Maharashtra

Formerly Ahmednagar (renamed 2025); home of Shirdi and the Sahyadri peaks.

• SpiritualShirdiSai Baba's town, among India's busiest pilgrimages.
• SpiritualShani ShingnapurVillage shrine famed for homes without doors.
• NatureBhandardaraLakes and waterfalls beneath Kalsubai.
• AdventureKalsubai PeakMaharashtra's highest peak, a popular trek.
• CultureRalegan SiddhiOffbeatModel watershed village associated with Anna Hazare.

Vidarbha district with forts and cotton farmland.

• HeritageNarnala FortHill fort with three linked forts and wildlife.
• HeritageBalapur FortOffbeatMughal-era fort and Chhatri in a quiet town.

Gateway to the Melghat tiger reserve and Chikhaldara hills.

• WildlifeMelghat Tiger ReserveRugged tiger reserve of teak forest.
• HillsChikhaldaraVidarbha's only hill station, with coffee and forest viewpoints.
• HeritageGawilgarh FortHilltop fort in the Satpura range.
• SpiritualMuktagiriOffbeatJain temple complex beside waterfalls.

Cave and fort city, gateway to Ajanta and Ellora.

• Must-seeEllora CavesUNESCO rock-cut caves with the monolithic Kailasa temple.
• Must-seeAjanta CavesUNESCO Buddhist cave murals from 2,000 years ago.
• HeritageDaulatabad FortFortress on a conical hill with labyrinthine passages.
• HeritageBibi Ka MaqbaraMini Taj-like Mughal mausoleum.
• HeritagePanchakkiMedieval watermill and Sufi shrine.
• HeritageKhuldabadOffbeatHill town with Aurangzeb's simple tomb.

Marathwada district known for the Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga.

• SpiritualParli VaijnathOne of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines.
• HeritageKankaleshwar TempleStone temple in a lake setting.

Eastern Vidarbha district of lakes, brass and ancient Pauni.

• HeritagePauni StupaOffbeatAncient Buddhist stupa site on the Wainganga.
• WildlifeKoka Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatForest sanctuary with tigers, leopards and birds.
• NatureGosekhurd DamLarge Wainganga reservoir.

Home of Lonar's meteor crater lake and Sindkhed Raja.

• Must-seeLonar Crater LakeSaline meteorite crater lake with ancient temples.
• SpiritualShegaon Gajanan Maharaj TempleSpotless, well-run pilgrim town.
• HeritageSindkhed RajaOffbeatBirthplace of Jijabai, with old palaces.

Tadoba tiger country with Gond-era gateways.

• Must-seeTadoba-Andhari Tiger ReserveMaharashtra's top tiger reserve with high sighting odds.
• SpiritualMahakali Temple ChandrapurAncient goddess temple in the old city.
• HeritageGond Fort Walls and GatesMedieval stone gates of the old city.

Northwestern district with forts and Maratha-era history.

• HeritageLaling FortHill fort overlooking farmland.
• HeritageSongir FortOffbeatSmall hill fort with Bahamani-era ruins.
• HeritageRajwade MuseumMuseum of Maratha history manuscripts.

Forested tribal district; some areas need local advice on safety.

• HeritageMarkandadeo TemplesCluster of ancient temples called the Khajuraho of Vidarbha.
• CultureHemalkasaOffbeatLok Biradari Prakalp, social project and wildlife rescue centre.
• WildlifeChaprala Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatForest sanctuary with sambar and leopards.

Rice and lake district with Navegaon and Nagzira forests.

• WildlifeNavegaon National ParkForest and lake park good for birds.
• WildlifeNagzira Wildlife SanctuaryForest with tigers and bison, linked to Navegaon.
• NatureHajra FallsOffbeatMonsoon waterfall in the forest.

Marathwada district with an ancient Jyotirlinga temple.

• SpiritualAundha NagnathOne of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, carved stone temple.
• SpiritualNarsi NamdevOffbeatBirthplace of the saint-poet Namdev.

Banana belt and gateway to Ajanta from the north.

• CultureGandhi TeerthMuseum campus devoted to Gandhi's life.
• NatureUnapdev Hot SpringsHot spring pools in a forest.
• SpiritualPadmalayaOffbeatTwin Ganesh temples with a lotus pond.
• SpiritualChangdev (Muktainagar)Tapi river temple linked to the saint Muktai.

Steel and seed district with a Ganpati temple and Ramdas's birthplace.

• SpiritualRajur GanpatiAncient Ganpati temple.
• SpiritualJambsamarthBirthplace of Samarth Ramdas.

Royal city of Mahalakshmi, mutton thali and Kolhapuri chappal.

• SpiritualMahalakshmi (Ambabai) TempleOne of the Shakti Peeths, carved black stone temple.
• HeritageNew Palace MuseumPalace with the Chhatrapati family's collections.
• HeritagePanhala FortLarge fort with historic gates, linked to Shivaji's flight.
• SpiritualJyotiba TempleHill temple of Jyotiba with views.
• WildlifeRadhanagari Wildlife SanctuaryBison forest in the Western Ghats.
• NatureRankala LakeCity lake with evening food stalls.

Marathwada district with forts and Buddhist rock caves.

• HeritageUdgir FortFort where Marathas faced Hyderabad.
• HeritageKharosa CavesOffbeatRock-cut caves of mixed faith, off the tourist map.
• HeritageAusa FortLow fort with large ramparts and a moat.

Historic island city of colonial landmarks and Art Deco.

• Must-seeGateway of IndiaHarbour-front arch where Elephanta ferries leave.
• Must-seeCSMT and Victorian Gothic precinctUNESCO ensemble of grand Gothic and Art Deco buildings.
• Must-seeMarine Drive and ChowpattySea promenade and beach food stalls.
• CultureKala Ghoda art districtGalleries, cafes and CSMVS museum.
• SpiritualHaji Ali DargahDargah on a causeway into the sea.
• CultureDr Bhau Daji Lad MuseumJewel-box museum in Byculla.

Mumbai's northern suburbs with the national park and beaches.

• WildlifeSanjay Gandhi National ParkLeopards and Buddhist Kanheri Caves within the city.
• BeachJuhu BeachFamous beach with street food.
• CultureBandra Bandstand and street artSeafront walk with art and old churches.
• OffbeatJogeshwari CavesOffbeatAncient rock-cut caves hidden in a neighbourhood.
• BeachGorai BeachOffbeatQuiet northern beach near a pagoda.

Orange city at India's geographic centre.

• SpiritualDeekshabhoomiMajor Buddhist stupa where Ambedkar converted.
• HeritageZero Mile StoneMarks the geographical centre of colonial India.
• SpiritualRamtekHill temples and the Kalidas memorial.
• WildlifePench Tiger ReserveJungle Book country, tigers in teak forest.
• SpiritualDragon Palace TempleOffbeatColourful Buddhist temple in Kamptee.

Sikh pilgrimage city on the Godavari.

• SpiritualHazur Sahib GurudwaraOne of the five Sikh Takhts, deeply revered.
• SpiritualMahur Renuka DeviHilltop Shakti Peeth.
• NatureSahastrakund WaterfallMonsoon waterfall on the Penganga river.
• HeritageKandhar FortLarge Rashtrakuta-era fort.

Satpura tribal district with Toranmal hill.

• HillsToranmalHill station with a lake and misty plateau.
• SpiritualPrakasha TemplesOffbeatTemple complex at the Tapi confluence.
• CultureNarmada tribal villagesOffbeatBhil and Pawra villages along the river.

Wine, pilgrimage and Godavari ghats.

• SpiritualTrimbakeshwarJyotirlinga near the source of the Godavari.
• SpiritualPanchavati and Ram KundRamayana-linked ghats of Nashik.
• HeritagePandavleni CavesBuddhist caves on a hill with views.
• foodSula and Nashik vineyardsWine estates with tastings and tours.
• AdventureHarihar FortRock staircase fort for trekkers.
• SpiritualSaptashrungi GadHill shrine of the Goddess with seven peaks.

Formerly Osmanabad; known for Tuljapur Bhavani and Naldurg.

• SpiritualTuljapur Bhavani TempleFamily goddess of the Marathas.
• HeritageNaldurg FortMassive fort with a Bori river dam inside.
• HeritageDharashiv CavesAncient rock-cut cave group.
• HeritageTer (Tagara)OffbeatAncient Satavahana trading town with a small museum.

Coastal Konkan north with Warli art and Jawhar's forests.

• BeachDahanu and Bordi BeachesQuiet beaches and chikoo orchards.
• HillsJawharHill town with waterfalls and a palace.
• HeritageVasai FortPortuguese ruins with churches near Mumbai.
• CultureWarli villages (Ganjad)OffbeatWarli tribal painters at work.
• HeritageArnala FortOffbeatSea fort reached by boat.

Marathwada district claiming Sai Baba's birthplace at Pathri.

• SpiritualPathriDisputed claim to Sai Baba's birthplace.
• SpiritualGangakhedOffbeatGodavari bank town with old temples.

Peshwa capital and cultural city with forts and Sahyadri hills.

• Must-seeShaniwar WadaPeshwa fort-palace ruins.
• HeritageAga Khan PalacePalace where Gandhi was held, with a memorial.
• AdventureSinhagad FortFort for sunrise treks and snacks.
• HillsLonavala and KhandalaMonsoon waterfalls, ghats and chikki.
• HeritageKarla and Bhaja CavesEarly Buddhist caves with a great chaitya hall.
• WildlifeBhimashankar Wildlife SanctuaryJyotirlinga temple in a Ghat forest, with Malabar giant squirrels.

Konkan district with Shivaji's capital and island forts.

• Must-seeRaigad FortShivaji's capital fort and coronation site.
• Must-seeMurud-Janjira FortUnconquered sea fort reached by boat.
• BeachAlibag and Kolaba FortMumbai's quick-weekend beaches and a sea fort.
• HillsMatheranVehicle-free hill station with toy train.
• HeritageElephanta CavesUNESCO Shiva cave temples on an island off Mumbai.
• BeachKashid BeachClean white sand beach.

Alphonso mango and temple coast of the Konkan.

• SpiritualGanpatipuleBeachfront Ganesh temple.
• HeritageThibaw PalaceBurmese king's exile home in Ratnagiri.
• HeritageJaigad FortSea fort on a creek mouth.
• WildlifeVelas Turtle FestivalOffbeatOlive Ridley turtle hatchling releases (March-April).
• BeachHarnai and SuvarnadurgFishing port with an island fort.
• BeachGuhagar and VelneshwarQuiet beaches and Shiva temple.

Turmeric and sugarcane district with the Krishna river ghats.

• SpiritualGanpati Temple SangliRoyal temple with carvings.
• SpiritualAudumbarDatta temple on the Krishna river.
• WildlifeSagareshwar Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatMan-made forest with deer and temples.

Plateau of flowers, forts and strawberry farms.

• HillsMahabaleshwarHill resort with viewpoints and strawberries.
• HillsPanchganiTable land and school town.
• NatureKaas PlateauSeasonal wildflower plateau, a UNESCO natural site; visit in Aug-Sep.
• HeritagePratapgad FortFort where Shivaji defeated Afzal Khan.
• WildlifeKoyna ValleyReservoir and wildlife sanctuary.
• SpiritualSajjangadOffbeatFort-top samadhi of Samarth Ramdas.

Konkan coast with Malvan, Tarkarli and Sawantwadi.

• Must-seeSindhudurg FortSea fort built by Shivaji in Malvan.
• BeachTarkarliClear water for snorkelling and scuba.
• CultureSawantwadiPalace, lacquered toys and old market.
• HillsAmboli GhatMonsoon waterfalls and rare amphibians.
• HeritageVijaydurgOffbeatOld sea fort on a headland.

Pilgrim city with Pandharpur and a great bustard sanctuary.

• SpiritualPandharpur Vitthal TempleHome of the Warkari pilgrimage.
• SpiritualAkkalkotSwami Samarth temple town.
• SpiritualSiddheshwar TempleTemple on a lake in the city.
• WildlifeNannaj Great Indian Bustard SanctuaryOffbeatGrassland refuge for the critically endangered bustard.

Lakes, creek flamingos and ancient temples near Mumbai.

• HeritageAmbarnath Shiv Mandir11th-century Shilahara temple of carved stone.
• HeritageGhodbunder FortPortuguese and Maratha fort on the creek.
• HeritageKalyan Durgadi FortOld fort with temple and mosque.
• NatureMalshej GhatMonsoon waterfalls and flamingo migration.
• AdventureGorakhgadOffbeatTrek to a cave fort in the Sahyadris.

Gandhian heritage district with Sevagram.

• HeritageSevagram AshramGandhi's village ashram.
• SpiritualPaunar AshramVinoba Bhave's ashram on the Dham river.
• WildlifeBor Tiger ReserveSmall tiger reserve near the Bor lake.
• SpiritualVishwa Shanti StupaLarge Japanese-built Buddhist stupa.

Banjara cultural centre at Poharadevi.

• CulturePoharadeviSpiritual hub of the Banjara tribe.
• SpiritualKaranjaDatta temple town.

Cotton belt with a quiet tiger sanctuary.

• WildlifeTipeshwar Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatQuiet sanctuary with tigers and leopards.
• SpiritualKalamb ChintamaniAncient Ganesh temple.