.

How to reach?

By Air: The nearest airport is Mumbai airport which is approx. 38 kms from Gorai Beach

By Rail: Mumbai has well connected rail networks

By Road: One can hire a cab/Auto rickshaw to reach the pagoda. Govt.buses also ply on this route.

By Ferry: You can hop into the ferry from Gorai creek. Once you cross the creek, you can find several auto rickshaws to take you to pagoda

Where to stay:

Lot of stay option is available in Mumbai so the travellers have the flexibility to choose depending on the budget

Raigad Fort: Situated at a height of 820 metres, the Fort is perched on the Sahyadri mountain range. The majestic fort is accessible only from one side through a pathway as the other three sides are surrounded by deep valleys. A series of around 1737 steps lead you to the top or you can take the ropeway to reach from where a spectacular view of the surrounding verdant and deep valleys will blow away your mind. The fort bears the heritage of the ancient Marathas.

How to reach?

By Air: Pune airport is the nearest airport to this fort. It is about 126 km away from the fort.

By Rail: Mangoan station or Vir-Dasgaon stations on the Konkan railway are the convenient railheads to reach Raigad fort

By Road: One can easily reach Mahad by travelling in public or private buses. From there on, hire a taxi and reach Pachad Village, the nearest point to the fort

By Boat: People from Mumbai can reach this fort by Boat. Motor launches are available from Gateway of India in Mumbai to Alibaug. They take only 45 minutes to reach Alibaug. Then you can catch private vehicles from there till Raigad

Where to stay:

There are many hotels nearby the vicinity of Raigad fort Maharashtra. MTDC resort with good accommodation facilities is also available in Raigad