|
Excursion
Pilgrimages
India is a country that is steeped in spirituality and religion. Some of the greatest monuments have been temples,
dedicated to the gods and goddesses -- a celebration of faith. Maharashtra too has its fair share of religious shrines,
encompassing the many religions that grace India. In many cases, people visit the shrines from India and abroad, all walks
of life and differing faiths.
[ Anwa Temple | Alandi | Akloli-Ganeshpuri
|Ashta Vinayak | Aundha-Nagnath | Bahubali of.Kumbhojgiri
| Bhimashankar | Dehu | Ghrishneshwar
| Haji Ali Shrine | Jayakwadi | Jejuri
| Jyotiba | Khopoli | Khidrapur
| Mahalaxmi, Kolhapur | Khuldabad | Latur
| Mahalaxmi.Temple, Mumbai | Mahurgad | Meherabad
| Narasimha Wadi | Nashik | Pandharpur
| Ramteerth | Ramtek | Ridhpur
| Saptashringi Devi Temple | Siddhivinayak Temple
| Sindhked-Raja | Shirdi | Shegaon
| Trimbakeshwar | Titwala | Tuljapur
| Wardha ]
Anwa Temple
A Shiva temple, with beautifully carved sculptures and decorated pillars stands in the village of Anwa,
10 kms east of Golegaon, on the main road leading from Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves. It was built in
the 12th century, and consists of a sanctuary, a mandapa or open hall with decorated pillars. The niches
have exquisitely sculpted images of Vishnu, Ganesha and other divinities.
Getting there: Close by to Ajanta, Anwa Temple can be reached by taking a well-marked diversion at Golegaon.
Private car or taxi is probably the best mode of transport.
Top
Alandi
An association with Saint Dnyaneshwar ring of light Alandi, a township on the banks of Indrayani River, also called as Devachi Alandi. Dnyaneshwar, the author of Dnyaneshwari lived and attained samadhi in Alandi at the tender age of twenty-one. Two melas are held here annually: on Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, the eleventh days of Ashadh and Kartik (Hindu months). Places of interest and worship are the sacred samadhi of Dnyaneshwar Siddhabet in Indrayani and the temple of Vithoba-Rakhumai.
Getting there: Pune-Alandi is 21 kms. ST buses leave from Swargate and Shivajinagar in Pune for Alandi.
Top
Akloli-Ganeshpuri
Akloli-Ganeshpuri is an ideal for a visit. The hot sprigs, Nityanand
Ashram, Gurudev Ashram and the Vajreshwari Temple are some of the
spots to see.
Nearest airport is Mumbai, 60 kms.
Nearest railheads are Thane Kalyan on Central Railway and Vasai Road Virar on Western Railway.
Mumbai Akloli 80 kms.
Via Bhivandi and 88kms.
Via Ghodbunder.
State Transport buses ply from Thane, Kalyan, Virar and Vasai to Akloli.
Accommodation: MTDC Hotel is present at Alkoli.
Checkout Time: 10.00 a.m.
Reservation: Mumbai and Akloli
Top
Ashta Vinayak
Vinayak is another name for Ganesh, the god loved and worshiped by Hindus all over. Lord Ganesh
is the protector of his devotees. Eight (Astha) naturally formed sculpted stone statues have been
housed in old temples at the places where these statues were first found. The Ashta Vinayak temples
are within the range of 20 to 110 kms of each other.
Getting there: Special ST buses ply between Pune and all the Ashta Vinayak temples.Private
operators also organize tours.
Top
Aundha-Nagnath
A pilgrim center of great significance, since it is considered to be the first (aadya) of the
12 jyotirlingas in the country. Apart from this honour, the temple of Nagnath has exquisite carvings.
Nanded, 64 kms by road form Aundha, is famous for the Sach Khand Huzur Sahib Gurudwara where Guru Gobind
singh's ashes are buried.
Getting there: Aurangabad, 210 kms is a convenient airport. Chondi, 21 kms is the convenient railhead,
Mumbai - Chondi, 614 kms. Mumbai - Aundha, 579 kms. Nagpur - Aundha, 359 kms, Aurangabad-Aundha, 210 kms.
State Transport buses ply from Nanded, Parbhani, and Chondi to Aundha.
Accommodation: Self-Contained room (1block), Dormitories (2 blocks - 18 beds) 1 block with out beds
for 30 tourists.
Check out time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Aundha-Nagnath.
Top
Bahubali of Kumbhojgiri
Both Hindus and Jains revere this site. Devotee's flock here to pay respect to the 28 feet tall marble
statue of Bahubali and visit the temples of the 24 tirthankaras or saints. A Durgamata temple on the hill
nearby is another place of pilgrimage. This site is 27 kms to the south of Kolhapur.
Top
Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar is the temple containing one of the five jyotirlingas found in Maharashtra. Nana Fadnis,
an eminent statesman of the Peshwa days, constructed the beautiful Shiva Temple at Bhimashankar. The
wooden entrance of the temple is beautifully carved. On Mahashivratri day, over 20,000 devotees attend
a special religious fair. Bhimashankar is endowed with beautiful scenery and an all-around vibrant atmosphere.
Besides the Shiva Temple and the dense forest surrounding it, you can also visit Bombay Point, Gupta Bhimashankar:
the origin of Bhima River, Hanuman Tank and Nagphani Point.
Getting there:Nearest airport is Pune, 95 kms.Nearest railhead is Pune. Mumbai-Bhimashankar, 265 kms. Via Pune.
Accommodation: 4//6/10 beded self-contained rooms (8 blocks).
Checkout time: 10.00 a.m.
Reservation: Mumbai Tel.: 881 5000, 883 5577.
Top
Dehu
Dehu near Pune, Dehu is an age-old town on the river Indrayani. Famous poet-saint Tukaram was
born and brought up in Dehu. Abhang Gatha, his eternal creation has a proud place in Marathi literature.
According to legend, the adversaries of the saint-poet mercilessly sank his entire collection of Abhangas
in the river, but low and behold, to their surprise, the Gatha surfaced and was saved. You can visit the old
temples of Shiva and Vishnu, Tukaram Vrindavan -- the birthplace of Saint Tukaram, Gopalpura, Indrayani Doh,
Bhandara Hill, and Bham-Chandra Dongar.
Getting there: Pune-Dehu by road is 24 kms. Frequent PCM, PCMT and ST buses are available.
Top
Ghrishneshwar
Just half a kilometre from the Ellora Caves is Ghrishneshwar Temple. It enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas
dedicated to Shiva. The temple walls are richly sculptured. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled Indore from
1765 to 1795, built both the temple and its masonry tank.
Top
Haji Ali Shrine
Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali this mosque, in Mumbai, was built in the middle of
the sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. As per the
Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay
their respects. It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only in low tide.
The Haji Ali mausoleum has an offshore location, opposite the Mahalakshmi racecourse.
During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression
that the mosque and tombs are floating out at sea in splendid isolation. This is The
Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb of a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced his
worldly ways before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The structure is a slim only
pillar. It is linked to the mainland by a slender causeway, which is practically
nonnegotiable during rough monsoon, tides. Behind the sculpted entrance, a marble
courtyard contains the central shrine. Hundreds of worshippers stoop to press their
forehead against the richly brocaded red and green chaddar covering the tomb, lying in
an exquisite silver frame supported by marble pillars and is decorated with artful mirror
work: blue, green, yellow chips of glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed
with Arabic patterns which spell the ninety-nine names of Allah.
History
The legend goes that Haji Ali died on a pilgrimage to Mecca and miraculously his casket floated
back to these shores. The mosque is picturesque with a vast courtyard and refreshment stalls. It
contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. The saint is believed to have been a wealthy local
businessman who renounced the material world and meditated on a nearby headland following a pilgrimage
to Mecca. His devotees built the mosque and the tomb in the early 19th century. Alternate version says
that Haji Ali died while on his pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket surprisingly floated back to Mumbai (then Bombay).
Attractions of the Mosque
The mosque can be reached only during low tide. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool courtyard
generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the
mosque are a favorable spot to catch some cool sea breeze. There's nothing somber about the building's cool
courtyard, which is generally full of chattering families and refreshment stalls.
Top
Jayakwadi (Paithan)
Jayakwadi (Paithan) was formerly a prosperous trade center called Pratishthan. It was once the capital
of the famous Satavahan dynasty and was also home to the poet-saint Eknath. Today it's the favorites haunt
of archaeologists and is particularly well known for its paithanis, the beautiful silk sarees with elaborate
zari work. While in Paithan, make sure to visit the beautiful garden and try your hand at the exciting water sports.
Getting there: Nearest airport is Aurangabad, 60 kms. Nearest railhead is Aurangabad, 50 kms. of south
central Railway. Mumbai-Manmad-Aurangabad, 375 kms. Mumbai-Paithan via Manmad, 438 kms. Mumbai-Paithan via Pune, 363kms.
Aurangabad-Paithan 50kms. Ahmednagar-Paithan, 75 kms.State Transport buses ply from Ahmednagar and Aurangabad to Paithan.
Top
Jejuri
Jejuri is a well-known pilgrim center near Pune; Khandoba of Jejuri is the family deity of many Maharashtrians
and is housed in the Khandoba Temple. Around 40,000 believers participate in the Jatra, the annual fair, held
during November.
Getting there: Pune-Jejuri is 38 kms.
Top
Jyotiba
Jyotiba Situated at a height of 3100 feet, this holy site cuddles in the mountains near Wadi Ratnagiri.
Jyotiba is supposed to be an incarnation of three gods -- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and the seer Jamadagni.
A mammoth colourful fair takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakh.
Getting there: Jyotiba lies 17 kms northwest of Kolhapur.
Top
Khopoli
Khopoli provides a refreshing breather to motorists plying on Mumbai-Pune Highway the busiest road in the
country. Besides, it also makes for a strategic location for some interesting sightseeing. To places such
as Duke's Nose, Rajmachi Point, Tiger's leap and the Ashtavinayaka temples of Shri Ballaleshwar at Pali (38 kms) and Shri Varad Vinayak at Madh (7 kms.)
Getting there:Nearest airport is Pune.
Nearest railhead is Khopoli. Mumbai-Khopoli, 89 kms. Pune-Khopoli, 74 kms. Lonavala-Khopoli, 12 kms.
Top
Khidrapur
The artistic temple of Kopeshwar or Mahadev at Khidrapur is a treasure house of beautifully carved
sculptures and a rare architectural marvel. The entire temple rests on a gajapeeth which is a semi-circular
platform resting on the back of 92 carved elephants. This temple is located near Kolhapur.
Top
Mahalaxmi or Amba Bai (Kolhapur)
This exquisitely carved temple draws millions of pilgrims from all over India and is an important spiritual centre.
Over the years, members of several royal families have sought the blessings of the goddess -- Mahalaxmi or Amba Bai.
The temple complex has artistically sculpted structures and houses the temples of other deities such as Kashi
Vishweshwar, Kartikaswami, Sheshashayi, Siddhivinayak, Mahaswaraswati, Mahakali, Shree Dutta and Shree Ram.
In the seventh century AD, the Chalukya ruler, Karandev initiated the construction of this temple and later
on in the ninth century, the Shilahara Yadavas beautified it further. The sanctum sanctorum houses the revered
idol of the goddess weighing 40 kgs. The idol has not been fashioned by any human being but exists in its natural
form -- a primeval monolith of uncut diamonds and precious stones. This is known as Swayambhu.
Besides the 'Palkhi' ritual performed on every Friday, there are enthusiastic celebrations on the Hindu
festivals of Chaitra Poornima and Navratri. The temple also holds music concerts wherein renowned artistes
perform during festivals. This temple is located near Kolhapur.
Timings: The temple is open from 4 pm to 11pm.
Accommodation: : Devotees can stay at the nearby dharamshala (boarding house) for a nominal fee.
Top
Khuldabad
In the 14th century, several Sufi saints of the Chishti order, chose to reside in Khuldabad or the Abode of Eternity.
The dargah, or tomb of Moinuddin Chishti, the spiritual guide of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, is within this
sacred complex.
The austere emperor himself rests nearby, in a grave as simple as that of a comman man's, in striking contrast
to the grand mausoleums of his predecessors. Eloquent testimony to Aurangzeb's simplicity is the inscription
on his plain tombstone: "No marble sheets should shield me from the sky as I lie there one with the earth."
Getting there: Khuldabad is a part of the MTDC tour to Ellora. It can also be reached by private taxis.
Top
Latur
The area of Latur district is almost vast table's land about 636 meters above the sea level.
Latur is one of the leading commercial canters in Maharashtra and is a very fast growing town.
Latur has temples dedicated to Siddheshwar, Ramlingeshwar, Papivinash Bhuteshwar, Ram, Keshavaraj
Datta and Ambabai. It is connected with all major cities.
Getting there: Aurangabad, 290 kms is the nearest airport.
Mumbai-Pune-Tembhurni-Barshi-Latur, 480 kms. Latur-Pune, 327 kms. Latur Barshi, 102 kms.
Latur is the nearest railhead on South Central Railway.
Top
Mahalaxmi Temple, Mumbai
The Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai, is a popular holy site as Mahalaxmi is the goddess of wealth. It is situated
at one end of Breach Candy -- a trendy residential and shopping area, now known as B. Desai Road.
Named for Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and her consort Lord Vishnu, this shrine is the focus
of Navratri celebrations (when devoted Hindus offer gifts to gods and goddesses). A closed-circuit
TV network allows you to view the ceremonies without having to brave the throngs at the entry gate.
Top
Mahurgad
Mahur (Mahurgad) is a well-known religious place and a birthplace of Lord Dattatray, which is visited
by thousands of devotees and pilgrims throughout the year. The ancient Mahurgad Fort constructed in the
12 th century, is just two and a half kms from the place. There are many temples in Mahur like Anusaya
Temple, Kalika Temple. The most important one is temple of Renuka Devi, which has a special place in the
Hindu mythology. A big fair is held here every year on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami (Dassera).
Getting there: Nearest Airport is Nagpur, 200 kms.The nearest railhead is Kinwat, 50 kms but Nanded,
126 kms is the more convenient railhead on South Central Railway. Mumbai-Ahmedanagr-Paithan-Jalna-Washim-Pusad-Mahur,
717 kms. Mahurgad-Kinwat, 50 kms.
Accommodation: 6 bedded Dormitory (5 block), Self-contained block (2) and a restaurant.
Checkout time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Mahurgad.
Top
Meherabad
Near Ahmednagar, is the Samadhi of Avatar Meher Baba.The Avatar Meher Baba pilgrim centre draws attention
to beautiful stained glass windows and huge paintings of Meher Baba. On either side are quadrangles with
adjacent dormitories overlooking coutyards filled with cacti and greenery. The 'Samadhi' of Meher Baba has
an air of absolute peace and is the ideal place for meditation.
Pune Meherabad is 102 kms.ST buses and taxis leave from Swargate and Shivajinagar.
Top
Narasimha Wadi
This holy place is situated on the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Panchaganga.
It is well known for the holy padukas or slippers of Dattaguru (an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh).
Narasimha Saraswati, considered an incarnation of Dattaguru lived here for 12 years.
Getting there: Narasimha Wadi is 45 kms from Kolhapur.
Top
Nashik
Proximity to many holy temples and sites including the famous pilgrimage centre of Shirdi and a long tryst with India's sacred past has made Nashik a confluence for the spiritually enlightened. Mythology has it that Rama, the king of Ayodhya, made Nashik his temporary abode during the 14 years of his exile. The poets Rishi Valmiki, Mahakavi Kalidas and Bhavabhooti have paid rich tributes to Nashik in many of their works. In addition, Nashik has always been the epicentre of commerce and trade. Ptolemy, the famous philosopher made a mention of Nashik in 150 BC, leading researchers to believe that it was probably the country's largest market place.
Today, Nashik is a bustling township with a blend of the ancient and the modern.
Scattered across the city are numerous forts and majestic temples. But it is also the home to many
industries. The Security Printing Press of the government, which prints the nation's currency, is located here.
Getting there: Nashik is one the major stations on the Central Railway and there are a number
of convenient trains that connect Nashik to other cities and towns.By road Nashik is 185 kms from Mumbai
and can be reached by motoring on the NH-3 via Thane-Kasar-Igatpuri.There are several private and state buses
available between Mumbai/Thane and Nashik.
Top
Pandharpur
The most prominent pilgrim spot in and around Maharashtra. In the festive months of July- August (Ashadhi Ekadashi) the famous temple of Lord Vitthal draws thousands of devotees from all over the country.
For the devoutly religious, there are many other temples to visit such as the Lakshmi Temple, Pundalik Temple, The Vishnupad Temple, Trimbakeshwar Temple and Shri Ram Temple.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Pune, 204 kms.
Nearest railhead is Pandharpur on the Kurduwadi Miraj line of South Central Railway.
Mumbai- Pandharpur, 386 ms, Pune-Pandharpur, 204 kms.
State Transport uses ply from Pune, Solapur, Nanded, Satara, Ahmedanagar to Pandharpur.
Accommodation:
'Padmavati Tank' Self contained rooms (22 blocks) and Dormitories (3 blocks-32 beds)
Check out time: 12.00noon
Reservation: Vitthal Rukmini Trust, Pandharpur (Tel. 02186-23550)
Top
Ramteerth
A scenic picnic spot in Ajra taluka, with ancient temples, a river, an old coffee plantation and an orchard, lend a quaint charm to this place. According to legend, the place is so named because Rama stayed here during his vanvaas or exile in the forest. It is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty. This temple is located near kolhapur.
Top
Ramtek
The story goes that Shri Ram tarried here a while with Laxman and Sita. Hence, the name. It was here that the prolific Sanskrit poet Kalidas wrote his epic Meghdootam.
Besides the Shri. Ram Temple and the Kalidas Memorial, there's Ramgiri Hill, Ramsagar Lake and Khindsey Lake making for enchanting sightseeing. There's nothing like it if you can make it to the 15 days fair in November.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 58 kms.
Ramtek is a station on South Central Railway and regular trains ply between Nagpur and Ramtek.
Mumbai-Ramtek via Nagpur, 913 kms. State Transport buses from Nagpur to Ramtek.
Accommodation:
Self-contained rooms (5 blocks) and Dormitories (1 block-6 beds).
Check out time: 12.00noon.
Reservation: Nagpur and Ramtek
Top
Ridhpur
Ridhpur is situated in the Morshi Taluka in Amravati District on the Chandur Bazar- Morshi Road. Ridhpur is the pilgrimage center for the Mahanubhav cult and is also known as 'Kashi of Mahanubhav cult followers' throughout the country. Thousands of pilgrims visit Ridhpur on Ashadhi Pourmima, Chaitra Pourmima and Govind Prabhu Jayanti (August- September). Besides this, pilgrims in great numbers daily visit the holy place.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 205 kms.
Nearest railhead is Badnera, 100 kms.
Mumbai-Aurangabad-Sillod-Ajanta-Buldhana-Shegaon-Akola-Achalpur-Ridhpur, 650 kms. Ridhpur-Amravati, 90kms Ridhpur-Aurangabad, 343 kms.
Accommodation:
A type Double-bedded rooms (4) and 10-bedded Dormitories (3).
Check out time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Ridhpur.
Top
Saptashringi Devi Temple
The temple of goddess Saptashringi resides 55 kms from Nashik at Wani. As you approach the temple a large rocky hill greets you. This is Saptashringi Hill. The goddess is known to have possessed 18 weapons in 18 hands and is positioned ready to fight the demons.
The journey to the temple also has some interesting sights to offer. On the way, you can stop at the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) or at Sitakund at Mhasrul village. This is the site where Sita the wife of Rama used to bathe. This destination is filled with stories and legends connected to the Ramayana.
Getting there:
It is easily accessible by road from Nashik.
Top
Siddhivinayak Temple
Located in the Prabha Devi area of Mumbai, this popular temple dedicated to Ganesh was rebuilt on the site of a 200-year old temple. Built of black stone, the idol of Ganesh is two and a half feet in height and two feet in width. An unusual feature of the statue is that the trunk turns to the right, not often found on Ganesh idols. Tuesday is the main day of darshan and puja, but this temple is frequented by hundreds of devotee's everyday.
Top
Sindkhed Raja
Sindkhed Raja, a small Taluka Place in Buldana district, situated 105 kms, away from district headquarters on the state highway No. 183, is known world wide as the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai, the mother of the great Maratha warrior and king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja.
There are a number of monuments in this small township, which owe their existence to Rajmata Jijabai and her father Lakhuji Jadhav. These monuments like Kalkat, Rang Mahal, Tomb of Lakhuji Jadhav, Place of Lakhuji Jadhav, ancient temple of Neekjantheshwar and Rameshwar have great heritage and architectural value.
Getting there
Nearest airport is Aurangabad, 90 kms.
Nearest railhead is Jalna on South Central Railway.
Mumbai Ahmednagar-Paithan- Jalna-Sindkhed Raja, 515 kms.
Sindkhed Raja- Ahmednagar 239 kms.
Sindkhed Raja Jalna 30 kms.
Accommodation:
Self- contained rooms 2 bedded (4 blocks) and 6 bedded (3 blocks).
Check out time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Sindkhed Raja.
Top
Shirdi
122 kms from Nashik is the abode of one of Maharashtra's most revered saint -- Sai Baba of Shirdi. Popularly known as the 'Child of God', Sai Baba preached tolerance towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood.
Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Special pujas and darshan of the Sai Baba statue mark Thursday. There are other places of interest that devotees can visit as well including Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near the mosque, in a corridor is the dhani or eternal flame that burns day and night. Other places of importance are the Gurusthan, the Kandoba Temple, Shani Mandir, Narsimha Mandir, Changdev Maharaj Samadhi and the Sakori Ashram.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Aurangabad.
Nearest railhead is Kopargaon, 15 Kms. on the Manmad-Daund section of central Railway.
Mumbai-Shirdi, 296 kms. (Mumbai-Nashik-Niphad-Yeola-Shirdi) Nashik-Shirdi 112 kms. Aurangabad-Shirdi 126 kms.(Aurangabad-Vaijapur Yeola-Kopargaon-Shirdi) Pune-Shirdi,183 kms. (Pune-Kalamba-sangmner-Talegaon-shirdi).
State Transport buses ply regularly from Mumbai, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Pune and kopargaon. MTDC runs a bi-weekly round trip bus service to Shirdi form Mumbai.
Accommodation:
Hotel "The Pilgrims Inn" self contained rooms (50 blocks).
Checkout time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Shirdi and Mumbai.
Top
Shegaon
Shegaon, a municipal town in Khamgaon Teshsil is famous for the Samadhi of Shri Gajanan Maharaja mystic saint as popular as Saibaba of Shirdi. You'll see a large number of pilgrims here, some coming from distant parts of Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha. Allegorically, Shegaon can be described as the Pandharpur of Vidarbha. Thousands of devotees pay their respects at the Samadhi every thousands of devotees pay their respects at the Samadhi every Thursday, which is regarded as a special day.
See the temple of Shri Ram, also constructed in the premises of the shrine. If you visit Shegaon on Ram Navami in Chaitra and on Rushi Panchmi in Bhadrapada month of the Hindu Calendar, you can also attend the fairs held here on these occasions.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 316 kms.
Shegaon is a station on the Mumbai-Calcutta route of Central Railway.
Mumbai-Shegaon, 600 kms. (Mumbai-Nashik-Dhule-Jalgaon-Khamgaon-Shegaon) Nagpur-Shegaon, 316 kms. (Nagpur-Amravati-Akola-Ural-Gaigaon-Shegaon).
Akola-Shegaon, 45 kms. (Akola-Ural-Gaigaon-Shegaon).
State Transport Buses ply from Mumbai, Nashik, Shivaji Nagar, Bhandara, Nanded, Amravati, Nagpur, Akola, Chandrapur, Wardha, Yeotmal to Shegaon.
Accommodation:
Self-contained rooms 2 bedded (12 blocks) & 6 bedded (9 blocks).
Check out time: 9.00 a.m.
Reservation: Mumbai & Shegaon.
Top
Trimbakeshwar Temple
The village of Trimbak, 36 kms from Nashik, is famous for the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is considered to be the main jyotirlinga.
Legend has it that Guatam Rishi performed a rigorous ritual of prayer and penance or tapasya to Shiva on Brahmagiri Hill, which rises above the present-day temple. Pleased with this devotion, Shiva is said to have blessed him and brought down to earth from heaven the sacred rivers of Ganga, Gautami and Godavari. At the Kushavarta Teertha, devotees usually dip themselves into the waters and purify themselves of all sins before entering the temple. To this day, Hindus offer shraad prayers (prayers for the souls of the departed) here. It is also believed that bathing in the waters of the Godavari will bring moksha or salvation.
Mondays are considered particularly holy and the priests carry the idol of Trimbakeshwar in a palanquin on their shoulders around the temple. The annual festival of Shivratri is also celebrated with great pomp and gaiety and attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over.
Top
Titwala
A pilgrim center sacred twice over-for its Mahaganesh Temple and the temple of Shri Vithoba. Another fascinating temple is the one at Anbarnath, dating back to the 11 th century and built in the Hemadpanti style or architecture.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Mumbai, 75 kms.
Titwala is a station on Central Railway, but the more convenient railhead is Kalyan.
Mumbai-Titwala, 75 kms. via Kalyan (can be visited from Thane, Kalyan and Mumbai).
Accoommodation:
East of Mahaganesh Temple, self contained 2 bedded Rooms (2 blocks) and Dormitories 12 bedded (2 blocks).
Check out time: 8.00 a.m.
Reservation: Mumbai and Titwala.
Top
Tuljapur
Know for the holy temple of Tulja Bhawani (Goddess Durga). It is said that before venturing on a military expedition, Shivaji always sought her blessings. Legend has it that the Goddess gifted him sword- the Bhawani Talwaar-for success in his expedition. Important pilgrimage centers nearby are Pandharpur and Akkalkot.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Aurangabad, 257 kms.
Nearest railhead is Solapur on South- Central Rly.
Mumbai-Tuljapur, 452 kms via Solapur. Aurangabad-Tuljapur, 257 kms. Solapur-Tuljapur, 40 kms. Osmanabad-Tuljapur 19 kms.
Accommodation:
Near Ghat Shil Temple- Dormitories (2 blocks) and Self contained rooms (6 blocks).
Check out time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Mumbai and Tuljapur.
Top
Wardha
This is a convenient base for visiting two modern pilgrimage Centers-Gandhiji's Ashram at Sevagram, 8 kms and Vinoba Bhave's Paunar Ashram, 13 kms. Sevagram is the epitome of Gandhiji's teachings of simplicity and truth. There's also the Gandhi Gyan Mandir, Manganwadi and Bajajwadi.
Getting there:
Nearest airport is Nagpur, 67 kms.
Wardha is a junction on Central-Railway, 759 kms from Mumbai.
Mumbai-Wardha, 822 kms. Via Amravti. Nagpur -Wardha, 77 kms. Yeotmai-Wardha, 58 kms.
Accommodation:
Self-contained 2 bedded rooms( 12 blocks) and single rooms( 6 blocks).
Checkout time: 12.00 noon.
Reservation: Nagpur and Wardha.
Top
Information on Pilgrimage Centers of Maharashtra - India
|
