Experience Maharashtra Temple & Caves

Arrive Mumbai by flight. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Mumbai for 02 nights. Mumbai (Bombay) is a fascinating crossroad of the east and west where the sophistication and technology of the first world is combined with the eastern ability to sell almost anything against a backdrop of color, scents and sounds. Besides being the major port of India this cosmopolitan city with eight million population is the fastest moving, most affluent and most industrialised city in India. It is commercial capital of India.

Morning half day sight seeing tour of Mumbai City. Afternoon excursion tour of Elephanta Caves. Morning city tour of Mumbai, visiting The Gateway of India, which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. The Prince of Wales Museum, built to commemorate King Georges V visit to India and opened in 1923 and The Jehangir Art Gallery, which displays paintings of modern Indian artists. Then drive past the Flora Fountain (Mumbai’s nerve centre), Colorful Crawford market and along Marine Drive. Finally visit the Dhobi Ghats, ghats means laundries and here you will see are row upon row of concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Here almost two hundred dhobis (washer men) and their families work together in what has always been a hereditary occupation. In the afternoon take an excursion to the Elephanta Island (closed to public on Monday) located 10 Km off the Mumbai harbor and approachable by motorboat. The Portuguese named them Elephanta Caves after the huge carved elephant, they found at the spot where they landed. Thought to have been carved between 450 and 750 AD, little is known of the artists and architects who created these magnificent temples and sculptures out of sheer rock with the most primitive of tools.

After an early breakfast depart by road to Nasik, a journey of about 05 hours. Visit Triambakeshwar Temple. After darshan proceed for Shirdi, a journey of about 02 hours. Overnight stay in Shirdi for 02 nights. Trimbakeshwar - one of the holy places of not only Maharashtra but the whole India is near Nashik. Trimbakeshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The following verse shall explain the importance of this sacred place and the next one gives names of the Twelve Jyotirlingas in India.  Shirdi is that mystical magical town near the holy city of Nasik, close to Mumbai. This hallowed town exudes such intense devotion, that even the casual visitor is bound to be charged with fervour. Shirdi was the abode of the saint Sai Baba, who lived here for eighty years - and died here over eighty years ago. It is said that Sai Baba himself calls his devotees to Shirdi and that his blessings can heal even the deepest wound. 

Day at leisure for darshan Shri Sai Baba Temple.

After an early breakfast depart by road to Aurangabad, a journey of about 08 hrs. Stop at Shanisignapur Temple and Ellora caves in between. Overnight stay in Aurangabad for 02 nights The village is famed for its temple dedicated to Shani - the planet Saturn. More remarkable however that is there are no locks on any of the doors in the village be it residential or commercial, including the bank. Local legends claim that the village is 'protected' and no thief can cross its borders without dying. Sceptics please note that the village has remained theft - free in recorded history. Shani-Shingnapur is a famous pilgrim centre near Nashik in Maharashtra, which is also known for its doorless mystery. The unique feature of Shani-Shingnapur is that there is neither any image of specific deity nor any particular idol, but there is a stone pillar, which is supposed to embody the image, which is worshipped with deep respect and reverence. After breakfast proceeds for half day tour of Ellora caves, is one of the most visited World heritage sites of India. Just 30 kilometers Northwest of Aurangabad, Ellora is easily accessible from the nearby major towns. 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. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. Aurangabad was an important seat of the Mughal Empire during the Mughal rule in India. The town holds a good number of Mughal architectural marvels making it an important historical destination of Maharashtra. The town is situated on the banks of the Kham River. The medieval monuments, cultural heritage and proximity to the famous world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora make Aurangabad an increasingly popular city for tourists to visit.

Morning full day excursions trip to Ajanta Caves. Excursion to Ajanta Caves, famous for its caves, Ajanta is one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognised 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

After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Aurangabad Airport for your flight to onward destination.