Shirdi — The Abode of Sai Baba
Shirdi is a small town in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district that was transformed into one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations by the life and teachings of Sai Baba. Sai Baba lived in Shirdi from the 1850s until his Mahasamadhi in 1918, performing countless miracles, healing the sick, and teaching the unity of all religions through his message of “Sabka Malik Ek” (One God governs all). The Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, built over his final resting place, attracts over 25,000 devotees daily. For Tamil Nadu devotees, Sai Baba holds a particularly special place — lakhs of Chennai families have Sai Baba as their Kula Devata or personal deity.
Pandharpur — The Spiritual Capital of Maharashtra
Pandharpur, situated on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River (a tributary of the Bhima River), is home to the ancient Vitthal Rukmini Temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal — a form of Lord Krishna/Vishnu who stands with his hands on his hips (the iconic Panduranga pose). Pandharpur is the spiritual epicentre of the Warkari Bhakti movement, founded by great saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdev, and Eknath. The biannual Wari pilgrimage, where millions walk hundreds of kilometres to reach Pandharpur, is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth.
Kolhapur — The Seat of Mahalaxmi
Our extended packages include Kolhapur, home to the Mahalaxmi Temple — one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The self-manifested idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi here is over 2,000 years old. Kolhapur’s Mahalaxmi is the presiding deity of wealth and prosperity, and her darshan is considered immensely powerful for devotees seeking material and spiritual abundance.
Tuljapur — Tuljabhavani Devi
Tuljapur houses the Tuljabhavani Temple, one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. Goddess Tulja Bhavani was the family deity (Kuldevi) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple sits atop a hill and is an important stop in our 6-day extended pilgrimage circuit.
Shani Shingnapur — The Village Without Doors
Famous for the self-manifested Shani Dev idol and the village where no house has doors or locks due to the belief in Lord Shani’s protection, Shani Shingnapur is a unique spiritual experience. Our packages include a visit to this extraordinary temple village en route between Shirdi and other destinations.
