Maharashtra is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. As the second-most populous state and third-largest state by area in India, Maharashtra hosts the Arabian Sea to its west and is bordered by the states of Karnataka, Telangana, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The state's capital and largest city is Mumbai, which is the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. Other major cities include Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik. Maharashtra is known for its fast-paced lifestyle as well as its historical and natural sites like the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the Western Ghats mountain range. The state is also known for its festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Navaratri, and its cuisine includes a wide range of dishes with rice, wheat, and a host of spices as staples.
