Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra from where you can take on a spiritual journey to several religious places at short distances that are high revered by devotees of Hindu faith. Car rentals in Pune offer the best services at affordable rates. Plan your trip and book in advance to ensure a hassle-free journey to your choicest holy destinations.
Religious Attractions around Pune
Tourists can enjoy a weekend break by taking a road trip from Pune to Shirdi that takes186 km. You can book a cab from Pune to Shirdi and drive through the wonderfully hilly terrain via NH60 or NH6. Shirdi is a famous pilgrimage destination known for its Sai Baba Temple that attracts lakhs of devotees every year.
Shirdi lies in the Ahmednagar district which is the home of the 19th century famous saint Shri Sai Baba. This temple is one of the richest temple organization of India that gets huge sums in donations every year. The vast temple complex has Samadhi Mandir, Gurusthan, Dwarkamal, Chavri and Lendi Baug within its premises. Festivals and weekends see maximum crowds of visitors thronging the temple for divine blessings. The best time to visit Shirdi is November to January as the weather remains pleasant ensuring the ease of travel.
Jejuri is a small town about 48 km from Pune on Pune-Saswad-Pandharpur Road. This city is the foremost centre of worship of Lord Khandoba. The Dhangar tribe worships the deity of Martanda Bhairaba which is a manifestation of Shiva. Two ancient temples here known as Kadepathar and Gadkot are situated atop the hills have fort like structures. The Khandoba cult has linkages to Hindu, Muslim and Jain traditions and hence form a part of legends and folk tales that are very popular in Maharashtra.
The Peshwas and descendants of Moraya Gosavi patronised the building of the Ganesha temple known as the Mayureshwar Mandir. Popular among the Ganapatya sect, it is the foremost and starting point of the pilgrimage of eight Ashtavinayak temple circuit around Pune. This legendary temple has an impressive architecture that shows Muslim influence on its design. Ganesh Chaturthi and Vijaya Dashami festivals are celebrated here with great vigour.
Cover a distance of 110 km by road from Pune to reach Bhimashankar. This traditional temple town is situated on the Bhorgiri village lying in the Sahyadri ranges. Noted as one of the 12 Jyortirlingas of Shiva this shrine dates back to 13th century. The stunning greenery of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary around the high ranges promises an enchanting view that is quite refreshing for the travellers.
The Shiva Temple at Bhuleshwar can be reached by covering 45 km by road from Pune. Built by King Krishnadevaraya, this temple has both historical and mythological significance. Its unique architecture has an Islamic influence with tombs and minarets. Don’t miss to see the Ganesha idol here that is draped in female attire, popularly known as Ganeshwari.
Exploring the city By Cab
Efficient cab services have well maintained cars that take travellers to their destination safely covering maximum distances within optimal time. You can take pit stops along your journey and explore new places and gain enriching experiences from your travel.
