Pilgrimage

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 popular places pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad.

Shirdi is home to the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, the star attractions of Shirdi Tour. 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.

Pilgrimage

Nashik or Nasik is the third-largest city by population in Maharashtra. Situated about 182 km from Mumbai, and 211 km from Pune, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the famous places to visit near Mumbai.

Situated at an altitude of 700 m, Nashik is famous for its numerous temples that can be visited as part of Nashik Tour Packages. 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 also holds 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. Apart from its religious importance, Nashik has numerous vineyards that dot the countryside and is known as the wine capital of India. Nashik can be visited along with Shirdi Tour Packages.

Pilgrimage | Beach

Ganpatipule is a small pilgrimage & beach town on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra in India. About 307 km from Pune, and 345 km from Mumbai, it is one of the top places to visit near Kolhapur, and among the must include places in Maharashtra packages.

Ganpatipule is mainly known for its 400 years old Ganapati Temple which is the prime attraction in Ganpatipule holiday packages. The idol of Ganesha is believed to be a monolith that was self-incarnated and discovered over 1600 years ago. It is one of the Ashta Ganapati Temples of India and is known as 'Paschim Dwar Devata'. The temple is at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around (pradakshina) the hill as a mark of respect. Ganpatipule can be visited as a day trip along with Mahabaleshwar tour packages.

Besides, Ganpatipule has some of the most spectacular beaches that can be visited along with Konkan packages. It is an ideal getaway that attracts peace-seekers, beach lovers, and pilgrims alike. Jaigad Fort, Prachin Konkan Museum, Arey Ware Beach, Guhagar Beach, and Velneshwar are the other prominent places to visit in Ganpatipule.

Pilgrimage | City

Kolhapur is a city and the district headquarters of Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. About 237 km from Pune, and 388 km from Mumbai, it is one of the popular pilgrimage sites in India, and among the must include places in Maharashtra tour packages.

Situated on the banks of the Panchganga River, Kolhapur is a beautiful city famed for its religious and historical sites that can be visited s part of Kolhapur tour packages. Often referred to as Dakshin Kashi, Kolhapur is an important spiritual center as it houses a significant number of temples from Medieval India, including Mahalakshmi Temple. Bhavani Mandap, New Palace Museum, Jyotiba Temple, Rankala Lake, Kopeshwar Temple, Panhala Fort, Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum, and Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary are among the most prominent places to visit in Kolhapur.

Kolhapur is known worldwide for its Kolhapuri chappals, Kolhapuri jewellery, and Kolhapuri Cuisine. It is also a hub of aspiring wrestlers as the town houses some of the best training centers in the country.

Pilgrimage | Beach

Harihareshwar is a coastal town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. About 175 km from Pune, and 213 km from Mumbai, it is one of the must-include places in Konkan tour packages, and among the famous weekend getaways from Pune, and Mumbai.

Situated on the Konkan coast, Harihareshwar is one of the best Maharashtra beach destinations. This beach town is often called Southern Kashi because it is home to the Harihareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Harihareshwar comes across as a pleasant surprise with some of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches along the Konkan Coast. Harihareshwar Beach, Diveaghar Beach & Temple, Kondvil Beach, Kelshi Beach, Velas Beach, Srivardhan Beach, Bankot Fort, are the must include places in Harihareshwar Packages.

Pilgrimage

Pandharpur is a temple town located on the banks of Chandrabhaga River near Solapur city in Maharashtra, India. About 77 km from Solapur, and 209 km from Pune, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the must-include places in Solapur tour packages.

Renowned for its deep-rooted religious heritage and enchanting spiritual aura, Pandharpur is considered to be the spiritual capital of Maharashtra and revered as the Southern Kashi of India. The sacred town of Pandharpur boasts magnificent temples and shrines. The Vitthal Rukmani Temple stands as the primary place of worship, attracting millions of devotees every year. The exquisite craftsmanship and intricate carvingsof the temple offer a glimpse into the artistic prowess of the bygone era.

Besides, the Kaikadi Maharaj Math, Pundalik Temple, Shri Gopalkrishna Temple, Vishnupad Temple, and ISKCON Pandharpur are the other prominent Pandharpur tourist places. The annual Pandharpur Yatra, also known as the Ashadi Ekadashi, witnesses a colossal gathering of devotees.

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 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 places to visit near Pune.

The idol of Lord Shanidev at the Shingnapur temple is swayambhu and the temple is believed to be a jagrut devasthan, meaning that a deity still resides in the temple. The idol is personified in the form of a black stone that is five and a half feet high installed on an open-air platform. There is a Trishul alongside the stone as well as a Nandi on its south. In front are the small images of Shiva and Hanuman. An east-facing multi deity temple was built west of the Shani idol later. The premises also contain a tomb of Saint Udasi Baba and a temple dedicated to Dattatreya. This is one of the must include places in Shirdi packages.

Shani Shingnapur Temple, among the top Shirdi places to visit, among the most significant pilgrimage places to visit near Aurangabad. The entire village around the temple has no doors to the houses. ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 28 km from Nashik, Trimbakeshwar or Tryambakeswar is a small pilgrimage town located on the banks of River Godavari at the foothills of Brahmagiri Mountains in Nasik district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the must-include places in Nashik packages.

Trimbakeshwar is famous for Trimbakeshwar Temple which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. It is one of the most famous places to visit near Nashik. Trimbakeshwar Temple is built by Sri Nana Saheb Peshwa in 1755-1786 AD. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva as Trimbakeshwar. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is its three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra. A crown studded with precious stones rests on top of this Linga, which is said to be from the age of Pandavas. This crown is decorated with various precious stones like emeralds, diamonds, and many other varieties. The crown is displayed every Monday from 4 PM - 5 PM. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Mumbai.

The temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard. The sanctum internally a square and externally ...

Pilgrimage | Beach

At a distance of 21 km from Ratnagiri, Ganeshgule Beach is a beautiful beach situated at Ganeshgule village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. It is one of the most serene Maharashtra beaches, and among the top places to visit in Ratnagiri.

Ganeshghule Beach is popular among nature lovers and is known for its clear sunset view. The beach is 1.5 km long and is flanked by mountains on both sides. The rocky, white sandy terrain and clear emerald sea of the secluded Ganeshghule Beach is an idyllic holiday retreat for many travellers who visit the beach as of Ratnagiri packages.

Ganeshgule Beach is considered a perfect place for those who want to relax and spend peaceful moments. Swimming and sunbathing are the favorite activities at the beach. This beach also has many water sport activities such as snorkeling, diving, surfing, and parasailing. Visitors can even enjoy boat riding when visiting this beach.

The well-known Ganeshgule Temple is located 1.5 km from the beach. This temple is a popular religious place and is visited by many pilgrims from the Konkan region. This temple contains the idol of Lord Ganesha that is known as Swayambhu. The trunk of Lord Ganesha is towards the west in the temple. In addition, this temple contains an ancient well of the Pandava era.

Timings: ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 111 km from Pune, 124 km from Lonavala, 210 km from Nashik, and 224 km from Mumbai, Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient pilgrimage center located near Karjat in the Ghat region of Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and also one of the best pilgrimage places to visit near Pune.

Bhimashankar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Pune tour packages. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Vaidyanath near Parli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Aundha Nagnath Temple in Hingoli. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur.

It is believed that the original temple of Bhimashankar was built in the 12th century CE. However, no evidence remains dating to that period has been found. The temple was renovated by Chimaji Antaji Bhide Naik in 1733 CE followed by some repair works by Dikshit Patwardhan in 1766 CE. A well was constructed in the complex by Raghunathrao Peshwa. The famous minister of the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis carried out a lot of renovations, including the construction of the shikhara. It is one of the famous places to visit in Pune.

According ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 1 km from Ellora Caves, and 29 km from Aurangabad, Grishneshwar or Ghrushneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a famous Hindu temple located at Verul village in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, among the must-visit places as part of Ellora tour packages.


Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Grishneshwar Temple is believed to be the last or 12th Jyotirlinga on the earth. This is one of the top places to visit in Ellora, and among the prominent pilgrimage places to visit near Aurangabad. The presiding deity, in the form of Jyotirlinga, is known by several names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Ghrushmeswara, and Grishneswara. The Grishneshwar temple was re-constructed by Maloji Raje Bhosale, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the 16th century. Later, the temple was again reconstructed in the 18th century by Rani Ahilyabhai Holkar, a Maratha princess who ruled Indore from 1765 CE to 1795 CE.

According to the legend, In the Devagiri Mountain, there lived a Brahmin couple named Brahmavetta Sudharm and Sudeha. They had no children and according to the wish of Sudeha, Brahmavetta married her sister Ghushma. On the advice of ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 3 km from Anjarle Beach, 24 km from Dapoli, 43 km from Harihareshwar, and 82 km from Chiplun, Anjarle Ganapati Temple, also known as Kadyavarcha Ganapati Temple, is a Hindu temple located atop a hill in the small village of Anjarle in the Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. It is one of the popular temples in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, and among the most popular places to visit near Chiplun.

Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the Kadyawarcha Ganapathi Temple is believed to have been built in 1150 AD using wooden pillars. It was renovated during the 18th century and is a 3-tier structure. Ganapathi at this temple has a trunk curved towards the right, unlike most idols that have the trunk curved towards the left. Devotees believe that Kadyawarcha Ganapathi is a live deity who will come to their rescue whenever they are in trouble.

Apart from the Kadyavarcha Ganapati, there is one smaller temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the temple premises. There is also a small pond in front of the temple which is full of fish and turtles and tourists can have a bit of fun feeding them. From the temple, one can also enjoy the stunning views of the nearby Suvurnadurg Fort, Anjarle Creek, and the surrounding hills filled with greenery. Maghi Ganesh Utsav is the most important festival celebrated at this temple as it marks the birth of Lord Ganpati.

Earlier devotees had to cross the Jog River in a boat and then climb the hill to reach the temple. ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 44 km from Satara and 63 km from Panchgani, Yamai Devi Temple is an ancient temple situated on a hilltop at Aundh in Satara distric of Maharashtra. The temple is very much revered in Maharashtra and also one of the top places to visit in Satara.

Yamai Devi is the family deity of many Maharastrian families. The idol of Devi Mahishasur Mardini in black stone is almost 2 meters high in a cross-legged sitting position. The idol has four hands and is carrying gada, arrow, trishul and paan patra.

The town and the temple have been associated with the Pant family for many centuries. The present head of this former ruling family, Gayatridevi Pantpratinidhi, has installed a 7 kilograms (15 lb) solid gold kalash or crown on the pinnacle of the Yamai temple on the hill. Another temple of Devi Yamai is located in the town; apart from the one on the hill.

The temple can either be reached using steps that start at the bottom of the hill. Direct road access is also available to the hilltop. The temple complex also houses Sri Bhavani Museum established from the private collection of the Maharajas of Aundh. The museum holds paintings by noted 19th and 20th century Indian artists such as M. V. Dhurandhar, Baburao Painter, Madhav Satwalekar and Raja Ravi Varma as well as the famous Mother and Child stone structure by the British artist Henry Moore.

The annual Yatra to the Yamai Devi Temple attracts thousands of devotees. Yamai Devi Yatra is annually observed ...

Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage

At a distance of 40 km from Sangli, and 61 km from Kolhapur, Sri Kopeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Khidrapur village in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Located at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, it is one of the ancient temples in Maharashtra, and among popular places to visit near Kolhapur.

Built on the banks of River Krishna, Kopeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is one of the must include places in Kolhapur tour. According to archaeologists, the construction of the temple began by Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century AD and remained incomplete for a long time. It was patronized by the Shilahara Kings during the 12th century. Lord Shiva has worshiped here in the form of a Shivalinga as well as a sculpture of his fierce form, Veerbhadra. Legend has it that Lord Shiva got angry when Sati sacrificed herself and he was then brought to this temple by Lord Vishnu. This is how the temple got its name as Kopeshwar which means furious god.

Kopeshwar Temple is a magnificent piece of intricate Chalukyan architecture. Built with basalt stone, the entire temple is divided into four parts Swarga Mandap, Sabha Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha / Sanctum Sanctorum. The Swarg Mandap of the temple is unique and stunning. The mandap is supported ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 4 km from Sangli Railway Station, and 47 km from Kolhapur, Sangli Ganapati Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated at Ganapati Peth locality of Sangli town in Maharashtra. It is one of the prominent temples in Maharashtra, and among the popular places to visit near Kolhapur.

Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the Sangli Ganapati Temple is situated on the eastern banks of the Krishna River. The construction of the temple started in 1814 by Chintamanrao Patwardhan, the first head of the Sangli, to honor the guarding deity of the Sangli city. The construction of this temple took a period of 30 years and was completed in 1845. The king consecrated the idol of Lord Ganesha in this temple only. In 1952, a red stone arch was erected in front of the Ganesh temple. The rest of the temple was completed during the reign of Chintamani Rao II. Vijay Singh Patwardhan has recently renovated and transformed this temple.

Considered as a masterpiece of Peshwa architecture, the main temple is made of black stones brought from the Jyotiba hills. The doors of the temple have been carved out of multi-colored natural wood. The premises of the temple is spread over an area of 2 acres of land and comprises of a large hall, a platform, and a 'Nagarkhana'. The idol of Ganesha with Riddhi-siddhi in marble is beautiful in the temple. Around the main temple, there are four temples of Chintamaneshwar, Chintamaneshwari, Suryanarayana, and Laxminarayan. These four temples along with the ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 28 km from Sangli, and 30 km from Kolhapur, Bahubali Kumbhoj is a Jain Tirth situated in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of Jain pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the must include places in Kolhapur Trip.

Kumbhoj Bahubali is home to Shri Bahubali Bramhcharya & Vidyapeeth. Dedicated to Lord Bahubali, it is an Atishaya Kshetra i.e. place of miracles. According to history, Kumbhoj is an ancient city where ascetic saint Shri Bahubali Maharaj lived almost 250 years ago. The name of the place has been kept as Khambhoj Bahubali in memory of the great saint. After the death of the saint, the place is visited by many notable people such as Muni Shri Prabhachandraji, Muni Shri Kamlakarji, and Shri 108 Shanti Sagarji. In 1937, Chaturmas Vaktavya i.e. the Four Monthly Statement was delivered from here. As per history, it is said that the first holy pilgrimage to the sacred place Shri Sammed Shikharji also began from here.

In Kumbhoj Bahubali, a 6 feet high beautiful, artistic idol of Lord Bahubali is installed here in 1156 AD by the motivation of an ascetic saint Shri 108 Shrut Sagarji Maharaj. This Tirth has small scale replicas of Gajpantha, Taranga, Mangi-Tungi, Sonagiri, and Pavagiri on left and Kailash Parvat, Shikharji, and Girnarji on the right side. Jal Mandir, Ratnatraya temple, Shantinath Temple, Chandaprabhu Temple, Adinath Temple, and Samavsharan Mandir are also built near the main temple. The temple also has a ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 20 km from Kolhapur, Jyotiba Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated near Wadi Ratnagiri in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is one of the revered places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Kolhapur.

Standing 3124 feet above sea level, the glorious temple of Jyotiba is dedicated to Lord Jyotiba, who was believed to be an embodiment of three different deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. According to mythology, Jotiba helped Mahalaxmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain. It is believed that this temple should be visited after visiting the Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur.

The Jyotiba temple was made in three different stages. The original temple was established by Navji Saya while the main temple that stands today was built by Ranoji Shinde in 1730 in its place. It is 55 feet in length, 37 feet in width, and 77 feet in height. The second temple of Kedareshwar was constructed by Daulatrao Shinde in 1808 and is 49 ft x 22 ft x 89 ft high while the third temple of Ramling was constructed in circa 1780 by Malji Nilam Panhalkar, and is 13 ft x 13 ft x 40 ft high including its dome.

The interior is elegant while the exterior includes a flight of 100 stairs that pilgrims need to climb to reach the main temple. The triangular domes of the temples are painted in shades of yellow while the main body and walls are still in the same stone that they were made of. The premises includes ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 25 km from Hingoli, 61 km from Nanded, and 204 km from Aurangabad, Aundha Nagnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Aundha Nagnath in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra, India. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad.

Aundha Nagnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Vaidyanath near Parli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Bhimshankar. Also, the temple is very closely associated with the lives of saints like Visoba Khechara, Namdev, and Jnanesvar. Namdev went to Jnanesvar temple where he was instructed to visit Aundha Nagnath Temple to search for a proper guru.

The present temple is said to have been built by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty and dates to the 13th century. It is believed that Dharmraj (eldest of Pandavs) has constructed the temple first time while they were expelled for 14 years from Hastinapur. It has been stated that the temple was seven-storyed before it was ransacked by Aurangzeb. Later, Rani Ahalyabai Holkar, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, repaired and renovated the temple.

Spread over an area of 60,000 sq. ft, Aundha Nagnath Temple was built in Hemadpanthi architectural style. However, its upper portion was repaired during the later ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 60 km from Latur, 105 km from Nanded, 119 km from Aundha, and 219 km from Aurangabad, Sri Vaijnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple, located at Parli Vaijnath in the Beed district of Maharashtra, India. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad.

Aundha Nagnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Aundha Naganath near Hingoli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Bhimshankar. While the exact date of the building of the temple is not known, experts feel that it belongs to the Yadava period that goes back to the 12th or 13th century CE. There are records stating that the temple was renovated by Ahalyadevi Holkar in the year 1706.

There are many legends associated with this temple. One such is the story of Satyavan and Savitri that is said to have taken place at Parli. There is also the legend from the Ramayana about Ravana halting here while on his way to Lanka with the Shivlinga. It is said that to be able to relieve himself, Ravana asked a herdsman to hold the Shivlinga for a while. However, the boy was unable to do so for long and placed it on earth, which is how the jyotirlinga happens to be here. The belief is that Shiva decided to reside here in the form of Vaidyanatheshwar.

The ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 48 km from Pune Junction, Jejuri is a town and municipality situated to the southeast of the Pune city. The town of Jejuri is renowned for one of the most pious temples in Maharashtra known as Khandoba Temple and is one of the popular tourist places in Pune.

Jejuri Khandoba Temple is dedicated to Khandoba, who is also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand in the region. Khandoba is the important god worshipped by Dhangar, the oldest tribes in Maharashtra. It is believed that Khandoba is a god of Sakamabhakti, the god who fulfills all the desires of his devotees. Jejuri is popular for its old Deep Mala.

The Khandoba temple in Jejuri is built on a hill and offers good views all around. One has to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. There are various stone images of elephants on either sides of the main gateway of the temple. The entire flat plateau above the hill is surrounded by a stone pavement in the center, of which stands the Khandoba shrine. The whole courtyard is surrounded by arched aisles on sides, from which highly ornate balconies with cypress pillars and cusped arches project out. This enclosure has three gateways and the temple faces east. The outermost portion is an arched portico- consisting of a square mandapa and a garbhagriha.

The idol of Sri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful. There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral. They are very ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 26 km from Vani and 65 km from Nashik, Saptashrungi Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple situated near Nanduri village. The temple lies atop the cliff with an altitude of 1,230 m.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashrungi. The temple is known popularly as one of the 'three and half Shakti Peethas' of Maharashtra. The temple is also one among the 51 Shakti Peethas located on the Indian subcontinent and is a location where one of Sati's limbs, her right arm is reported to have fallen. It is also believed that the presiding deity of the temple is Mahishasur Mardini, who was the slayer of the demon Mahishasur. At the foot of the hill lies the head of a buffalo, made of stone, which is believed to be that of the demon.

Saptashrungi Temple is a two storied shrine with the Devi enshrined in the top floor. The goddess idol is said to be swayambhu (self-manifested) which was carved on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded by seven (sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga-in Sanskrit), hence the name- Saptashrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks). The image of Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in this region. The Devi is decorated with high crown, a silver nose-ring and necklaces.

The most important festival of the Saptashrungi temple is Chaitrotsav. The festival starts on Rama Navami and culminates on Chaitra Poornima (full moon ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 41 km from Solapur, Akkalkot Temple, or Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated in Akkalkot. It is one of the important places for pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit as part of the Solapur tour.

Swami Samarth Temple is the final abode of Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj, a 19th-century saint who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya by his devotees. He is also believed to be a reincarnation of Narasimha Saraswati, another earlier spiritual master of the Dattatreya sect. Swami Samarth is also known by different names, such as 'Akkalkot Swami, Akalkot Maharaj, Maharaj of Akalkot, and Akalkot Niwasi Maharaj.

According to Swami Samarth himself, he had originally appeared in the Kardali forests near Srisailam, a holy town in Andhra Pradesh. Later, he migrated to different places. Sri Swami Samarth probably arrived at Akkalkot in 1856 on receiving an invitation from Chintopant Tol and then stayed there for about 22 years. Sri Swami Samartha Maharaj left his mortal body in 1878, but his legacy continues to inspire and guide people around the world. The holy Samadhi of Swamiji is located in the house of his disciple Cholappa, in the place already reserved for it before his bodily demise.

This temple is also called Vatavruksha Swami Mandir because of the presence of the huge banyan tree (Vatavruksha). This is the same banyan tree ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 39 km from Akkalkot, and 46 km from Solapur, Sri Tulja Bhavani Temple is a Hindu temple located in Tuljapur in Dharashiv district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the prominent places to visit near Hyderabad.

Dedicated to goddess Bhavani, Sri Tulja Bhavani Temple is considered as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas in India. Goddess Bhavani, literally translates to 'giver of life',is considered to be a mother who provides to her devotees and also plays the role of dispensing justice by killing Asuras. The temple was built in 12th century CE by Maratha Mahamandaleshwara Maradadeva of the Kadamb dynasty.

The temple of Bhavani at Tuljapur along with the temples of Renuka at Mahur, Mahalaxmi at Kolhapur, and Saptashringi at Vani forms the four great Shaktipitha in Maharashtra. Goddess Bhavani of Tuljapur is known as the Kulswamini of Maharashtra, and the inspirational deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed that goddess Bhavani gave him a' Bhawani sword' that brought success in his various expeditions.

Several legends are associated with the temple. According to one legend, a demon, Madhu-Kaitabh, who was wreaking havoc upon both the gods and humans. Unable to find any solution, they turned to Lord Brahma for help, who advised them to turn to the Goddess Shakti. She took up the form of a destroyer, and powered by the ...

Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage

At a distance of 52 km from Pune and 11 km from Yavat, Bhuleshwar is an ancient Hindu temple situated on a hill near Malshiras in Pune district of Maharashtra. It has been declared as a protected monument and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in 13th century during Yadava Rulers. It is believed that the temple was ruined by Muslim invaders and reconstructed later because the entrance of the temple is hidden like Gaimukhi Buruj construction of Shivaji's time. The fort on which the temple is situated is called as Daulat Mangalgad Fort.

The temple is unique because of its architecture. Black basalt rock was brought to construct this temple which is different as compared to surrounding brownish color basalt rock. From outside it appears to more as a mosque than a temple due to its resemblance to Islamic architecture like circular domes and minarets. There are classical carvings on the walls.

The temple contains five Shivlingas in its sanctum. Owing to their being hidden in a trench, these Shiva Lingams can be seen in light. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahadev are also housed in this temple. The temple also has an idol of Ganesh in female attire and is popularly called as Ganeshwari or Lambodari or Ganeshyani.

This temple gets huge crowds during Mahashivratri. There is a local belief, when a bowl of sweet is offered to Lord Shiva, one or more of the sweets disappear. A little further ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 50 km from Pune, Sri Maha Ganapati Temple is situated at Ranjangaon in Shirur Taluk of Pune district. This is one among the Ashtavinayak temples in Maharashtra and also one of the popular places to visit in Pune.

The stone pillars of the temple indicate that the temple was built during the 9th or 10th century during the rule of Peshwas. Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the idol of Lord Ganesh. Later on Sardar Kibe of Indore renovated it. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. According to the legend, the village Ranjangaon is considered to be the place where Shiva himself sought the blessings of Ganesh and ultimately destroyed Tripurasur.

The temple faces east and has an imposing main gate which is guarded by two statues of Jaya and Vijay. The temple is designed in such a way that during Dakshinayan, the rays of the sun fall directly on the idol. The idol of Lord Ganesh is seated on a lotus with his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi on both sides. He is facing east in a cross legged sitting posture with broad forehead and the trunk turned towards the left. It is said that the original idol is hidden in the basement, having 10 trunks and 20 hands and is called Mahotkat. However, the temple authorities deny existence of any such idol.

The temple celebrates a special 6 day festival on the occasion of Ganesh Chathurti, during which Mahabhog is offered to the temple deity on the fifth day. During this festival, ...

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 17 km from Jejuri and 65 km from Pune, Sri Moreshwar temple, also known as Sri Mayureshwar Temple, is a Hindu temple located at Moregaon in Pune district of Maharashtra. This temple is considered to be the first temple among the Ashta Vinayak temples of Lord Ganesha and also one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Pune.

The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown, though the Ganapatya saint Morya Gosavi is known to be associated with it. The temple flourished due to the patronage of the Peshwa rulers and descendants of Morya Gosavi. The temple is built with black-stone and has four gates. The temple has four minarets and a 50 feet tall wall around it.

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Mayureshwar (Lord Ganesha) also called as Lord Moreshwar, made of alloy of five metals, with his trunk towards left. Ganesha is depicted armed with a spear, while a cobra encircles his head. Lord Ganesha is flanked by his consorts Riddhi, and Goddess Siddhi. The other important deities of this temple are Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Vignesha, Chintamani, Lord Brahma, Nagna-Bhairava and Nandi. The entrance of the temple contains a 6 feet mouse, the vehicle of Lord Ganesha and the temple also houses the image of peacock. The assembly hall of this temple contains 23 idols of Lord Ganesha, each depicting different forms of Lord.

Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM.

Pilgrimage

At a distance of 13 km from Panchgani, 35 km from Satara & 88 km from Pune, Wai is a small town situated on the banks of Krishna River in Satara district of Maharashtra. It is one of the ideal places for one day trip near Pune.

Wai has some historical prominence; two important Maratha Brahmin queens Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Rani Gopikabai, wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa were born here. Wai is the place referred to as Charanpur in the hit film Swades.

Wai is famed for its seven Ghats, including Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh and Bhimkund. It is also known for numerous beautiful temples near the ghats. Brahmanshahi ghat contains several temples including Kaunteshwar, Chakreshwar, Kaleshwar and Chimneshwar. Menavali ghat is the most popular sightseeing destination in Wai apart from the backwaters of Dhom dam and the famous Dholya Ganpati temple.

The temple of Dholya Ganapati, built in 1762 by Raja Bhoja, is located on the banks of Krishna River. The temple is made out of finished stone with a spacious inner sanctum and a huge hall in the front. The idol of the deity in the temple is carved out of a monolith, and is about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The deity acquired its name Dholya Ganapati from its sheer massive size.

The temple of Mandhradevi Kalubai, Mahalaxmi temple in Dharmapuri and Pandavgadh Fort are the other popular attractions in Wai. Besides being ...

Beach | Pilgrimage

At a distance of 17 km from Guhagar and 72 km from Ganpatipule, Velneshwar Temple and Beach are located at Velneshwar in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Sri Velneshwar Temple is believed to be one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. Earlier, the temple was built by Gadgils and was later renovated by Sri Trimbak Ravaji Gokhale. Representing an example of ancient Hindu architectural style, the temple houses many small shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ganesha and Kala Bhairav. The main sanctum of the temple is adorned with paintings and stone carvings representing various episodes of mythology. This temple is flocked by a large number of devotees during the festival of Mahashivratri. It is held in the month of March and celebrated in honour of the deity Lord Shiva.

Another prime attraction of Velneshwar is the Velneshwar Beach which is lined with coconut trees. This is one of the most secluded and pristine beaches in the entire Konkan stretch and with popular destinations like Guhagar and Ganpatipule flanking it on either sides. This beach is quite famous for its location and also the peaceful surroundings. The beach experiences stable waves throughout the year and is an ideal beach for swimming and sunbathing. Water sports are the frequent activities, which are carried out here.

Beach | Pilgrimage

At a distance of 7 km from Velneshwar Temple and 31.5 km (includes ferry ride) from Ganpatipule, Hedvi Ganesh Temple & Beach is located at Hedvi village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Lakshmi Ganesh Temple at Hedvi is also known as Dasabhuj Ganesh Temple and is one of the famous temples of Konkan region. The name Sri Dasabhuj Ganesh is derived from the idol of Lord Ganesha which possesses dasha bhuja, meaning ten hands. This temple was constructed during the reign of the Peshwas and has been carved from white marble found in Kashmir. The idol is 3 feet high and has 10 hands. There is big ceremony of birth of Ganesh from Shukla Chaturthi to Shashthi in Magh. There is procession of Ganesh in chariot.

Hedvi Beach is situated about 3 km from the Dasabhuj Ganesh Temple and is a black sand cove between the two white sand beaches of Guhagar, Velneshwar and Ganpatipule. Hedvi Beach is a small stretch and is famous because of a rock formation that sits on the beach. Hedvi Beach is not safe for swimming and a dip ideally should be avoided.

Hedvi also has the Uma Maheshwari temple and the Brahman Ghal, a natural gorge. The Brahman Ghal is about 35 feet in length, 20 feet in depth and 2 feet wide. This spot is about 3 km from Dasabhuj Ganesh Temple situated behind Uma Maheshwari temple. At high-tide, sea waves rush into this gorge and collide on rocks and a water column of about 15-20 meters rises from this gorge. Listening the thundering noise of waves colliding ...

Pilgrimage | Waterfall

At a distance of 65 km from Ratnagiri, Marleshwar Temple is a cave temple located at Maral village near Sangameshwar in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Surrounded by the scenic Sahyadri mountain ranges, Sri Marleshwar Temple is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Maharashtra, and among the most visited Ratnagiri tourist places.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Marleshwar Temple is one of the famous pilgrimage places to visit near Kolhapur. It is believed that the temple was built by Lord Parashuram. The shrine is most famous for the cobras which are believed to live here with the shivaling and to date have not harmed anyone. This has resulted in increasing faith in the place and every year thousands of devotees visit the place as part of their Ratnagiri tour. This temple is known as the 'Trimbakeshwar' of Konkan. Marleshwar name may have come from Maral village.

Dhareshwar waterfall is another tourist attraction of Marleshwar. The Dhareshwar waterfall is formed over the Bav River. Adventure lovers and trekkers will love this area. The waterfall sight is very beautiful from the cave but one can get a better view of the falls from Karambeli Doh, which is situated near the falls. One can see a saffron flag fluttering ...

No Destinations found for the selected filters

Top 6 Maharashtra Packages