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Nanded was earlier known as “Nandigram”. It is near about equi-distance from some important cities like Aurangabad, Hydrabad, Solapur, and Nagpur. Nanded city forms a part of east central Maharashtra and lies along the Godavari River. Nanded is situated 650-km away from Mumbai and 270-km from Hyderabad . It is also spelt “Nander” and derives its name from “Nanda Tat” (“Nanda border”), a term that refers to the boundary of the Magadha kingdom during the 7th century BC. Nanded is also a district headquarter and second largest city in Marthawada after Aurangabad . Latur and Parbhani districts surround Nanded on the west and Yavatmal district on the north: the state of Andhra Pradesh lies to the east and Karnataka State to the south.

Nanded is famous as a centre of Sanskrit learning and is important due to its historical, social and political background. The tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singhji held his court and congregation over here. This is the place where he recovered after assassins that attacked him. A Sikh gurdwara was also built on the same site. Nanded has a personality of its own due to its mythological, historical, social and cultural importance. The river Godavari flows through the city. Temples and Ghats on the banks of Godavari have made Nanded one of the holiest places for Hindus.

Places To Visit

Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib

Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the main Gurudwara of Nanded and is one of the four High seats of Authority of the sikhs. This is the place where Shri GuruGobind Singhji breathed his last.The Gurudwara is situated in Nanded Town. The Gurudwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singhji, The great Ruler of Punjab between 1830 to 1839 A.D. Inside the Gurudwara, which contains the mortal remains of the 10th Guru, there are exhibited a number of weapons of various kinds.

Sahid Masjid

The Masjid known as the Hazrat Nawab Sarfaraz Khan Sahid Masjid is said to have been constructed about 330 years back. Sarfaraz Khan was an officer in the army of Aurangzeb. The Masjid is constructed in stone. There are four minarets on the southern side which collapsed When it was hit by a lightening in 1960. The one on the north has eight chains. Below the chains is a figure in the shape of a bell. To the north-west corner of the masjid is a barrow (a well square in shape). Masjid is situated in Biloli Town.

Kandhar fort

Kandhar Town is famous for its fort. Kandhar fort is situated in the heart of Town. Encircling the fort, is a ditch filled with water. It’s construction is attributed to the Rashtrakuta King Krishna III of Malkhed who styled himself as Kandharpuradhi Swar.

Outside the Kandhar fort at some distance is a hillock on which is situated an old Idgah held in reverence by the muslims. It is of Nizamshahi period with two domes in characteristic Ahmednagar style.

Locating at an altitude of 625m, Lonavala and Khandala are famous for its beautiful hills, deep green valleys, huge lakes, historic forts and waterfalls etc. These two hill stations are at the Sahyadris Mountains of Maharashtra.

Lonavala and Khandala have magnificent waterfalls that give a heart catching view during monsoon. Tourists can plan their trip together with Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves, which are very near from Lonavala. This hill station is also known as the ‘Jewel of Sahydri’, because of its nature’s gifted of beautiful valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery, and pleasant cool winds.

Khandala is smaller than Lonavala and relatively calmer. It is known to be the pride of the Sahyadri Mountains. Beautiful waterfall amidst green environment is really splendid to see. The place refreshes the exhausted tourists. Tugauli, Lonavala, Bhushi and Valvan Lake are the important lakes of this hill station.

Nearest airport is situated at Pune (64 km). Lonavala and Khandala are 104 km from Mumbai and 64 km from Pune on the Mumbai-Pune highway.

Lonavala

Lonavala is such a place where nature is present in all its splendor. Lonavala has become famous because of nature’s gift. Lonavala has been blessed with valleys, hills, Milky Waterfalls, Lush Greenery and pleasant cool winds. This region full of natural beauty. Words are not enough to describe the beauty for this place. Lonavala is an epic poem created by God. Beautiful mountain ranges trying to reach the sky are sites that please the human mind and give an experience of heavenly pleasure. The morning sun rising over here appears as if it is sprinkling rose water all over. Chirping birds gently awaken oneself and all of this makes it a really Good Morning. The whole place is covered with a thick blanket of fog early in the morning; this is how the day begins here.

Khandala

Khandala neighbors Lonavala. Although is comparatively small, it is equally blessed with natural beauty and bounty. Deep valley on one side and high hills on the other side divide Khandala and Lonavala. Luckily, modern industrialization has not adversely affected Khandala. Whenever a tourist visits Lonavala he also wishes to visit Khandala. While traveling on Mumbai Bangalore National Highway, one has to cross the arduous Khopoli – Khandala Ghat. This is the famous Borghat. In a short distance of 8 Kms one has to climb a height of 369 meters. This is a difficult Ghat to climb.

But once you reach here, you feel that this climb has been worth the trouble. Khandala is One place where you will fall in love at First Site. In fact this is exactly the reason that we feel must have inspired the makers of the movie “GHULAM” to include a song “AATI KYA KHANDALA” in their movie which has created huge waves throughout India. Also, Lonavala and Khandala are full of tourist practically for the whole year. Main reasons for this is the fact that it is very close to Mumbai, so people from Mumbai find it very convenient, other reason is that the passengers traveling to south India or returning from there also pass through, making this place a busy spot. And the natural beauty of Lonavala & Khandala makes one forget the fatigue of the journey. Being at a considerable height from sea level, these two places enjoy a cool climate.

It was constructed after the completion of the Baradari by levying a contribution of a damri or quarter of a dub on all laborers employed.

The Damri Mahal which is close by was built after the completion of the Barra Darri. It is so named because it was constructed by levying a contribution of a ‘damri’ or the quarter of a dub, on an laborers employed on Barr Darri. An arcaded verandah projects in front like a portico, and contains five scolloped arches. Behind are ten rooms of varying sizes, arranged in a line. To the right are seven atom chambers with antechambers. The entrance is in the right corner. Close by, on a slightly higher level than the rest is another small but detached building. The roof is arched. There are also two cisterns, one in front of the verandah and another outside the building.
The Revenue Office building was known as the Damri Mahal. It was built after the completion of the ‘Barra Darri’. The building was built by imposing a donation of a damri which is equivalent to a quarter of a dub. The contribution was collected from all the labourers employed.

The front of the building has an arcaded verandah. This verandah just in front like a portico. The portico consists of 5 scalloped arches.

Behind the verandah there are 10 rooms of varying sizes. They are arranged in a line. There are 7 chambers and antechambers to the right. The roof is arched.

Lonavala is a Hill station in Maharashtra. Also known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains. This Hill Station is also a popular Health Resort in the western ranges on the sahyadri,It Is situated on a hieght of 625 mtrs. above sea level and is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune. It also serves as a starting point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, which are located near this hill station.

Location : Lonavala is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra, in India. It is situated 106 km southeast of Mumbai at an altitude of 625 m above sea level.

Weather : The weather in Lonavala is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters are cool (November-February). It experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains between June and September.

Visiting Time : The best time to visit Lonavala is between the months of October and May. It is advised not to visit Lonavala in the monsoon season between the months of June and September, as it experiences heavy rainfall during this time.

Places to See : Lonavala provides a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the Sahyadri ranges. The peaceful environs of the town, which provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, attract tourists to this place. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking.

Excursion : There are numerous lakes around Lonavala. Tugauli, Lonavala and Bhushi lakes are worth visiting; so is the Walvan Dam. The small hill station of Khandala is just 5 km away. Travelers coming from Mumbai pass through Khandala before reaching Lonavala. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital is 2 km from Lonavala on the road to Karla and Bhaja caves. This center attracts both local and foreign yogic healing. This center was founded in 1924 and conducts various courses in Yoga along with a research center and a training college. Karla and Bhaja Caves, located in the hills at a distance of 11 km from Lonavala, are important places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples dating back to 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Adventure seekers can try their hand at rock climbing at the Duke. s Nose peak and other locations in the Karla hills, near Lonavala.

Masunda Talao, locally known as Talao Pali ( Talao means lake in Hindi) is the most famous and biggest lake in Thane that can be reached within 15 to 20 minutes from the thane city center. This beautiful lake is a favourite hangout among the tourist as well as the locals offering boating and water scooters facilities. This is also a great place for food lovers.

Besides Madunda Talao, Thane has around 30 lakes and some among them are Upvan Lake, Kacharali Talao, Makhamali Talao, Siddheshwar Talao, Bramhala Talao, Ghosale Talao, Railadevi Talao etc.

Panchgani derives its name from the five hills it is situated on. It is also called Mecca of Maharashtra’ . This eternally beautiful hill station is perched at an altitude of 1334 meters above sea level and is indeed a treat to the senses. With a variety of scenic delights and loads of old worldly charm to offer, Panchgani has never failed to enrapture its visitors.
The picturesque beauty of this hill station is enchanting and attracts tourists throughout the year.
Once strongly recommended for consumptive Britishers, the air here is rich in oxygen content and the water is said to contain traces of hemoglobin boosting iron.

The Panchgani bazaar is great place to indulge in a novel shopping experience. Located in the town center, the bazaar is a nice place to shop for hand made chappals, curios and souvenirs.

How To reach Panchgani

The nearest airport from Panchgani is located in Pune (98 km) while the nearest railway station is at Wathar in Maharashtra. Though the railway station nearest to happens to be at Wathar. Panchgani is well linked with Mumbai and Pune through road.

Best Time To Visit Panchgani

Protected from harsh winds by a Table Land on one side and high cliffs descending into a valley on the other, Panchgani has a pleasant, racing climate throughout the year. October to May is the best time to visit

Places Of Interest In Panchgani

Devil’s Kitchen: Located on the southern side of the famous Tableland, Devil’s Kitchen is said to be the place where the Pandavas of Mahabharata fame once cooked their food. Apart from its mythological connection, the place also boasts of a number of scenic delights.

Parsi Point: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Krishna Valley and the backwaters of the Dhom Dam at the Parsi Point that lies a kilometer away from the main town of Panchgani.

Situated just on the fringes of Aurangabad are the caves that were carved out during the 2nd to 6th century in Maharashtra. These caves are ten in number and have been shaped out of somewhat soft rock. Tantric Hinduism has been the inspiration of their architecture and iconography. Aurangabad Caves are to be found at two different locations, at a distance of a kilometer. These two locations are referred to as Western Group Caves (Cave 1-5) and Eastern Group Caves (cave 6-10).

Western Group Caves
Regarding Western Group Caves, the architecture is absolutely fascinating. Majority of the caves are monasteries, excluding Cave 4 that is perhaps the oldest cave and represents the prayer hall of Hinayana phase amidst its ridged roof and stupa in the forefront. The monasteries essentially represent the early style of Buddhist monastery having an open court, encircled by open cells. Cave 3 is the masterpiece amongst all, with its beautifully carved pillars and sculptures depicting scenes from the Jatakas. Other caves are essentially monasteries, which usual have an open court encircled by open cells.

Eastern Group Caves
The Eastern Group Caves are no less than the former group in terms of design and architecture. Cave 6 is considerable for its amazing picturization of women, specially their hairstyles and ornamentation. Outside this cave, you can see amazing figure of both, Lord Ganesha and Buddha. Whereas Cave 7 is the most remarkable of all the caves in Aurangabad, principally for its sculptures that portray figures of women meagerly dressed and richly ornamented. It also indicates the augment of Tantric Buddhism during the period. A visit to Aurangabad Caves would give an insight into the rock-cut architecture of India.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves have the distinction of being counted amongst the World Heritage Sites in India. Located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, these caves are rock-cut cave monuments that represent the Indian rock-cut architecture. Ajanta Caves are about 99 kms, while Ellora caves are sited at a distance of 30 kms from Aurangabad city of India.

Ajanta Caves
In 1819, some British Army officers came across Ajanta Caves when they were on a tiger hunt. Once the monsoon retreats of Buddhist monks, these caves are constructed in an extremely detailed manner. There are thirty caves in total, out of which five are prayer halls (Chaitya) and others are monasteries (Vihara). Here, one can see a distinctive amalgamation of architecture, sculpture and paintings. Built between 2nd and- 4th century, Ajanta Caves depict two phases of architecture, where one is Hinayana phase and the other is Mahayana phase.

Portrayal of Contemporary Society
The interiors of the caves depict the contemporary society of those times. The carvings and the murals represent people, ranging from kings to slaves, women, men and children. These figures are entwined with flowers, plants, fruits, birds and beasts. Figures of ‘Yakshas’, ‘Kinneras’ (half human and half bird), ‘Gandharvas’ (divine musicians) and ‘Apsaras’ (divine dancers), are showcased here in a picturesque manner.

The Caves – Monasteries & Prayer Halls
Dedicated completely to Buddhism, Ajanta Caves are divided into ‘Chaitya Grihas’ (prayer halls) and ‘Viharas’ (monasteries). Out of all the caves, only five are prayer halls (9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) and rest of them are monasteries. From artistic point of view, the Caves worth mentioning are 1, 2, 16 and 17 which truly boast of marvelous pieces of art. These caves are adorned with beautiful paintings depicting the life and incarnations of Buddha.

Wall Paintings
The carvings and the paintings in the caves reveal the creative vision of the artist. The themes of the paintings portray the religious intensity of the sculptors and painters, who depict events from the life of Buddha and the Jataka Tales. In the tempera technique, the paintings are done on a base of mud-plaster. Ajanta caves also throw light on the enlightening history of the times, which includes court scenes, street scenes and cameos of domestic life as well.

Ellora Caves
Built by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, Ellora Caves present the quintessence of Indian rock-cut architecture. These are 35 cave structures, including Buddhist monasteries, Hindu and Jain Temples, which were excavated out of the Charanandri Hills. Built between the 5th and 10th century, there are twelve Buddhist caves (caves 1-12), seventeen Hindu (caves 13-29) and five Jain caves (caves 30-34) in Ellora. All these caves face the west direction. The exquisite architecture of these caves is worth taking a glimpse.

Cave 1-12
Shaped between the 5th and 7th centuries, these Buddhist caves are essentially monasteries embracing shrines, living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens and other rooms. Most of them are engraved so finely that it seems difficult to make out, whether it is stone or wood. Vishwakarma Cave (Cave10), popularly called Carpenter’s Cave, is the most famous multi-storey prayer hall that boasts of impressive carvings on ceiling. Unlike the other caves that are intricately carved, the Buddhist Cave 12 has quite a simple edifice and austere pillars. Amazing feature about this three-storey cave is that it is crafted in such a manner that its floors and the ceiling are absolutely smooth.

Caves 13-29
Dating back to the 7th century, Hindu caves depict absolutely different and stunning creative work. Amongst all, Kailasanath Temple (Cave 16) is of paramount importance amidst its striking monolithic sculptures. Not a single edge or corner is left plain, rather festooned with exotic carvings and relief work. Earlier stone bridges used to connect the columned galleries to the central temple, but now have been ravaged by the time. Super achievement of Dravidian art, this temple is estimated to have taken 100 years of construction. Dashavatara Cave (cave 15) is another remarkable cave that represents 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, while figurines of river goddesses are depicted in Ramesvara Cave (cave 21). The architectural design of Dhumar Lena (Cave 29) appears similar to that of Elephanta Cave in Mumbai.

Caves 30-34
Represent the definite dimensions of the Jainism philosophy; Jain caves portray simplicity and a sense of asceticism. These caves are not very big, but showcase unusually detailed works of art. Indra Sabha (Cave 32) is a shrine and has superb carvings of the lotus flower on its ceiling. Creative vision seeks no bounds in these caves and artists have given their excellent work. A commanding ‘yakshini’ seated on her lion under a mango tree, laden with fruits is an excellent example of the creative work. Intricate detailing is the quality of majority of the Jain caves. Here fragments of paintings on the ceilings are still very much visible.