Maharashtrian Cuisine - 20 Dishes of Maharashtra That Will Give You Hunger Pangs

From the world-famous pav bhaji to the delicious poha, Maharashtra Food has a lot to offer. Food of Mahrashtra of Maharashtrian cuisine can be broadly classified into two styles- Konkan and Varadi. Konkan being from the coastal region has influences from Goan, Saraswat, Gaud and Malvani regions. Varadi cuisine, on the other hand, belongs to the Vidarbha region. Some spices like Goda Masala, Kokum, Tamarind and Coconut are essential ingredients in the Maharashtrian kitchen. Maharashtrian cuisine is considered to be very diverse as the flavours and spice levels differ in different parts of the state.

Here are a few irresistible Maharashtrian dishes which represent Maharashtra food at the best!

Pav Bhaji

Vada Pav

Puran Poli

Misal Pav

Modak

Ragda Pattice

Bharli Vangi

Sreekhand

Poha - Maharashtra food classic to breakfast rescue

Sabudana khichdi

Rassa

Sol Kadhi

Pithla Bhakri

Aamti (Maharashtrian Dal)

Bhelpuri

Basundi

Kairi Cha Panha

Aamrus

Kadhi

Bombil/Bombay duck - Maharashtra food delights for non-veggies

1. Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Amchi Maharashtra food is incomplete without this dish which has come to be synonymous to the state! Fresh and thick slices of bread, smothered in butter served with a delicious mix of moderately spiced vegetables. This lip-smacking dish has won the heart of every Indian!

2. Vada Pav

Vada Pav, Maharashtra Food

Source

Vada Pav can easily be called the Indian version of a burger! A delicious, spicy, deep-fried patty made of potato is squeezed between a thick slice of bread, similar to a burger bun. Between the vada (patty) and pav (bread) a spicy mix of spices and salt is sprinkled and garnished with a fried, salted green chilli. Sounds perfect, isn't it? It's an all-day snack and is extremely popular among Maharashtrians. It is very economical, filling and easily accessible. Another popular offshoot is the Bhajiya Pav, which has batter-fried onions instead of the patty.

3. Puran Poli

Puran Poli, Maharashtra Food

Source

This delectable food item is a sweet version of the loving parantha. The stuffing is made from jaggery (gur), yellow gram (chana) dal, plain flour, cardamom powder and ghee (clarified butter). It is a popular dish in festive occasions and also can be eaten at any time of the day. A tasty dessert does not need anyone's permission to be eaten!

4. Misal Pav

Misal Pav, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Misal Pav is quintessentially from Pune and is one of the most popular Maharashtrian breakfast, snack or even brunch. It is a street food popularly found in Mumbai. It has a spicy and tangy lentil curry which is made with moth beans and is served with Pav bread. At times, it is eaten with yoghurt to lessen the spice. Although it is a breakfast food but Maharashtrians enjoy it at time of the day. There are various types of Misal such as Puneri Missal (topped with poha), Nagpuri Missal, Kolhapuri Missal and Mumbai Missal which are very spicy.

5. Modak

Modak, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Modak is one of the most famous sweet found in Maharashtra and is extensively eaten during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival all around the state. The sweet filling on the inner part of a modak consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery while the outer shell is made out of rice flour and is very soft. With time, there have been varied types of modak such as Kesari modak, dark chocolate modak, motichoor modak, paneer modak, dry fruit modak and many more. This sweet is Ganpati's favourite and that is for a very definite reason for sure.

6. Ragda Pattice

Ragda Pattice, Food of Maharashtra

Source

The much famed Ragda Patties or as the locals would name it Ragda 'pattice' (a localised version on the English 'patties') is a part of Maharashtra's delicious street food that one should never leave out on. It is a yet another lip-smacking street food in Mumbai which is prepared by using curried dried peas and patties. These potato patties are dipped in the Ragda gravy and topped with chaat chutneys, finely chopped onions, tomatoes, crispy sev and cilantro. The dish is regularly served at all restaurants in Maharashtra and is also an important part of the local street food as well.

7. Bharli Vangi

Bharli Vangi, Maharashtra Food

Source

This is a popular style of cooking brinjals or baby brinjals stuffed with coconut, onion, jaggery, Marathi goda masala. Brinjal has never been anybody's favourite vegetable per se. But this Maharashtra food dish has the capability to kick in life into this otherwise boring vegetable. This combination of ingredients does wonders to the brinjal.

8. Sreekhand

Shrikhand, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Sreekhand is a sort of sweet yoghurt dish, flavoured with cardamom powder and saffron, this dish is a hit at weddings and at the festival of Dushera. It is usually served with piping, hot puris and is another Maharashtra food dish that is famous all over the country.

9. Poha - Maharashtra food classic to breakfast rescue

Poha, Maharashtra Food

Source

This chai-time snack which is made out of flattened rice is a favourite among every Maharashtrian. A very versatile dish, poha can be prepared in numerous ways. The most common variant is kanda poha which is made with onions. Other variants include batata poha, poha prepared with diced potato, dadpe pohe which is raw poha prepared with fresh, shredded coconut, green chillies, ginger and lime juice and lastly kachche pohe, raw poha tossed in a mix of oil, red chilli powder, salt and un-sautéed onion. No matter which way you choose to make it, poha will leave you craving for more!

10. Sabudana khichdi

Sabudana Khichdi, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Sabudana is 'sago' or tapioca starch. Khichdi roughly means 'mixture'. This unique dish is a popular breakfast item in Maharashtra food and cuisine and is one of the few food products which is consumed during the period of holy-fasting, 'upwaas'. The granular texture of sago prepared in a savoury mix turns out to be a delicious dish indeed.

11. Rassa

Rassa

Source

Rassa or taambde or pandhra or varhadi is a non-vegetarian Maharashtra food dish made with mutton, chicken, fish or any other seafood. It is originally from Kolhapur and means a 'watery curry', ras means juice hence rassa means a juicy preparation. Matnacha rassa is a spicy red curry mutton preparation. Taambde rassa means red curry and is made out of famous Kolhapuri chillies. Pandhra rassa is a yoghurt based white curry and is spiced equally. Lastly, Varhadi rassa is a chicken curry originally from the Vidarbha region.

12. Sol Kadhi

Sol Kadhi, Maharashtra Food, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Sol Kadhi is a very popular Maharashtra Food dish prepared with kokam in coconut milk. This dish is common across Maharashtra, Konkan and Goan regions. Coconut milk spiced with green chillies, kokum and fresh coriander, this dish screams freshness. A pleasant pink coloured drink, sol kadhi is served as an appetizer and is hailed for its digestive qualities!

13. Pithla Bhakri

Pithla Bhakri, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Pithla Bhakri is the recurrent 'comfort food' for most of the Maharashtrians. In fact, it is also known as the Farmer's meal in the state. Mostly, the hot pithra is united with bhakri and even roti at times as a reward after a long and tiring day at work. This simple dish doesn't require either too many complex ingredients or a lot of time to prepare. Instead, its the best dish to come up with when you are out of veggies. Mostly, pithla which is served with rice has a watery-liquid like consistency and a semi-liquid or dry pithla goes perfectly with bhakri or roti. A spicy version of the same is known as Zunka.

14. Aamti (Maharashtrian Dal)

aamti Dal, Food of Maharashtra

Source

One can easily identify a Maharashtrian neighbour by the aroma of the famous Maharashtrian dal, Aamti. A simple yet tasteful preparation of lentils, aamti is one of the Maharashtrian dishes that emerged rom the Vidharba region and spread to parts of Goa and Karnataka too. Today, there are more than 51 different versions of aamti, and none of it has a complex recipe ? that's the beauty of this comfort dish. Like all dals, aamti has a lot of proteins in it and is good for one's health.

15. Bhelpuri

Bhelpuri, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Bhelpuri is a savoury snack common in Maharashtra and is found in abundance on the local streets. It is made of puffed rice, vegetables and a tamarind sauce for a tangy taste. Bhelpuri is considered to have originated from parts of Maharashtra and from there it has spread to different parts of the country. Bhelpuri can be served in a lot of ways, but usually it is served on a paper which is folded in the form of a cone and is consumed using a paper spoon. Different types of bhelpuri are ? sev puri, churmuri, sev papdi chat and dahi pudi.

16. Basundi

Sitafal_Basundi, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Basundi is a sweet dish made in Maharashtra. It is condensed by boiling the sweetened milk on low heat until it becomes half of its initial volume. Sugar, cardamom or saffron is added to augment the flavour and texture. Different types of basundi are also created such as custard apple basundi and angoor basundi (having small-sized rasgullas in basundi).

17. Kairi Cha Panha

Aam_Panna_(Kairi_cha_Panha), Food of Maharashtra

Source

Kairi Panha Cha is a traditional Maharashtrian raw mango drink and is enormously famous during the summer season, used as a refreshment drink. Mostly the mangoes chosen are Alphonso and Salem Gundu. This drink takes hardly 7 to 8 minutes to be prepared and it works tremendously advantageous in relaxing someone when served chilled. In order to improvise the drink, the cardamom is ground along with its peel to give a better flavour.

18. Aamrus

Aamras, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Summer season is all about mangoes and aamrus is one of the favourite mango servings in Maharashtra. The aamras is made from the mango pulp and is thick in texture. The pulp is extracted by hand and it takes not more than 30 minutes to prepare. It is served with puris or chapattis. At times, ghee or milk is added to aamrus to enhance its flavour.

19. Kadhi

Kadhi_Pakora, Food of Maharashtra

Source

Kadhi is an important constituent of Maharashtrian meal. It consists of thick gravy based on chickpea flour and contains vegetable fritters known as pakoras. The yoghurt or Dahi added to it gives it a sour taste but mostly in Maharashtra, sugar is added which makes it taste sweet as well. It is a perfect dish during the summer season as it can be enjoyed the most with steamed rice, or even moong dal khichdi to bring a change.

20. Bombil/Bombay duck - Maharashtra food delights for non-veggies

Bombil, Maharashtra Food

Source

Bombil or Bombay duck is a popular Maharashtra food dish across the coastal regions of this state. This dish is usually served butter-fried with a drizzle of lime juice and onions. It is best enjoyed in the rainy season. Earlier, Bombay duck had been banned by the British because it tends to give out a very pungent smell. But nothing can beat this dish in its taste!

Thus, now you know that there are plenty of dishes that add to the resplendent cuisine of Maharashtra, which covers a wide variety from mild to spicy dishes. And, now that you have this article as a handy guide to this cuisine, you would surely not leave out on any delicacy the next time you visit Maharashtra (you're welcome for this!).  

Maharashtra Travel Packages

Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free

LONAVALA!!

 In the last post we saw some places nearby PUNE to be visited in mosoon.

Now lets explore them one by one !!!

LONAVALA!!!

Lonavala is a hill station surrounded by green valleys in western India near Mumbai.

 The Karla Caves and the Bhaja Caves are ancient Buddhist shrines carved out of the rock.

 They feature massive pillars and intricate relief sculptures.

 South of the Bhaja Caves sits the imposing Lohagad Fort, with its 4 gates.

 West of here is Bhushi Dam, where water overflows onto a set of steps during rainy season. 

Elevation: 624 m

District: Pune

Telephone code: 02114

Vehicle registration: MH-12, MH-14

How to get there!!!

Travel options

Pune to Lonavala                                                  

Train

0 changes 58m From Pune

Car

67.2 km

1h 21m

via Bengaluru - Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Expy/Mumbai - Satara Hwy/Yashwantrao Chavan Expy and NH 48

Rajmachi Point

Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavala. This point commands a view of Shivaji Maharaj's fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce), and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavala from the State Transport Bus Stand. The Vaghjai Dari is also located here.

Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi Fort is a historic fort close to Lonavala and attracts a lot of trekkers during the monsoon season. The fort also comprises two other forts - Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort. Besides, the fort is known for the fireflies that lit up the surroundings in night

Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan

This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavla. The garden has a number of tall trees - some of which are very old.[citation needed] There is an old Shiva temple in the park.

Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam is a Britisher-built garden and is more than a century old. This dam has a garden at the foot of its wall and is 2 km from the town.[citation needed] The dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds into the dam's reservoir.

Della Adventure Park

Della Adventure Park is India's largest adventure park situated in Lonavala hill station. The park is spread over an area of 36 acres. It is located at about 3,000 feet height above MSL. Della Adventure Park offers close to 52 adventure activities.

Lonavala Lake

Lonavala Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6  km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter and summer months offering an expanse of green grass that is used by walkers and joggers.[9] This place attracts tourists for its street food,[citation needed] including convenience food items like smoked corn on the cob, shaved ice (gola), vada pav, chaat, and hot ginger tea.

Duke's Nose

Duke's Nose stands 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is visited by hikers.[citation needed] Also known locally as Naagphani (Cobra's Hood), the cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose ample nose it resembles.[10]

Tiger's Leap

A place near Tiger Point

Tiger's Leap also known as Tiger's Point is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to INS Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6  km has to be covered on foot. Legend has it that while being chased by a tiger once, the Maratha Empire king Shivaji jumped into a ditch on the hill and the tiger leaped off it into the valley giving it the name of tiger's leap.

Just around the tiger's leap, there is a small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than Bushi Dam, as the force of the fall is higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of force to go all the way down to the base of the Tiger's Leap. Adventurers can trek down the stream whilst intermittently stepping back on land where the water current is too strong and the fall is steep.

Karla Caves

Karla Caves, located near Lonavala, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. A temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi is also present here.[11]

Lohagad Fort

A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali railway station takes you to the 'Iron Fort', once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.

Visapur Fort

Adjacent to the Lohagad fort lies the visapur fort which is part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification. Visapur Fort is larger and at a higher elevation than its twin- Lohagad. It was built during 1713-1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath.

Bhushi Dam

A waterfall near the dam is located between Lonavala and I.N.S. Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here.[12]

Lion Point

This is a viewpoint midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley which overlooks a deep valley and mountains known for its roasted corn and onion fritters. This point does not have any lions but is named so because it is associated with the Lions Club of Lonavala.

Narayani Dham

Narayani Dham Temple

Narayani Dham is a temple constructed in 2002 in honor of the Hindu Goddess Narayani. It is at a distance of 2 km from the Lonavla railway station. The temple has idols of Durga Mata, Salasar Balaji (Hanuman) and Ganapati housed in a marble structure.

Tungarli Dam

This lake and Dam comes to life during the Monsoon season, where some people climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene surrounding of trees and hillocks.

Shooting Point

Another viewpoint in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), provides views of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home for the St. Mary's villa.

Kataldhar Lonavla

Kataldhar is a waterfall neer Rajmachi Fort off the Rajmachi Trekking route

12 Best Places To Visit Near Pune In Monsoon!!

 The monsoon in Pune is one of the most beautiful seasons enhancing it natural beauty to the fullest.

 During the Pune monsoons, the valleys and ghats offer amazing perspectives of towering hills, landscapes and enthralling journeying courses.

These places located near Pune make great weekend getaway spots especially during the Monsoons which bring out the best in them.

Since rains clouds are just around the corner, lets’ take a look at some of the Best Places to Visit near Pune in Monsoon and set your weekend plans straight

Here are the 12 destinations that we will be exploring as monsoon getaways from Pune:

1 Lonavla

2 Mahabaleshwar

3 Khandala

4 Mulshi Lake

5 Pawna Lake

6 Shivsagar Lake

7 Lohagad Fort

8 Rajmachi Fort

9 Torna Fort

10 Thoseghar

11 Tamhini Ghat

12 Devkund

Travel

Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements, as in the case of tourism.

The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail, which means 'work'.According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words "travail", which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers' Tales (2004), the words "travel" and "travail" both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means "three stakes", as in to impale). This link may reflect the extreme difficulty of travel in ancient times. Travel in modern times may or may not be much easier depending upon the destination. Travel to Mount Everest, the Amazon rainforest, extreme tourism, and adventure travel are more difficult forms of travel. Travel can also be more difficult depending on the method of travel, such as by bus, cruise ship, or even by bullock cart.