The Mystic Maharashtra (10 nights/11 days)

Route from the series "Sacred Geography of India"
Travel around the state of Maharashtra (India) with a visit to ancient temples, sacred places of pilgrimage, forts, waterfalls.

Tour programme:

Day 1 Goa
Arriving in Goa. Meeting at the airport, moving to the hotel, dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 2 Goa
After breakfast, a tour of Goa with a visit to the state’s main pilgrimage sites. On this day we will visit the temple of Shiva on the seafront in Chapore, the temple of Maruti in Mapus, the temple of Mangesh and the temple of Mahalas Narayani in Pond.
After lunch and a break for rest, we continue the tour with a tour of Old Goa and a walk through the narrow streets of the state capital – Panaji. Dinner and overnight at the Goa Hotel.

Day 3 – Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra)
Departure from Goa towards Ganapatipule at 04:00. The mountain road, the beach strip of Maharashtra will follow us on the left hand. Visiting the Shri Ganapati temple by the sea - the image of Ganesh inside the temple is not handmade or Swayambhu (self-manifested). Ganesha or Ganapati is a particularly revered image of India: it is his benevolence that helps remove obstacles, both on the physical and spiritual path. Ganesh’s influence also extends to the sphere of gaining knowledge, developing intellectual abilities and achieving wisdom. Traditionally, Ganesha is always honored first before any undertaking. Breakfast and bathing.
We continue the trip with a visit to the Sri Karneshwar temple in Sangameshwar. The temple was built during the great epic of India - "Mahabharata" and is an ancient place of worship to Lord Shiva. In Hinduism, Shiva is one of the central images of the divine triad, the creator is the preserver and destroyer, the protector of righteousness, the conqueror of demons, the giver of all goods, the healer and protector from death. Afterwards, we will visit the mystical cobra cave in Marleshwar, where Shiva is worshipped in his serpentine form – Naga. In India, it is believed that the king cobra is the only snake that understands the sacred spells. In the form of a snake, the main energy channel in the human body coincides with the base of the spine.
After lunch, we continue to the place of overnight stay in Mahabaleshwar, the popular mountain resort of Maharashtra, the highest point of Western Ghat (1372 above sea level). The mountainous regions of Mahabaleshvara give rise to one of the sacred rivers of India – Krishna, and in the surrounding jungle you can find almost any medicinal plant. Dinner and overnight in Mahabaleshwar.

Day 4 Mahabaleshwar - Nasik
After breakfast, head to Bhimashankar, the site of one of India’s 12 sacred Joytilingams, originally containing life-giving energy. It is believed that each zodiac sign corresponds to a specific Jyotiling, so a visit to 12 Jyotilingam is of great importance for all practitioners of Jyotish - Indian astrology. Joytilingam in Bhimashankar is ruled by the warlike planet Mars and its worship, according to ancient scriptures, promises a person liberation from the pursuit of ghosts, victory over enemies and prosperity. The forests and mountainous areas of Bhimashankar are also mentioned in sacred texts as resulting in a liberation from tamasic (rough) human qualities.
Visit the area and visit the temple. Lunch and leave for Nasik.
Nasik - an ancient city and a significant center of pilgrimage on the banks of the sacred river Godavari, along with Haridwar, Prayag and Ujjain, is one of the 4 venues of Kumbh Mela - a multimillion-dollar festival of saints of India, which is celebrated here every twelve years. Overnight and dinner at Nasik's hotel.

Day 5 Nasik - Trimbakeshwar - Nasik
Breakfast and departure to visit the city. On the territory of modern Nasik there are more than 200 temples, most of which are dedicated to the heroes of the epic “Ramayana”. We will also visit the area of Panchavati - according to legends, the place of exile of Prince Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman.

After a break for lunch and rest, a trip to the neighboring Trimbakeshwar. The Trimbakeshwar Temple houses another of the twelve sacred Joytilingams. Joytilingam in Trimbakeshwar symbolizes the entire divine triad - Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. A visit to the Joytilingam in Trimbakeshwar promises a person the fulfillment of all desires, helps to avoid unfair accusations, envious people and a bad reputation.

The crown decorating Joytilingam has been preserved since the reign of the Pandava dynasty and contains a whole ensemble of precious stones: rubies, diamonds and emeralds. Before the British invasion, the iconic 43-carat Idol Eye diamond was part of this crown.
Overnight and dinner at Nasik's hotel.

Day 6 Nasik by Shirdi Sai Baba
After breakfast, move to Shirdi - the place of life and death of Sri Sai Baba, the great Indian guru and saint, equally revered by followers of all religious movements of India. Some of his admirers believe he is an avatar. Sri Sai Baba left the body in 1918, but Shirdi, the place of his life and burial, remains one of the main pilgrimage destinations revered throughout India - the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi is visited daily by more than twenty thousand pilgrims.
Hotel accommodation, lunch. After the rest – go out to explore the city and visit Dhoop Aarti (evening service). Overnight and dinner at the Shirdy Hotel.

Day 7 Shirdi - Sakory

Visit Kakad Aarti (Morning Service) (05:00) After breakfast and a break for rest, a trip to Sakori - the place of life and death of one of the most famous and revered followers of Sri Sai Baba - Shri Upasani Maharaj.
Baba is a revolutionary, Sri Upasani Maharaj, despite serious resistance from society, was one of the first to teach girls mantras, Vedic rituals and ceremonies. Of all his students, he officially recognized only one, Sati Godavari Mataji, who operated the ashram after his departure. All ceremonies in the ashram are performed by Brahmin women, and the place is considered a strong center of concentration of female energy. Mahasamadi master and his devoted disciple is a must-see place for followers of Shakti cult.
Return to Shirdi for Dhoop Aarti (evening service). Overnight and dinner at the Shirdy Hotel.

Day 8 Shirdi - Mahabaleshwar
After breakfast, move to Shingnapur. The city is known for its Shani Guru (Planet Saturn) temple. According to tradition, Saturn is not only a planet of death and misfortune, but also a planet of retribution and justice. Saturn is responsible for the implementation of the karmic program and it is very difficult to correct its negative actions. Astrologers recommend visiting the holy places under the influence of Saturn as one of the most effective ways of correction.
It is believed that the temple in Shingnapur is a permanent abode of the deity of the planet Saturn, and his power here is especially strong. For this reason, none of the buildings in the village of about 3,000 people have any doors or locks - its inhabitants believe that no one dares to steal from the "habitation" of the god Shani, so as not to incur his wrath. This belief is confirmed in practice – the crime rate in Shingnapur is almost zero.
Visit the temple, lunch and transfer to the hotel of the mountain station - Mahabaleshwar. Overnight and dinner at the Mahabaleshwar Hotel.

Day 9 of Mahabaleshwar – Goa
After breakfast, leave for Kollapur. The city is located on the banks of the Panchganga River and since ancient times has been an important pilgrimage center for followers of the Shakti Tantric cult. The Mahalakshmi Temple in Kollapura is one of the 18 main places of worship of the feminine principle listed in the ancient Puranas. According to tradition, the Goddess Mahalakshi and her husband Vishnu constantly arrive at this place, blessing pilgrims.
After exploring the city and visiting the temple, lunch and departure back to Goa. Overnight and dinner at the Goa Hotel.

Day 10 Goa
Free time, overnight at a Goa hotel.

Day 11 Goa
Farewell to Goa and transfer to the airport