Facts about Maharashtra – Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and is the nation’s third largest state by area and is also the world’s second-most populous sub-national entity.
Maharashtra Before Independence
During the early period from the 4th century up to 12th century, the territory constituting the present-day state of Maharashtra was divided between several Hindu kingdoms. It was in the midst of the 17th century Shivaji showed astonishing prowess by founding a large Maratha empire that shook Delhi-based Mughal rule to its foundations.
The heroism and greatness of Shivaji are still remembered by the people of this country and his stories are now part of the great Indian folklore. After the fall of the Maratha Empire, the Peshawar came to the throne and ruled during the period 1712 to 1818. The British East India Company slowly expanded areas under its rule during the 18th century.
Maharashtra After Independence
- The British governed western Maharashtra as part of the Bombay Presidency. After India’s independence, the Bombay Presidency was formed in 1950.
- In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act reorganized the Indian states along linguistic lines and Bombay Presidency State was enlarged.
- The present state of Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960.
- The word “Maharashtra” was derived from Sanskrit words Maha (“great”) and Rashtra (“nation/dominion”) formally known as “Great Nation”.
The major rivers of the state are Godavari, Krishna, Narmada and Tapi. Maharashtra is one of the wealthiest and the most developed states in India, contributing 25% of the country’s industrial output and 23.2% of its GDP (2010–11).
Maharashtra Geographical Map
Government of Maharashtra
| Governor | Bhagat Singh Koshyari |
| Chief Minister | Eknath Shinde |
| High Court | Bombay High Court |
| Chief Justice | Sanjay V. Gangapurwala |
| Capital Mumbai | (Winter Capital – Nagpur) |
| Number of Districts | 36 |
State Symbols of Maharashtra
| Language | Marathi |
| Song | Jai Maharashtra Majha |
| Dance | Lavani |
| Animal | Indian giant squirrel |
| Bird | Green Imperial Pigeon |
| Flower | Lagerstroemia speciosa |
| Tree | Mango |
| Sports | Kabaddi |
Seats
| Legislature Bicameral | (288 + 78) |
| Loksabha | 48 |
| Rajyasabha | 19 |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra
- Amba Barwa WLS
- Andhari WLS
- Aner Dam WLS
- Bhamragarh WLS
- Bhimashankar WLS
- Bor WLS
- Chaprala WLS
- Deolgaon-Rehkuri WLS
- Dhyanganga WLS
- Gautala- Autramghat WLS
- Great Indian Bustard WLS
- Jaikwadi WLS
- Kalsubai Harishchandragad WLS
- Karnala WLS
- Karanja Sohal Blackbuck WLS
- Katepurna WLS
- Koyana WLS
- Lonar WLS
- Malvan Marine WLS
- Mandingo WLS
- Mayureswar Supe WLS
- Melghat WLS
- Nagzira WLS
- Naigaon Mayur WLS
- Nandur Madhameshwar WLS
- Narnala Bird WLS
- Nawegaon WLS
- New Bor WLS
- New Nagzira WLS
- Painganga WLS
- Phansad WLS
- Radhanagari WLS
- Sagareshwar WLS
- Tansa WLS
- Thane Creek Flamingo WLS
- Tipeshwar WLS
- Tungareshwar WLS
- Yawal WLS
- Yedsi Ramlin Ghat WLS
- Umred-Kharngla WLS
- Wan WLS
National Parks in Maharashtra
- Chandoli National Park
- Gugamal National Park
- Nawegaon National Park
- Pench National Park
- Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park
- Tadoba National Park
Thermal Power Plants in Maharashtra
- Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station
- Tirora Thermal Power Station
- Amravati Thermal Power Plant
- Bhusawal Thermal Power Station
- Trombay Thermal Power Station
- Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station
- Parli Thermal Power Station
- Nashik Thermal Power Station
- Koradi Thermal Power Station
- Wardha Warora Power Plant
- Dahanu Thermal Power Station
- Paras Thermal Power Station
- CESC Chandrapur Thermal Power Station
UNESCO Heritage Sites
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- Ajanta Caves
- Ellora Caves
- Elephanta Caves
Famous Temples in Maharashtra
- Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai
- Bhimashankar Temple, Pune
- Trimbhakeshwar Temple, Nashik
- Kailash Temple, Ellora
- Walkeshwar Temple, Mumbai
- Mumbadevi Temple, Mumbai
Other Heritage Sites
- The Marvelous Fort of Pune – Shaniwar Wada
- Mastani Mahal recreated at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
- The Lion’s Fort – Sinhagad Fort
- Shivaji’s Childhood Palace – Lal Mahal
- Kesari Wada
- Vasai Fort – The Portuguese Heritage
- Raigad Fort
- Bibi Ka Maqbara – Deccan’s own Taj Mahal
- Gateway of India
Hill Stations in Maharashtra
- Amboli
- Bhandardara
- Chikhaldara
- Igatpuri
- Jawhar
- Karjat
- Khandala
- Lavasa
- Lonavala
- Mahabaleshwar
- Malshej Ghat
- Matheran
- Mhaismal
- Panchgani
- Panhala
- Shahapur Harshgiri
- Toranmal
Festivals of Maharashtra
Diwali, Makar Sankranti, Nag Panchami, Gudhi Padwa, Pola, Narali Pournima, Gokul Ashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Holi/Vasant Panchami are famous festivals of the state. The Modern Festivals include Banganga Festival, The Elephant Festival, and The Ellora Festival.
Famous Dances
- Lavani
- Kala
- Tamasha
- Koli
- Povadas
- Dhangari Gaja
Ports
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port
- Mumbai Port
Some Famous Personalities
- Azim Premji – Wipro founder
- Nanasaheb Parulekar, Founder Editor of Sakal
- Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, great freedom fighter Indian National Congress
- B. R. Ambedkar, Drafted the constitution of India
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Guru of Mahatma Gandhi
- Anna Hazare(Kisan baburao Hazare)
- Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketer)
- Vikram Gokhale (Actor)
- Asha Bhosle (singer)
- Lata Mangeshkar (singer)
- Usha Mangeshkar (singer)
- Madhuri Dixit (Actress)
Tidbits about Maharashtra
- The Maharashtra Bhushan is a highest and prestigious award presented annually by the government of Maharashtra state in India.
- In a village called Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra, people have been living in houses with no doors for generations. This is because they believe that whoever steals anything from this place will incur the wrath of Shani God and will have to pay for his/her sins very dearly. There is no police station in this village either.
- Lonar Lake, a saltwater lake in Maharashtra, was created by a meteor hitting the Earth and is one of its kind in India.
- Every 12 years, a religious gathering called the Kumbh Mela occurs in Maharashtra. It is the world’s largest gathering of people. The gathering is so large that the Kumbh Mela is visible from the space.
2011 Census
- The population of Maharashtra is 11.24 crores (51.83 % are male and 48.17 are female)
- Sex Ratio is 929 females to 1000 males
- The literacy rate is 82.34 %
- Child sex ratio is 894
Trivia
1. Which is the river in Maharashtra state which flows from the West to the East?
The Krishna River flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It originates at Mahabaleswar in Maharashtra, passes through Sangli and meets the sea in the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh.
2. How many forts are there in Maharashtra?
There are 350 historical forts in Maharashtra Only. Most of these forts are associated with the great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed that he developed as many as thirteen forts.
3. In which year was Bombay renamed as Mumbai?
Mumbai from Bombay, renamed in 1995.
Additional Facts About Maharashtra
Mumbai originally was a cluster of seven separate islands, and the southernmost island was called Old Woman’s Island. Mumbai is built on what was once an archipelago of seven islands: Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman’s Island (also known as Little Colaba). It is not exactly known when these islands were first inhabited.
