A stone’s throw away from Pune at a distance of 20 km, ‘Devachi Alandi’ makes for the perfect road trip. Whether you’re looking for a spot of serenity or merely a smooth Sunday drive, this spot is ideal. Essentially a pilgrim site Alandi is popular as Sant Dnyaneshwar’s birthplace. The start of the yearly Wari is a great time to visit; however, it remains a picturesque and tranquil attraction all year round.
Should you prefer public transport, an hour’s bus ride from Hadapsar shall transport you to the pictorial banks of River Indrayani. Our journey saw us arrive in Alandi bright and early, 9am one Saturday. The merry sight of locals clad in festive garb caught our eye as we strolled across the ghats.
Men folk sporting an immaculately starched dhoti and the signature white Gandhi topi dotted the streets; while women in vibrant Nauvaris offered their prayers at the ghats. The gushing waters of the river itself sure were a sight for sore eyes.
Major Attractions:
The Dnyaneshwar Samadhi is a stunning temple complex that is worth a visit.While the main entrance is the Mahadwar, there are three others including the Paan Darwaja or water door; the Hanuman Darwaja and the Ganapati Dwar.
Designed in the late 1400’s by Ambekar Deshpande the complex emits an unshakable vibe of serenity. The Haibatrao Baba Samadhi is another attraction in the same complex.
When in Alandi, the quintessential Maharashtrian thali is a must try. And yes, the crisp and spicy Mirchi pakoras and Adrak ( ginger ) Chai make a wonderful mid-morning snack.
Spice lovers could order the Jhunka Bhakari with a Mirchi Theccha and cooling, spiced buttermilk.
However, they do offer you a mean Misal-Pav should you want to treat your taste buds.
Up next was Muktai Nagar’s beautiful Dnyaneshwar Muktabai Temple dedicated to the late Saint’s sister who was the spiritual Guru of Yogi Chaangdev Maharaj. The cold stone walls of the temple interiors spoke the same peace, though the inner sanctum held fervent cries of ‘Dnyanoba Dnyanoba Mauli Tukaram’.
However, outside the shrine in the local markets is where the real beauty lies. Bear with the dusty old roads and you are led to a cheery cluster of stalls that offer anything from munchies to glass bangles and flowers for a puja. The fragrance of the gorgeous Champa flowers drew us to the garland vendors where we saw scores of magnificent flowers in a myriad of hues.
Ideal Time to Visit
Undoubtedly, Mahashivaratri. It is when the Dnyaneshwar Muktabai Temple hosts a local fair of massive proportions. A merry fest, the fair spans four days and is chock full of pretty stalls and visiting villagers.
Don’t forget to grab your camera, as you can click as well as taste delectable looking sweets like Balushahi, Modaks and Boondi Ladoos. Another prominent aroma pervading the air is the Turmeric and Sandalwood, as vendors peddle curious knick-knacks and incense to wide-eyed tourists.
As the hands of the clock inched to 5pm, we made our way to the bus stop and were soon homebound.
Albeit, reluctant travellers at the outset, our trip to this pilgrim site did turn out to be a great way to begin our weekend. We returned a tad tired, yet entirely elated with our lively daytrip.
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