Top tourist attractions in Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the second largest state in India, has everything you could ask for in a tourist destination. From beaches to mountains to wildlife parks to museums and ancient ruins, this state will appeal to every taste and interest. Here are 10 amazing tourist attractions in Maharashtra that you can’t miss if you’re visiting this beautiful state in India.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Karnala Bird Sanctuary is a protected area in India, situated in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. It is a part of the Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sanctuary is about 100 km from Mumbai and covers an area of about 10 sq km.
The sanctuary was established in 1984 to protect the endemic bird species that inhabit this region. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary has been declared as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Indian government.
The sanctuary provides a safe habitat for many endangered and threatened bird species such as the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Hill Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet and White-bellied Treepie.
Bhandardara Lake
Bhandardara Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Western Ghats, near Lonavala and Khandala. It is one of the few lakes in Maharashtra that has a natural catchment area.
The lake is popular for its scenic beauty and biodiversity. The catchment of Bhandardara Lake includes forests, grasslands, and some agricultural land. There are many species of birds found here including the Malabar whistling thrush, black-headed cuckooshrike, brown-cheeked fulvetta and black-naped monarch.
Bhandardara Lake was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1972 by the Indian government to protect its rich biodiversity from human disturbance or exploitation.
Lokmanya Tilak Museum
Lokmanya Tilak Museum is a museum in Mumbai, India. It houses a large collection of books, pictures and other memorabilia of Lokmanya Tilak. It was inaugurated on 23rd December 1951.
The museum is located at the corner of the junction between Dadabhai Naoroji Road and Bhulabhai Desai Road in Dadar West. The building was designed by architect Claude Batley and named “Vidyalaya”. The museum is maintained by the Maharashtra State Board for Literature and Culture, Government of Maharashtra.
Goa Velha Historical Museum
The Goa Velha Historical Museum is a museum in the city of Panaji, India. It was founded in 1977 by the Archaeological Survey of India and it is one of the few museums in Goa which has a collection of artefacts from ancient civilizations.
The museum is located at the north end of the old Portuguese Quarter, near St. Andrew’s Church and Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha, on Rua da Ordem Terceira. The museum building was built in 1710 as a private residence for Jose Pereira de Castro and his family; it was later purchased by Joao Gomes Ferreira who donated it to the Archaeological Survey of India for use as a museum.
Lonavala Fort
Lonavala Fort is a major tourist attraction of the city. It was built in the 18th century and is located on a hilltop. The fort is known to have been constructed from stones that were brought from across India and it has a commanding view of the surrounding area.
The Lonavala Fort was built in the 18th century by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his son, Rajaram Chhatrapati. It was designed by Pradumnya Patwardhan, who also designed the Kailashnath Temple at Ellora Caves and the Mahakali Caves in Aurangabad. The fort overlooks Lonavala city and has an imposing view of its surroundings.
Gaodevi Temple, Khandala
The Gaodevi temple is located in Khandala, a village near Pune. The temple is dedicated to goddess Gaodevi and houses the statue of the goddess.
The temple was built by Mahadji Scindia, a Maratha general. He constructed it in 1790 AD and named it after his mother.