12 Best Pilgrimage sites near Indore

Shirdi is a pilgrimage town located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. About 180 km from Pune, and 258 km from Mumbai, this is one of the best pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra.

Shirdi is home to the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, the main attraction of Shirdi. Sai Baba, who belonged to the 20th century, is known as one of the greatest saints of India. Sai Baba visited Shirdi when he was 16 years old and stayed there until he died in 1918. Shirdi is the place where he attained his 'Samadhi' or final abode. This is one of the must include places in Maharashtra holiday packages.

The Shirdi temple complex covers an area of about 200 square meters. It includes Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, and Lendi Baug. Shirdi Temple is one of the richest temples in India with estimated donations of INR 4 billion per annum. Maruti Temple, Khandoba Mandir, Sai Heritage Village, Shanisinghnapur, and Nashik are the other Shirdi places to visit. It takes one full day to visit main attractions in Shirdi. Additional 1-2 days can cover near by sites like Nashik & Bhandardhara.

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Nashik is a popular sacred pilgrimage site and the third-largest city by population in Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra as well as India. Located about 182 km from Mumbai, and 211 km from Pune, Nashik is among the most visited weekend getaways near Mumbai.

Situated at an altitude of 700 m, Nashik is famous for its numerous temples and ghats. Panchavati, Someshwar, Ram Kund, Muktidham Temple, Coin Museum, Pandavleni Caves, Sinnar, Anjaneri, and Trimbakeshwar are some of the popular places to visit in Nashik.

Nashik hosts Kumbha Mela, the largest religious gathering held once every 12 years. A large number of pilgrims, sadhus, and holy men attend this magnificent fair and take bath in the holy river Godavari. Nashik is also known as the wine capital of India, with numerous vineyards that dotting the countryside. It takes 2 full days to visit the main attractions in Nashik. With additional 2-3 days, Shirdi, Igatpuri & Bhandardara can be included.

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Ujjain is an ancient city situated in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. About 56 km from Indore, and 197 km from Bhopal, it is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, and among the best places to visit near Bhopal.

Situated on the banks of the Kshipra River, the ancient city is known as the temple city for its numerous temples from different eras including one of the 12 Jyotirlingas the Mahakaleshwar Temple, among the must-include places in Ujjain packages. Kal Bhairava Temple, Ram Ghat, Harsiddhi Temple, Kalideh Palace, Pir Matsyendranath, Jantar Mantar, Bhartrihari Caves, ISKCON Temple, Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir, etc., are some other tourist paces in Ujjain.

Ujjain is among the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Also, Ujjain is one of the four sacred sites in India, where the famous 'Kumbh Mela', one of the largest religious festivals in the world, is organized once in 12 years. Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of India, with the first meridian of longitude passing through it.

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Omkareshwar is a famous pilgrimage center located on the island of Mandhata in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. About 76 km from Indore, and 256 km from Bhopal, it is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-include places in India tour packages.

The holy town of Omkareshwar consists of two ancient shrines- one is Omkareshwar and the other is Amareshwar or Mamleshwar, among the must include places in Omkareshwar packages. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Omkareshwar Temple is considered to be fourth among the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Besides, Kedareshwar Temple, Siddhanath Temple, Gauri Somnath Temple, Nagar Ghat, Abhay Ghat and OMkar Ghat are some of the prominent tourist places in Omkareshwar.

Maha Shivratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Omkareshwar when the whole island is decorated with lights and many pilgrims visit the temple. It can be visited along with Indore tour packages.

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Maheshwar is a temple town located in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. About 90 km from Indore, and 279 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular places to visit near Indore and among the must-include places in India tour packages.

Maheshwar is largely referred to as the temple town of Madhya Pradesh,and one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. The town is famous as the place ruled by the legendary Maratha Malwa queen Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Situated on the banks of river Narmada, the town possesses a treasure trove of beautiful temples, gorgeous ghats, and forts. Rajeshwar temple is the main. Narmada Ghat, Kaleshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Ahalyeshwar Temple, and Maheshwar Fort are some of the top tourist places in Maheshwar. Besides, the town is famous for Maheshwari Sarees, and locally manufactured brass utensils.

Nimar Utsav is one of the major events held every year at Maheshwar around Kartik Purnima (November). Apart, Maha Shivratri is also an important festival where thousands of people spend the night on the Ghats and worship the multitude of Shivalinga's as part of Maheshwar packages.

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At a distance of 50 km from Indore, Janapav also known as Janapav Kuti is a mountain located near Janapav Kuti village in the Mhow Tehsil of Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. Situated in Mumbai-Agra National Highway, it is one of the popular places for trekking in Madhya Pradesh, and among the scenic places to visit near Indore.

Situated at an altitude of 881 m, Janapav is the highest peak in the entire Vindhayanchal range. As per the legend, it is the birthplace of Lord Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, and is considered sacred by the Brahmin community. At the top of the hill, there is an ashram of Jamadagni, the father of Parashurama who used to live here with Renuka, the mother of Parshurama. It is said that the variety of medicinal herbs and plants found here were actually first grown by her. As per some reports, even today, many Ayurvedic doctors from across the country arrive at the hill in search of herbs.

As per the folklore, twelve rivers originate from the tank situated on this hill, including Chambal, Saraswati & Nakheri. Surrounded by dense forest, the place is quite popular among trekkers for its scenic beauty and adventurous routes. Besides, Janapav Kuti also happens to be the place of a colorful fair organized every year on Kartik Purnima, which is the first full moon after Diwali.

With its amazing view from the top and its cultural importance, the government of Madhya ...

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About Shani Shingnapur Temple

At a distance of 44 Km from Ahmednagar, and 72 Km from Shirdi and 44 km from Ahmednagar, Shani Shingnapur or Sonai is a village in Nevasa taluka of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. The village is known for its popular temple of Shani Mahadev, the Hindu god associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. This is one of the most popular Shani temples in India and also among the famous pilgrimage sites near Pune. The temple is regarded as a 'jagrut devasthan,' which translates to 'living temple,' indicating that the deity is believed to still inhabit the site. The villagers' faith in Lord Shani is so profound that none of the homes in this remarkable village are equipped with doors or locks, as they trust that Lord Shani safeguards their possessions from theft.

History & Mythology of Shani Shingnapur Temple

The village of Shani Shingnapur is unique in that none of its homes have doors. The residents hold a strong belief that the deity Shani punishes anyone who attempts to steal. According to local legend, approximately 150 years ago, a large black stone appeared on the surface of the water, which was later discovered by local shepherds once the water receded. When one shepherd prodded the stone with a sharp object, it began to bleed. That night, the god Shaneshwara visited the dreams of the devoted shepherds, expressing his desire to remain in the village in that ...

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About Trimbakeshwar/Tryambakeswar Temple

At a distance of 28 Km from Nashik, Trimbakeshwar or Tryambakeswar is a small pilgrimage town situated along the banks of the Godavari River, at the base of the Brahmagiri Mountains in the Nasik district of Maharashtra. The town is renowned for the Trimbakeshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, which carries significant religious and mythological importance. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra, and among the most famous places to visit near Nashik. The sacred Godavari River has its source in the vicinity of Trimbak.

History & Mythology of Trimbakeshwar/Tryambakeswar Temple

Trimbakeshwar Temple was constructed by Sri Nana Saheb Peshwa between 1755 and 1786 AD and is regarded as among the most sacred pilgrimage sites near Mumbai. This temple is referenced in the revered Mrityunjaya Mantra, which is believed to confer immortality and longevity. According to tradition, the sage Gautama Rishi and his wife Ahalya lived in the Brahmagiri Hills, renowned for their devoutness. Their unwavering faith was so profound that their hermitage was continuously supplied with food, even during times of severe famine. However, envious sages deceived Gautama, leading him to unwittingly commit the sin of cow slaughter. To atone for this transgression, ...

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About Ghrushneshwar/Grishneshwar Temple

At a distance of 1 Km from Ellora Caves, and 29 Km from Aurangabad, Grishneshwar or Ghrushneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a revered Hindu temple located at Verul village in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an important pilgrimage site in the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light) in India, and among the 5 jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra. The other four are Aundha Nagnath Temple, Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, Vaijnath Temple in Parli, and Bhimshankar near Pune. It is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, among the must-visit places as part of the Ellora tour packages. Grishneshwar Temple is sometimes referred to as the Ghrushneshwar Jyotirlinga or Dhushmeshwar temple. Ghrushneshwar means 'the lord of compassion.

History of Ghrushneshwar/Grishneshwar Temple

Although there is no definitive historical record indicating the exact date of its construction, it is widely accepted that the temple originated prior to the 13th century. Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, the temple endured multiple destructions under the Delhi Sultanate's reign. It was subsequently reconstructed in the 16th century by Maloji Bhosale, the grandfather of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple continued to face assaults even after this period. The current structure ...

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About Saptashrungi Devi Temple

At a distance of 26 Km from Vani and 65 Km from Nashik, Saptashrungi Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple situated near Nanduri village. Perched on a cliff at an elevation of 1,230 meters, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashrungi, also referred to as Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasura. It is widely recognized as one of the 'three and a half Shakti Peethas' in Maharashtra and is part of the 51 Shakti Peethas found across the Indian subcontinent. The term 'Saptashrungi' translates to seven mountain peaks, referring to the hill range that comprises seven hills, where the Saptashrungi Goddess is revered among these peaks. It is the must-include place in the Nashik tour packages.

History & Mythology of Saptashrungi Devi Temple

The Saptashrungi Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas situated on the Indian subcontinent, believed to be the site where a limb of Sati, specifically her right arm, is said to have fallen. This temple, dedicated to the goddess Saptashrungi, is recognized as one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas in Maharashtra, alongside the Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur, the Tulja Bhavani Temple, and the Renuka Mata Temple in Mahur. Collectively, these four temples symbolize the four components of Omkara: A, U, M, and Bindu.

According to another legend, the powerful goddess assumed the form of Devi Durga to vanquish the demon Mahishasura, ...

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