Name : Maharashtra (Maha meaning Great and Rashtra meaning Nation, thus rendering the name Maharashtra (Great Nation))
Area : 3,07,713 sq. km
Capital : Mumbai
Country : India
Official language : Marathi
Established :
Borders : Arabian Sea to the west, Gujarat and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the northwest, Madhya Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east,Karnataka to the south, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast, and Goa to the southwest.
Cities to visit
- Armavati
- Aurangabad
- Kolhapur
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- Nanded
- Nashik
- Pune
Arts and Crafts
- Crafts of Maharashtra
- Paithani
- Silver Jewellery of Hupri
- Ganjifa & Other Crafts of Sawantwadi
- Ganesha Idols of Pen
Cuisines
The cuisine of Maharashtra varies according to the region of Maharashtra.
It is well known that Maharashtrians consider their food as 'Anna he poornabrahma' meaning they consider 'anna', or food, equal to 'Brahma', or the creator of the universe. Food is God, to be worshipped. Apart from this, the people of this state also believe in offering their food first to the lord as a thanksgiving for all that He has given.
Even inside the state itself, one can find distinguishing flavours and food styles that make eating an interesting activity altogether. Maharashtrian cuisine is divided into two, Konkani, and Varadi. Though quite different, both use a lot of seafood and coconut.
Gudi Padwa, Holi, Haritalika, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Makara Sankranti are some of the festivals native to the state of Maharashtra.
Culture
Maharashtra is one of the most industrialised states in the country. Maharashtrians are racially and ethnically heterogeneous. Descendants of a warrior tribe, the people of Maharashtra are very honest, hard working and hospitable. Filled with a zest for living and always on the move, their regard for women is legendary.
Maharashtrians take great pride in their language and history, particularly the Maratha Empire, its founder Shivaji is considered a folk hero across India. Maharashtra has a large number of hill, land and sea forts.
Maharashtra, like other states of India, has its own folk music. The folk music viz. The world famous film industry Bollywood is in Maharashtra, located in the economic capital of India, Mumbai. Women traditionally wear a nine yard or five yard sari and men a dhoti or pajamawith a shirt. Maharashtra is well connected by roads, air and railways.
Education
Maharashtra has good Human resource development infrastructure in terms of educational institutions. A very high literacy rate at 77.27 per cent. University of Mumbai, one of the largest universities in the world in terms of the number of graduates.
Mumbai is home to two prominent research institutions: the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Maharashtra in total, has 40% India's Internet users and 35% of PC penetration in the country.
Maps of Maharashtra
