[arundeepbv]

For years, the dream of visiting Shirdi and Gangapura had been a cherished wish, one that my wife held close to her heart. Life's demands and busy schedules had often pushed this dream to the background, but last week, we finally embarked on a journey that had been a long time coming. This blog narrates our recent adventure, where the convergence of spirituality and wanderlust made for an unforgettable experience. Our journey was not just about visiting places but also about realizing dreams and creating lasting memories.

Day 1: Destination : Gulbarga via Mantralaya

Our adventure began at the crack of dawn as we departed from our home in Bangalore at 5 AM on a Sunday. The destination? Mantralaya. Our first pitstop was at a quaint restaurant called "Hotel 9" for breakfast. It was a new eatery, and while the food was decent, it was the anticipation of the journey ahead that added flavor to our meal.

Breakfast at Hotel 9

Leaving the comfort of NH44, the road narrowed into a single lane as we approached Gooty. Amidst this transition, the Gooty Fort, known as Ravadurg, captured our attention, perched atop a nearby hill.

About 10 kilometers from Gooty town, a simple blue board marked by ASI piqued our curiosity. It led us to the Ashokan edict site, a hidden gem. This tranquil spot, connected by a slightly worn concrete road, was a haven of serenity. Surrounded by lush trees and blooming flowers, the ambiance was simply superb. The Brahmi script inscriptions, believed to have been etched by King Ashoka during his tours after the Kalinga campaign, added a historical touch to our journey.

The ASI board on Ashoka Inscriptions


The inscriptions on the Stones


The Summary of The inscriptions

We spent about 30 minutes at the site and started towards Mantralaya via Adoni. I did see a deviation to Yemminganur saying it was 40 kms , I was tempted to take this road but decided to go through Adoni. I reached Mantralaya by 11:15, and the temple was surprisingly less crowded. We managed to have darshan within 30 minutes and spent some time exploring the temple premises and the serene river nearby.

Mantralaya Entrance


Mantralaya

By 12:45, we were back on the road, heading towards the Panchamuki Anjeneya temple, located about 20 kilometers away. To reach the temple , you need to cross Tungabadra river and take a right turn at right turn at Gillesuguru. The road from here is a small village road. Legend has it that Sri Raghavendra Swamy observed a 12-year-long penance at this site, and Anjaneya, or Hanuman, appeared in his Panchmukhi form. Here you can see Panchmukhi Hanumanta with Anjaneya, Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda and Varaha faces.

Not far from the main cave temple, on the northern side, lies the shrine of the grama devatha, Yarakalamma. It's customary to visit this temple while exploring the Panchamukhi temple, as pilgrims believe that the journey isn't complete without seeking blessings from Yarakalamma Devi.

The next destination was Ganagapura and I started from Panchamuki temple around 2 PM. I decided the take the Raichur-Yadagiri and Kalburgi route, This path led us along NH 167 until we reached Devasuguru, where we had to branch off into NH 150 just after crossing the Krishna river. The road is broken at several places which slowed us down. On the way we passed the RTPL at Yermarus. you can see the imposing cooling towers from quite a distance. RTPL has the distinction of being India's first 800MW super critical thermal power plant. The road condition is good once you are on NH 150. The roads are arrow straight, wide and less traffic. You can make up some good time on these roads. I crossed Yadagir around 4 PM and taught about visiting the Yadagir fort but decided not to. I reached Gulbarga at 6 PM and put up at Hotel Mastif. This is an nice hotel and is on the highway.


Day 2 Destination: Aurangabad

The plan for the day was to explore Gangapura and then make our way to Aurangabad by the end of the day.

We started our day by departing from Kalburgi at 8 AM, setting our sights on Gangapura. The route took us along NH150E, heading towards Afzalpur. The journey from Kalburgi involved taking a left turn at a place known as Chowdapur, followed by a 5-kilometer drive to reach Gangapura. There is an extra fee of 20 rupees per car for entering the town.

Arriving at Gangapura around 8:45 AM, we found a free parking lot conveniently located in front of the temple. Fortunately, the temple was relatively less crowded, allowing us to complete our darshan (worship) within just 10 minutes.

Dattatreya Temple

Gangapura is a significant kshetra, or place of pilgrimage, associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. According to the sacred text Shri GuruCharitra, he vowed to remain at Gangapura eternally. He followed a daily routine that involved bathing at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers in the morning, going through the village seeking alms at midday, and accepting pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple. Devotees believe that by partaking in rituals such as bathing at the confluence between 3:30 am to 4:30 am, reading the Shri GuruCharita book for seven days under the odumbara tree (Fig tree) at the confluence, begging from at least five houses for seven days in Gangapura, and offering Paduka Pooja at the temple, they can attain freedom from sins and have their wishes granted.

After our visit to the temple, we realized that it would have been more appropriate to first visit the Sangama (confluence) and then proceed to the temple. Nonetheless, we made our way to the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja, located approximately 3 kilometers from the Gangapura bus stand. Here, we lit a lamp at the odumbara tree and explored the temple at the Sangama.

Odumbara tree


Lamp With A Thousand Wicks

By 11 AM, it was time to bid farewell to Gangapura and continue our journey. Our destination for the day was Aurangabad, which lay more than 400 kilometers away. We rejoined NH 150E, passing through Afzalpur on our way. I was mindful of the fact that fuel prices were approximately 5 Rs higher in Maharashtra than in Karnataka, so I aimed to refuel after Afzalpur. However, I inadvertently found myself in Maharashtra before I could do so.

Our journey led us through the towns of Budhani, Akkalkot, and eventually, Solapur. The road between Afzalpur and Solapur was arduous, to say the least. From Solapur, we turned towards Beed, following NH 52. Our route passed through the towns of Tuljapur, Osmanabad, Beed, before finally bringing us to our day's destination, Aurangabad.It is a beautiful road with less traffic, We reached Aurangabad around 6:30 PM and found accommodation at Hotel Janaki.

On The Road To Aurangabad

Day 3: Destination: Ajanta, Shani Shingnapur, and Arrival in Shirdi

Our initial plan for the day was to explore the magnificent Ellora and Ajanta Caves and then stay the night in Aurangabad. However, we realized that Ajanta Caves were closed on Mondays and Ellora Caves on Tuesdays. This scheduling quirk posed a significant inconvenience, particularly for travelers coming from distant places like us. In light of this, we decided to alter our itinerary. We would visit Ajanta first and then make our way to Shirdi via Shani Shingnapur.


With our new plan in place, we set out from Aurangabad at approximately 8:30 AM. Ajanta was approximately 100 kilometers from Aurangabad. Our route took us on MSH-8 heading towards Ajanta. After crossing the Aurangabad bypass, we passed the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway. While the road was four lanes, it was marred by ongoing construction at various points, and major bridges were still incomplete. Heavy traffic and roadwork significantly reduced our speed. Despite these obstacles, we reached Ajanta around 10:45 AM. After parking our car, we took a bus to reach the Ajanta Caves.

Ajanta Caves Seen From Distance


Budda Statue in One of the Caves


The Painting On Ceiling Looks Like It is Rock Cut


The Famus Ajanta Painting


A Cave Dedicated to Meditation

Ajanta Caves represent one of the most remarkable achievements in ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture. These caves are a testament to India's rich artistic traditions and provide a rare glimpse into art, architecture, painting, and the socio-cultural, religious, and political history of the era.

Around 2 PM, we departed from Ajanta and headed towards Shani Shingnapur. We retraced our path on MSH-8 until we reached Aurangabad, and then we turned onto the Jalgaon bypass and connected to NH-52 until Dharmpur. At the Dharmpur intersection, we made a left turn onto NH 753 towards Ahmednagar, taking a bypass to avoid the bustling traffic of Aurangabad. We followed this route until Ghoedegon and took a right turn towards Shani Shingnapur. Covering a distance of approximately 80 kilometers from Aurangabad, the journey took around 90 minutes. Although the road was acceptable, it was frequently congested with heavy traffic.

At Shani Shingnapur, we paid an entrance fee of about 40 Rs and parked in the government parking area. After a brief darshan of the deity, we spent about an hour at the site before continuing towards Shirdi at 7 PM. Shirdi, approximately 70 kilometers away, took us another 90 minutes to reach. The road was under construction and had heavy traffic.

We finally reached Shirdi by 8:30 PM. Eager to seek the blessings of Baba, we decided to try our luck with darshan and were pleasantly surprised that it took only about 15 minutes. Following the darshan, we decided to stay for the 10 PM aarti. After the aarti, we enjoyed a hearty dinner and retired to our hotel for the night.

Day 4: Destination: Bijapur via Ellora

Day 4 of our journey began with a leisurely pace. After enjoying a satisfying breakfast, we decided to explore more of Shirdi's spiritual sites, including the Dwarkamai and Saibaba Chavdi. We also had the privilege of having another quick darshan of Baba, soaking in his divine presence once again.
Around 10 AM, we set our sights on Ellora, our next destination. Taking the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway, we quickly reached the Ellora exit. This expressway proved to be a delight for drivers, with smooth roads and minimal traffic allowing for swift travel. Following the Ellora Exit, we continued on NH52 until we reached Ellora itself. Before delving into the wonders of the Ellora caves, we first visited the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple. This sacred site held deep spiritual significance for us, and it was a fulfilling experience to offer our prayers here.

Ellora, a treasure trove of rock-cut architecture dating back to the Rashtrakuta dynasty, approximately 1,500 years ago, awaited our exploration. These caves, a testament to human creativity, were declared a World Heritage Site in 1983. Notably, Cave 16, known as the Kailasa temple, stood out as a monolithic rock-cut marvel, resembling a multi-storeyed temple complex. We eagerly explored all the caves, marveling at the intricate carvings and historical significance that surrounded us. By 3 PM, we were back on the road, heading towards our next destination.

Entrance to Ellora Caves



Ellora Caves


Mediation Hall


Waterfall Over The Caves


Pillar Inside The Kailasa Temple
This is on the New 20 Rupee Note


View Of Kailasa Temple

Our journey continued as we made our way to Bijapur, located almost 450 kilometers away. Rejoining NH52 towards Solapur, we passed through the towns of Beed, Osmanabad, and Tuljapur. Upon reaching Solapur, I made the decision to bypass the town and turned onto NH65, following it until the new bypass, which led us towards Bijapur. This route eventually rejoined NH52, and we arrived in Bijapur around 9:30 PM.
Our hotel was conveniently located near Golgumbaz, allowing us to easily explore the historical wonders of Bijapur the next day.

Day 5: Destination: Savadati and the Journey Back Home

On the fifth day of our journey, we began the day at a leisurely pace, taking our time to appreciate the sights around us. Our first stop was Golgumbaz, the most famous monument in Vijayapura (Bijapur). One of the unique attractions of this monument is the central chamber, where every sound echoes seven times. Additionally, the Gol Gumbaz features a Whispering Gallery, where even the faintest sounds can be clearly heard from a distance of 37 meters. It was a captivating experience, and we soaked in the historical and architectural significance of this remarkable structure. While we could have explored more of Bijapur, we decided to head towards our next destination, Savadati.


Golgumbaz

Continuing our journey, we made our way to Savadati, located approximately 180 kilometers from Bijapur. Staying on NH52 until Nargunda, we then turned right towards Savadati. The road was a dual carriageway and fairly straight, with minimal traffic. This allowed us to maintain a significant speed, making the journey comfortable. After Nargunda, the road became a single lane and traffic was almost nonexistent.
Savadati is renowned for the Saundatti Yellamma Temple, also known as the Savadatti Renuka Yellamma Temple. Situated atop Yellammagudda Hill, this ancient temple is dedicated to Goddess Yellamma or Renuka Yellamma Devi. Constructed in 1514 by Bommappa Nayaka, the temple holds great significance for the people of Karnataka and is a major pilgrimage center.

Upon reaching Savadati around 3 PM, we were greeted by a surprising sight - thousands of people had gathered. It was the Navaratri period, and a Yellamma Jatrey was in full swing. I spoke to several devotees who had patiently stood in line for 8-9 hours or more, waiting for the darshana (sight) of Goddess Yellamma. To expedite our visit, we opted for the VIP darshana and were able to have darshana within an hour.

Lampstand


Fairgrounds Around Temple



South Entrance Of Temple



FairGrounds


West Entrance Of Temple


Soaked In Colours

By 5 PM, we had completed our darshana and took some time to explore the fair and its vibrant atmosphere. Deciding to head back home, we began our journey towards Dharwad on State Highway 34. The road remained a single lane, and I reached Dharwad around 5:45 PM. Continuing on the Hubli-Dharwad Bypass road, we followed NH 48 towards Bangalore. As we progressed, the traffic increased significantly, with trucks occupying all lanes. The drive slowed down considerably after crossing Chitradurga, becoming somewhat challenging. Finally, after passing Tumkur, the journey became almost painful. We reached home around 1 AM.

In retrospect, our trip was a truly memorable one, filled with spiritual experiences, historical marvels, and the vibrant culture of the places we visited. It allowed us to fulfill long-held wishes and create lasting memories.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our journey as much as we enjoyed sharing it. May your own adventures be filled with joy and discovery.

[saurabh89]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing your experience. What Hotel did you book in Shirdi?

[arundeepbv]

Originally Posted by saurabh89

Hey!

Thank you for sharing your experience. What Hotel did you book in Shirdi?

I was in hotel Abigail , it's pretty near to the temple.