Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is also called breath of India being the richest state in India. Maharashtra is bordered by the 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.
Mumbai, the capital city of the state, is India's largest city and the financial capital of the nation. Nagpur is the second capital of the state. Marathi is the official language.
The etymology of the word "Maharashtra" is uncertain. The theories include:
Maharashtra is India's leading industrial state contributing 15% of national industrial output and over 40% of India's national revenue. Major industries in Maharashtra include chemical and allied products, electrical and non-electrical machinery, textiles, petroleum and allied products. Other important industries include metal products, wine, jewellery, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, machine tools, steel and iron castings and plastic wares. Food crops include mangoes, grapes, bananas, oranges, wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, and pulses. Cash crops include groundnut, cotton, sugarcane, turmeric, and tobacco. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India, houses the headquarters of all major banks, financial institutions, insurance companies in India. India's largest stock exchange Bombay Stock Exchange, the oldest in Asia, is also located in the city. After successes in the information technology in the neighboring states, Maharashtra has set up software parks in Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Nashik. Now Maharashtra is the second largest exporter of software. Mumbai is home for the world's largest film industry- Bollywood, Hindi filmmaking industry. Maharashtra ranks first nationwide in coal-based thermal electricity as well as nuclear electricity generation. Indian and foreign automobile makers in the area include Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Skoda Auto, Fiat and Volkswagen. Pune has become an IT hub with the presence of almost all IT leaders.
University of Mumbai, one of the largest universities in the world in terms of the number of graduates. The Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai) is India's premier engineering and technology schools. Mumbai is home to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS), National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), S P Jain Institute of Management and Research, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR) and several other management schools. Mumbai is home to two prominent research institutions: the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Marathi is the official state language. In Mumbai and suburban areas, apart from the native Marathi and English, other languages are also spoken, such as Gujarati.
The majority of Marathi people are Hindus form 83.2% of total population and Hinduism plays an important role in Maharashtrian people in their day-to-day life. Ganesh is the most popular deity amongst Marathi Hindus, followed by Krishna in the form of Vithal. They also worship the Shiva Family deities such as Shankar and Parvati. Islam is the second biggest religion in the state. Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) and Eid-ul-Azha (Bakra Eid) are the most important Muslim festivals in the state. Jainists are a major group in Maharashtra. Zoroastrians also called Parsi, are mainly found in Mumbai.
Aashadi Ekadashi is one of most important festivals celebrated across Maharashtra. It is also referred to as "WARI" and people from all over Maharashtra, Karnataka and other parts of India walk to Pandharpur from there respective villages.Lord Ganesha's devotion is celebrated by Ganesh Chaturthi in August–September of every year. Shri Siddhivinayak Temple, Shri Ashtavinayaka's are the major holy places for Maharashtrians. Lord Shiva's devotion is celebrated by taking part in Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) festival. Lord Krishna's devotions are celebrated in the state-wide Gokul Ashtami (or Krishna Janmashtami, Krishna's birthday) whereby many devotees fast on the entire day until midnight. The Dahi-Handi (Matki-fod) is also observed on this day at many places. Lord Krishna's devotion are also celebrated at Kaartik Aamawasya (or Diwali) and at Narak Chaturdashi as the killing of the demon Narakasura.
The other festivals celebrated on a large scale are Vijayadashami or Dasara, Navaratri, Holi, Diwali, Eid (Ramzan Eid).
Maharashtra has one of the highest level of urbanization of all Indian states.The mountainous topography and soil are not as suitable for intensive agriculture as the plains of North India. The other large cities are Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai,Thane, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, and Solapur. Mumbai, the Administrative Capital of Maharashtra, is also the financial capital city of India. The film industry of India Bollywood is associated in Mumbai. Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra and the seventh largest in India, is the state's cultural and heritage capital. 'Ganeshotsav', a festival of Lord Ganesh is celebrated in Pune with lot of enthusiasm and worship. Pune is a major Information Technology hub of India as well as a foremost destination for automobile manufacturing and the component industry. Nashik is the fourth largest and third most industrialized cities in the Maharashtra. One of the holy cities of the Hindu tradition, Nashik lies on the banks of the sacred river Godavari. It is believed that Lord Rama, hero of the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, spent a major part of his exile here. Nashik hosts the Kumbhmela once every twelve years. Nashik is the wine capital of Indiawith many vineyards thriving owing to the favorable climate for grapes. Nashik is one of the fastest growing cities in India, with a number of automobile and pharmaceutical industries. Nashik is also an educational hub and the educational and cultural capital of North Maharashtra. In agriculture, apart from grapes, Nashik is Asia's leading market for onions and tomatoes. Nagpur is the nerve centre of Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra), Nagpur - the Orange City as it is known - is located in the centre of the country and is a geographical center of India. It is the second administrative capital of Maharashtra.
There are many temples in Maharashtra some of them being hundreds of years old. These temples are constructed in a fusion of architectural styles borrowed from North and South India. The temples also blend themes from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cultures. A National Geographic edition reads, "The flow between faiths was such that for hundreds of years, almost all Buddhist temples, including the ones at Ajanta, were built under the rule and patronage of Hindu kings." Other important religious places are the Ashtavinayaka temples of Lord Ganesha, Bhimashankar which is one of the Jyotirling (12 important Shiva temples). Ajanta and Ellora caves near Aurangabad as well as Elephanta Caves near Mumbai are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and famous tourist attractions. Maharashtra has a large number of hill, land and sea forts. The cricket craze can be seen throughout Maharashtra, as it is the most widely followed and played sport. Kabaddi and hockey are also played with fervor. Children’s games include Viti-Dandu (Gilli-danda in Hindi) and Pakada-pakadi(tag). Gudi Padwa, Diwali, Rangapanchami, Gokulashtami and Ganeshotsav are some of the festivals that are celebrated in Maharashtra. Ganeshotsav is one of the biggest festival of Maharashtra which is celebrated with much reverence and festivity throughout the state and has since some time become popular all over the country. The festival which continues over ten days is in honour of Ganesha, the deva (like guardian angel ) of learning and knowledge under the one supreme lord . A large number of people walk hundreds of kilometers to Pandharpur for the annual pilgrimage in the month of Ashadh.
Mumbai, the capital city of the state, is India's largest city and the financial capital of the nation. Nagpur is the second capital of the state. Marathi is the official language.
The etymology of the word "Maharashtra" is uncertain. The theories include:
- It derives from the Sanskrit words Maha ("great") and rāṣhṭra ("nation", "dominion")
- Maha (Sanskrit for "great") + rashtra, derived from ratta, supposedly a corruption of Rashtrakuta.
- Maha (Sanskrit for "great") + Rathi or Ratha (charioteer)
Maharashtra is India's leading industrial state contributing 15% of national industrial output and over 40% of India's national revenue. Major industries in Maharashtra include chemical and allied products, electrical and non-electrical machinery, textiles, petroleum and allied products. Other important industries include metal products, wine, jewellery, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, machine tools, steel and iron castings and plastic wares. Food crops include mangoes, grapes, bananas, oranges, wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, and pulses. Cash crops include groundnut, cotton, sugarcane, turmeric, and tobacco. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India, houses the headquarters of all major banks, financial institutions, insurance companies in India. India's largest stock exchange Bombay Stock Exchange, the oldest in Asia, is also located in the city. After successes in the information technology in the neighboring states, Maharashtra has set up software parks in Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Nashik. Now Maharashtra is the second largest exporter of software. Mumbai is home for the world's largest film industry- Bollywood, Hindi filmmaking industry. Maharashtra ranks first nationwide in coal-based thermal electricity as well as nuclear electricity generation. Indian and foreign automobile makers in the area include Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Skoda Auto, Fiat and Volkswagen. Pune has become an IT hub with the presence of almost all IT leaders.
University of Mumbai, one of the largest universities in the world in terms of the number of graduates. The Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai) is India's premier engineering and technology schools. Mumbai is home to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS), National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), S P Jain Institute of Management and Research, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR) and several other management schools. Mumbai is home to two prominent research institutions: the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Marathi is the official state language. In Mumbai and suburban areas, apart from the native Marathi and English, other languages are also spoken, such as Gujarati.
The majority of Marathi people are Hindus form 83.2% of total population and Hinduism plays an important role in Maharashtrian people in their day-to-day life. Ganesh is the most popular deity amongst Marathi Hindus, followed by Krishna in the form of Vithal. They also worship the Shiva Family deities such as Shankar and Parvati. Islam is the second biggest religion in the state. Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) and Eid-ul-Azha (Bakra Eid) are the most important Muslim festivals in the state. Jainists are a major group in Maharashtra. Zoroastrians also called Parsi, are mainly found in Mumbai.
Aashadi Ekadashi is one of most important festivals celebrated across Maharashtra. It is also referred to as "WARI" and people from all over Maharashtra, Karnataka and other parts of India walk to Pandharpur from there respective villages.Lord Ganesha's devotion is celebrated by Ganesh Chaturthi in August–September of every year. Shri Siddhivinayak Temple, Shri Ashtavinayaka's are the major holy places for Maharashtrians. Lord Shiva's devotion is celebrated by taking part in Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva) festival. Lord Krishna's devotions are celebrated in the state-wide Gokul Ashtami (or Krishna Janmashtami, Krishna's birthday) whereby many devotees fast on the entire day until midnight. The Dahi-Handi (Matki-fod) is also observed on this day at many places. Lord Krishna's devotion are also celebrated at Kaartik Aamawasya (or Diwali) and at Narak Chaturdashi as the killing of the demon Narakasura.
The other festivals celebrated on a large scale are Vijayadashami or Dasara, Navaratri, Holi, Diwali, Eid (Ramzan Eid).
Maharashtra has one of the highest level of urbanization of all Indian states.The mountainous topography and soil are not as suitable for intensive agriculture as the plains of North India. The other large cities are Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai,Thane, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, and Solapur. Mumbai, the Administrative Capital of Maharashtra, is also the financial capital city of India. The film industry of India Bollywood is associated in Mumbai. Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra and the seventh largest in India, is the state's cultural and heritage capital. 'Ganeshotsav', a festival of Lord Ganesh is celebrated in Pune with lot of enthusiasm and worship. Pune is a major Information Technology hub of India as well as a foremost destination for automobile manufacturing and the component industry. Nashik is the fourth largest and third most industrialized cities in the Maharashtra. One of the holy cities of the Hindu tradition, Nashik lies on the banks of the sacred river Godavari. It is believed that Lord Rama, hero of the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, spent a major part of his exile here. Nashik hosts the Kumbhmela once every twelve years. Nashik is the wine capital of Indiawith many vineyards thriving owing to the favorable climate for grapes. Nashik is one of the fastest growing cities in India, with a number of automobile and pharmaceutical industries. Nashik is also an educational hub and the educational and cultural capital of North Maharashtra. In agriculture, apart from grapes, Nashik is Asia's leading market for onions and tomatoes. Nagpur is the nerve centre of Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra), Nagpur - the Orange City as it is known - is located in the centre of the country and is a geographical center of India. It is the second administrative capital of Maharashtra.
There are many temples in Maharashtra some of them being hundreds of years old. These temples are constructed in a fusion of architectural styles borrowed from North and South India. The temples also blend themes from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cultures. A National Geographic edition reads, "The flow between faiths was such that for hundreds of years, almost all Buddhist temples, including the ones at Ajanta, were built under the rule and patronage of Hindu kings." Other important religious places are the Ashtavinayaka temples of Lord Ganesha, Bhimashankar which is one of the Jyotirling (12 important Shiva temples). Ajanta and Ellora caves near Aurangabad as well as Elephanta Caves near Mumbai are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and famous tourist attractions. Maharashtra has a large number of hill, land and sea forts. The cricket craze can be seen throughout Maharashtra, as it is the most widely followed and played sport. Kabaddi and hockey are also played with fervor. Children’s games include Viti-Dandu (Gilli-danda in Hindi) and Pakada-pakadi(tag). Gudi Padwa, Diwali, Rangapanchami, Gokulashtami and Ganeshotsav are some of the festivals that are celebrated in Maharashtra. Ganeshotsav is one of the biggest festival of Maharashtra which is celebrated with much reverence and festivity throughout the state and has since some time become popular all over the country. The festival which continues over ten days is in honour of Ganesha, the deva (like guardian angel ) of learning and knowledge under the one supreme lord . A large number of people walk hundreds of kilometers to Pandharpur for the annual pilgrimage in the month of Ashadh.