Nashik District, Maharashtra

The district of Nashik is located in the Northern part of the state of Maharashtra.

Area - 15,582 sq.km / 6,016 sq.mi

Elevation - 700 meters / 2,300 feet

Population -  61,07,187 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 11 th out of 640

District Headquarters -  Nashik city

Administrative Division - Nashik

Tehsils - 15

Villages - 1931

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Khandeshi, Kukna, Bhili

Geographical Borders -

North -  Dhule district, Maharashtra

South -  Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra

East - Jalgaon district, Maharashtra

West - Valsad and Navsari, Gujarat 

South East - Aurangabad district, Maharashtra

South West - Thane district, Maharashtra

North West - Dangs district, Gujarat

Primary Crops - Cotton, Wheat, Pulses, Groundnuts, Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Millet, Vegetables like Onion, Brinjals, Coriander, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Carrots etc

Water Sources - Rivers Girna, Daman Ganga, Darna, Kadva, Mosam, Godavari, Bhima, Vaitarna, Kashyapi, Darana

Natural Resources - Forest wealth, Rivers and Lakes 

Distance from 

• State Capital Mumbai - 200 km

• Pune - 228.6 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports -

• Mumbai Airport, 175 km

• Pune International, 130 km

Via Railways - Nashik railway station is well - connected with most major Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi etc

Via Roadways - MSRTC ( Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ) runs various buses connecting Nashik with most cities in the State. Private cabs, rentals buses etc are also available. 

Unique Features of the District -

• More than half of the country's Vineyards and Wineries are located here 

• Major producer of Onion

• Silver ware and Silver Ornaments 

Best time to visit - October to February

The district of Nashik is the third largest district in terms of population in the state of Maharashtra.

It is also referred to as Mini Maharashtra as the climatic and soil conditions all over the state matches with some or the other region of Maharashtra.

Politically it was a part of the Bombay State from  the years 1947 to 1960. When the state of Maharashtra came into being, the Bombay State was divided with parts allocated to both Maharashtra and Gujarat state. Present day Nashik district became a part of Maharashtra.

Historically it has much religious significance for the Hindus. It has connection with Lord Ram, Sita Mata and Lakshman as they had spent a part of their 14 year exile in Panchvati. 

Agastya Rishi also resided in Nashik.

Anjaneri is the birth place of Lord Hanuman.

Holy river Godavari originates in the district near Trimbakeshwar range. It is also the largest river of India's peninsular region. 

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is in Trimbak. 

The Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years. 

Topographically, the western portion of the district is covered with the Sahyadri Ranges that run from the North to the South. Whereas, the eastern portion of the district lies on the Deccan plateau and hence is very much fertile and well - cultivated. About 56 % of the district land is under cultivation with the rest being hilly and / or covered with Forests. 

The weather and climatic conditions are conducive for the growth of superb quality grapes that has turned the district into a major producer of Wine with innumerable vineyards and wineries. 

The city of Nagpur is its biggest city followed by Malegaon.

Whereas the city of Yeola leads in the production of cotton goods and silk weaving.

The cultural, historical, economic, social and mythological importance of the district makes it one of the most visited districts in the State. 

Recommended reading - Nashik district Tourism 

Map - nashik.com

Monteria Village - Taking You Back To The Roots

Spread over an area of 35 acres is a unique picnic / weekend destination named Monteria Village in the district of Raigad, State Maharashtra.  What is different about this place is that it is a life size replica of a prototype Indian village that takes the visitor to the rural village life right here in the midst of a modern civilization. The village has been constructed to give the city dwellers a glimpse of our country's village life. Hence the construction of houses, shops, and restaurants is keeping in mind the rural architecture. The visitors are welcomed in a traditional way of performing aarti, applying tikka and putting on flower garlands. The food is rustic and totally down to earth, healthy yet delicious in its simplicity. There are farms, lakes, temples, village square, village market, village fair, shops of tailors, bangle sellers, barbers, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, weavers. The staff is trained to play their roles in the assigned activities and the artisans are genuine where one can learn their skills in the workshops held.The experience includes farming, travelling in a train that takes the visitors around the village and its outskirts. More than 40 activities majorly related to rural life give the visitor a chance to experience first - hand a life different from his own. Folk dances, songs, performances along with a provision for the guests to get clicked in rural costumes by an assigned photographer add to the enjoyment. The staff is trained and courteous. The guides provided are knowledgeable and friendly. 

Here is more detailed information about the place. 

Distance from Mumbai - 59 km

Distance from Pune - 91 km

Distance from Alibaug - 65 km

Activities

Cave Tunnel with internal waterfalls  

Giant Harness Swing 

Walks in the Nakshatra Garden

Lakshman Jhula Replica 

A swing circle 

Modified 'bullet chakda' Ride

Swimming Pool

Hydroponics Polyhouse

Traditional Village games like Lagori, Marbles, Tops, Cycle Tyre Rolling

Rain Dance

Cycling 

Cycle Rickshaws

Hammocks

Costume Photo Studio

Farming Course in the Dhanvantari Garden

Village Anand Mela 

Village Market 

Fish Pond

Balloon Shooting 

Rural Folk Songs and Dances

Theatre Performances

Kutchi Bhunga

Kathiyawadi Chakdo

Bamboo Oxy - Park

Wooden Carving Workshop

Khaat ( खाट ) Weavers

Stone and Metal Arts

Tailoring Workshop

Carpentry

Pottery

Barber Shop

Goldsmith Workshop

Mahila Gruh Udyog

Aanganwadi

Monteria Railway Station with Gariyadhar Express Train 

Swimming in the Lake 

Nukkad Shops selling Ice - Gola, Candy Floss, Raw Mango, Goti soda, Peppermint, Imli, Paan etc

Timing - 

Day picnic from 9.00 am  to 6.00 pm

Pricing Structure-

• Adult ( Above 12 years of age )  - Entry + meals Rs. 1650 ( inclusive of taxes)

Inclusions : Breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea-coffee and The Monteria Village Experience

• Child ( Below 12 years of age )  - Entry + Meals Rs. 1350  ( inclusive of taxes)

Inclusions : Breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea-coffee and The Monteria Village Experience

• Offers and Group packages available

  
  
  

Contact Information - 

Address 

Monteria Village

Kalote Mokashi

Khalapur, 

District Raigad,

Maharashtra, India.

Contact @ 1800 532 9040

Email Address - reservation@monteriavillage.com

Note -

The place is available for destination weddings, shoots, birthday parties and family get - togethers. 

Images - From the website

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