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Maharashtra
Today Shivaji's many forts,
built on steep precipitous hills of the Deccan Plateau - Purandhar, Raigarh,
Pratapgarh, Sinhgarh and many more, stand in mute testimony to his valorous
exploits. Sinhgarh is 20 km from Pune, the second largest city in the State.
This is where Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned after launching the Quit India
Movement in 1942, but today it is famous for the Osho Commune, the ashram of
Bhagwan Rajneesh.
The holy city, Nasik, lies on the banks of the
Godavari river about 195 kms north-east of the capital, Mumbai. With
bathing ghats and temples lining the river banks, this is one of the four
cities where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.
About 400 km
eastward of Mumbai, is Aurangabad, the most convenient base for seeing
India's timeless art at the renowned Ajanta and Ellora, both on
the World Heritage List. The 30 caves at Ajanta, chiselled out of rock by
Buddhist monks between 200 BC and 650 AD as 'chaityas' (chapels) and 'viharas'
(monasteries), contain magnificent sculptures and frescoes. At Ellora are 34
Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock temples carved top downwards from a 2 km
escarpment between 350 AD and 700 AD and decorated with a profusion of
sculptures. These include the Kailasa Temple, the world's largest
monolithic sculpture, covered with a variety of finely carved panels, which
entailed removing some 200,000 tons of rock!
The hilly Western Ghats run
parallel to the coast, and are dotted with hill stations - Matheran,
Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani and many more. And in the narrow plains between
the ghats and the Arabian Sea, are a number of pristine unfrequented
beaches notably at Kashid, Malvan, and
Ganapatipule.
MAHARASHTRA FOODS - Mumbai's multi-cultural
medley has resulted in a multidimensional menu card. Cuisine ranges across
Goan, Mughlai, Chinese, South Indian, Irani, Parsi and, of course, Mumbai's
specialities of 'Bhel-puri'(a snack of puffed rice, crisp noodles, chutney and
chillies) and 'Pao-bhaji' (bun eaten with spicy potato). For continental food
try Cafe Mondegar. Seafood is found on the beaches, in five star hotels and in
various small restaurants. It is safe to do a culinary voyage in Trishna and
Mahesh! China Garden is an elegant seafood bar and the Pizzeria is self
explanatory. Lastly, be sure to try the Alphonso mango in
summer.
SHOPPING - In Kemp's Corner,
Bandra and Linking Road - trendy boutiques and leather
goods
Fashion Street (lining MG Rd) -
roadside stalls with trendy clothes at throwaway prices
Heera Panna Market - clothes with designer
labels
At Government Emporia, World Trade
Centre - Local wood carvings, brass ware, printed cotton from Nashik
or traditional, longer Maharashtrian sarees
For
some bargaining - a visit to Mumbai's lively Chor Bazaar or Crawford
market. Practically anything you can think of will be found amid a medley of
noise and activity.
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