Maharashtra is a state situated in western India. It has borders with the state of Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat as well as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Towards the west of the state, lies the Arabian Sea.

As per the 2001 census, the population of Maharashtra was 9,67,52,247. It was the second most populous state in India.

About 80 percent people are Maharashtrian and there are Buddhist, Christian and Muslim minorities.

The principal language of the people is Marathi. However, English and Hindi are widely spoken.

There are many temples in Maharashtra which are a blend of the architectural styles of North and South India.

The Ashtavinayaka are a series of eight temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Bhimashankar is a jyotirling or symbol of Lord Shiva. Near Aurangabad are the Ajanta and Ellora caves that are UNESCO world heritage sites.

This state has a moderate climate. The temperature ranges from 16 °C to 35 °C. From July to September is the rainy season.

The ideal time to visit the coastal areas is from September to April.