Raigad Fort
(Post. Pachad, District Raigad - 402 305. Telephone (02145) - 22898)

Shivaji's impregnable capital, the place where he was crowned and where he died. Besides the fort, you'll find his Samadhi and the remains of his palace.

Other attractions include Gangasagar Lake and the Jijamata Palace at Pachad.

For its immense beauty, Raigad remains a hiker's paradise. The formidable Pratapgad Fort with its equestrian statue of Shivaji makes for an interesting excursion.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Pune, 126 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Veer on Konkan Railway, 40 kms.

By Road
Mumbai - Raigad, 210 kms, via Mahad. Pune Raigad, 126 kms. Mahad - Raigad, 27 kms.

State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Mahad and Pune to Raigad.

Ropeway is available from foot hills to the top of the fort (seasonal), on foot, about 1450 steps from foot hill to top of the fort.

Accommodation

Self contained rooms ( 6 Blocks) and Dormitories (2 Blocks - 100 tourists).

Closed during monsoon.

Checkout Time: 9.00 a.m.

Reservation: Mumbai.

Ramtek
(District Nagpur - 441 106 Telephone: (07114) 55620, 55625).

The story goes that Shri Ram stayed here for a while with Laxman and Sita. Hence, the name. Its was here that the prolific poet Kalidas wrote his epic Meghdootam.

Besides the Shri Ram Temple and the Kailasa Memorial, there's Ramgiri Hill, Ramsagar Lake and Khindsey Lake making for enchanting sightseeing. There's nothing like it if you can make it to the 15 day fair in November.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 58 kms.

By Rail
Ramtek is a station on South Central Railway and regular trains ply between Nagpur and Ramtek.

By Road
Mumbai - Ramtek via Nagpur, 913 kms.

State Transport buses ply from Nagpur to Ramtek.

Accommodation

Self contained rooms (5 Blocks) and Dormitories (1 Block - beds).

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Nagpur and Ramtek.

Titwala
(District Thane, Telephone 911-381307).

A pilgrim center sacred twice over for its Mahaganesh Temple and the temple of Shri Vithoba. Another fascinating temple is the one at Ambarnath, dating back to the 11th century, and built in the 'Hemadpanti' style of architecture.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Mumbai, 75 kms.

By Rail
Titwala is station on Central Railway, but the more convenient railhead is Kalyan.

By Road
Mumbai - Titwala, 75 kms, via Kalyan. [ Can be visited from Thane, Kalyan and Mumbai].

Accommodation

East of Mahaganesh Temple self contained 2 bed Rooms (2 blocks) and Dormitories (2 Blocks - 12 beds).

Checkout Time: 8.00 a.m.

Reservation: Mumbai and Titwala.

Toranmal
(District Dhule, Tal. Shahad, Mumbai Telephone 4303921, 4300898).

Tucked away in the Satpuda mountains at an altitude of 1461m., Toranmal is one of the most peaceful places on earth. And when you are tired of plain lazing, you could visit the beautiful Yahwant Lake, Seetha Khali or any of the charming temples of old.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Aurangabad.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Nandurbar, 76 kms, on Surat - Bhusawal line of Western Railway. A more convenient railhead is Dhule, 128 kms.

By Road
Mumbai - Toranmal via Dhule. Dhule Toranmal, 128 kms.

State Transport buses ply from Dhule, Nandurbar and Shahada to Toranmal.

Accommodation

Self contained rooms (11 Blocks), Wooden huts (8 Blocks) and Tents (5 Seasonal).

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Mumbai and Toranmal.

Trimbakeshwar
(District Nashik - 422 212 telephone (02594) 3143.

It's one of the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtri day, a large fair is held here, which draws hundreds of people from all over India. Every twelve years, the Sinhastha fair, the most important Kumbh Mela after the Allahabad's is held here.

Complementing the sanctity of the two, are the beautiful surroundings: Brahmagiri Hill, Neel Parvat. Kushawart Teerth, Gangadwar.

Easily accessible are Nashik and Jawhar.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Mumbai.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Nashik, 44 kms. on Central Railway.

By Road
Mumbai - Trimbakeshwar, 180 kms. Nashik - Trimbakeshwar, 28 kms.

State Transport buses ply between Nashik - Trimbakeshwar frequently.

Accommodation

Self contained rooms (10 Blocks), Dormitories (2 Blocks - 20 beds).

Checkout Time: 120.00 noon.

Reservation: Mumbai and Trimbakeshwar.

Tuljapur
(District Osmanabad - 413 601, Telephone (02471) 42096).

Known for the holy temple of Tulja Bhawani (Goddess Durga). It is said that before venturing on a military expedition, Shivaji always sought her blessings, Legend has it that the Goddess gifted him a sword the Bhawani Talwaar for success in his expedition. Important pilgrimage centers nearby are Pandharpur and Akkalkot.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Aurangabad, 257 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Solapur on South central Railway.

By Road
Mumbai - Tuljapur, 452 kms. via Solapur. Aurangabad - Tuljapur, 257 kms. Solapur - Tuljapur, 40 kms. Osmanabad - Tuljapur 19 kms.

Accommodation

Near Ghat Shil Temple - Dormitories (2 Blocks) and Self - contained rooms (6 Blocks)

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Mumbai and Tuljapur.

Wardha
(District Wardha - 441 001. Telephone (07152) 43872).

This is a convenient base for visiting two modern pilgrimage centers - Gandhiji's Ashram at Sevagram, 8 kms. and Vinoba Bhave's Paunar Ashram, 13 kms. Sevagram is the epitomic of Gandhiji's teachings of simplicity and truth. There's also the Gandhi Gyan Mandir, Manganwadi and Bjajwadi.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 67 kms.

By Rail
Wardha is a junction on central Railway, 759 kms. from Mumbai.

By Road
Mumbai - Wardha, 77 kms. Yeotmal - Wardha, 58 kms.

Accommodation

Self contained 2 bed rooms (12 Blocks) and single rooms (6 Blocks).

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Nagpur and Wardha.