Alandi

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Alandi Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: June-July, mid October-mid November Read More

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Also Refered As:

Devachi Alandi

"Devachi Alandi, 'God's place'"

Alandi Tourism

Alandi is one of the Municipal Councils of Pune district located at around 577 meters above sea level on the Indrayani riverbank and is known as "god's place" to the pilgrims for the number of temples. The quaint town 20.9 km away from Pune is famous for its spiritual and religious importance.

Alandi is home to the resting place of the poet and Saint Dayaneshwar, and has several temples as well. Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Ram Temple and Vitthal Rakhumani temple are among a few.  The Indrayani River is the only major river passing through Alandi. Among the popular festivals in Alandi, the Pandharpur vari and Jartik festival is note worthy which are held in June -July and October to November. 

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Places to Visit in Alandi

History buffs can visit the Memorial of Sambhaji Raje Bhonsle which is located around 6 kilometres from Alandi and Dehu, where Sant Tukaram spent his childhood and adulthood.

Visit the archaeologically preserved Chaangdev Bhinta to watch the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, come during Ramnavami to experience the vibrant festival dedicated to Lord Rama at the Ram Mandir, pay respect to Muktabai (youngest sister of Dnyaneshwara) at the Muktabai Temple and Sant Jalaram Temple to marvel at the majestic architecture as well as to pay respect to Saint Jalaram and Santoshi Mata.

The 150 kilometres journey for 21 days from Alandi to Pandharpur carrying the "Padukas" in Palki during Ashadhi Ekadashi is symbolic, and you should also visit the other temples in and around Alandi namely Vitthala-Rakhumai Temple, Narsimha Saraswati Math and Shree Gajanan Maharaj Temple during your trip once you have explored the Sambhaji Maharaj Samadhi and Dehu from where Tukaram took off on an eagle towards Vaikuntha.

History of Alandi

It was during the thirteenth century (1296) when the Marathi translator of the Bhagwad Gita and a renowned sant Dnyaneshwar entombed himself in the sanjeevan samadhi under the complex of the then existing Siddheshwar Temple. Within 1580 to 1600, Ambedkar Deshpande had built the Dnyaneshwar Temple over the shrine, and various Maratha nobles and Peshwas added different features to the temple until 1778; afterwards, the Shinde rulers carried out renovations in the temple. Indrayani River plays a significant role in the spiritual-cultural lifestyle of the people as the Laxmi-Narayan Mandir, Ram Mandir and Dnyaneshwar Temple are built near the banks and pilgrims arrive to attend the fairs, kirtans and processions on Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartika Ekadashi.

Significance of Dnyaneshwar and his Samadhi

Born in the village named Aapegaon from Maharashtra, Dnyaneshwar had lost his parents at a very early age, and he started to travel throughout the state to gain knowledge during which he gained a number of followers who called him Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Facing the Indrayani River, the temple offers a peaceful ambience, especially around the ghats built around the compound where spending an evening watching the sunset is something anyone would love.

The holy prayers are chanted throughout the day and kirtans are often held to express reverence. The Samadhi Mandir is situated at the entrance point of Alandi near the bridge, and it is said that in its holy cave, Dnyaneshwar spent his Samadhi days and preached about Panduranga while establishing prayer rituals to him. You can visit during 6 AM to 12:30 PM, from 1 PM to 3 PM and 3:15 PM to 11 PM.

The Dnyaneshwar Samadhi Complex on the east side of the Dnyaneshwari Temple consists of the Samadhi, the holy Ajanvriksha tree and Shri Siddheshwar temple. Devotees, especially the Marathi Hindu people from Varkari sect believe that Sant Dnyaneshwar is still alive and during the dark half of every month, around sixty-seventy thousand devotees arrive in Alandi to pay offerings to the Sant.

Festivals and Pilgrim Service

Along the Indrayani riverbanks, Dehu is notable for being the birthplace of Sant Tukaram. Since the seventeenth century, Tukaram has been revered for his preaching about Lord Vitthal and lots of followers including Dnyaneshwar. Dehu is located 31 kilometers from Alandi, and has a huge tourist influx for the Palkhi festival during Ashadh month, the months of June-July in Gregorian calendar.

The Palkhi tradition was started in 1820’s by Courtier Haibatraobuva Arphalkar of the Scindia in Gwalior where the sandals or ‘padukas’ are carried to Pandharpur from Alandi, covering a distance of about 150 kilometers during the yearly Wari or ‘Pandharpur Vari’ for 21 days.

The yearly Kartik Festival on the 11th day of the dark fortnight in Kartik (October-November) according to Shalivana Shaka calendar marks the day when Dnyaneshwar entered his Samadhi and during this festival, a yatra or spiritual journey is followed by pilgrims in vibrant clothes holding decorated paraphernalia of Dnyaneshwar. The temple authority of Jalaram Temple offers rooms and food and there are a number of Dharmshalas where communities like Maheshwari and Padmashali offer lodging.

Best Time to Visit Alandi

How to Reach Alandi

How to Reach Overview

Pune is the closest city to Alandi, around 20km away. It hosts the closest airport and railway station to Alandi. Pune to Alandi by road takes about 1 hour. There are buses from Pune to Alandi that are available. You can also hire a taxi for Alandi from Pune.

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Alandi

FAQs on Alandi

What is not so good about Alandi?

Lots of temples and memorials might seem monotonous and the Indrayani River is very polluted due to sewage disposal.

What is the best time to visit Alandi?

June - July (monsoon season) during the month of "Ashadh" is the best time to visit Alandi if you're here for a pilgrimage. During this time, pilgrims carry the palanquin or "paalki" to Pandharpur from Alandi. However, if you are more interested in experiencing the vibrant culture of Alandi, visit during "Kartik" the month of October through November to attend the Kartika Vadya Ekadashi. The temperature goes as low as 11-12 degree in winter months of December to February while during the summer months from April to July, the temperature remains between 28-38 degree celcius.
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What is the best way to reach Alandi?

Pune is the closest city to Alandi, around 20km away. It hosts the closest airport and railway station to Alandi. Pune to Alandi by road takes about 1 hour. There are buses from Pune to Alandi that are available. You can also hire a taxi for Alandi from Pune.
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What are the places near Alandi?

The top places near to Alandi are Lonavala which is 51 km from Alandi, Kamshet which is located 37 km from Alandi, Pune which is located 17 km from Alandi, Matheran which is located 73 km from Alandi, Mahabaleshwar which is located 87 km from Alandi

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