Top Places to Visit in Maharashtra with Deccan Odyssey Train

The most developed and prosperous state, Maharashtra, is situated in the western region of India. This state has a treasure trove of multi-hued heritage sites. From the Ashtavinayak temple to the Ajanta and Ellora caves of the Buddhist era, from the Mother Mary Church at Mahim to the Haji Ali mosque of Mumbai, this state is a perfect example of the “Unity in Diversity” concept.

Maharashtra with Deccan Odyssey

Thanks to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, with Deccan Odyssey, one can explore the following places in Maharashtra.

1. Ajanta Caves

A total of 800 Buddhist caves are in Maharashtra, and 32 among them are situated in Ajanta. 107 km away from Aurangabad, Ajanta Caves are famous for the paintings based on Buddhist themes and painted inscriptions narrating the stories of different monks and kings.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was related to many schools of ancient periods like the famous Gandhara and Mathura school of art of the Kushana Period, the Sarnath School of art of the Gupta Period, and the Amravati school of art of the late Satavahana Period.

2. Ellora Caves

The epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture, Ellora is a combination of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves. Intricate carvings of Vishvakarma cave, the huge Buddha image, rock-cut balcony, Don Taal and Teen Taal caves, Hindu sculptures of cave 14, multi-storied temple Kailasa and the famous beautiful sculptures of Rameshwar cave are the major attractions of Ellora.

3. Aurangabad

The City of Gates, Aurangabad was named after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Declared as the Tourism Capital of Maharashtra, this city is the fifth largest city in Maharashtra. The last or the 12th ‘Jyotirlinga’, Grishneshwar Temple, is located near this city.

Apart from this, one can also visit the glorious Daulatabad Fort, Aurangzeb's Himayat Bagh and the burial place of Dilras Banu Begum, wife of Aurangzeb, Bibi ka Maqbara.

Also Read: What is Deccan Odyssey Train?

4. Nashik

Surrounded by nine hills, nourished by the river Godavari, Nashik is world-famous for “Kumbh Mela,” which occurs every 12 years. With wonderful weather ranging between 12ºc to 28ºc, this city has become the “Wine Capital of India”. Mentioned in the Indian epic ‘Ramayana’, Nashik is very popular among the Hindu and Jain pilgrims.

Tourists across the world visit Nashik for one of the 12 Jyotirlingas at Trimbakeshwar Temple, the most sacred place Panchavati, Pandav Caves, Panchdhatu idol of Bhagwan Mahavir and many more.

5. Kolhapur

Kolhapur or Colapore is a small town which is renowned for beautiful landscape, historical monuments and ancient temples. Mahalaxmi Temple, famous for magnificent carvings and sculptures; Ancient Rankala Lake, built by Chattrapati Shivaji; Chattrapati Sahu Museum, decorated with jewels, stones carving, and sculptures; and Emperor Bhoja's Panhala Fort are the most visited places of Kolhapur.

6. Mumbai

The capital city of Maharashtra, the City of Dreams and the home of Bollywood, Mumbai lies on the Konkan coast of India. Amazing nightlife, fantastic food, and fashionable markets are some of the traits of this Global City.

Mumbai has some of the wonderful architectural structures like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, etc. Haji Ali Dargah, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Gateway of India, Nariman Point, and Juhu Beach are the most famous places in Mumbai.

About Deccan Odyssey

Based on the model of Palace on Wheels, the Maharashtra Government and the Ministry of Railways introduced the Deccan Odyssey. Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, this express has 21 luxuriously appointed coaches. Fully equipped with modern amenities like air conditioning room, internet, a mini gym, a multi-cuisine restaurant, well stocked bar, this express promises to offer an experience of a five-star hotel.

Itineraries of Deccan Odyssey

With 6 meticulously designed itineraries, the Deccan Odyssey train covers the major heritage sites of the majestic Western Ghat. These 6 different itineraries are:

Maharashtra Splendour: Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: Mumbai-Nashik-Ellora Caves-Ajanta Caves-Kolhapur-Goa-Sindhudurg-Mumbai

Indian Odyssey: Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: New Delhi-Sawai Madhopur-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Vadodara-Ellora Caves-Mumbai

Indian Sojourn (Deccan Odyssey): Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: Mumbai-Bijapur-Aihole-Pattadakal-Hampi-Hyderabad-Ellora Caves-Ajanta Caves-Mumbai

Maharashtra Wild Trail: Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: Mumbai-Ellora Caves-Aurangabad-Pench-Tadoba-Ajanta-Nashik–Mumbai

Cultural Odyssey: Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: Mumbai-Vadodara-Palitana-Sasan Gir & Somnath-Littile Rann of Kutch-Modhera & Patan-Nashik –Mumbai

Heritage Odyssey: Duration 7 nights/ 8 days

Destination covered: Mumbai-Vadodara-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Agra-Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur-Delhi.