Travel Diaries: World Heritage sites to visit at Maharashtra
The Mother Nature and the cultural diversity have blessed India with a number of places which are rich in natural sources and cultural heritage. Whether you are looking for an adventurous spots or a location having peace and salvation in the environment, you will have both in Indian state of Maharashtra. You may go for a jungle safari or you can look at flowers valley, the flowing rivers, mountain will steal your heart. On the other hand, vast river like the Ganga has unique creatures like Dolphins to reveal the natural aquatic life. The place is so rich that it ranks as sixth largest contributor of UNESCO world heritage sites with total 37 places exclusively from India, including 7 natural place/parks, 29 cultural places (Temples / Buildings / monuments). In addition in the year 2017, World famous “Kumbha Mela” was recognized as “UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of Humanity”.
Let’s explore the cultural world heritage site located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. All these places are of a great importance and count thousands of footfalls each year at its premises. Not only in India but these places have gained fame on universal scale, as all these places have been built / established centuries ago and still remain alive. There is Indian railway network widely spread in all of the state to make your transportation easy and affordable. You can also order food in train by authorized IRCTC e-catering partner to make your journey delicious one. So enjoy the trip to the UNESCO world heritage sites in Maharashtra with widespread Indian Railways network and IRCTC e-catering services.
Ajanta Caves:
Surrounded by mesmerizing greenery and famous for cave paintings, the place is extra-ordinary and worth to visit. These caves are a series of 31 rock-cut Buddhist sculptures. There are many sculptures engraved on the cave walls, colorful paintings and frescoes are very attractive. The cave chain is also one of the earliest caves registered by UNESCO listing in India. These caves constitute prayer halls, Buddhist monasteries and beautiful sculptures and paintings. It is believed that the caves were built in 2nd century in two phases. The caves were built in two different dynasties and in different times. The Ajanta caves are a great collection of ancient India depicting Hindu-Buddhist arts. All the sculptures and paintings in all the caves depict the Buddha life cycle.
How to Reach Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra
The best way to reach Ajanta caves is by boarding a train which completes its journey at Jalgaon Railway station. From there you can hire a cab or taxi to reach Ajanta caves.
Another alternative: Ajanta caves are located at the distance of 100 kilometers from Aurangabad city. So, anyone can easily go for a road trip to Ajanta through this route.
Mumbai is located at the distance of 400 kilometers from Ajanta caves so the best medium is again the Indian Railways to each at the cave.
Ellora Caves
Another hill wonder in Maharashtra is the Ellora caves. The cave is excavated out of the hill decorated with beautiful sculptures carved out of the wall. The wonderful paintings on the walls will put you in the illusionary world of beautiful ancient Indian arts and lifestyle. The Buddha Vihars, Monasteries are built during the time between 5th to 10th centuries. The caves and rock–cut temples of Hindus, Jains and Buddhist consisting Bodh, Jain and Hindu deities shows the ancient Indian unity and tolerance among the people living during those times. The place ranges almost 29 kilometers northwest from Aurangabad city. All around the year people come to this place to view this special UNESCO world heritage site It is an important archeological site of India.
How to reach at Ellora Caves
There are many trains to reach to Aurangabad from all the major cities of India. The Aurangabad station is the nearest railway station equipped with all facilities. There are many trains that reach Aurangabad from Mumbai, Nashik, Ahmadnagar and Pune. From Aurangabad station one can hire taxi or cab to reach at this wonderful destination.
Elephanta Caves:
The Elephanta caves are located at 10 kilometers east to the dream city Mumbai. It is popularly, known as an island cave as the place is located on an island in Arabian Sea. It is locally called Gharapuri.
The caves are decorated beautifully with the different forms of Lord Shiva. The caves showcase many archaeological remains of ancient Indian civilization and mainly the three forms of Hindu deity, Lord Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer. There is a three faced statue of Lord Shiva established at the entrance of the cave no. 1 showing “Sada Shiva” which depicts all three forms of Lord Shiva. All the caves are decorated with the engraved images and sculptures of Lord Shiva as the universal power and other ancient Indian deities.
How to Reach Elephanta Caves
There are many trains running to Mumbai from all the Indian states. So reserve your tickets for Mumbai and reach at the city first. After your journey, move to the “Gateway of India” by taxi / cabs or local train. Church gate is the closet location station to reach Gateway of India. From “Gateway of India” you have to purchase the tickets for the ship, which will take you to the Arabian city island. It takes almost of 1 hour on the boat to reach Elephanta caves. The same boats take the travelers back at the gate way of India.The boat tickets are not sold to the single man as the suicide cases in the past restrict the entrance of single men on the boat. The entry in the caves is closed on Mondays, though boat ferry tickets are yet sold to the destination.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The headquarters of central Indian railways and an important UNESCO world heritage site is built beautifully. The building is an unique architectural model of Mughal-Victorian age architect. The building is really beautiful and gives a heavenly sight in the evening when the building scintillates with colorful bulbs.
How to reach at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Trains! You can reach at this place from any location in India. There is also international airport which hosts international flights and welcome international guests.
Western Ghats:
All the Western Ghats regions are listed in UNESCO world heritage. There are many places to visit in the region but some of the places that fall in Maharashtra are Kaas plateau and the Koyna wildlife sanctuary and two more national parks.
Kaas plateau is known as the valley of flowers because it is a home to a number of flowers during the season of monsoon. The place is also a single source of 70 % flowers that are found in Maharashtra. There is also a lake named as “Kaas Lake” at this place.
How to reach at Kaas Plateau
The place falls in Satara district of Maharashtra. So, there are regular trains running from Pune and Mumbai to this place. After reaching Satara district you can simply drive down to Kaas plateau or you can get in the bus to reach at this beautiful place.
Be ready to explore all these five UNESCO world heritage sites of Maharashtra. Your joy and happiness will have no bounds. The trip will be a life-long experience once you cover these five major attractions of Maharashtra. Indian railway network is widely spread for the people to travel to these exotic places. Book your tickets today and check the train running status to board your train on time. Be ready for a wonderful retreat.
