Maharashtra in the Monsoon

 The state of Maharashtra is replete with amazing natural beauty be it the beaches by the vast Arabian Sea, the mesmerizing Sahyadri ranges, deep green lush forests, the konkan coast,  quaint little villages nestled in deep valleys, by the sea, cascading waterfalls on the winding ghats, sky touching peaks of the hill stations with stunning panoramic views of the undulating hills and mountains. All this becomes even more magical when the monsoon arrives. The views, mist, clouds, meandering streams, overflowing waterfalls have a loyal following of tourists who wait all year round for a chance to enjoy the rains amidst this unending beauty of nature.

Here are a few of the must-not-miss places for the monsoon-lovers ( in random order )

1. Amboli, Sindhudurg

2. Alibag, Raigad

   
   
   

3. Bhandardara, Ahmedabad

4. Bhimashankar, Pune 

5. Durshet, Raigad

6. Dahanu, Palghar

7. Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri

8. Harihareshwar, Raigad 

   
   
   

9. Igatpuri, Nashik

10. Jawhar, Palghar

11. Kalsubai, Ahmednagar

12. Kolad, Raigad

13. Kashid, Raigad

14. Karnala Fort, Raigad

15. Kunkeshwar, Sindhudurg

16. Kamshet, Pune

17. Khandala, Pune

18. Lonavala Pune 

19. Lohgad Fort, Pune

20. Lavasa, Pune

    
    
    

21. Mahabaleshwar, Satara

22. Malshej Ghat, Thane

    
    
    

23. Malvan, Sindhudurg

24. Murud-Janjira, Raigad

25. Mulshi Dam, PuneM

26. Matheran, Raigad

    
    
    

27. Panchgani, Satara

28. Panvel, Raigad

29. Raigad Fort, Raigad

30. Rajmachi, Pune

31. Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg

32. Shrivardhan, Raigad

    
    
    

33. Tapola, Satara

34. Tarkarli Beach, Sindhudurg

35. Tamhini Ghat, Pune

36. Torna Fort, Pune

37. Thoseghar Falls, Satara

38. Visapur Killa, Pune

The list is an assorted mix of hill stations, beaches, coastal towns, historical forts and numerous waterfalls. Combined with the chilly rain water, spicy corn cobs, and piping hot tea, Monsoon in the state of Maharashtra is absolutely magical to say the least.

Images - www.thrilophilia.com

Dhule District, Maharashtra

Dhule district in the state of Maharashtra was previously a part of West Khandesh district which was bifurcated on 1 July 1998 into two separate districts, namely Dhule and Nandurbar.

Area - 7,195 sq.km / 2,778 sq.m

Elevation - 240 metres

Population -  20,50,862 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India -  223 out of 640

District Headquarters -  Dhule city

Administrative Division - Nashik

Tehsils - 4

Villages - 686

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Khandesh, Hindi, Urdu, English, Banjari, Konkani, Kukna, Mawchi, Pawri, Bhil and Ahirani, a dialect of Marathi

Geographical Borders -

North -  State of Madhya Pradesh

South - Nashik and Gujarat

East - Jalgaon

West - Gujarat and Nandurbar district 

Primary Crops - Cotton, Chilli, Jowar, Paddy, Banana, Maize, Groundnut, Soyabean, Wheat, Gram, Cane, Bajra, Onion

Water Sources - Rivers Tapi, Aner, Amravati, Kan, Panzara, Evil, Arunavati

Natural Resources - Cultivable land, Water reservoirs

Distance from 

• State Capital Mumbai - 330km

• Malegaon - 50 km

• Jalgaon - 94 km

• Aurangabad - 141 km

• Ahmedabad - 368 km

• Gandhinagar - 380 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports -

• Aurangabad Airport, 132 km

Via Railways - Nearest station is Jalgaon at a distance of 80 km.

Via Roadways - 

• MSRTC ( Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ) , State Transport  Buses ( ST ) 

• Mumbai to Jalgaon. Jalgaon onwards to Dhule

• Mumbai - Agra highway

• Nagpur - Surat highway 

• Dhule lies at the junction of three major National highways; NH - 3, NH - 6, NH - 211

• Interstate travel by private cabs, vehicles and mini buses etc

Unique Local handicrafts / Artefacts -

Cottage industries that include weaving handloom saris, Beedi rolling, Brick making, pottery, Groundnut oil extraction, wood cutting 

Best time to visit - October to February, Post - Monsoon and Winter months.

Festivals Celebrated - Diwali, Dussehra, Id, Gudi Padwa, Ganeshotsav, Akshay tritiya

The district of Dhule in the state of Maharashtra has quite a few achievements to its credit. 

Some of those are listed here :- 

1. Leader in Wind power generation

2. Asia's largest Solar project 

3. Foremost in agro-based industries

4. Leading in milk and ghee production

5. Maximum cultivable land in the State

6. Leading in prestigious Educational Institutions

7. Leading Textile centre

8. Leading in production of glucose

9. Asia's largest Wind Mill project 

10. Hub of textile manufacturing, Edible oil extraction, field of Information Technology, Power - looms. 

Besides these, the district has many places that attract tourists such as historical forts, ancient temples,places of natural beauty, lakes, dams, hills.

In Spite of so much development and progress being made, it is included in the most backward states of India and is one of the 250 districts listed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the year 2006. It is one of the twelve districts of Maharashtra receiving the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme ( BRGF )

Images - Wikipedia and mapsofindia

Recommended reading - Dhule Tourist Attractions

Yavatmal District, Maharashtra

 

The district of Yavatmal is located in the Vidarbha region in the state of Maharashtra.

Area - 13,582 sq.km / 5,244 sq.mi

Average Elevation - 308 meters

Population - 27,72,348 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 141 out of 640

District Headquarters - Yavatmal city

Administrative Division - Amravati

Talukas - 16

Villages - 2155

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, Gondi, Urdu, Kolami, Banjari, Andh, Varhadi dialect

Geographical Borders -

North -  Amravati and Wardha Districts, Maharashtra

South - Nanded district, Maharashtra and Telangana

East - Chandrapur District, Maharashtra

Northwest - Washim District, Maharashtra

West - Hingoli district, Maharashtra

Primary Crops - Cotton, Wheat, Jowar, Rice, Soyabean, Bengal Gram, Ground nut, Sugarcane, Oranges, Grapes, Betel nuts, Lime

Forestry - Tendu, Hirda, Bamboo, Moha, Teak, Apta

Animals - Deer, Wildbear, Hyena, Nilgai, Peacock, Sambhar

Tribal Communities - Banjara, Gond Raja, Gond Pardhan, Aandh, Kolam

Water Sources - 

Rivers Wardha, Penganga, Arunavati, Bembala, Nirguda, Banmbala

Dams Waghadi, Upper Pus Dam, Lower Pus Dam, Arunavati, Borgaon, Saikheda, Goki, Borgaon

Natural Resources - Forests, Rivers, Agricultural soil, minerals like Coal

Distance from 

• State Capital Mumbai - 689  km

• Solapur - 436 km

• Pune - 579 km

• Nagpur - 182 km

• Nashik - 537 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports -

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur at a distance of 151 km from the district headquarters

Via Railways - 

1. Dhamangaon station, 49 km from the district HQ

2. Wani railway station, 103 km from the district HQ

3. Badnera railway station, Amravati at a distance of 83 km from the district HQ

Via Roadways - NH 7 and NH 361 connects it to all major cities and towns in the state as well as the country

MSRTC ( Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ) connects it via State and National highways

Best time to visit - December to February

The district of Yavatmal is located in the East - Central part of the state of Maharashtra.

As per population, it is Vidarbha's third largest district after the districts of Nagpur and Amravati.It is quite an ancient region which finds mention in the Hindu story of Mahabharata. 

Economically it is not so well developed and has been mentioned as one of the 250 most backward states in the country as ranked by The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the year 2006. It is one of the 12 districts of Maharashtra that receives the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme ( BRGF ).  The economy of the district is based primarily on agriculture, tourism, with a few business centers and industries with one of the prominent being Raymond's Cotton Project.

The tehsil of Ralegaon is known as The cotton capital of Maharashtra while the city of Wani is referred to as The Black Diamond City because of its coal deposits and mines.

The city of Digras is another one known for its cotton production and hence called as a Cotton city. Apart from this, it is very much famous for its international Kabaddi players who hail from here.

Recommended reading - Yavatmal District Tourism

Images - wikipedia and mapsofindia

Jalna District, Maharashtra State

The district of Jalna lies in the Central part of the state of Maharashtra, to the north of Marathwada region. It is one of the 8 districts in Aurangabad division.

Area - 7,687 sq.km / 2,968 sq.m

Elevation - 293 to 933 metres

Population - 19,59,046 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 237 out of 640

District Headquarters -  Jalna town

Administrative Division - Aurangabad

Tehsils - 8

Villages - 958

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Lambadi

Official Language - Marathi

Geographical Borders -

North -  Jalgaon district

South - Beed district

East - Parbhani and Buldana district

West - Aurangabad district

Primary Crops - Sweet lemons and Oranges

Water Sources - Rivers Godavari, Purna, Ambad, Partur, Gulati, Girija, Kundalika 

Natural Resources - Rich black soil 

Distance from 

• State Capital Mumbai - 332 km ( Straight line distance )

• Pune - 298 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports - Chikkalthana Airport, Aurangabad, 64 km. Jalna district doesn't have its own Airport.

Via Railways - Jalna station lies on the Secunderabad - Manmad line of South Central Railway Zone. All major cities are connected to Jalna district via railways.

Via Roadways - Regular State and Private buses run through the district connecting with major cities of the State. Nagpur - Aurangabad - Mumbai highway passes through the district.

Unique Features :-

1. Jalna city is the biggest steel producer in the state

2. The district is the biggest producer of Sweet limes and Oranges 

3. It is a major industrial hub of cotton ginning factories, cotton presses, rolling mills, hybrid - seed manufacturing, bidi - industry

Best time to visit - Monsoon and Winter months ( November to March )

The district of Jalna came into existence on 1 May 1981. It was carved out of regions from Aurangabad and Parbhani districts of Maharashtra. Though it was a part of Maharashtra right after Independence, previously belonging to Nizam's Hyderabad princely state. 

The district is economically well - developed due to a number of industries as well as having 85 % of its land under cultivation and fertile black soil. The banks of its many rivers provide agricultural opportunities.

The district is a good tourist destination as a pilgrimage centre with quite a few temples along with many rivers, parks and forts.

Its climate is quite pleasant due to the Ajanta and Satmala hill ranges in the North.

Here is a list of its tourist attractions :-

1. Anandi Temple ( Samadhi of Shree Sant Anandi Swami )

2. Bhokardan Tukai Caves

3. Chatrapati Sambhaji Garden

4. Durga mata Temple, Jalna city

5. Dargah of Jan Alla Shah

6. Dargah of Nur Shah Walli

7. Grishneshwar Temple

8. Ghanewadi Lake

9. Guru Ganesh Tapovan

10. Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary

11. Hemadpanthi temple of Matsyodari Devi Temple

    
    
    

12. Jalicha Dev

13. Jalna Fort

14. Jamb Samartha, Ghansawangi

15. Kali Masjid, Jalna city

    
    
    

16. Lower Dudhana Dam

17. Lord Shiva Temple, Anwa village

18. Mammo Devi Temple

19. Moti Bagh

20. Moti Talab

21. Mazar - E - Maulai Noorudin Saheb

22. Rajur Ganpati

23. Shri Mamma Devi Temple

24. Shri Ganesh Temple, Rajur

    
    
    

25. Swami Vivekanand Ashram

The many festivals celebrated include Ram Navmi, Shiv Ratri, Holi, Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Ganeshotsav. Quite a few fairs are also held during the festival periods specially Ram Navmi, Shivratri and Sharad Navratri.

Taluka Map - wikipedia

Images - TripAdvisor