Igatpuri, Nashik, Aurangabad, Shegaon Picnic Spot

Igatpuri: It is located on the NH-3, only 45 km from Nashik. It is one of the important hill stations in the state, which is located in Sahyadri ranges1. Igatpuri is known for Vipassana International Academy, where ancient technique of meditation is taught. Kavnai temple and Ghatandevi Mandir is dedicated to goddess Kamakshi Devi and Goddess Ghatandevi respectively, the protector of the Ghats.

1) KAVNAI TEMPLE  2) GHATDEVI TEMPLE  3) VIPASSANA MEDITATION CENTRE  4) VIPASSANA MEDITATION CENTRE

Nasik city: Nasik is a major pilgrimage centre, located along the NH-3, 180 kms from Mumbai, the capital of the state. Kumbh Mela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. It is also known as the "Wine Capital of India"2. The Godavari River also called as dakshin Ganga, as many Hindu temples are located along the river belt3. The Someshwar temple is famous temple of Lord Shiva, located in the bank of Godavari River. Gangapur Dam is 8 kms away from the main city, which has a good picnic spot. Bhatsa Dam is located near Igatpuri, surrounded by dense forest. It is also a good place for picnic. Lower Vaitarna Dam is the tallest dam in Maharashtra.

1) BHATSA DAM   2) UPPER VAITARNA DAM

Trimbakeshwar: It is a pilgrim-town, located 35 kms north-west of Nashik. Out of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Trimbakeshwar is one of them. The Jyotirling temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is in the three-faced Shiv ling embodying the three Hindu gods: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva4. Kushavarth is a religious Kund. The Teerth Kund, the Prayag tirth & the Srikshetra Kapildhara are also religious kunds. Anjaneri is a place located 4km away from Nashik and is well known for being the birth place of Lord Hanuman5. The Dugarwadi waterfall is visited by tourists during the monsoon.Vani: It is located 60 kms from Nashik city. The goddess Saptashrungi Nivasini is believed to dwell within the seven mountain peaks here6.

1) Jyotirling temple 2) Prayag tirth 3) Kushavarth Tirthkund 4) Anjaneri 5)  Dugarwadi waterfall 6) Saptarshungi Temple 

Shirdi: It is 80 kms from Nashik and 82 kms from Ahemadnagar. The Shirdi temple complex is the main attraction in Shirdi and it was built in dedication to the sage, Shirdi Sai Baba. Puntamba is a historical place, which is located 14 kms away from Shirdi. It has a few very old temples out of which, the Changdev Maharaj temple is one of visited the most destination.

           1) Sai Baba temple 2) Dynashwar Temple 3) Puntamba Temple 4) Devgad (Datta Temple) 

Navasa: The Shanishingnapur temple in Shingnapur is a pilgrim centre in the Navasa town. It is dedicated to Lord Shanidev. Dnyaneshwar temple is well known as Saint Dnyaneshwar is said to have written a Dnyaneshwari here, beside a pole that stands even today9. Every year during ashadi-ekadashi, the Dnyaneshwari is taken in a palkhi to Pandharpur.
Pathardi: Mohatadevi is a temple in the Pathardi Taluka. It is an important spiritual centre. The Kanifnath Mandir is the main Samadhi-temple of Shri Kanifnath Maharaj.

Shanishingnapur temple

Akole: The Bhandardara village that lies by the Pravara River has a great natural beauty with waterfalls, mountains and greenery. The dam here is a major tourist attraction in the region. The Kalsubai temple located at the highest peak in the state is dedicated to Goddess Kalsubai.

Dhule city: The city is located 150 kms north east from Nashik. Panzara River passes through the city. Ekvira temple is situated on the bank of the river.

                               1) Panzara River                                                    2) Ekvira Temple            

Jalgaon city: It is located in north Maharashtra (Khandesh) which is 90 kms from Dhule city. Jalgaon is also known as the „Banana city‟7. Kothali Dam is a small dam which is located near Kothali village. The reservoir of this dam is being developed as a tourist spot. Padmalya temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Unapdev is also a major tourist destination in the region. The hot-water spring here is a listed ASI site8. Ambalner: It is 75 kms away from the Jalgaon city. The Mangal Devi temple is a famous tourist spot in the district. It is a well developed and maintained temple complex.                                  

Mangal Devi temple

Aurangabad: Aurangabad; named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. It is also known as the “City of Gates” owing to the 52 gates which it possesses, all of which have a local history. It is well connected with the rest of the cities by air, express rail and road via NH 211.

Mhaismal Hills: Mhaismal is a hill station located about 30 kms north of Aurangabad. While travelling from Aurangabad to Mhaismal, the Ellora caves, Devgiri fort and the Ghrishneshwar temple fall enroute. It is recognised for its scenic beauty, panoramic view and temples.

                               Ajanta: Ajanta caves include 30 rock-cut cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BC to the 600 CE. The caves include paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, as well as frescos which are reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lanka. The caves were built in two phases starting around 2nd century BCE, with the second group of caves built around 600 CE. It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shegaon: Shegaon is a famous for the Samadhi of Shri Gajanan Maharaja. Thousands of devotees pay their respects at the Samadhi every Thursday, which is regarded as a special day. There are fairs held in Ram Navami and Rushi Panchmi, during which devotees visit this place.

                            Ajanta                                                                                     Shegaon                                               

Lonar: Lonar is distinguished by the fact that it is the world's third largest crater. It had its genesis nearly 50,000 years ago, when a 2 million-ton meteorite impacted the earth to create a depression 1.83 kms in diameter and 150 meters deep10. It is located about 46 kms east of Sindkhed Raja (enroute Shegaon).

Sindkhed Raja: Sindkhed Raja is situated about 90 kms east of Aurangabad enroute Lonar. It is known for its ancient temples and monuments which have great heritage and architectural value.

                                                           Lonar                                                                           Sindkhed Raja Fort

                                                         
Paithan: Paithan is a city located 56 km south of Aurangabad. It is famous for its 6 yards silk brocade saris, known as Paithan saris. Other attractions in Paithan are Sant Dnyaneshwar Garden, Shani Shingnapur and Jayakwadi Dam bird sanctuary.

Sant Dnyaneshwar Garden                                                            Jayakwadi Dam bird sanctuary