India is a beautiful country whose history is very old. People come from all over the country to visit India, India is a country with deep cultural roots and huge heritage located in South Asia. India is the best country to travel well on a low budget as the tourist destinations of India are quite cheap and beautiful. The tourism industry in India is extremely popular for its forts and palaces, due to which India is one of the most visited countries in the world. If you want to discover yourself through yoga, then you can travel to India, the most special country in the world, to know yourself in the Himalayan mountains, be enchanted by ancient temples. Western India comprises of the states of Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat and is primarily famous for places like Goa, Mumbai, Amboli, Rann of Kutch, the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora and the Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat.
Best Tourist Places in West India
1. Goa’s Most Beautiful Places
Goa, one of the most beautiful places in India, is one of the best places to visit in India as the state has a lot of beaches, cruises on the Mandovi River, a vibrant nightlife, visits to churches and monuments, besides the erstwhile Portuguese culture. Goa tops the list of most popular tourist destinations in India. Goa is also famous for its magnificent beaches, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and wildlife sanctuaries.
2. Ellora Caves
Ellora caves are one of the most visited ancient sites in India. The caves are located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India, which is one of the largest rock-cut monastery cave complexes in the world. Ellora caves date back to 600–1000 CE, a place characterized by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments and artwork. Ellora caves are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Gateway of India Mumbai
The Gateway of India is an arch monument built in Mumbai during the 20th century in India. This monument was built in memory of King George V and Queen Mary at the Apollo Bunder in 1911 on a visit to India. Explain that the central dome of Gateway of India in Mumbai is 48 feet in diameter and 83 feet high.
4. Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves is a collection of cave temples primarily dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located at Elephanta Island, 10 km east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra, or at Gharpuri in the Harbor of Mumbai.
5. Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Ajanta and Ellora caves are considered to be one of the most important tourist destinations in the world owing to the magnificent paintings of Ajanta and well-carved sculptures of Ellora. The rock-cut caves containing carvings are the finest example of Indian paintings and sculpture.
6. Ahmedabad
This is know as Manchester of the east and this place is very famous for its very well-established textile industry. Architectural spectacles like Hathi Singh Jain Temple, Akshardham Temple and Jama Masjid shall leave you spellbound, while Gandhi Ashram allows you to soak in extraordinary peace.This is also famous for Kankaria Lake and the Kamla Nehru zoo. The best time to visit this place in the month of October.
7. Amboli
Amboli is a hill station in south Maharashtra, India. Amboli is a relatively less explored hill station of West India at a height of 690m above sea level. Waterfalls and vantage points are in plenty and one can also enjoy moderate-level trekking here. Every year a lot of tourists come to see these falls.
8. Dandeli National Park
Dandeli National Park is situated in the state of Karnataka and can be easily counted in the list of West India tourist places. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is declared as the National Wildlife Sanctuary in 1956. The attraction of this park is the exotic wildlife, including elephants, black panthers, giant Malabar squirrels and some splendid varieties of hornbills, too is an irresistible reason to be there.
9. Diu
Diu is a town in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu, India. Diu was a Portuguese colony from 1539 to 1961. Diu Island is located south of Gujarat, India, and is connected to the mainland by bridges and a ferry.It allows holidaymakers to take a pleasant break from the neighbouring dry state of Gujarat and indulge into boozing and partying at the seafront.
10. Gir National Park
The powerful and royal Asiatic Lions that once ruled the Indian jungles are now sadly confined to Gir National Park and also known as Sasan Gir, the last abode of the species on the planet. At present, Gir forests of Gujarat (India) is the only place where Leopards, golden jackals, desert cats, sambar, four-horned antelope and many other animals, as well as more than 300 species of birds, add to the park’s treasures.
11. Khandala-Lonavala
The twin hill stations of Khandala-Lonavala are the popular places to visit in West India, 622 metres (2041 ft) above sea level. Lonavala and Khandala has many tourist places to visit including Tiger’s Leap and Duke’s Nose are the famous spots. The adventures like trekking and hiking disclose the stupendous beauty of Western Ghats.
12. Junagadh
Junagadh is a historical city in Gujarat, in the west of India, on the Arabian Sea. Junagadh was a princely state of Gujarat continues to preserve its stateliness with its old forts, palaces and monuments retaining their eternal charm. Junagad is also very close to the Girnar Hills and the world renowned Gir National Park. The attractions of Junagadh like Buddhist Cave Groups, Ashoka’s Rock Edicts and a number of step-wells and tombs. The fort at Uperkot is another tourist magnet.
13. Mahabaleshwar
Any tourism in west India is incomplete without striking beauty of Mahabaleshwar,with its cool climate and pleasant walking trails as well as spectacular valley and forest views. Mahabaleshwar is also well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks.
14. Matheran
Matheran is India’s smallest hill station, near Mumbai, in the west Indian state of Maharashtra, and the only automobile-free hill station in Asia. The top attractions of Matheran are Charlotte Lake, Honeymoon Hill, Panorama Point, Luisa Point, Heart Point, Alexander Point, One Tree Hill and many more. You can also go for valley crossing, horse riding and nature walking.
15. Panchgani
Panchgani also called Paachgani hill station. Famously known as the ‘Switzerland of India. Panchgani hill station is a place to enjoy nature’s incredible vistas and multiple shades of greenery. Its natural diversity, striking waterfalls, valleys and lakes, this place is a true delight for a nature lover.
16. Tadoba
Tadoba located in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in India and the largest as well as the oldest national park in Maharashtra and a popular tiger reserve under Project Tiger. The park has been combined with the Andhari sanctuary to create the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve. Tadoba National Park is for those who want to sample a little-known, little-visited, tourist-free national park and tiger reserve.
17. Shirdi
The spiritual guru Sai Baba chose the small town of Shirdi as his holy abode and blessed it with eternal mysticism which still echoes in the atmosphere. Shirdi is located about 270 kms from Mumbai in India. People from various religions visit Sai Baba Temple to seek his blessings.
18. Somnath
Somnath is where you discover a new dimension of peace and spirituality and the best tourist places West India. Somnath Temple exemplifies the invincible religious power as it stands in full glory even after a log history of invasions and home of twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Other attraction of Somnath are Somnath Beach, Geeta Mandir, Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirtha.