Maharashtra, situated in the western coastal region is the third largest state of India by area. It is surrounded by the Arabian Sea to the west, Karnataka and Goa to the south, Chhattisgarh to the east, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to the north.
Prior to Indian independence, the state was ruled by several dynasties, the Mughals, and the British. But The Maratha Empire was the prominent kingdom based in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the modern Maratha Empire; his policies were influential in shaping a distinct identity for the Marathi people. Post-independence, state of Maharashtra came into being on 1 May 1960 as a Marathi speaking state with Yashwantrao Chavan being the first chief minister of the state. The state since its foundation has seen huge growth in Industrial sector, increased urbanization, and migration of people from other states of India.
Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, and commonly known as the city of dreams that never sleeps is the financial capital of Maharashtra whereas Pune is the cultural capital which is also known as the Oxford of the East.
Maharashtra has a long and beautiful coastline stretching 720 kms. One of the more noticeable physical features of Maharashtra is the Deccan plateau, which is separated from the Konkan coastline by ‘Ghats’. Most of the famous hill stations of the state are at the Ghats, for instance the Sahyadri Mountain range or the Satpura Hills. Maharashtra has a tropical climate, with three distinct seasons: summer (March–May), monsoon (June–September), and winter (November–February), dew and hail also occur occasionally, depending on seasonal weather.
This beautiful state is broadly divided into 5 regions namely- Konkan, Desh, Khandesh, Marathwada and Vidharbha, are further divided into 36 districts, 109 sub-divisions and 358 talukas.
Maharashtrian cuisine covers a range from mild to very spicy dishes depending on the region they originate from. It has many regional varieties including Malvani (Konkani),Kolhapuri and Varhadhi (Vidharbha).
The bhaajis (subzi) are vegetable dishes made with a particular vegetable or a combination. Different regions use different masala, basically consisting of some combination of coconut, onion, garlic, ginger, red chilli powder, green chillies etc, depending on the caste or specific religious tradition of a family, onion and garlic may or may not be used in masala or cooking.
Some of the popular traditional snacks of Maharashtra include Thalipeeth, Malvani Vade (Kombdi Vade) Amboli (Indian pancakes) and fast food items such as Misal Pav, Pav Bhaji and Vada pav etc. Among seafood, the most popular fish is bombil or the Bombay duck. All non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes are eaten with boiled rice, chapatis or with bhakris, made of jowar, bajra or rice flours.
Every Maharashtrian house cannot go a day without their spice blends (masalas). Each household uses different variety of masala the taste or which is influenced by different region and its culture.