KERALA
Kerala is truly a treasure island. Once you start exploring deep into the state, you will be pleasantly surprised at the treasures it has in it stored for you. Kerala is a place that never ceases to excite you.
Though Kerala is brimming with lots of interesting options for the tourists in terms of food, culture, festivals, temples etc. there are certain aspects that are special only to Kerala. These things are just not the same elsewhere. Now, let us look at few options that are very special in Kerala.

Houseboats

Sailing across the beautiful backwaters in houseboats is an experience that one should never miss, while in Kerala. Kerala, as all know, is famous for its scenic backwaters. You can absorb the entire beauty of the water and the scenic beauty around, while cruising through houseboats. These are considered to be luxurious accommodation options and only natural products like wood, fibre, bamboo, coconut coir etc. are used for making these boats. It has full-fledged facilities just like a hotel room and offers extreme relaxation for the tourists.
 

Coffee

The taste of Coffee is simply exquisite in Kerala as the state is the second largest in terms of coffee plantation in the country. Tourists who visit Kerala make it a point to visit the vast coffee plantation in the city. Though tea consumption is more in the state, the taste of coffee leaves an unforgettable taste in the minds of tourists, making them come back again. The fresh aroma, the quality of the coffee seeds used and the divine taste is something that every tourist should enjoy while in Kerala.
 

Maharashtra Wildlife

Maharashtra is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. These national parks and sanctuaries are home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Thanks to the state government, these parks are well safeguarded and try to upgrade with every year to attract foreign and domestic tourists.

Modern amenities such as jeep rides, night safaris, library and audio-visual facilities, comfortable accommodation and efficient transport are also available at these parks at a nominal charge. Most of the sanctuaries and the park have lakes with serene beauty.

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba National Park, Chikhaldhara, Dajipur, Bharmragarh Wild Life Sanctuary, Navegaon National Park, Tipeshwer, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary are the important sanctuaries in Maharashtra. Pench Jungle camp is a special accommodation facility available at the Pench National Park, which is located on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Bharmragarh Sanctuary
Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary has many types of wild animals like leopard, jungle fowl, wild boar and sloth bear, barking deer, blue bull, peacock and flying squirrel. The entire area is covered with the moist deciduous mix forests.

Bor Wildlife Sanctuary
Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Hingni in Wardha, Maharashtra. It covers an area of 61.10 sq km. It includes 3,237 hectares of Reserve Forest, 2,213 hectares of Protected Forest, 

Chaprala Sanctuary
Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is home to nearly 131 species of wild animals like tiger, leopard, jungle cat, sloth bear and wild dog. Many of the species are included under the endangered species' list like two species of bird, two species of reptiles,

Chikhaldhara
Chikhaldara is in Amaravati district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. It is believed that its name is derived from Keechaka. This hill station is the only hill station, which offers the tourists lots of wildlife, viewpoints,

Dajipur
Dajipur is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. Rugged mountains and dense forests surround this hilly area. This quiet little place is completely cut-off from human blare.

Nagzira
Adorned with a picturesque landscape and abundant vegetation, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary has 34 species of mammals, 166 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles and four species of amphibians.

Navegaon Park
Navegaon is a very popular forest resort in the Vidarbha region. This eastern most part of Maharashtra was built in the 18th century. There is also a picturesque lake that situates amidst the green hills of Navegaon.

Pench National Park
Pench National Park is located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, which is at a distance of 70 km from Nagpur. The National Park covers an area of 257.26 sq km. 
Tadoba National Park
Tadoba National Park is a large park covered with lush, green forestland. It is situated at a distance of 45 km from Chandrapur. Tigers, leopards, gaurs, nilgais,
Tipeshwer
Black buck, blue bull, chital, sambar, peacock, hare, snake, monkey, wild boar, bear, wild cat, wolf and jackal are the wild animals that are abundantly seen at the Tipeswher sanctuary.

Maharashtra Festivals

As Maharashtra is a big state, it is home to many religions. The state also nurtures different traditions with diverse communities. Maharashtrians are fun loving people, so that might be another reason why the state has lots of different festivals.

Apart from the main festivals of Eid, Holi, Deewali and other festivals, which are celebrated, all over India, there are other festivals, which are celebrated locally and regionally in Maharashtra. Songs, dance and mouth watering cuisines accompany almost every festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Maharashtra. It is celebrated for ten days with huge fun fare. Banganga Festival, Kalidas Festival, Ellora Festival and Elephanta Festival are the festivals organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Classical music and dance are the main attractions of these festivals.

Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima, Ganga Dashahara, Banganga Festival, Nag Panchami, Wat Pournima, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti and Palkhi Festival are some of the important festivals of Maharashtra.

Banganga Festival
Banganga Festival held every year in the city of Mumbai is a musical tribute to Lord Ram. The aim behind the celebration of this musical carnival is to protect the existing rich heritage.

Bhaubeej
Bhaubeej is brother-sister occasion celebrated on the fifth day of Deewali. Basundi poori or shrikhand poori are prepared for this occasion. Dhanatrayodashi, Narakchaturdashi, Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan),

Elephanta Festival
Elephanta Festival is another festival for dance and music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). It is organised in the month of February.

Ellora Festival
Ellora festival is the festival of classical dance and music organised under the backdrop of the Ellora caves. This festival, which is organised by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

Ganesh Chaturthi
Lord Ganesh is the most respected God in Maharashtra, so as the Ganesh Chaturthi, most important festival. The festival falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September).

Ganga Dashahara
River Ganga is known as Tripathaga, or the 'Three Path River', as it is believed that the river flows in three worlds - in heaven it is called Mandakini, on earth the Ganges (or Ganga),

Jiviti Puja
Married Maharashtrian women perform Jivti Puja on any one of the Fridays in the month of Shravan (July-August). Jivti is an incarnation of Parvati, a goddess who is believed to protect children.

Kalidas Festival
Kalidas Festival is organised in the honour of the great poet Kalidas. This festival is held at Ramtek, Nagpur in the month of November for two days.

Kojagiri Poornima
Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwin (September-October). As the rainy season passes, the sky becomes clear and the moon shines in the sky with full brightness.

Maharashtra Day
Maharashtra attained statehood on 1st May 1960. So, the day is organized as Maharashtra Day in Maharashtra. The state government organizes the main function in Mumbai.

Nag Panchami
Cobra has a special significance in Hindu mythology. Nag Panchami is celebrated to worship snakes. It is a festival in the honour of the Snake God,

Narali Poornima
Narali Poornima marks the end of monsoon season in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. People offer coconuts to the sea. The festival also marks the beginning of the new fishing season. 

Palkhi Festival
Palki festival showcases the distinctive feature of the Maharashtrian culture. This is a 1000-year-old tradition,

Pola Festival
Maharashtra is a vast state so as its agricultural land. Bullocks were used for agriculture in olden days and other works. So, they are one of the most helpful animals to human being. 

Shivaji Jayanti
Shivaji Maharaj was the greatest ruler of Maharashtra. So, Maharashtrians have a great regard for this Maratha ruler. To give a respect, the birthday of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,

Vat Pournima
Wat Pournima is the festival for Maharashtrian women, which is celebrated in the month of Jesht (May-June). Women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the same husband in every birth.

Cuisines of Maharashtra Maharashtrians consider anna, or food equals to Brahma, the creator of the universe. Maharashtrians believe in offering their food first to the God as a thanksgiving. Especially on festive occasions, specific mithais (sweets) are offered such as ukadiche modak (Ganesh Chaturthi) and satyanarayan puja sheera. Maharashtrian cuisine has two major styles - Konkan and Varadi. A major portion of Maharashtra, which lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is called the Konkan having its own Konkani cuisine, which is a combination of Malvani, Gaud Saraswat Brahmin and Goan cuisines. The cuisine for the interior Maharashtra or the Vidarbha area is called Varadi cuisine. Maharashtrian cuisine is packed with the subtly flavoured vegetarian delicacies and hot aromatic meat and fish curries, while the crunchy, crisp sweets are made mostly from rice and jiggery are also their favourite. The Konkan food has a lot of coconut in it and strong in masalas, red chillies and coriander. The spicy Kolhapuri food emphasizes on mutton. The food of the Vidarbha region is prepared strong in red chillie powder and garlic. Mumbai has its own pot-pourri of dishes like vada pav, misal and pav bhaji, which are immensely popular across India. Konkan Cuisine Konkan cuisine is strong in spice, red chillie powder, corianders, and prepared with coconut oil. It is prepared using a deep purple berry that has a pleasing sweet and sour taste, kokum and raw mango as souring agents along with tamarind and lime. Maharashtrian Cuisine Maharashtrian cuisine is of two kinds - Konkani and Varadi. Despite its difference in style of preparation, both the style use lot of seafood and coconut. Peanut oil is the main cooking medium, and grated coconuts, peanuts and cashew nuts are widely used in vegetarian dishes. Mumbai Chaat Mumbai has people with different working in different economy levels. Thousands of working families live on the diets prepared at street vendors. The most encouraging thing is these vendors even level with the taste of the expensive restaurants up to some extent.

Arts and Crafts

The expertise of the artisans of Maharashtra can be seen in the fine art and craft finishes. The fine fabrics of mashru and himroo are the clear examples of their highest level of weaving art. The fabrics which looks like golden cloth are regarded to be one of the finest of its kind. The high level weaving know-how are also evident with the paithani and narayan peth sarees.

Bidriware is another well-appreciated craft of this state. It takes lots of skills and time in preparation. The district of Kolhapur gives two most famous things - jewellery and Kolhapuri chappals. Kolhapuri chappals are known for its quality, comfortability and low price. Then come the paintings of warli tribes of Mumbai. It is even compared to the famous paintings of Madhubani, Bihar.

Bidriware
The expertise of the artisans of Maharashtra can be seen in the fine art and craft finishes. The fine fabrics of mashru and himroo are the clear examples of their highest level of weaving art. The fabrics which looks like golden cloth are regarded to be one of the finest of its kind.

Kolhapuri Chappals
Hand-made leather chappals and sandals of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra are world famous. These are popularly known as the Kolhapuri chappals, and known for its simple styles, quality of leather and design. 

Kolhapur Jewellery
Most of the Maharashtrian jewelleries are derived from the legacies of Maratha and Peshwa dynasties. Kolhapur is famous for its special type of necklace called Kolhapur saaj. This jewellery is very much special for Maharashtrian women.

Mashroo & Himroo
Himroo, also known as kum khuab is a distinctive, luxurious fabric, once used as dress material by the nobles of the olden days. The district of Aurangabad is popular because of these fine fabrics. These fabrics are made of cotton and silk using a special loom.

Narayan Peth
Narayan Peth saree is very much popular in and around Sholapur district of Maharashtra. It is the favourite for the women of this district. It is a traditionally Maharashtrian saree that weaves mainly in this district only.

Paithani Sarees
Paithani saree took its name from a place called Paithan, where it started producing 2000 years ago. This saree is made of silk with an ornamented zari pallav and border. 

Warli Painting
Warli paintings are the tribal wall paintings of the warli tribes of Maharashtra. Warlis are the largest tribes of Maharashtra live in northern outskirts of Mumbai. Womenfolks mainly do the paintings on the mud walls of the houses.

Dances of Maharashtra

 Giftedwith its rich culture and traditions, Maharashtra has different types of dance forms. Povada is the dance form that showcases the lifetime achievements of the Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj. Lavani and Koli dance forms entertain the Maharashtrians with its mesmerizing music and rhythmic movements. Dhangri Gaja dance pays respect to their God by the Dhangars of Sholapur. Dindi and Kala are the religious folk dances, which expresses of religious ecstasy of Lord Krishna. Tamasha is the folk dance that is so popular all over the state.

Dhangari Gaja

As the Dhangars of Sholapur district of Maharashtra herd to green pastures for grazing for their cattle, they become acquainted with the nature. Inspired by the scenic beauty, they compose poetry, called ovi writing about the nature and their God Biruba.

Folk Dances

Dindi and Kala are the religious folk dances in Maharashtra, which expresses religious ecstasy. Young women perform a variety of folk dances known as phugadis on the occasion of Mangalagouri Puja as well.

Koli Dance

Koli is the dance form of Koli fisher folk of Maharashtra. The community has its own distinct identity and lively dances. The dance incorporates elements that this community is most familiar with - sea and fishing. 

Lavani Dance

The word Lavani derived from Lavanya, meaning beauty. This form is a combination of dance and music, which is dealt with different and varied topics such as society, religion, politics, romance, etc.

Povadas Dance

Povadas are presented in the Marathi ballads form. This dance form describes the events in the life of the great Maratha ruler, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Tamasha

The word tamasha in Persian language means fun and entertainment. The tamasha dance form has been believed to be derived from the ancient form of Sanskrit drama - the 'Prahsana' and the 'Bhana'.

New Palace

    New Palace is located in Kolhapur. Built in 1884, it is also known as the Maharaja's New Place. Major Mant designed the palace. The architecture of the palace is a combination of Jain and Hindu influences from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and local Rajwada style.

    The first floor is for the present Maharaja, while the ground floor is dedicated to a fine collection of costumes, weapons, games, jewellery, embroidery and paraphernalia such as silver elephant saddles. A letter from the British Viceroy and Governor General of India is the other memorabilia.

     There is a museum called Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum at New Palace. Curious and interesting collections from the possessions of Maharaja Shahaji Chhatrapati like guns, trophies and clothes are preserved here.

    The museum also has large, excellent weapons collection, including a gold-plated, double-barreled shotgun, some swords, and other guns. There is also one of Aurangzeb's swords at the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum.