55 monuments found
Great religious significance is associated with Ghrishneshwar Temple, it being one of the 12 extremely revered Jyotirlings dedicated to Lord Shiva. An interesting mythological legend states that an ardent devotee of Shiva named Kusuma would daily worship the lord by immersing Shiva Lingam in a water tank. She continued with the practice even after losing her son and this pleased Shiva who appeared in front of Kusuma. Not only did he turn her son alive, but also decided to exist at the place as a Jyotirling. The temple is therefore also known as Kusumeswarar. The most enthralling feature of the temple is its soaring 5-storey shikhara, carved majestically and decorated with impressive motifs. Originally the temple was built using pre-historic and other traditional construction styles. The present day temple was built in the 18th century by a local queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Apart from the sanctum sanctorum housing the divine Shiva Lingam, the temple has an antechamber and a pillared hall. The inner walls are embellished with inscriptions and paintings, promising beautiful sights. Monday being an auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva draws flocks of devotees to the temple. The fair organized on Mahashivaratri is worth attending.
Sahyadri Hills in Maharashtra is home to one of 12 Jyotirlingas, called Bhimshankar. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a major draw for the pilgrims. In addition, the splendid natural beauty and wildlife reserve around the temple attracts nature lovers and wildlife explorers. Trekking is a thrilling activity to access the temple and many nearby attractions and this attracts flocks of adventurers to the place. Bhimshankar Temple has self-manifested Lingam of Shiva who according to the legends appeared here to slay demons like Bhima and Tripurasur. The temple is built in Nagara and Indo-Aryan architectural styles and is located on the bank of River Bhima which is believed to have formed from Shiva’s sweat. Other attractions of the temple include a shrine dedicated to Shani God and a Portuguese bell. Many beautiful lakes, waterfalls and streams greet the visitors on the way to the temple. One can also visit other attractions like Gupt Bhimashankar (a naturally formed Shiva Lingam), Kamalaja Temple and Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Warnings Trekking can be daunting for the first-timers. Be careful when trekking during monsoons.
India’s liveliest beach, Juhu Beach bustles with life, activities and unending entertainment. The beach has many Bollywood celebrities living in its close proximity and one may get lucky to watch ongoing film shooting which is common at the beach. Juhu Beach is popular for its food vendors serving tangy and mouth-watering snacks like pav bhaji, panipuri, bhelpuri and a variety of desserts. There are some very renowned Italian restaurants near the beach that serve delicious seafood preparations. When at Juhu, you can watch dancing monkeys, snake charmers and other sorts of street performers that keep the crowds amused. You may also like to have a camel or elephant ride at the beach. Another well-known aspect of the beach is that one can watch the majestic views of the sun setting across the Arabian Sea. Yoga and meditation are other good to perform activities here. Other attractions of the beach include ISKCON Temple and statues of Indian freedom fighters. The beach is also famous for being on the airplane take-off route, offering amazing views of the planes just after they rake-off or are ready to land.
Nestled amidst natural greenery, 36 km. from Nashik district; lies the magnificent Trimbakeshwar Temple in the village of Trimbak. This divine Shiva temple is situated at the source of the river Godavari. Trimbakeshwar is also abode to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the Hindu God Shiva. According to ancient legends, God Shiva pleased with the penance of Gautam Rishi blessed the earth with river Godavari. Devotional visitors coming to visit this prime Shiva temple usually take a dip in the holy waters of Godavari before entering the temple precincts. Interestingly, the temple trustees offer no VIP passes. The visitors going for general darshan need not follow the dress code, but those male devotees wishing to touch the pristine ‘pindi’ of lord Trimbakeshwar have to wear a specific cloth ‘sovale’. Unfortunately, like many Hindu temples in India, ladies are not allowed to touch the ‘pindi’. Mondays are special days and considered very holy for worshipping Lord Shiva. In Trimbakeshwar; the idol is carried by the priests in a palanquin around the shrine. Likewise, the yearly spiritual festivity during ‘Shivratri’ is conducted with great devotional fervour by thousands of visiting pilgrims coming from all over the world.
Popular for its Shani Temple, Shani Shinganapur is tiny yet unique village situated in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Famous for having no doors and locks in any house, the village is said to be protected by the God of power - Shani. Visited by thousands of devotees every day, the village does not have a temple structure. There ismerean open-air platform that houses the idol of Shanidev. Only male devotees are allowed to worship the idol. The Shani idol in the village can be worshipped from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. In order to worship the idol, male devotees should first take bath in open and wear dhoti without upper garment. Shani Shinganapur is usually crowded on Saturdays, because it is considered to be the favourite day of Lord Shanaishwara. Visitors to Shani Shinganapur can also visit nearby attractions like Shirdi, Ranjangaon, tomb of Sant Shri Udasi Baba and Shri Dattatraya Temple.
Never in the world’s history had a place witnessed mass conversion of such kind. Deekshabhoomi (land of religious ordaining) wrote history when Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the inventor of Indian Constitution, chose the place in Nagpur to convert from Hinduism to Buddhism in1956. What follows every year is the mass conversion to Buddhism, attended by uncountable people from all over the world. To commemorate the historic place, world’s largest hollow Buddhist Stupa was constructed here. A two-storey structure in hemispherical shape with the capacity of several thousands, the stupa attracts Buddhist followers from various countries. The use of Dholpur sandstone, marble and granite and portrayal of Buddhist symbols like Ashoka Chakras and statues of horses, elephants and lions add grandeur to this enthralling structure. Additional attractions include a Buddhist Vihara, housing a Bronze Buddha statue, and a sacred Bodhi Tree, a descendant of the world-famous Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka. Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din is the annual occasion of mass conversion when the place welcomes people of all faiths.
Often regarded as the largest of various forts in the Deccan, Panhala Fort was constructed in 1178 AD by Bhoja II of Shilahara Dynasty. The fort later exchanged hands between many powerful dynasties and empires like Yadavas, Bahamani, Bijapur, Mughals, Marathas and British. Located in the folds of Sahyadri Range of mountains, the fort is admired for its impressive defence mechanisms, about 7 km. long fortifications, bastions and many unique structures. The top highlights of the fort include three double gateways of Teen Darwaza, Wagh Darwaza and Char Darwaza, huge granaries of Ambarkhana and Dharma Kothi, pleasure pavilion of Sajja Kothi, temples of Someshwar and Ambabai and a number of mausoleums. In addition, there are structures like Rajdindi Bastion and Andhar Bavadi that were used as secret places by the soldiers during seize attempts by the enemy forces. More than 100 check posts and tunnels added to the fort’s security against enemies. Roughly triangular in layout, the fort is located about 845 m. above the sea level and offers breathtaking views of the valley.
The Balaji Mandir, Nagpur is one of the most prominent temples in the state of Maharashtra. Its location is at the Seminary Hills which give a picturesque surrounding to this holy place. This temple is devoted to the important deities of Hindu religion viz. Lord Balaji and Lord Kartikeya. Hindu mythology believes that Lord Kartikeya is an important leader in the army of Hindu Gods and therefore, the temple is also known as Sri Balaji-Karthikeyan Temple. The speciality of this temple is the enclosure which is 60 feet long with huge idols of Lord Balaji and Lord Kartikeya poise from a single petal vimana (Ekdala Vimana) in a unique three levels arrangement which displays the South Indian temple architecture. The temple is surrounded by undisturbed beauty of the nature which adds to the serenity of the temple arena. It’s a must visit place for tourists since the temple showcases a peaceful place to pray along with a splendid view of Nagpur from the top of the temple.
Bund Garden, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udhyan, is a calm and beautiful tourist spot in Pune. Located on the bank of Rivers Mula and Mutha, the garden was originally conceived as an idea to construct a mini dam that would help farmers with irrigation. Today, it is a popular picnic spot where one can enjoy nature’s calmness and exquisiteness. Boating is a popular activity at the backwaters adjoining the park area. It is also a well-known destination among bird-watchers who get to see a variety of migratory bird species here. Winter months are most suitable for bird watching while monsoon months are ideal to experience nature’s glory at full bloom. Jogging, horse riding and regular magic shows add to the numbers of visitors to the garden. One can also visit Aga Khan Palace connected to the garden by a bridge.
Named after a reputed halwai (sweet-maker), Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple is among the most popular temples of Lord Ganesha (Ganapati) in the state of Maharashtra. The huge idol of Ganesha (fondly called Bappa) is visible from the road itself and is embellished with loads of gold ornaments. The temple turns into a fascinating venue during the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi. Dagadusheth Gadve got the idol sculpted on the advice of his guru after he lost his son. His sweets shop, named Kaka Halwai, has today turned into a popular franchise. Ardent devotees offer money and jewellery in huge amounts at the temple. Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple Trust uses these offerings in a number of philanthropy works. Tuesdays experience huge crowds of visitors at the temple. It is worth mentioning that one needs to undergo strict security check before entering the temple. Mobile phones, cameras and bags and baggage are not allowed inside and can be stores in the lockers. The elaborated aartis (prayers) at different times of the day are worth attending.
Shridi Sai Baba Temple was established in the year 1922 and since then it attracts devotees of all caste and religion. People come here to pay their homage to the most popular Indian spiritual saint Shri Sai Baba. The beautiful shrine was built over the Samadhi of this great master who taught the ethics of love, contentment, forgiveness and inner peace to all his devotees. It is strongly believed that Sai Baba’s body manifested immense energy which is moving the faith in many mysterious ways. This place is known to have the largest solar cooker in the world and can cook 20,000 meals every day for pilgrims. One can also visit the Sai Museum where all the personal belongings of this saint are preserved. There are many tales which describes the miracles performed by this spiritual guru which deepens one’s faith in his spirituality.
Among several temples established by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) around the world, one in the Juhu region of Mumbai attracts hordes of devotees and tourists. Located close to the Juhu Beach, the astounding white marble temple stands in a huge complex which also houses an auditorium, a restaurant and a spacious guest house for the devotees to stay. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is also popular by the names like Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Temple and Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple. The construction of the temple at a place which was once nothing more than a dense forest is indeed a matter of surprise. The dream was conceived by Swami Prabhupada who purchased the land and led the temple’s construction in 1978. Beautiful paintings and exotic interiors along with marble statues of various Hindu deities create spellbinding ambiance inside the temple. Constant chanting of Mahamantra, the divine syllable, fills the atmosphere with utmost spirituality. Attending prayers and bhajans organized on daily basis can be an experience of the lifetime. You can also visit the temple during Janamashthmi and other special occasions when exclusive cultural programmes are held.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ellora Caves in Aurangabad are renowned for 34 impressive caves that are carved out of volcanic rock. Locally famous as ‘Verul Leni,’ it is the pride of Maharashtra. Displaying the flawless and impeccable illustration of art and architecture, Ellora Caves define the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’ in India. Out of the 34 caves in Ellora, 17 are dedicated to Hindus, 14 to Buddhists and remaining to Jains. Ellora is home to the huge 8th century Kailashnath Temple (located in Cave 16) that portrays the scenes from the holy books of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The temple is created out of a single solid block of stone. The caves depict the harmony that exists between Hindu, Buddhist, Jains and other religions. Some of the highlights of Ellora Caves, which visitors shouldn’t miss on their trip, are Cave 2, Cave 6, Cave 11 and 12, Vishwakarma Cave, Hindu Caves and Jain Caves.
Prince of Wales Museum, now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, is known for housing more than 50,000 artefacts portraying the rich heritage of India. Established in the early 20th century to commemorate the visit of King George V to India, the museum building boasts of remarkable Indo-Saracenic Architecture, inspired by the royal Mughal Architecture. The main three sections of exhibits at the museum include Arts, Archaeology and Natural History. The Art section has spectacular collections of over 2,000 miniature paintings from various schools of art across India, along with many palm leaf manuscripts, decorative artefacts in jade, ivory, silver, gold and other metals and stone sculptures. The Archaeological exhibits include artefacts from Indus Valley Civilization and many powerful dynasties and empires. Terracotta figures and coins are among the top highlights. The Natural History section exhibits India’s rich flora and fauns, including many birds, mammals, reptiles and other species. In addition, the park has galleries for maritime heritage, forestry, armoury, textiles and European oil paintings. Students and other sections of visitors can obtain discount on the museum tickets. Additional charges are imposed for audio guides.
Around 200 caves dating back to the period from the 1 st to 3 rd centuries spread over 4 different hills near the town of Junnar which served as an important trading centre during that era. Most of the caves are of Buddhist origin and revered by the followers as great Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Lenyadri Caves (around 40 in number) are the most popular ones, known for the splendid chaitya griha (a type of Buddhist shrine in Cave 6) and Girijatmaj Temple (one of the 8 holy shrines of Ganesha in the state) dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha (inside Cave 7). The second group is known as Shivneri Caves (around 50 in number). These are further divided into four groups according to the directions they face. Tulja Caves (around 11 in number) form the third group which mainly consists of Buddhist viharas (dwelling places of the monks) and also a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Tulja. Manmod Caves belong to the fourth group and are further divided into Bhimasankar, Ambika and Bhutling groups of caves. Verandas, chapels, halls and pillars are among the main highlights of these caves some of which also contain some interesting inscriptions and paintings. Surrounded by lavish greenery, these caves promise great peace for mind.
Constructed to commemorate the first visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India, the Gateway of India served as the entry for the British Viceroys and Governors and also as the final exit of the British as India got independence. Constructed from 1911-1924 using yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, the grab structure combines Hindu and Muslim architectural styles and is a perfect example of Indo-Saracenic construction style. The place bustles with tourist activities throughout the day. Tourists visit the monument to savour its old world charm and fascinating magnificence and also to enjoy mesmerizing views of the Arabian Sea. As many as five jetties exist nearby, serving interesting tourist routes to Elephanta Caves and Alibaug. Getting photographed in front of the monument is a favourite among the tourists. Another wonderful highlight is a ride in Victoria, horse-driven gilded carriages reminiscent of the British era. Probably the most iconic landmark of Mumbai, the Gateway of India also has nearby attractions like Statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Swami Vivekanand, Flora Fountain and the world-famous Taj Hotel.
Perched on one of the highest points of Western Ghats, about 4.472 ft. above sea level, is the historical Purandar (or Purandhar) Fort. The place actually accommodates two forts, the bigger one is Purandar and the smaller one being Vajragad, connected to each other. Though, established in the 13th century by Bahamani Sultans, the fort attained peak glory under the rule of Shivaji, the greatest Maratha warrior. Attractions at the fort are divided into two levels, Machi (the lower one) and Ballekilla (the upper one). Apart from huge bastions and gates, the fort boasts of temples dedicated to Purandareshwar (the local deity) and Kedareshwar (dedicated to Lord Shiva). An old church is among the most remarkable spots inside the fort. However, it is the lavish greenery and breathtaking views from the top that mesmerize the visitors. The fort usually gets engulfed in mist which adds to the delight of being there. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a thrilling trekking adventure to the fort. However, don’t forget to take along mineral water and raingear. Food stalls are available at the mid-point of the trek at Binni Darwaaza. Be careful in monsoons when the trek trails become slippery. Visitors need to enrol their names and vehicle number at an army check post on the way to the fort.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum is one of the premier museums of India. It was established in the 20th century by the Prince of Wales and hence gained its name. The museum is divided into three floors with several galleries displaying art, maritime, archeology and natural history. Its admirable architecture and an amazing collection of rare archeological artifacts, sculptures, and ancient artworks are spectacular. It has been awarded “The 2010 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award’ for the conservation of rich cultural heritage. This most important landmark of Mumbai is a must visit for educational tours as it is a storehouse of knowledge.
Served as a residence to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1934, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum is a two-storey house symbolic of true patriotism. Deemed as the huge and most impressive mansion from pre-independence time, this house was transformed into a museum. Popular as the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum houses the famous Old Charkha of Gandhiji. The museum has a picture gallery that showcases photographs, slogans, posters and items related to Gandhi’s life. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum houses a reference library that consists of more than 50,000 books, film and recordings related to Gandhi. Visitors can enjoy the special screening of films made on Gandhi in the auditorium inside the museum. A tour to this museum will give you serene and wonderful experience. Other nearby attractions includes, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach and Marve Beach etc.
Envoy of mesmerizing Indian wall painting that flourished between 2 BC and 7 AD, Ajanta Caves consist of 30 rock-cut cave monuments. Dedicated to Buddhism and Jataka Tales, the murals on the walls are extremely spellbinding and so are the sculptures and architectural elements of these caves. Carved along a horseshoe-shaped cliff along River Waghora, the caves boast of mystic ambiance and lush green surroundings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves have been designated as the protected monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India. While few caves represent the Hinayana phase of Buddhism, while others are believed to belong to the Mahayana phase. Monasteries, stupas, sanctuaries, viharas, chaitya-grihas and verandas are the main sections. Few of the caves continue to be incomplete. Murals at Ajanta consist of decorative patterns and are done using a variety of shades. Some equally majestic caves can be found at Ellora at the distance of about 105 km. Warnings: Carrying a torch can be handy as it may get dark inside the caves.
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