Celebrating World Heritage Day: Discover Maharashtra’s Rich Legacy

Sadashiva or Eternal Shiva recessed into the rear wall of the main cave at Elephanta. Photograph by Bharath Ramamrutham

A short distance away from Mumbai, Elephanta consists of two groups of caves — the first is a group of five Hindu caves and the second of two Buddhist caves. Our Elephanta guidebook takes readers on a splendid journey through the magnificent cave temple, studying its architectural genius and trying to interpret the myths of Lord Shiva depicted brilliantly in the outstanding stone sculptures.

Pandu Lena, caves 1 and 2. Photograph by Surendra Kumar

Also accessible from Mumbai, and only a couple hours from Elephanta, are the exquisite rock-cut Buddhist monasteries near Nashik and Junnar. These magnificent shrines and dwellings, known as chaityas and viharas, were cut into the basalt cliffs of the Western Ghats more than 2,000 years ago, and display some of the finest rock-cut work the country has to offer. Explore the Buddhist Rock-Cut Monasteries of the Western Ghats with our comprehensive travel guidebook.

Aerial view of Convocation Hall from Clock Tower. Photo by Hari Mahidhar

Whether you’re starting or finishing your tour of Maharashtra in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, don’t miss our guide to the city’s iconic Gothic architecture. The DHF recently digitised this popular book, and it is now available in a convenient e-book format for instant download.

Line drawing of BB&CI Railway offices; skyline view of turrets and domes. Courtesy Christopher W London

Featuring stunning illustrations and initial proposal drawings like the one pictured above, Bombay Gothic is a comprehensive look at the city’s distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture.

Interior of Ohel David Synagogue, Pune. Photograph by Surendra Kumar

Illustrated with splendid photographs by Surendra Kumar, the DHF’s guidebook to the Deccan’s Jewish Heritage is the first such publication to describe these vestiges of the region. Arranged by itineraries, the guidebook is designed to encourage citizens of Mumbai and Pune, as well as visitors to these cities and the towns of the Konkan, to discover this often overlooked aspect of local history.

Pan Chakki, mosque and pool, Aurangabad. Photograph by Clare Arni

Maharashtra is also home to cities of exceptional historical importance and architectural interest. Aurangabad’s tombs and mosques are rarely visited. Many of these were built during the 17th century, when the city served as the second capital of the Mughal Empire. A short distance away is the citadel of Daulatabad, the nearby small, walled town of Khuldabad is celebrated for its holy Sufi shrines, and the city of Ahmadnagar–once the capital of the Nizam Shahi sultans in the 16th century.

To learn more about this remarkable state, and help plan your travels, you can also purchase the DHF’s Maharashtra Bundle, which provides e-books of all five of our guidebooks set in Maharashtra.

Friday, the 18th of April marked World Heritage Day. On this occasion, we took the opportunity to reflect on the rich, vibrant history and timeless legacy of the Deccan region. At the Deccan Heritage Foundation, we remain committed to restoring and preserving the extraordinary heritage of this remarkable land.

Take a look at some of our ongoing and past restoration projects, which include the Nagakunda stepwell in Sudi, the Rang Mahal in Hyderabad, the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion in Mysuru, and the Gagan Mahal in Anegundi in this short video on our Instagram page.

We look forward to bringing you more travel recommendations across the sprawling Deccan region. Visit the DHF’s online bookstore to purchase our guidebooks. To support the DHF’s various restoration and conservation efforts, consider making a donation by clicking the button below.

Support Us