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Maharashtra is the land of legendary warriors, full of
history and adventure. Shivaji is still an immortal legend here, his
memories alive in the many forts scattered across the countryside.
Shivaji's country is a rugged land befitting people with a long history of
valour and artistic skill. Central Indian tableland merges with undulating
hill ranges, which grow into the majestic Western Ghats before swooping
down to palm-fringed beaches. Forts dominate the ranges and tell the
history of the warrior people. Caves and
temples with artistic embellishments of
unimaginable beauty mark the land and attest to the skill of the cultured
people.
The
beauty of Maharashtra is in its forts, caves and
temples, so much so that it is called "Dagd-Ancha Desh",
meaning the Land of Rocks. It has a lot to offer to a visitor, its
features are such that any tourist will definitely find something of his
interest from among its beaches, forts, caves, temples, cities, wildlife
sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries etc. It is a huge storehouse of timeless art
and culture.
FORTS
Forts are the part of glory of Maharashtra, the sole
witnesses of the history of Maharashtra. Today most of them serve the
purpose of tourist spots for adventure sports such as trekking, hiking,
etc. Whether up in the hills or near the seas most of these forts are
associated with Shivaji, the great Maratha warrior and an equally great
fort builder. As many as 13 forts were developed by Shivaji on the
Maharashtrian coastline, including Vijaydurg, rated as the perfect example
of a great coastal fort.
There
are 350 odd forts in Maharashtra. Nowhere else in the country one would
encounter such a profusion of forts and such variety. Sited on an island,
as at Murud-Janjira or guarding the seas as at Bassein, or among the
Sahyadri hills as at Raigad, these forts numbed by sun and sleet, have not
only been witness to changing times, but within their walls, throbs the
heart of the Marathi blood that gave its life for the establishment of the
"Hindavi Swaraj".
More than that, it was Shivaji who consciously taught the people to look
upon forts with reverence and affection, and associate with them as one
would with a mother. All forts have temples on them. Though the temples
are humble; they were a powerful source of inspirations to the Maratha
fighters on the fort to fight for the "Dharma Rakshan"
(safeguarding law and order).
CAVES
Caves and its architecture is another aspect of this
Maratha state. The UNESCO declared Ajanta and Ellora caves as the
World heritage Sites. The rock cut caves found at Ajanta and Ellora
eloquently record the earliest mingling of all faiths - the Buddhist, Jain
and Hindu sculptures and frescoes co-exist in total harmony.
Ajanta caves have the wild,
crescent-shaped ravine pierced with more than twenty Buddhist cave
temples. This makes it one of India's most spectacular sites. The
Ellora caves are the finest
specimens of cave - temple architecture, which house elaborate facades and
exquisitely adorned interiors.
Aurangabad
caves excavated between the 2nd and 6th century AD, carved out of the
hillside are another fine piece of architecture, housing the most
stunningly intricate carvings. Karla
and Bhaja caves are the largest Chaitya caves in India that date
back to 2nd century BC and Bhaja are among the earliest, dating from the
2nd to the early 1st century BC, during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism.
The other important caves located in the state are the Pandavleni caves,
Kanheri caves, Panchalesvara caves, Pataleshwar caves and Pitalkhora
caves.
Temples
The
State of Maharashtra has to its credit many pilgrimage
centres that are landmarks in the evolution of Indian temple
architecture. The Elephanta cave temple and the Kailashanatha temple at
Ellora are the two grand ancient rock cut temples in Maharashtra
that are famous world wide. Also in the state are three of the twelve
Jyotirlinga shrines, two of the Shakti Peethas, the eight Ashta Vinayak
shrines that are worth a visit.
Vitthala shrine at Pandharpur is an ancient pilgrimage center enshrining
Vithoba and has been associated with the revered saints of Maharashtra.
Kolhapur has many temples of which the 9th
century Mahalaxmi temple is the most revered.
Shirdi has acquired a lot of fame
and followers for Sant Shree Sai Baba from every faith throng here all
year round to pay their respects to his memory. The river Godavari has its
source on the Bramhagiri hill in Nashik. A holy
dip at this place is considered auspicious.