5 Unique Experiences You Can Enjoy in Maharashtra

Maharashtra, which celebrates its foundation day on May 1, has so much to offer to travellers that one doesn't quite know where to begin. However, for your convenience, we have short-listed 5 experiences that you should definitely check out when travelling in this western state.

Firefly-watching at Purushwadi

Purushwadi is a short distance away from Pune, Mumbai, and Nashik. This lush green sliver of a region attracts fireflies, especially between the months of May and June. Expect a stunning show unlike anything that you have ever seen. It is estimated that over 2000 species of fireflies come to mate during this time, and you can find them twinkling in the darkness all around you.  

So get ready to explore the lanes of Purushwadi, and witness them come alive with thousands of fireflies as the night gets darker.

Levitating Stone of Baba Qamar Ali Darvesh in Shivapur

Shivapur in Pune, Maharashtra has a miraculous sight to offer - the Levitating Stone of Baba Qamar Ali Darvesh. Challenging all forms of science, this is a place where you can see stones flying, sometimes even above the level of your head!

This miracle can be witnessed at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint, Qamar Ali, in Shivapur. The courtyard of the shrine houses a huge stone that weighs approximately 70 kg. It is believed that once you chant the name of the Saint with devotion and try to lift the stone, it'll fly up in the air and hover before falling down on the ground.

Lonar Crater 

Located in Lonar in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, Lonar Crater is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument. Dating back 50,000 years, it is the largest and best preserved hypervelocity impact crater formed in basalt rock. In fact, Lonar Crater is the only of its kind in the world. What makes it a unique place to see in Maharashtra is its ecology, which is vastly different from the surrounding flat landscape.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration

Unarguably one of the best experiences in Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi (which will be observed on September 10, 2021) is celebrated across the state with immense zeal. Maharashtra adores Lord Ganesha, who is known to remove obstacles and bless one with happiness and success. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra involve a magical fusion of music and dance along with a wide variety of cultural shows. Popular temples such as the Shree Siddhivinayak in Mumbai and the Dagdusheth Halwai Temple in Pune are thronged by thousands of devotees and travellers everyday.

Kaas Plateau 

Called Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers, Kaas Plateau is spreads across a 25-km area in Satara in the Sahyadri Sub Cluster of the Western Ghats. Since it is a part of the Western Ghats, this attraction in Maharashtra is also classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The best time to visit the Kaas Plateau is post-monsoon season, when a variety of flowers and carpet the entire plateau.

A handful of the 850 species of plants that are found here are the Murray's Cobra Lily, Utricularia and Bladderwort (insectivorous plants), the yellow-flowered Smithia hirsuta and Senecio bombayensis, pink Rock Balsam, the bicolour Persian Violet, and the Peacock Ceropegia. And if the names are so appealing, imagine what its like to actually stand in the middle of multi-hued carpets of flowers at Kaas Plateau!

This list could go on and on, as there are no dearth of experiences in Maharashtra. You know what’s the best way to savour the experiences of Maharashtra? By booking your holiday with Club Mahindra. We have five incredible properties in Maharashtra, where along with a comfortable stay, we offer some unique experiences for every family member.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Resort Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra Membership Fees gives you an opportunity to explore your holidays across the world, the other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 100+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com