Here's a list of getaways around Mumbai.

Wildlife

Maharashtra has a few noteworthy sanctuaries and National Parks. For accommodation and other details it is advisible to check with MTDC and Tour operators.

CHIKALDARA

Perched high in the Satpuras, this quaint hill station is a delightful trekking destination. MTDC Resorts Tel: 07220-20234/20263.

KARNALA

This is a beautiful bird sanctuary located 60 kms. on the Mumbai - Goa higway. It is also good trekking territory. The Karnala pinnacle offers a bird's eye view of the surrounding countryside. One can do this trip in a day.

Melghat -

MELGHAT

Close to the border of Madhya Pradesh in the Amravati region, this sanctuary is known for its tigers and other species of wildlife. Jungle Safaris and camping facilities are available. Best visited during Oct-Mar.

RADHA NAGRI DAJIPUR

This is the home of the Indian Bison and other wildlife. Jungle safari available.

TADOBA NATIONAL PARK

Situated close to the Andhra Pradesh border in the Chandrapur district, this national park is known for its teak and bamboo forests, chital, barking deer, wild boar and sambar.

Adventure

BHIMASHANKAR

260 kms from Mumbai. In the Western Ghats at a height of 1,000 mtrs., the Bhimashankar Temple is situated in virgin forested countryside, a seven hour drive from Mumbai. This is one of twelve jyotirlingam temples in India and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The valley just beyond the temple is a good place to start a trek through the dense forests. The area, which contains a profusion of interesting plant life, is also famous for its leopards, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, giant squirrels and birds. During the monsoon (June-September), when a blanket of fog envelopes the forest, Bhimashankar is particularly magical.

MTDC has just 8 rooms (40 beds). Dharamshalas and local accommodation available. Check with MTDC for details on trails.

FORTS OF MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra has more forts than any other state in India. Amongst these 350 odd silent sentinels to history, we recommend that you visit DAULATABAD, PANHALA (close to Kolhapur), GAVILGAD, SINHAGAD (popularly known as the Lion Fort), RAIGAD (capital of Shivaji's Kingdom), MURUD-JANJIRA, BASSEIN and SINDHUDURG (the ocean fort).

Malshej Ghat -

MALSHEJ GHAT

150 kms from Mumbai. Malshej Ghat is a haven for trekkers, hikers and adventure lovers. During the monsoons the lush green valleys are draped in mist and there are many sparkling water falls. It is the monsoon abode of the flamingo. Close by (40 kms.) is Shivneri, the birth place of Shivaji and Harishchandragadh and another popular trekking destination.

Historical Places

Ajanta Caves

AJANTA & ELLORA

500 kms from Mumbai. The world heritage listed Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples of Ajanta & Ellora are some of India’s greatest sights. Containing rock paintings and sculpture, they represent the culmination of Deccan rock-cut architecture. There are 34 caves at Ellora, 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu & 5 Jain. The caves at Ajanta are mainly Buddhist from the Hinayana and Mahayana schools. The masterpiece of Ellora is the astonishing Kailasha Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the world's largest monolithic sculpture.

LONAR

600 kms from Mumbai. A five hour drive southeast of Ajanta is the huge meteorite crater of Lonar. The crater, believed to be 40,000 years old, is 2 kms. in diameter and several hundred mtrs. deep with a shallow lake at the bottom. It is the only natural hyper velocity impact crater in basaltic rock in the world. There are several Hindu temples on the crater floor.

SEVAGRAM

800 kms from Mumbai. Situated 80 kms. from Nagpur, in the heart of India, is Sevagram (village of service), where Mahatma Gandhi established his ashram in 1933. The ashram stands in 100 acres of farm land and the original huts have been preserved. Some of the Mahatma's personal effects, including his famous spinning wheel and spectacles are displayed. The ashram’s devotees conduct excellent tours.

PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE

No visit to Maharashtra is complete without a mention of its places of pilgrimage. Many towns were home to saints, poets and holy shrines. Thousands of pilgrims flock to these places regularly.

One famous centre is at Alandi (31 kms. from Pune), where DNYANESHWAR the saint poet lived.

The ASHTAVINAYAKA temples (eight temples of Lord Ganesh) at Pali, Mahad, Rajangaon, Theur, Sidhatek, Moragaon, Lenyadri and Ozar. Each idol in these temples has its distinctive features.

Five of the twelve jyotirlingas, namely BHIMASHANKAR, GHUSHNESHWAR, NAGESHWAR, OMKARESHWAR AND TRAMBAKESHWAR.

Shirdi, where SAIBABA lived and the site of his memorial tomb, attracts pilgrims of different creeds from all over the world.

Other well known pilgrim centres are at Pandharpur (VITHOBHA and RUKHMANI temple); Nanded (the memorial tomb of GURU GOVIND SINGH, the 10th guru of the Sikhs) and Nashik (one of the four sites of the triennial Kumbh Mela).