MAHARASHTRA

INTRODUCTION:
Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India. It is the 2nd most populous state after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is the wealthiest state in India. Maharashtra is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Gujarat and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the northwest, Madhya Pradesh to the north and northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east, Karnataka to the south, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast and Goa to the southwest. The state covers 9.84% of the total geographical area of India. Mumbai, the capital city of the state, is India's largest city and the financial capital of the nation.

CLIMATE:
Maharashtra has typical monsoon climate, with hot, rainy and cold weather seasons. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May and the monsoon season between June and September. Summers are extreme with March, April and May.Temperature varies between 22C-39C during this season. Rainfall starts normally in the first week of June. July is the wettest month in Maharashtra, while August too gets substantial rain. Monsoon starts its retreat with the coming of September from the state. Winter season is from November to February. But the eastern part of Maharashtra sometimes receives some rainfall. Temperature varies between 12C34C during this season.

CULTURE:
Maharashtrians take great pride in their language and history, particularly the Maratha Empire, its founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered a folk hero across Maharashtra. About 80% of Maharashtrians are Hindu, and there are significant Muslim, Christian and Buddhist minorities. There are many temples in Maharashtra some of them being hundreds of years old. LANGUAGE: Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra.80% Maharashtrians are Hindu, there are o are significant Muslim, Christian and Buddhist minorities. So other languages like hindi, gujarati, marwadi, english and many more are spoken. CITIES: Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ahmadnagar, Nashik, Dhule ,Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Usmanabad, Aurangabad, Beed, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Akola, Amaravati, Buldhana, Washim, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia.

PLACES TO VISIT: Ajanta Caves: The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE.[ The caves include paintings and sculptures described by the government Archaeological Survey of India as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting",which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales.

Ellora: Ellora is an archaeological site, 29 km North-West of the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. It is also known as Elapura (in the Rashtrakuta literature-Kannada). Well known for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site. Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The 34 "caves" are actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and viharas and mathas were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 112), 17 Hindu (caves 1329) and 5 Jain (caves 3034) caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. Bibi Ka Maqbara: Also known as "Tomb of the Lady"is a maqbara located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the late 17th century in the memory of his first wife, Dilras Banu Begum (posthumously known as Rabia-ud-Daurani). It bears a striking resemblance to the famous Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of his mother, Mumtaz Mahal. Due to its strong resemblance to the Taj Mahal, it is also called the Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan). Bibi Ka Maqbara is the principal monument of Aurangabad and its historic city. The mausoleum was intended to rival the Taj Mahal, but, the decline in architecture and proportions of the structure (both due to the severe budgetary constraints imposed by Aurangzeb) had resulted in a poor copy of the latter. Arnala Fort: Arnala Fort is built on a small island of the port town of Arnala, located around 8 miles north of Vasai, Maharastra, India. Being an island fort, it is also called Jaldurg or Janjire-Arnala. The Portuguese, who owned this fort rebuilt and gave it the name Ilha das vacas. There is a large octagonal fresh water reservoir inside the fort. Inside the fort are the temples of Ambakeshwar, Goddess Bhavani, Lord Shiva, and the tombs of Shahali and Hajjali. The 'paduka' or sacred sandals of Shrinityanand Maharaj are housed in a dome on the eastern face of the fort. Bassein Fort: Vasai or Bassein Fort is a large fort in Vasai village, in the Vasai taluka (county) of the District of Thane, Konkan Division, Maharashtra State, Republic of India. The name "Bassein" is the English version of the Portuguese "Baaim". Flora Fountain: Flora Fountain, at the Hutatma Chowk (Martyr's Square), is an ornamentally and exquisitely sculpted architectural heritage monument located at the southern end of the historic Dadabhai Naoroji Road, called the Mile Long Road, at the Fort business district in the heart of South Mumbai, Mumbai, India. Flora Fountain, built in 1864, is a fusion of water, architecture and sculpture, and depicts the Roman goddess Flora.

Gateway of India: The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen. The Gateway has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai and is the city's top tourist attraction. Haji Ali Dargah: The Haji Ali Dargah located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the Southern part of Mumbai. The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who gave up all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. According to legends surrounding his life, once the Saint saw a poor woman crying on the road, holding an empty vessel. He asked her what the problem was, she sobbed that her husband would thrash her as she stumbled and accidentally spilled the oil she was carrying. He asked her to take him to the spot where she spilt the oil. There, he jabbed a finger into the soil and the oil gushed out. The overjoyed woman filled up the vessel and went home. Later, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari had a recurring - and disturbing - dream that he had injured Earth by his act. Full of remorse, he soon fell ill and directed his followers to cast the coffin carrying his body into the Arabian Sea, once he died. Haji Ali left this world during his journey to Mecca and miraculously the casket carrying his body, floated back to these shores, getting stuck in the string of rocky islets just off the shore of Worli. Thus, the Dargah was constructed there. Murud-Janjira: Murud-Janjira is the local name for a fort situated on an island just off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It was occupied by the Siddis and is famous for being the only fort along India's Western coast that remained undefeated despite Dutch, Maratha and English East India Company attacks. The fort was originally built in the 15th century on a smaller scale by a local Maratha-Fisherman Chieftain- Ram Patil to protect his people from pirates/ thieves and was known as " Medhekot". Nehru Planetarium: A centre for scientific study of astronomy and for meeting of scientists and scholars for discussions and lectures. It is situated in worli, Mumbai. Nerul , Balaji Temple: At Nerul in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra there is a Balaji Temple atop a small hillock near the west side of the Nerul railway station. The main deity is Balaji, in addition Ganapathy, Anjaneyar in sitting (Yoga) posture, Narasimhar and Padmavathy Thayar.

Panhala fort: Panhala fort (also known as Panhalgad, Pahalla and Panalla (literally "the home of serpents"), is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest forts in the Deccan.This fort is built on the Sahyadris, rising more than 400 m (1,312 ft) above its surrounding plain. Numerous underground tunnels stretch out from underneath the fort, one of which is almost 1 km long. Pratapgad fort: Pratapgad is also written as Pratapgarh or Pratapgadh is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination. Purandar fort: Purandar fort figures repeatedly in the rising of Shivaji against the Bijapur kingdom and the Mughals. Purandhar fort stands 4,472 ft. above the sea (1,387 m) in the Western Ghats, 20 miles southeast of Pune. It actually consists of two forts - Purandar and Vajragad (or Rudramal). Purandar fort is also known for birthplace of Sambhaji raje Bhosle Raigad fort: Raigad is a hill fortress situated in the near Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. The Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire.The fort, which rises 820 metres (2,700 ft) above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. Shivneri Fort: Shivneri Fort is a 17th-century military fortification located near Junnar. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Empire. Inside the fort is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji was named. Sindhudurg fort: Sindhudurg is a fortress which occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra in western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai.

Shivajis palm and footprints are preserved here on dried lime slabs in a tower. Inside the Fort, temples of Bhavanimata, Shambhu Mahadev, Jirimiri, Mahapurush and Shivajeshwar are worth seeing, all of which are in good condition. Chatrapati Shivajis younger son Rajaram in his remembrance built this temple. Shivajis idol stands in a boatmans attire inside the temple and probably only one of its kind in the country where the image of Shivaji is without a beard. Outside the southern wall there is a small beach, called Ranichi Vela (Queens private beach), where Queen Tarabai, daughter-in law of Shivaji, used to enjoy her sea-bath.

Inside the fort there are three wells of drinkable water, which is a natures marvel as sea surrounds the fort on all four sides. On a rocky island between Sindhudurg and the coast stood the small fort of Padmagad, now in ruins. It acted as a shield for Sindhudurg and was also used for shipbuilding The fort also houses a coconut tree which has a branch and also gives fruit. (No other coconut tree has a branch.) There is a hidden passage that starts in a temple that looks like a water reservoir and goes under the island for 3 km, under the sea for 12 km, and from there 12 km to a nearby village. The tunnel was used as an escape route for the women if the enemy entered the fort. However, the British partially closed this passage after the fort was abandon.

Sinhgad (The Lion's Fort): Sinhgad is a fo rtress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the city of Pune, India. Previously called Kondhana . the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the battle of Sinhagad in 1670. One of the most famous battles for Sinhgad was fought to recapture the fort by Tanaji Malusare, a general of Shivaji in March 1670. A steep cliff leading to the fort was scaled with the help of a monitor lizard named yashwanti, colloquially known as a ghorpad. Thereafter, there ensued fierce battles between Tanaji and his men, and the mughal army that had the fort at the time. Tanaji lost his life, but his brother Suryaji took over and captured Kondana. There is an anecdote that upon hearing of Tanaji's death, Shivaji expressed his remorse with the words: "Gad aala pan sinha gela" - "We gained the fort, but lost the lion". Vijaydurg fort: Vijaydurg the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty. The fort was earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye". Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as "Vijay Durg" as the then Hindu solar year's name was "Vijay" (Victory). OCCUPATION: Farming is the main occupation, besides fishing and other occupations are done. ECONOMY: Maharashtra gross state domestic product for 2011 is estimated at 901330 crore (US$140 billion) in current prices. Maharashtra is India's leading industrial state contributing 13% of national industrial output. 64.14% of the people are employed in agriculture and allied activities. Almost 46% of the GSDP is contributed by industry. Although Maharashtra is a highly industrialized state of India, agriculture continues to be the main occupation of the state. Principal crops include rice, jowar, bajra, wheat, pulses, turmeric, onions, cotton, sugarcane and several oil seeds including groundnut, sunflower and soyabean. The state has huge areas, under fruit cultivation of which mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges are the main ones.

POLITICS: Maharashtra has a parliamentary system of government with two democratically elected houses, and the Legislative Council. The Legislative Assembly consists of 288 members who are elected for fiveyear terms. The Legislative Council is a permanent body of 78 members. There are 48 members elected to the Lok Sabha, and 19 members to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Local self governance institutions in rural areas include 33 Zilla Parishads, 355 Panchayat Samitis and 27,993 Gram Panchayats. Urban areas in the state are governed by 23 Municipal Corporations, 222 Municipal Councils, 4 Nagar Panchayats and 7 Cantonment Boards.

HISTORY:
The Nashik Gazetteer states that in 246 BC Maharashtra is mentioned as one of the places to which Mauryan emperor Asoka sent an embassy, and it is recorded in a Chalukyan inscription of 580 CE as including three provinces and 99,000 villages. The name Maharashtra also appeared in a 7th-century inscription and in the account of a Chinese traveller, Hiuen-Tsang. By the early 17th century, Shahaji Bhosale, an ambitious local general in the service of the Mughals and Adil Shah of Bijapur, attempted to establish his independent rule. His son Shivaji succeeded in establishing Maratha Empire which was further expanded by Bhonsle of Nagpur, Gaekwad of Baroda, Holkar of Indore, Scindia of Gwalior and Peshwas (prime ministers). The Marathas defeated the Mughals, and conquered large territories in Northern and Central parts of the Indian subcontinent. After the defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, the Maratha restored their supremacy and ruled central and north India including New Delhi till the end of the eighteenth century. The Third Anglo-Maratha war (18171818) led to the end of the Maratha Empire and East India Company ruled the country in 1819. At the beginning of the 20th century, the struggle for independence took shape led by extremists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and the moderates like Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta and Dadabhai Naoroji. In 1942, the Quit India Movement was called by Gandhi which was marked by a non-violent civil disobedience movement and strikes in the region. The ultimatum to the British to "Quit India" was given in Mumbai, and culminated in the transfer of power and the independence of India in 1947. BG Kher was the first Chief Minister of the tri-lingual Bombay Presidency.

CUISINE:
Maharashtrian cuisine is divided in 2 types, Konkani amd Varadi. Maharashtrian cuisine covers a range from being mild to very spicy dishes. Butter fried and crisp bombil or bombay duck is the most popular seafood. Rice and bhakris are the main starch intake for Maharashtrians Wheat, rice, jowar, bajri, vegetables, lentils and fruit form important components of Maharashtrian diet. Popular dishes include puran poli, ukdiche Modak, and batata wada. Misal Pav:Quintessentially from Kolhapur. This is made from a mix of curried sprouted lentils, topped with batata-bhaji, pohay, Chivda, farsaan, raw chopped onions and tomato. Also some times eaten with yogurt. Usually, the misal is served with a Wheat bread bun. Thalipeeth: A type of pancake. Usually spicy and is eaten with curd. Zunka-Bhakar: A native Maharashtrian chick pea flour recipe eaten with Bhakri (flat bread made either with bajri (Pearl millet) or Jwari (Millet).

Sabudana Khichadi: Sauted sabudana (Pearls of sago palm), a dish commonly eaten on days of religious fasting. Khichdi: Made up of rice and dal with mustard seeds and onions to add flavor. Bakarwadi: This spicy fried pastry is eaten as a tea time snack. Especially popular is that from Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale in Pune. Vada pav: Popular Maharashtrian "Fast food " dish. This is referred to as Indian version of burger and is almost always accompanied with the famous red chutney made from garlic and chillies, and fried green chilles.

FESTIVALS:
Gudhi Padva: Gudhi Padva is the Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day. The word padva comes from the sanskrit word which stands for the first day of the bright phase of the moon called Pratipada in Sanskrit. Narali Poornima: This festival is celebrated by coastal people,has it indicates the end of monsoon season and beginning of fishing season. People pray on this feastival for healthy fishing. Ganesha Chaturthi: Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (rebirth) of the lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada. Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated as a public event in Pune since the times of Shivaji (16301680), the founder of the Maratha Empire.[ In 1893, Lokmanya Tilak transformed the annual domestic festival into a large, well-organized public event. Tilak recognized the wide appeal of the deity Ganesha as "the god for everybody",and popularized Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival in order "to bridge the gap between Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' and find a context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them", and generate nationalistic fervour among people in Maharashtra against the British colonial rule. Anant Chaturdashi : Anant Chaturdashi is also the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav. It is generally the tenth or eleventh day after Ganesh Chaturthi, and all the Ganesh idols brought into homes and communities are immersed in the sea or nearby lakes and rivers. On this day, people travel to the waterfront with the idols, large and small, dancing and singing in large processions. Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement.

Sharad Purnima: The Sharad Purnima or Kojaagari Purnima or Kumar Purnima is a harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin (SeptemberOctober). It marks the end of monsoon. There is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called the 'Kaumudi celebration', Kaumudi meaning moonlight. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth moves around in the night sky, asking `Ko jaagarti' searching for people below who are awake. In Sanskrit, `Ko jaagarti' means, ' Who is awake?' And to those who are awake she gives wealth. Ashadi Ekadashi: In the Hindu lunar calendar, Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the fortnight after a new moon or a full moon, and is considered auspicious for the worship of Lord Vishnu. The Ekadashi after the new moon in the Hindu month of Ashada is of special significance to the devotees of Lord Vitthal, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Tradition has it that two of the greatest devotees of the Lord from the state of Maharashtra, Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Tukaram had set out on a pilgrimage from their respective places to the shrine of Lord Vitthala in Pandharpur and reached the Divine Abode in fifteen days time on this auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Bhau-Beej : Bhau-Beej is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the last day of the five-day-long Diwali festival. This is the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika. Legend says Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister Yami on this particular day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him with special dishes. Together, they ate the sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their heart's content. While parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love and in return Yami also gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. That is why this day of Bhai Duj is also known by the name of Yama Dwitiya. Makara Sankranti: Makara Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in almost all parts of India and Nepal in a myriad of cultural forms. It is a harvest festival.Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India and is a traditional. Makara Sankranti is a solar event making one of the few Indian festivals which fall on the same date in the Gregorian Calender every year: 14 January, with some exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 13 or 15 January. Pola Festival: Pola Festival is celebrated throughout the state of Maharashtra, in the Hindu month of Shravan (that usually coincides August). It falls on day of Pithori Amavasya (new moon day) in Shravan. The festival marks the day when farmers worship their bulls and it is from the next day only that ploughing and sowing of fields is started.

Vat Poornima: It is celebrated on the full moon day (the 15th) of the month of Jyeshta on the Hindu Calendar, which falls in June on the Gregorian Calendar. Women pray for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree (wata) known as Peepal Puja on this day. It honours Savitri, the legendary wife who rescued her husband's soul from the ruler of the departed, Yama. Nag Panchmi: Nag Panchmi is a Hindu festival on which snakes are worshipped. The main reason of celebrating this day must be that snakes are a great threat to mankind during these months. They usually come out of their holes as rainwater seeps in and while looking for shelter they might harm humans. However, this is why they are worshipped this day and fed with milk. Besides Diwali, Holi, Dassera, Navratri etc are celebrated.

ARTS AND CRAFTS:

Paintings: Warli paintings: The paintings were monosyllbic. The circle and triangle come from their observation of nature, the circle representing the sun and the moon, the triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees. The ritual paintings are usually done inside the huts. The walls are made of a mixture of branches, earth and cow dung, making a red ochre background for the wall paintings. The Warli use only white for their paintings. Their white pigment is a mixture of rice paste and water with gum as a binding. They use a bamboo stick chewed at the end to make it as supple as a paintbrush. The wall paintings are done only for special occasions such as weddings or harvests.

Ajanta paintings: Mural paintings survive from both the earlier and later groups of caves. which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales. The paintings are in "dry fresco", painted on top of a dry plaster surface rather than into wet plaster. All the paintings appear to be the work of painters at least as used to decorating palaces as temples, and show a familiarity with and interest in details of the life of a wealthy court.

Woodcarvings: Woodcarvings from aurangabad,nashik, Pune, Wai, Satara, Chandwad, Palshi, Paithan are famous. Excellent Lacquer work and wood carvings is found in sawantawadi.

Stone carvings: Temples in Konkan(Sindhudurg) and places like Kunkeshwar, Sawantawadi have pillars which are carved. Handicrafts: Kolhapuri chhappals made in kolhapur are very much famous .they are made of pure leather and are handstitch.

DANCES:
Dhangar Gaja: As the Dhangars of Sholapur district of Maharashtra herd to green pastures for grazing for their cattle, they become acquainted with the nature. Inspired by the scenic beauty, they compose poetry, called ovi writing about the nature and their God Biruba. They honour God Biruba once in every year when they return home. They spend their time with their families and beloved ones. And this is the time when the Dhangari Gaja dance is performed to please their God for His blessings. Dhangar dance is performed in traditional Marathi dresses - dhoti, angarakha and pheta with colourful handkerchiefs. Generally, during they dance, they move around a group of drum players.

Dindi and Kala: Dindi is performed during ekadashi day in the month of Kartik in Maharashtra. Dindi is a small drum used by the musicians during the performance of this dance form. The Kala dance also showcases the playfulness of Lord Krishna. Beat and the rhythm are the main attractions of this dance form. A group of dancers form a double-tiered circle with other dancers on their shoulders. Koli Dance: Koli is the dance form of Koli fisher folk of Maharashtra. The community has its own distinct identity and lively dances. The dance incorporates elements that this community is most familiar with - sea and fishing.

Lavani Dance: The word Lavani derived from Lavanya, meaning beauty. Attractive women wearing nine-yard saris typically perform the dance with the captivating rhythm of dholak. These women synchronized sensually to a catching tune and teasing lyrics. The dance reached peak popularity during the Peshwai (a dynasty seated in Pune) rule, when it was given royal support by the ruling elite.

Powada: Povadas are presented in the Marathi ballads form. This dance form describes the events in the life of the great Maratha ruler, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Maharashtrians maintain a high respect of this great hero and remember him through these ballads. Tamasha: The word tamasha in Persian language means fun and entertainment. The tamasha dance form has been believed to be derived from the ancient form of Sanskrit drama - the 'Prahsana' and the 'Bhana'. Modern Tamasha troupes are of two sections - Song-dance troupe and Folk-drama troupe. Kolhati and Mahar communities are associated with Tamasha. The poet singers known as shahirs, composed many narrative and love songs for Tamasha.Musical instruments like dholki drum, tuntuni (a single string instrument), manjeera cymbals, daf (a tambourine-like instrument with a single leather surface), halgi (smaller daf), the metal triangle called kad', the lejim (an instrument with a jangling sound), the harmonium and ghunghroos (ankle bells) are used to increase the aestheticism of the dance.

JEWELLARY:
Vajratik: Vajratik is a glorious traditional Maharashtrian jewellery piece with a beautiful blend of Jondhale Mani-beads in shape of "Jawari" grain.

Belpan Vjratik: Bilva-patra (leaf of bel tree) is sacred leaf having sacrificial importance in worship of Lord Shiva. Belpan Vjratik necklace is inspired by nature from this belache pan (bel leaf) motif .

Mohan Mala: Mohan Mala is a long necklace made from several layers of gold beads chain strings and ending a sun pendant. The number of gold bead strings can vary from 2 to 12.

Kolhapuri Saaz: Kolhapuri Saaz has special importance for Maharashtrian women and is optionally used as a Mangalsutra. Kolhapuri Saaz is made up of beads (Jav Mani) and different designs of leaves(panadi) with carvings in it. Small pendants having different designs are strung with a big ruby pendant. Kolhapuri saaj has 21 pcs of different designs pendants out of which 10 pcs are reflection of Lord Vishnus 10 avataars, 8 pcs are for Ashtamangal, 2 pcs are ruby stone and green stone and last piece of Taviz Pendant known as Dorala is worn for making ourself safe from evil powers which work opposite to God. It has a pendant of ruby gemstone in the center. This necklace typically have a Masa (fish), Kamal (lotus), Karle, (bitter gourd), Chandra (moon), Bel Paan, Shankha (conch), Naag (Snake), Kasav (Tortoise) and Bhunga (bumble bee), Waagh Nakh (Nail of Tiger), Taviz, Red and Green Panadi, KirtiMukh opposite each other.

Jondhali Mani Haar: Jondhali Mani Haar is a stunning beaded gold necklace inspired from the "Jawari" - a staple grain of Maharashtra.Dokyatali Fule is a Jondhali Mani with a pendant having engraving of "Sheshnaag Pratikruti" -Lord Vishnu resting on a seven headed serpent named "Sheshnaag". Thushi: Thushi is a choker necklace with closely bound tiny gold beads. It is accounted as the amongst the popular Kolhapuri jewelry item

Putli Haar: Putli Haar is a traditional Kolhapuri chain decorated with intricate carvings of Laxmi or Ram-Seeta.

Chinchpeti Haar: This popular traditional choker is a combination of Kirti Mukh and Matsya Print. The Kirti Mukh protects the wearer from negative vibrations and the Matsya Print signifies and enhances purity of thought.

Ambada: An antique style bun pin that adorns the traditional Maharashtrian hair dressing called Ambada..

Bangles: Amongst the popular hand ornaments for the bride are Patlya (two broad bangles), Bangdya (four simple bangles) and Gahu Tode (two delicately carved thick bangles)

Tode

Patlya

Bangdya

Kudya Earrings: These are pearl cluster earrings.

Nath: Nath is the nose earring made of pearls

Bhik Bali: These are men's earrings.

Bugadi: These are women's earrings.

Kamarpatta(Mekhala) and Challa: It is weared on waist. In Maharashtra its made of silver.

Green Glass Bangles,

Zodvi are worn by the married women

TEXTILES: Paithani: Paithani is a variety of sari, named after the Paithan town in Aurangabad Maharashtra state where they are woven by hand. Made from very fine silk, it is considered as one of the richest saris in Maharashtra. Paithani is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a pallu with a peacock design. Plain as well as spotted designs are available. Among other varieties, single colored and kaleidoscope-colored designs are also popular. The kaleidoscopic effect is achieved by using one color for weaving lengthwise and another for weaving widthwise. Paithani evolved from a cotton base to a silk base. Silk was used in weft designs and in the borders, whereas cotton was used in the body of the fabric. Due to proximity to the Ajanta caves, the influence of the Buddhist paintings can be seen in the woven Paithani motifs:

The Kamal or lotus flower on which Buddha sits or stands The Hans motif The Ashraffi motif The Asawalli (flowering vines), became very popular during the Peshwa's period The Bangadi Mor, peacock in bangle The Tota-Maina The Humarparinda, peasant bird The Amar Vell The Narali motif, very common

Small motifs like circles, stars, kuyri, rui phool, kalas pakhhli, chandrakor, clusters of 3 leaves, were very common for the body of the sari.

Himroo: Himroo is a fabric made of silk and cotton, which is grown locally in Aurangabad .The word himroo originated from Persian word Hum-ruh which means similar. Himroo is a replication of Kumkhwab, which was woven with pure golden and silver threads in olden days, and was meant for the royal families. Himroo weaving is very characteristic and different. Fabrics and shawls from Aurangabad are much in demand for their unique style and design. Mashru: Mashru means permitted in Arabic. Mashru, is an old and venerable hand woven textile craft form. An indigenous weaving technique was employed, which allowed the lower surface to be of cotton while the exterior had the sheen of silk.This cotton-silk fabric is woven only in some selected patterns. While the small dotted mashru is preferred in Anjar, Kutch, the striped ones have a demand all over.

Khana: A khana is a fabric with an extra weft of two different silk threads in tiny floral patterns on a black base. In ancient period womens blouses and skirts are made of this fabric.

Ghongadi: Ghongadi, desi blanket made of sheep wool. This fabric is used to make clothing that is warm and well insulated. It is usually used to make outdoor clothing but is also used to make blankets, socks and fine clothing.Ghongadi is washable blankets are easy to care. When washed in cool water these blankets will never shrink, Fade or have any of the colors Run. Washing simply makes them softer and stronger. Features: Ghongadies are woven through and through using only100% Organic Virgin Wool. Environmental Benefits:

GHONGADI is a natural fiber that is both renewable and sustainable. It will be use as Under blanket as well as Over blanket. It will be protect us from Rain/ Winter, It will help us to protect the bone problems (back pain) It will help us to protect blood clots. It will help us to protect the skin allergies.

Narayan peth saree: It is a plain silk saree with contrasting zari border,It has double border By which it is recognized.

COSTUMES: Womens wear: Maharashtrian women wear the Maratha `Sadi` (saree) of nine yards and a short-sleeved `Choli` (blouse) covering only about half the length of the back. The nine yards Sadi is generally worn by elderly ladies and is known as "Lugade" or Sadi in Marathi. The women wear the nine yard sari which is passed through the legs and tucked in at the back. It is forty-five to forty-two inches in width and it has two lengthwise borders `Kanth` or `Kinar`, and also two `Breadthwise` borders, `Padar`, at the two ends, of which one is more decorated than the other. The mode of wearing the Lugade by Maratha Brahmans and other classes is with the hind pleats tucked into the waist at the back-centre and the decorated end (padar) thrown over the left shoulder. Maratha ladies allow it to hang form the waist down straight and round like a skirt and draw its end, which covers the bosom and back over the head.

Mens wear: In Maharashtra, men wear dhoti and shirt with a headdress known as the "Pheta".The dhoti is a fine cotton cloth of about two and half to three metres long, with or without borders on both the sides. The headdress is a folded cap of cotton, silk or woolen fabric, or a freshly folded turban known as `Rumal`, `Patka` or `Pheta`. The pre-formed turban known as "Pagadi" is now rarely to be seen. Sometimes a waistcoat or jacket known as "Bandi" is also worn over a shirt. The Maratha Brahmans are very particular about the securing of their dhoti, which always had to have five tucks, three into the waistband at the two sides and in front, while the loose end is tucked in front and behind. Once Nagpur hand-made dhotis were famous for their durability.