Information About Maharashtra

Formation : 1 May 1960

Capital : Mumbai

Deputy/ Subcapital : Nagpur (Winter Capital)

Cultural Capital :  Pune

Administrative Divisions : Six (Amravati, Aurangabad, Konkan, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune)

Districts : 36

Total Area : 307,713 sq.km (118,809 sq mi) (Ranked 3rd)

Total Population (2011 Census) : 112,372,972 (Ranked 2nd in country)

Neighbours State : Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Official Languages : Marathi

High Court : Bombay High Court

Government of Maharashtra :

• Governor : C. Vidyasagar Rao

• Chief Minister : Devendra Fadnavis (BJP)

• Parliamentary Constituency : 48

• Legislature : Bicameral

Legislative Council : 78

Legislative Assembly : 288

• Urban Local Governance

Municipal Corporations : 27

Municipal councils/ Municipalities : 226

• Rural Local Governance

Zilla Parishads : 34

Panchayat Samitis : 355

Gram Panchayats : 28,813

Famous Folk Dance : Lavani (dance performed to the beats of Dholki )

Folk Dances : Lavani Dance, Dhangari Gaja, Povadas, Koli, Tamasha, Dindi, Kala

State Animal : Indian giant squirrel

State Bird : Yellow-footed green pigeon

State Flower : Pride of India (Jarul)

State Tree : Mangifera indica(Mango)

State Butterfly : Blue Mormon

Main Rivers : Godavari , Krishna, Tapti, Narmada, Bhima, Konya, Painganga, Pench

Important Dams : Jayakwadi Dam (Aurangabad), Ujjani Dam (Solapur), Koyna Dam (Satara), Isapur Dam (Nanded), Totladoh Dam (Nagpur)

Lakes : Lonar Lake, Venna Lake, Rankala Lake, Upvan Lake, Ambazari Lake, Vihar Lake

Airports : Aurangabad Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai), Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (Nagpur), Pune International Airport (Pune)

Stadium : D.Y. Patil Stadium, Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, Cooperage Football Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

National Park : Chandoli NP, Gugamal NP, Navegaon NP, Sanjay Gandhi NP (Borivali), Tadoba NP

Monument, Palace and Forts : Lonavala, Elephanta Caves, Shanirwarwada, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Raigad Fort, Panhala Fort, The Rajabai Clock

Popular Sports :  Kabaddi, Hockey, Kho kho, Badminton, Cricket and Table tennis

Major Tribes : Bhil, Gond-Madia, Katkari, Koli, Oraon, Warli

Main Festivals : Gudi Padwa, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Narali Pournima, Mangala Gaur, Janmashtami, Ganeshotsav, Kojagiri, Diwali, Khandoba Festival (Champa Shashthi), Makar Sankranti, Shivaratri,and Holi

Nicknames :

Nagpur : Orange City

Pune : Oxford of the East, Queen of Deccan

Nashik : Wine Capital of India, Grape city of India, California of India

Mumbai : City of Seven Islands, Financial Capital of India, City of Dreams, City of slums and Skyscrapers, Gateway of India, Hollywood of India, Maximum City

Solapur : Textile City of India

Kolhapur : City of Wrestlers

Bhiwandi : Godown hub of India

Thane : City of Lakes (30 lakes)

Maharashtra has five main regions:

Vidarbha - (Nagpur and Amravati divisions) - (Old Berar Region)

Marathwada - (Aurangabad Division)

Khandesh and Northern Maharashtra Region - (Nashik Division)

Konkan - (Konkan Division)

Paschim Maharashtra Region - (Pune Division)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites : 

Ajanta and Ellora caves of Aurangabad District, 

Elephanta Caves of Mumbai,

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) of Mumbai, 

The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai.  

Major Sea Ports : Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port