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As someone who grew up in Mumbai but has family in Kolhapur, I've made the journey between these two Maharashtrian cities more times than I can count. Over the years, I've discovered the most affordable, comfortable and scenic routes. So if you're looking to travel from Mumbai to the historic temple town of Kolhapur, allow me to guide you through some of the best options, based on my personal experiences. Weighing the transportation options from Mumbai The most direct options

As an avid traveler exploring offbeat destinations in India, I recently had the chance to visit the scenic seaside town of Malvan. Nestled on the Konkan coastline of Maharashtra, Malvan proved to be a hidden gem with its pristine beaches, historic monuments, and lip-smacking Malvani cuisine. As I had never heard of Malvan before, many readers are likely wondering — where exactly is Malvan? Locating Malvan on the Map For those unfamiliar, Malvan is located in the Sindhudurg di

As an avid traveler and nature lover, I'm always seeking new places to explore in India. Recently, I set my sights on Bhandardara - a quaint hill station nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. Known for its lush green landscapes, gushing waterfalls, and tranquil Arthur Lake, Bhandardara had been on my bucket list for a while. The only trouble was figuring out how to get there from Igatpuri, the nearest major town with good rail connectivity. After some research and ad

As someone who loves to travel and experience new places, I recently decided to make a long journey from my home in Delhi to the historic city of Kolhapur in the state of Maharashtra. Given the distance of over 1,600 kilometers between the two cities, it required careful planning and preparation to make this trip smoothly. In this article, I'll share my first-hand experience of how I managed to get from Delhi to Kolhapur on a budget. Choosing the Right Mode of Transport The f

Nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra lies the breathtakingly beautiful hill station of Bhandardara - a quaint little place barely on the tourist map of India. I stumbled upon it quite by chance during a trip to Nashik some years ago. With its lush green forests, gushing waterfalls, misty peaks, and clear blue skies reflected in the waters of Arthur Lake, Bhandardara took my breath away. As I took in the idyllic views, a question popped into my head - where on earth i

As a long-time resident of Mumbai, I thought I had seen all the beaches around the city. However, I recently learned about the offbeat Mandwa Beach located across the harbor, a short ferry ride away from the Gateway of India. Given its relative seclusion and tranquil atmosphere, I was immediately intrigued to visit this beach and see it for myself. In this post, I'll share my first-hand experience making my way to Mandwa Beach from Mumbai. I'll offer tips on transport options

As someone who loves to explore offbeat destinations in India, Aurangabad has long been on my bucket list. Known as a prominent Buddhist site and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad offers much more than just ancient monuments to visitors. On my recent trip there, I packed in a diverse range of experiences - from soul-stirring sunrises to finger-licking local cuisine. Here is my personalized guide on the top attractions and experienc

As a Mumbai resident, I'm always looking for new weekend getaway options that allow me to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. On my last vacation, I decided to head to the coastal town of Harihareshwar. Getting there was an adventure in itself! Let me guide you through the options based on my first-hand experience. Weighing the Transportation Choices The most convenient way to reach Harihareshwar from Mumbai is to drive there yourself. It took me about 5 hours one

As an Indian who has visited the small coastal town of Harihareshwar multiple times, I'm often asked by friends what there is to see and do there. Nestled along the Konkan coastline in Maharashtra's Raigad district, Harihareshwar may not be a bustling tourist destination, but it has a tranquil charm and spiritual significance that I find deeply appealing. In this article, I'll highlight my favorite attractions that provide a window into the town's Shiva heritage and natural s

As a resident of Mumbai, I'm always looking for new weekend getaway destinations that allow me to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Recently I discovered Malvan - a picturesque coastal town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra known for its pristine beaches, historic forts, and delicious Malvani cuisine. Getting there does take some planning, but the journey is incredibly rewarding. Based on my personal experience, here is everything you need to know to travel fr

As a Pune resident who loves getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city, I recently took a wonderful seaside trip to Harihareshwar. Nestled along the Konkan coast just south of Mumbai, Harihareshwar is a hidden gem with a peaceful temple, striking beaches, and amazing seafood. Getting there from Pune requires a bit of advance planning though. Based on my experience, here is my guide to reaching Harihareshwar if you're starting your journey from Pune. I'll go over the ro

As an avid traveler born and raised in India, I enjoy discovering the rich cultural heritage of my diverse home country. On a recent trip to Kolhapur, an ancient city in southern Maharashtra, I was eager to explore the unique sites and flavors that give this historic place its character. Nestled on the banks of the Panchganga River, Kolhapur boasts spectacular temples, flavorful cuisine, and fascinating handicrafts that showcase the city's proud past. The Famed Mahalakshmi Te

Nashik is often called India's wine capital thanks to the gorgeous vineyards and bustling wineries that dot its landscapes. Beyond the vine-laced hills, however, lies natural beauty waiting to be explored by the intrepid traveler. During my recent trip, I had the pleasure of discovering one such hidden gem - the Pahine Waterfall. Located around 45 kilometers from Igatpuri along the Mumbai-Agra highway, the Pahine Waterfall remains surprisingly off-the-radar. I first heard whi

Mumbai is always bustling with energy and activity. As much as I love the fast-paced lifestyle this maximum city offers, sometimes a person just needs a break. I realized I desperately needed a quiet getaway to recharge my batteries. That's when I decided to visit Bhandardara - the quaint hill station nestled in the Sahyadri ranges about 150 km from Mumbai. With its lush forests, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, and serene Arthur Lake, Bhandardara promised the dose o

As someone born and raised in Bangalore, I didn't travel much around Maharashtra. But I had always heard great things about Kolhapur - the cultural hub replete with magnificent ancient temples and palaces. So when the opportunity arose last summer, I decided to make my way from my home in Bangalore up to the royal city of Kolhapur. The journey ended up taking nearly 16 hours with a mix of train and bus connections. But each leg of the trip was fairly smooth and the time passe

As an avid nature lover and birdwatcher living in Mumbai, I have visited many sanctuaries near the city. But my most memorable experience was at the Karnala Bird Sanctuary located just 60 km away in Raigad district. I first heard of Karnala from my uncle who is also a passionate birdwatcher. He raved about spotting over 200 species of birds there, some endemic to the Western Ghats. That intrigued the explorer in me and I instantly added it to my must-visit list. Reaching Karn

As an avid traveler and spiritual seeker, visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas in India has been high on my bucket list for years. So when I finally planned a trip to Aurangabad to see the incredible Ajanta and Ellora caves, I knew I had to make a quick visit to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga as well. Grishneshwar temple is one of the astounding Jyotirlinga shrines located about 30 km from Aurangabad and can be easily covered on a day trip. After my enriching yet hectic sightseeing in Aura

As an avid traveler based in Pune, I'm always looking for new offbeat destinations to explore across Maharashtra. Recently, I set my sights on Malvan - the quaint coastal town known for its pristine beaches, historic sites, and mouthwatering seafood. Though not as popular on typical tourist circuits as Goa or Mahabaleshwar, Malvan has a charm of its own. Getting there is half the fun if you enjoy road trips like I do. From stunning ghats to sleepy villages along the way, Konk

India's western coast along the Arabian Sea holds many hidden gems, one of them being the peaceful beaches of the Malvan region in Maharashtra. As an avid beach lover and traveler, I recently made my way to explore the virgin and pristine shores of Malvan, discovering the most serene and untainted beach I've experienced yet - the stunning Tarkarli beach located by the Malvan village. In this article, I'll share my first-hand account of how I uncovered this beach's location, w

Perched high in the Sahyadri ranges, Bhandardara is a picturesque little hill station with breathtaking natural beauty. Having visited Bhandardara numerous times over the years, I'd like to share my favorite things to see and experience for anyone considering a visit to this offbeat destination. Situated around 185 kilometers from Mumbai, Bhandardara makes for an ideal weekend getaway for city dwellers looking to escape to nature. From gushing waterfalls to picturesque trekki