Why Pune is the Best Base for Spiritual Yatras and Hill Station Trips in Maharashtra

Why Pune is the Best Place to Start Your Ashtavinayak and Jyotirlinga Tours – A Divine and Scenic Journey Awaits!

Namaskaram dear travellers!

Are you planning to go for a spiritual journey in Maharashtra? Want to visit all the sacred Ashtavinayak Temples or the powerful 5 Jyotirlinga shrines? If yes, then let me tell you – Pune is the best place to start your divine trip. Whether you are from Maharashtra or coming from other states, choosing Pune as your starting point will give you easy access, better travel convenience, and many nearby sightseeing options. Let us explain why.

Why Pune is Perfect Starting Point?

Pune city is not only culturally rich but also geographically well-placed. It is located in the heart of Maharashtra and is well-connected to highways, railways, and airports. From here, you can easily travel to all the major temple destinations, hill stations, and heritage spots in the state. Also, compared to other cities, Pune has better vehicle availability, clean roads, and peaceful routes for long journeys.

Ashtavinayak Tour From Pune – Complete Pilgrimage of Lord Ganesha

Ashtavinayak Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Lord Ganesha devotees. It covers 8 holy Ganapati temples in Maharashtra – all of which can be comfortably covered in 2 to 3 days by road from Pune.

The temples include:

1. Moreshwar (Morgaon)

2. Siddhatek

3. Ballaleshwar (Pali)

4. Varadvinayak (Mahad)

5. Chintamani (Theur)

6. Girijatmaj (Lenyadri)

7. Vighnahar (Ozar)

8. Mahaganapati (Ranjangaon)

All these temples form a spiritual circle, and starting the journey from Pune makes the route very convenient. Most travel agencies and devotees begin and end this Yatra in Pune.

5 Jyotirlinga Tour in Maharashtra – Sacred Shiva Temples

Another great reason to begin your journey from Pune is the famous 5 Jyotirlinga Tour of Maharashtra. These are:

1. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (located near Pune itself)

2. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Nashik)

3. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (near Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar)

4. Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga (Beed District)

5. Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga (Hingoli District)

Among them, Bhimashankar is very close to Pune – just around 110 km. Other temples are also accessible through good highway roads, and starting from Pune saves time and fuel for long journeys.

Popular Hill Stations Near Pune

Along with temples, travellers can also enjoy Maharashtra’s natural beauty and scenic landscapes. Pune is surrounded by famous hill stations like:

• Mahabaleshwar

• Lonavala

• Khandala

• Lavasa

• Panchgani

• Karjat

• Malshej Ghat

• Kamshet

• Panshet

These places are best for group outings, weekend getaways, and family picnics. During monsoon and winter seasons, these hill stations look absolutely divine, with lush greenery, waterfalls, and cool breeze.

Forts and Historical Spots Around Pune

History lovers and kids also enjoy the forts around Pune which tell the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maratha Empire. Some must-visit forts:

• Sinhagad Fort

• Shivneri Fort (Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj)

• Torna Fort

• Rajgad Fort

These places give both adventure and inspiration. A good mix of trekking, sightseeing, and learning.

Vehicle Options – Comfortable & Safe Travel

If you’re planning such a long journey with your family or friends, it’s always better to choose a comfortable vehicle. Tata Winger Minibus, Tempo Traveller, and Urbania vehicles are easily available for hire in Pune.

You can choose:

• Tata Winger 9 Seater best Minibus other Option (8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 20-seater options)

• Tempo Traveller 17 Seater  other Option (17, 20, 26, 32-seaters)

• Urbania 16 Seater other Option (10, 12, 15, 16-seaters)

• Luxury Bus 40 Seater other Option (32, 35, 45, 49, 50-seater AC coaches)

These vehicles are suitable for senior citizens, children, and large groups. All come with AC, pushback seats, spacious interiors, and well-trained drivers who know all temple and tourist routes.

Pune to Shirdi and Beyond – More Darshan, More Blessings

You can also visit:

• Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

• Shani Shingnapur

• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) for:

  • Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

  • Ellora & Ajanta Caves

  • Bibi Ka Maqbara

These places are easily reachable from Pune and can be covered in 3 to 4 days by road comfortably.

Final Words

Dear traveller, if you are thinking of going for spiritual, scenic, and historical tours in Maharashtra, don’t think twice. Just choose Pune as your starting point. Whether you want to do Ashtavinayak Yatra From Pune, 5 Jyotirlinga Tour, or explore nature and forts, Pune gives you all-in-one access with top-class travel facilities.

So, gather your family, friends or devotee group, and start your divine journey from Pune – where tradition meets travel, and every road leads to blessings.

🙏 Start your blessed journey today. Jai Ganesh. Har Har Mahadev!