Maharashtra

When it comes to Hindu pilgrimage Maharashtra is rich with five Jyotirlingas, two Shakti Peethas, one Panj Takht, and a city that plays host to the grand Kumbh Mela, Nashik, and numberless Hindu temples. To the south of this state lies the basin of the Godavari, the place from where the Godavari originates has a sanctity of its own. The territory from Nashik to Nanded is regarded as sacred as the majority of saints and poets were from there. Out of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, one can visit five in Maharashtra; Aundhya Nagnath, Parali Vaijnath, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeswar, and Grishneshwar. There is the very famous Ashtavinayaka temple tour in Maharashtra which includes Ganpati temples like Shree Siddhivinayak Temple (Mumbai). Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple (Pune) and Ganpatipule Temple (Ratnagiri) add more to the religious grandeur. Shirdi draws millions of devotees from across the world as it is the abode of the most revered saint, Sai Baba. Ajanta & Ellora Caves are rock-cut Buddhist Cave Monuments in the Aurangabad District known for displaying historic Indian sculptures, architecture, and ancient Indian art. One of the famous tourist sites in this area is the Kailasanath Lord Shiva Temple which was constructed in the 8th century BCE and there are hints of Pallava architecture with depictions of Hindu puranas in the architecture of this temple. In the records of the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang, Maharashtra was found in the inscription belonging to the 7th Century. This clearly shows that this place has been attracting travelers since ancient times due to its vibrant nature.