Located on the western part of India, Maharashtra is a state of rich culture and heritage blessed with the nature�s wonders that are in the form of ancient rock-hewn caves, charming hills stations, untouched beaches, exquisite wildlife and several religious sites. This state has strong mythical as well as historical associations that enchant the tourists completely. The state has much more to offer to its tourists than they might expect during their tour. There are numerous tourist hotspots in Maharashtra dotted all over the important towns of the state, including places of historic and religious importance as well as scenic natural spots.

Some of the prominent tourist hotspots in Maharashtra are:

Mumbai:
It is the capital city of Maharashtra and is the financial powerhouse of the country. Apart from being an important commercial hub it is home to a large number of tourist attractions such as Prince of Wales Museum, Gateway of India, Hanging Gardens, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Shrine, Marine Drive, and the beaches of Juhu and Chowpatty. This tinsel town is the ideal place for you if you want to enjoy the cosmopolitan flavor of Maharashtra.

Elephanta Caves:
These caves are located at a distance of 10 kms off the Mumbai Coast in an island and date back to 450 to 750 AD. They are known for the magnificent rock cut sculptures that depict the grandeur of Lord Shiva. You can reach the island from the Gateway of India from where you can avail frequent boats that ferry passengers to and from Elephanta all day along.

Aurangabad:
Even though the city is more prominent as the doorway to the heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, it has its unique place among the tourist hotspots in Maharashtra. The town has derived its name from Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, and it served as the headquarters during his governorship over Deccan. Among other places of tourist interest, you will come across the Bibi-ka-Maqbara which is an imitation of the Taj Mahal and was built as a tribute to Aurangzeb�s wife by his son.

Ajanta and Ellora:
The Ajanta and Ellora caves are the biggest tourist hotspots in Maharashtra and were declared as the World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Several caves here date back to 2nd Century BC. The wall paintings in Ajanta and the intricately carved out sculptures in Ellora have been enchanting generations of tourists ever since they were discovered.

Ganapatipule:
Located on 720 km long coastline of the state, it is a lovely beach resort of Maharashtra. Sun-drenched beaches and verdant greenery seem to be in an unending love affair in the pristine lands of Ganapatipule. A large number of water sports facilities are also available here for the adventure buffs.

Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala and Khandala: The nature lovers can make their way to these hill stations of Maharashtra that are nested on the rolling mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. The fresh air, tranquil surroundings, serene lakes and milky-white waterfalls offer a wonderful getaway ideal for a weekend getaway from the bustling cities.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park: This Wildlife Park is popularly known as Borivali National Park and is home to a large number of exotic wildlife creatures. This protected forest acts as the lungs to the nearby urban settlements. The Kanheri caves are located within the park�s perimeters. The park has a sizeable leopard population some of which have been suspected of attacking humans living in the park�s vicinity.

Apart from the tourist hotspots, there are many festivals and events of Maharashtra that should not be missed out if you happen to make a tour of this place. Some of them to mention would be Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padva, Nariel Purnima, Mount Mary's Feast and Ellora Festival.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information on the Maharashtra Tourist Hotspots and also offers useful inputs on tourist destinations in Maharashtra.