Ashtavinayak Darshan in One Day (From Mumbai):-

Recently we planned to have Ashtavinayak Darshan in One Day from Mumbai. Traditionally it is done in three days, but we decided to do an experiment.


We started early 05:00 hrs in the morning from Goregaon Mumbai. As planned we first headed towards Mahad Ganpati (Nr Khopoli in NH4) traveling a distance of about 100 km in 1 hour 20 minutes (Clock Time 06:20 Hrs).

After paying homage to “Lord Varadvinayak”, we proceed to Pali Ganpati Via Khopoli. Here the tragedy happened. We missed the left turn to Pali just after crossing the bridge near Khopoli. And got landed in Pen. Then we proceeded along the Goa Highway (NH17) till Nagothane. After 5 km we took left turn and travelled along the river to reach Pali Ganpati at 08:10 hrs, excellently located below the hill of Sarasgad. The distance travelled 84 km instead of 35 km if we’d been on the right path (directly to Pali from Khopoli) and wasting precious one hour.

After paying homage to “Lord Ballaleshwar”, we proceeded to Ozar. We reached Ozar at 12:00 hrs via Khopoli, Talegaon (on NH4), Chakan, Narayangaon (NH50) covering a distance of about 170 km. There we had darshan of “Lord Vighnaharta”. The temple is situated beside a scenic lake, which is having a boating facility. Here we had divine “Mahaprasad” as our mid day meal.

From Ozar we proceeded to Lenyadri. The temple of Lenyadri is located in the cave in the middle of the enchanting hill. We reached the base of the hill at about 13:00 hrs traveling 15 km from Ozar. Then we trekked to the temple cave which is having approx 300 steps. It took about 20 minutes to reach the temple. There we meditated for few minutes and after paying homage to “Lord Girijatmaj”, we took the down trek of about 10 minutes to reach back to the base of the hill. This is the most tiring and simultaneously refreshing experience. People interested in cave architecture can have a look at other nearby caves also.

Then we proceeded to Ranjangaon via Junnar, Narayangaon, and Malthan (at 15:20hrs, 66 km from Lenyadri). We reached Ranjangaon at 15:40 hrs covering 79 km. There we had darshan of “Lord Mahaganpati”.

From there we proceeded to Siddhatek via Belwandi Phata (16:30 hrs, 19 km from Ranjangaon on SH27 Pune-Nagar Highway), Belwandi (17:05 hrs, 25 km from Belwandi Phata), and Srigonda (17:35 hrs). We reached Siddhatek at 18:35 hrs covering a distance of 98 km. This is the most tiring part of travelling. This temple is situated at Bhima River. We offered our devotion to “Lord Siddhivinayak” and then proceed to Morgaon.

We reached to Morgaon at 20:20 hrs travelling 67 km via Daund, Pattas, and Kedagaon. Here we prayed to “Lord Moreshwar”, who is believed to be the “Aadya Ganpati” among the Ashtavinayaks. One can see the Nandi sitting in front of this temple entrance, which is unique, as Nandi is normally in front of only Shiva temples.

From Morgaon we proceeded to Theur, via Kedagaon, Kunjirwadi (NH9, turn right and drive 5 km). We reached Theur at 21:30 hrs covering a distance of 62 km. There we prayed to “Lord Chintamani” and thanked for helping us to complete our plan to have darshan of all Eight Ganpati in One Day. We came to know that this temple normally closes around 21:30 hrs. We sat there and remembered all the deities who guided and played with us along the tour. Thanks Lord Ganesha. “Ganapati Bappa Morraya”

From there we moved to Pune (22 km) and had our dinner there at Hotel and then proceed to Mumbai for a journey of about 150 km. The total distance covered during the entire tour is about 850 km in a span of approx. 20 hrs.

We recommend having personal vehicle and a group having at least two persons who can drive the vehicle well.

Udaipur Pilgrim Circuit

Few weeks ago we planned a trip to Udaipur temple circuit from Mumbai. The route planned is Mumbai – Ahmedabad – Udaipur – Nathdwara – Ajmer – Pushkar – Nathdwara – Mt Abu – Ambaji – Ahmedabad – Mumbai covering almost 2200 kms in four days.
Friday:- Left Mumbai at about 11:00 hrs, stopped at Dahanu to pay homage to beloved Goddess MahaLaxmi. Then, from there traveled, continuously along the NH8 till we reached Ahmedabad at about 19:30 hrs. Long way, but the beautiful NH8 allowed us to go through in the single stretch. From Ahmedabad again traveled about two hours to reach Himmatnagar, halted there for dinner. After dinner we left to Nathdwara to reach there at 02:00 hrs morning day2. Jumped to bed once we get into the hotel room. Ah! The day long travel ended in the Gods land.
Saturday:- Got up early in the morning at about 05:00 hrs to have the darshan of Natkhat Srinathji. The idol of Srinathji is really enchanting. The temple is unique in many ways. The most unique thing here is the God himself, in a way that, he almost do all the activities similar to a child. Here the Krishna is believed to be in his child age. The temple garbhagraha opens intermittently for various poojas like morning bath, breakfast, playtime for God, lunch, rest, evening schedule, dinner etc. You can visit during any of these period to have the darshan, but believe that you will go back for more. Prasad also differs as per the darshan you’re having.
Once you had darshan of Lord, then you can rome around the suurounding market area. You can shop for some silver ornaments or can have good snacks at the small eateries.
Saturday11:00 hrs left for Ajmer which is about 200 kms. Road is not that good but reached Ajmer at about 03:00 hrs. Ajmer is famous for Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti which is worth a visit. Wonderful atmosphere. After visit to Dargah, one can shop for Mehandi, Ajmer’s mehandi is quite famous. Also you can buy some special sweets at Rajasthan Mithaiwala. After completing with the shopping we left to Pushkar to pay homage to Lord Brahma. The 11 km drive is quite wonderful as you climb the hill.
Pushkar is a wonderful place, the most remarkable is the pond surrounding which many temples were situated. The evening view of the pond is very enchanting. Apart from the temples, Pushkar is famous for sweetdish Malpuve. After spending some refreshing time we left to Nathdwara. This was the most exhausting travel and we reached Nathdwara at 22:00 hrs totally exhausted after traveling almost 1200 kms in the last 36 hrs. Now the time to relax and we relaxed fully at the Srinathji’s abode.
Sunday:- Wake up late. Had breakfast and then after paying homage to Srinathji once again left Nathdwara. Our next destination was Mt Abu. This was another wonderful drive along the NH14 with lots of picturesque places. Reached Mt Abu at about 16:00 hrs. Mt Abu is only hill station in Rajasthan but is really beautiful. Lots of boarding facilities available. In the evening visited sunset point. Worth a walk. Lots of hotel available.
Monday:- Mt Abu is unique in the sense that it has lot of places to see. The most remarkable is Guru Shikhar (highest point) and Delwara Jain temples (surprise pack of the tour). At about 14:00 hrs left Mt Abu for Ambaji.
Ambaji is about 55 km from Mt Abu in Gujarat at Rajasthan border. The temple here is a shaktpeeth. The specialty of the temple here is that every day the mother goddess take different forms. Also like to mention that there is no idol in the temple instead a yantra is there which is decorated to give various form of goddess. The moolsthan is said to at about 3 km from the present temple. Worth a visit. The Prasad at the main temple is too delicious. After spending some quality temple we left to Mumbai at about 18:00 hrs. From Ambaji to Mumbai via Ahmedabad is about 600 kms. We reached Mumbai at about 05:00 hrs in the Tuesday morning.
Though it was about 2200 kms in four days the whole travel was life charger.

Temple circuit of Kolhapur and Sholapur

Temple circuit of Kolhapur and Sholapur

Last week we visited temples in Kolhapur – Sholapur circuit. An enchanting experience, its amazing that there’re so many renowned temples concentrated in this region. We planned for four day trip from Mumbai. The route planned was Mumbai – Pune – Kolhapur – Miraj – Pandarpur – Sholapur – Tuljapur – Gangapur (In Karnataka) – Akkalkot – Pune – Mumbai covering a distance of approx 1500 kms. We left Mumbai at about 14:00 hr and reached Kolhapur by 20:15 hrs covering about 400 kms. The drive through NH4 was fantastic with minimum traffic and the road is one the well maintained road in India. At Kolhapur we dined at Opal Hotel, which is famous for its spicey Non-Vegetarian food, specially the mutton loncha, mutton masala, pandara rasa and lal rasa. One should definitely have a try. Also in the morning do visit to Doodhkatta, where you will get raw buffalo milk to drink, which remind you of the good old days. Worth a try.
Next day morning we visited the famous Mahalakshmi temple to get blessings from Amba Ma. The temple is famous for its architecture with lot of pillars, claimed to be constructed long back. The darshan was fulfilling. From Kolhapur we moved towards west along NH204, about 20 kms, to reach hill temple of Jyotiba. After paying homage to lord we marched toward the Pandarpur via Miraj. Pandarpur is the abode of Lord Vithoba. The Vithoba Rukmini Temple is situated at the bank of river Chandrabhaga. Seeing the temple one will get the feeling of old times and people. As usual there was a huge line of devotees waiting to get the blessings of their beloved deity. We got the Darshan within an hour. The idols of lord Vithoba and Rukmini were really beautiful, and have dignity. But the priest around it needs to be trained to be more polite with the devotees. After darshan we take a round of boat trip in the river Chandrabhaga, a truly refreshing experience. Then we left Pandarpur and moved towards Sholapur were we’ve to take the night halt. We reached Sholapur at about 20:00 hrs. Total distance covered during the day was approx. 310 kms.
Next day morning we advanced to Tuljapur, 40 km from Sholapur , abode of Shakti, the temple known to be visited by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple is located on the hill top. You will get the feeling of power as your enter inside the temple complex. The way to main idol is through Goumukh Tirth and Paapnasashi Tirth. We got Darshan of Maa Bhavani after waiting for about an hour. The architecture of the temple indicates the victories of Shivaji Maharaj. After getting blessing of Shakti, we moved towards Gangapur, abode of Lord Shree Dattatrey. The route up to Umarga was good, about 76 kms. From Umarga to Gangapur via Aland, about 77 kms, the road is really bad. Sri Kshetra Gangapur, One of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas, is associated with Sri Narasimha Sarasvati Swami, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. It stands on the bank of the river Bhima. This Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. The water of the rivers Bhima and Amaraja, especially at the spot of their confluence, are considered extremely holy. After taking the darshan of paduka, we left Gangapur and moved to Akkalkot via Afzalpur & Dudhini. The road up to Dudhini, 50 kms approx was also very bad and considering the importance of the Gangapur and Akkalkot urgent improvement is must. From Dudhini to Akkalkot, approx 30 kms, the road is better. We reached Akkalkot at about 19:00 hrs. After getting room and taking bath we visited the Swami Samarth Temple. We got the darshan and thereafter got Mahaprasad (divine). Full credit for the entire working and development of temple complex to the management. From there we went to our room and jumped into the bed. Total distance traveled during the day approx 280 kms. Next day we again visited the Swami Samarth Temple and then take a return journey to Mumbai via Sholapur , 40 km from Akkalkot. Road, NH9, was bad up to Pune. Enroute we halt at Sholapur to buy chaddars and bed sheets, which it is famous for, and then halt at Pune at Joshi wadewale. We reached Mumbai at 22: 00 hrs after traveling approx 500 kms.

Mookambika Temple

Nearest Railway Station:- Kundapura ( On Bombay - Mangalore Route)
From Railway station about one & half hour journey towards north west side to Mookambika sanctuary to Kollur, by taxi (fare charges seems to be higher side), but no option as bus stand is about one km away from station. so with family better to opt taxi. At Kollur best staying option is Devasthans Lodge, which is at midway between temple and Kollur bus stand.
Do visit to Sopurnika River nearby for a good bath after traveling (great refreshing experience). Then visit the temple. You should visit temple atleast thrice a day as the Mookambika Devis form changes thrice a day. First visit must be in the morning, second in the noon, and third in the evening.
The blue sapphire on Devis idol is claimed to be the largest in the world (do look).
Many young ones do their Vidya-Arambham here. (Look for the cermony in the morning). For vidyaarambham, booking is to be done on previous day. Nothing else is to be done. The poojari (priest) will guide the parents for vidayarambham.
If your stay is for more than one day, do visit to beautiful "Kudachadri" Hill peak. Though the 40 km road traveling by Jeep (only jeep can go) to the peak is very tiring . A must visit for anybody who loves nature. A temple is there below the peak, which is believed to be the moolsthan (original location) of Mookambika Temple. Also it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya meditated at the peak of hill. A small temple dedicated to Shankaracharya is at the top of hill. Do visit here to have a breath taking view of the surroundings. En route you can see Ganesh Gupha. Also if one moves further on the opposite side of hill from the Shankara temple, one reaches to the gupha from where you can see the Kollur Temple. It is believed to be the place where Shankaracharya actually meditated. But the route is a little bit tough. It takes about five to six hours for the complete journey from Kollur to Kudachadri and back.
Now from kollur one can go back to kundapura on to Udupi (3 hrs journey by bus). At Udupi do visit to uniqueSri Krishna Temple. Udupi is a good place to get authentic vegetarian famous Udupi eateries.
For more details about Mookambika one can visit site http://www.mookambika.co.in/