Page 440 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

438  SOUTHWESTERN INDIA

Introducing Southwestern India Jabalpur
Indore Bhopal
Encompassing the three states of Maharashtra, Nandurbar Melghat Tiger Ramtek Gondia
Goa and Karnataka, Southwestern India contains the Reserve Achalpur Nagpur Bhandara
central Deccan Plateau, the narrow Konkan coastline Jalgaon Bhusawal Akot Raipur
and the craggy Western Ghats that run parallel to Dhule Malkapur Amravati Umred
the coast. Its major city is Mumbai (Bombay), India’s Khamgaon Wardha
vibrant commercial capital. The region’s varied Malegaon Ajanta Akola Hinganghat
attractions include Goa’s idyllic beaches and Surat Chalisgaon A j a n t a R a n g e Karanja Yavatmal Warora
Portuguese churches, the ancient caves and Nasik Washim Garhchiroli
temples of Ajanta and Ellora, and the magnificent Kadwa Daulatabad Jalna Lonar Penganga Chandrapur
ruins of Hampi. Further south are Bengaluru, Aurangabad Purna Hingoli
often described as Asia’s Silicon Valley, Virar Sangamner Wari Godri Dudna Hadgaon Hyderabad Bhamragarh
the former princely state of Mysuru, and the Bhiwandi MAHARASHTRA Pranhita Indravati
great Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid. Kalyan Ahmadnagar
Mumbai Godavari Nanded
Lonavla Bhima Bid Sironcha
Khadki
Alibag B a l a g h a t R a n g e
Pune Daund Udgir
Murud-Janjira Latur
Bhor
Kurduvadi Osmanabad
Mahad Mahabaleshwar
Bidar
Satara
Pandharpur Solapur Hyderabad
Homnabad
W
Chiplun e
Akalkot
s
Karad
Ganapatipule t Bhima Gulbarga
e
Ratnagiri r Sangli Firuzabad Wadi
Bijapur
n

Kolhapur Ichalkaranji Athni Yadgir
Arabian Shorapur

Sea G Managoli Krishna
Raichur
Malvan a Aihole Lingsugur
h
Vengurla t Belgaum Badami
Maharashtrian farmers with their oxen, often Mapusa s Nargund
colourfully decorated Panaji GOA Gadag
Dharwad Hampi
Ponda Hubli
Quepem Hospet
Getting Around Yellapur Bellary
Palolem Kudligi
This region has four international Karwar Haveri
airports, at Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru Gokarna
and Dabolim in Goa. With domestic Tungabhadra Davangere
airports at Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Kumta Chitradurga
Mangaluru, the region is well connected Sagar
by air. The Indian Railways also cover the Shimoga
region extensively. Fast trains run between Bhatkal Hiriyur
the large cities, and air-conditioned trains Kundapura Bhadravati Sira
also connect most medium-sized cities KARNA T AKA Chik Ballapur
and townships. The spectacular Konkan Barkur Sringeri Tumkur Chennai
Railway runs 760 km (472 miles) along the Udipi Tiptur
coast, from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram Halebid Kolar
(in Kerala), over 2,137 bridges, 140 rivers Key Mangaluru Sakleshpur Hassan Bengaluru
and through 83 km (52 miles) of tunnel. National highway Bantval
At 160 km (99 miles) per hour, it is India’s Major road Ullal Srirangapattana Ramanagaram
fastest line. The hinterland is crisscrossed Kozhikode Mysuru Mandya
with numerous national highways, major State border Madikeri
Talakad
and minor roads, and is well connected by Main railway Hunsur Nanjangud
bus. Private operators run luxury coaches Minor railway
on the more popular routes, including Gundlupet
the Mumbai-Goa-Hampi stretch.
Coimbatore
Wooden outrigger fishing boats at Asvem Beach, Goa
438-439_EW_India.indd 438 26/04/17 11:54 am