Ashtavinayak or eight Ganesh temples are located in Maharashtra. They are around the city of Pune.

All these temples are self-incarnated or Swayambhu. And therefore, they have a tremendous divine power.

Since Ganpati or Bhagwan Ganesh is the most beloved deity in Maharashtra, the Ashtavinayak Yatra holds importance and significance. People from the state and all over the country visit every year to pay their respect and love to Bhagwan Ganesh. In turn, they also get a lot of blessings from Bhagwan Ganesh.

Though the trip is not very strenuous or difficult, it is important to do adequate planning before going there.

A well-planned and well-organized trip not only brings a lot of comfort, but also gives good memories that one would like to cherish forever. Here are some Tips for Ashtavinayak Darshan.

Best Time to Visit

Well, all these temples are located in very convenient, motorable places. Therefore, any time is a great time to go to Ashtavinayak.

This is the reason; the temples are always crowded. People from all over the country (and even from abroad) come to get the blessings of Bhagwan Ganesh.

However, it is better to avoid the extreme rainy season as the journey will take a little longer. But, the main festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which s celebrated for ten days falls in the month of August or September. Therefore, people make sure to visit these temples despite the rainy season and difficulties.

In the peak summer, one should avoid traveling in the daytime.

The winter season is pleasant as the temperature does not go below 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, one can have an enjoyable journey.

In short, one can visit Ashtavinayak temples without any worries from October to March. The rest of the months can be chosen as per individual preference.

Route and Transportation

Ashtavinayak darshan is a superb religious tour of eight sacred Ganesha temples. All these eight temples are sprinkled across the Pune, Ahmednagar, and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.

The tour has to be completed in a specific sequence.

The correct order starts from the first temple of Morgaon (Mayureshwar). Then it goes to Siddhatek (Siddhivinayak), Pali (Ballaleshwar), Mahad (Varadvinayak), Theur (Chintamani), Lenyadri (Girijatmaj), Ozar (Vighnahar), and finally at Ranjangaon (Mahaganapati).

Remember, you will have to go to Morgaon again as it signifies the completion of the Ashtavinayak Yatra.

One can travel by own or rented car. Alternatively, you can choose any of the Yatra Packages offered by various tour operators.

They may cover these temples in two or three days, depending on the plan.

Accommodation and Food

All the temples of Ashtavinayak are located near Pune. Hence, people prefer to go to four temples on the first day and they come back to Pune at night. They do not need accommodation. However, all these temples have hotels, lodges, and Bhakta Niwas facilities. They are moderately priced, and one can have a reasonably comfortable stay. Do not expect any star-rated, expensive hotels in these places.

As far as food is concerned, you can get various types of food in these temples. Like accommodation, one cannot expect very high-class food over there. But there are several small hotels and restaurants that serve good-quality, reasonably priced food.

One fantastic eating opportunity is available in some of the temples in the form of homely restaurants. They are local residents, who provide homemade food on demand. The only thing is one has to inform them in advance. This is pure and hygienic, homely food made in the kitchen. It not only tastes good but also brings divine feelings.

Darshan and Temple Etiquette

As mentioned before, these temples are always crowded. Therefore, one should plan the journey properly. One should always keep at least three hours of estimated time to have a darshan of Bhagwan Ganesh.

If there is no crowd or you are traveling on an odd day, then it is possible to complete the darshan in one hour. However, there is a proper arrangement to manage queues in almost all these temples. So, one should not be worried about the crowd.

It is a fundamental rule to follow decency in all these temples. Short or revealing clothes, torn jeans, and sleeveless dresses are not allowed in the temple. Also, one should maintain silence in the darshan queue.

People are always modest and welcoming. You should respect the local language and culture while moving on the roads. The good behavior of pilgrims is always liked by the local people and they also give respect and show hospitality.

Packing and Essentials

As mentioned earlier, the climate is moderate in most of the months, one doesn’t need much preparation.

  • One should carry caps, goggles, and sunscreen lotion if the trip is planned in the summer.
  • In the winter, moderately warm clothes are required.
  • Do not forget to bring rainwear if you are going in the Monsoon months, i.e., June to September.
  • It is always good to keep snacks. You may need them if there is no proper food available or if you reach there in odd hours.
  • You should keep adequate drinking water if you are traveling on a hot day.
  • Do not keep indecent clothes as they are not allowed.

Ashtavinayak darshan from Mumbai is one of the most favored pilgrimages in the state of Maharashtra. Devotees of Bhagwan Ganesh go to this set of eight temples near Pune every year to pay respect and receive the blessings of Bhagwan Ganesh.

These eight temples are located at a convenient distance from the prime city Pune. One can complete the pilgrimage in two or three days easily. Every day four temples are covered and you come back to Pune for a night halt.

The journey has to be completed in a set sequence. The starting point is Morgaon and you are supposed to come back to Morgaon again at the end.

This 654-km-long journey (in total) goes through various terrains like caves and mountains. It is indeed a remarkable, and indescribable experience that gives you everlasting memories.

The Ashtavinayak Darshan Yatra creates a bond with these temples and Bhagwan Ganesh.