SHORT TOUR OF MAHARASTRA

Duration :   07 Nights / 08 Days
Places Covered :  Mumbai – Bhimashankar - Pune – Aurangabad – Ajanta – Grineshwara -  Ellora – Shanishinganapur – Shirdi – Trimbakeshwar - Nashik - Mumbai

Day 01  :    Mumbai - Bhimashankar - Pune
Arrival at Mumbai Airport, immediately we proceed for Pune. Enroute Visit the Bhimashankar. It is the temple containing one of the five Jyotirlinga found in Maharashtra. Nana Fadnis, an eminent statesman of the Peshwa days, constructed the beautiful Shiva Temple at Bhimashankar. The wooden entrance of the temple is beautifully carved. On Mahashivratri day, over 20,000 devotees attend a special religious fair. Bhimashankar is endowed with beautiful scenery and an all-around vibrant atmosphere. Also visit Bombay Point, Gupta Bhimashankar: the origin of Bhima River, Hanuman Tank and Nagphani Point. After visit drive to Pune for overnight stay. O/N at PUNE

Day 02  :     Pune - Aurangabad (226 kms - 6 hours)
Morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Aurangabad. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free to visit the MINI TAJ - BIBI KA MAKBARA.enjoy the atmosphere of Aurangabad. Overnight at Aurangabad
  
Day 03   :    Aurangabad - Ajanta (105 kms - 1 ½ hours)
After breakfast excursion to the famous Ajanta caves. Ajanta is one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognized as the World Heritage Site today, it was discovered during the 19th century by a group of British officers who were on a tiger hunt. The Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the Sahyadri hills above the Waghora, depicts the story of Buddhism that prevailed here during 200 BC to 650 AD. Ajanta's wondrous cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which is a waterfall that drops over the mountain rim in a series of seven steps to a pool far below –deep inside the mountain are the Buddhist chaitya – vihara prayer and monastery caves. They cover a span of 800 years where under the royal patronage of ruling dynasties, professional artists helped Buddhist monks to create magnificent murals narrating the story of Buddha in his cycle of incarnations, while simultaneously creating a painted record of the panorama of life in ancient India. Etched and painted in mineral dyes, the paintings have a languorous stylized beauty and magical eloquence. After visiting Ajanta Caves drive back to Aurangabad. Return to Aurangabad for overnight.

Day 04    :     Aurangabad - Grishneshwara - Ellora
Morning after breakfast visit to Grishneshwara. It is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Shiva. It is located at a distance of 11 km from Daulatabad near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Daulatabad was once known as Devagiri. After visit take a sight seeing tour of Ellora, one of the highly visited World heritage sites of India. It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. A particular interest are the architectural marvel of the monolithic Kailasa Temple, the Buddhist Vishvakarma Chaitya and Vihara, the famous Jain cave number 32 famous for a magnificent Yakshi statue and ceiling paintings. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. After visit return to the Aurangabad for overnight stay.
Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed to public on all Monday and Ellora caves on Tuesday

Day 05   :    Aurangabad - Shanishinganapur - Shirdi (130 Kms - 3 hours)
Morning after an early breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Shirdi . Enroute Visit the Shanishinganapur. Visit the presiding deity of Shinganapur, Sri Shaneshwara or Shanidev- the personification of the planet Saturn is worshipped with utmost reverence and devotion by multitudes of people from all over the world. The spectacle of the deity in black stone is overwhelming. A unique aspect of this place is that no temple structure houses the Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone. After visit drive to Shirdi. Evening is free to move around the temple area and for shopping. Overnight at Shirdi.

Day 06   :     Shirdi - Nasik (95 Kms - 2 hours) – Trimbakeshwar (35kms – 1hrs.) - Nasik
Early morning take adarshan for KAKAD AARATI 0400 HRS. "The Temple of Sai Baba of Shirdi". Spend your morning at the sacred atmosphere of Temple the spiritual atmosphere.0900 hrs.drive to Nasik. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Then visit to Ramkund - This holy tank is 27 m by 12 m and was built in 1696 by Chitrarao Khatarkar. It is believed that Rama and Sita used to bathe in this tank during their exile. And Muktidham Temple - This famous temple is located near Nashik station, just 7 kms from the city. The Muktidham Temple is pure white, the colour signifying holiness and peace. White Makrana marble was used to build this temple, which has very unusual architecture. Unique to this temple are the 18 chapters of the Gita written on the walls. A visit to this temple by Hindus is considered as a visit to the 4 dhams or holy centers. . After Lunch drive to Trimbakeshwar. Visit famous Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is considered to be the main Jyotirlinga. After visit drive back to Nasik for overnight stay. Overnight at Nasik.

Day 07    :     Nasik - Mumbai (190 Kms - 5 hours)
Morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon is free at leisure. After relaxation you can take a visit to the Gateway of India, Marine drive also known as queens necklace in the night, Mahalaxmi Temple and for shopping visit to Cross Road, Phoenix Mill- Bombay Bazaar. Optionally you can have dinner at choice of city restaurants. Overnight at the hotel.
  
Day 08    :     Mumbai - Tour End
Today we checkout from hotel and proceed for Airport / Railway Station.

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