Visitor Information
Getting to Alandi
By Air
Nearest Airport is Pune (PNQ), which is just 16km away. The Mumbai International Airport is around 160km (3-4hrs) away.
By Train
Nearest major railway station is Pune, which is 20km away by road. There are frequent buses from the railway station to Alandi (takes approx. 90min to reach Alandi).
By Bus
Outstation Buses stop at:
- Nashik Phata (13km away)
- Wakad (20km)
- Swar Gate (25km)
- Pune Railway station (20km)
Local Cabs/Autos
Auto rides to Alandi may be exorbitant and certainly not recommended for newcomers to the city. One can book Ola or Uber cabs from anywhere in Pune to Alandi.
Local Transport
There are frequent buses from Pune Railway Station, Pune Municipal Corporation (also called Ma.Na.Pa i.e. Maha Nagar Palika), Nigdi & Wakad. Local transportation is safe and fairly comfortable. But services can be erratic at non-peak hours.
Tip: Use Google Maps for checking bus schedules (select 'Local Transport' option)
Places to Visit
Alandi has a long history but is now immortalized by the presence of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, fondly referred to as Mauli (This is the place where he was born, in 1275 and later attained Samadhi in 1296, when He was just 21years old).
Jeevant Samadhi is a Divine mechanism of retaining Spiritual subtle body along with the physical body of an Enlightened Guru who wants to remain active through His subtle body comprising of the purest form of energy (non dual) from a place of His choice for a predetermined period. Though any one can connect with the subtle body from anywhere, this place where physical body is kept carries tremendous importance.
1. Within the Samadhi Mandir
Shree Siddheshwar Mandir
Shri Siddheshwar is the village deity, and the consecration of this Shivalinga was performed by none other than Lord Indra. Lord Indra undertook penance here for 12 years. During that time, the demons had seized his wealth. However, through his penance at this place, he regained his wealth and became adorned with glory. Hence, this place came to be known as "Alankapuri." Since all of Indra's desires were fulfilled here, the Shivalinga came to be known as "Shri Siddheshwar".
Indrayani River
Lord Indra performed his penance near the river here, and thus, the river came to be named "Indrayani." This place is regarded as an eternal Shiva Peetha.
Ajanvriksha
This is the tree that grows right next to the Siddheshwar mandir. As the legend goes, during his time at Alandi, Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj carried a yogi's staff (dand) as a symbol of his ascetic and spiritual discipline. When he decided to enter Sanjeevan Samadhi, he is said to have planted his dand in the ground near the spot of his samadhi as a gesture of surrender and divine connection. Miraculously, the dand took root and grew into the Ajanvriksha, a sacred tree revered for its spiritual energy and significance.
Almost 300 years later, Sant Eknath Maharaj had a vision that the roots of the Ajanavriksha were choking Dnyana as he sat in Samadhi. After meditating on Shri Dnyaneshwar, he had a vision that there was a way from below the Nandi to access the samadhi. As Eknath Maharaj entered inside, he found the effulgent form of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj sitting in Samadhi.
Eknath Maharaj worshipped Dnyaneshwar Maharaj with folded hands and removed the root. At his behest, Eknath Maharaj reinvigorated the Bhavarth Deepika (Dnyaneshwari) and offered it to the masses.
2. Ram Mandir & Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Two beautiful and peaceful temples, located right behind the Samadhi mandir, near the banks of the Indrayani River (next to the Bank of Maharashtra ATM). Fantastic place for group meditation.
3. Dnyana's Wall (Bhinta)
This is one of the most famous mystical stories associated with Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. The story is about the meeting between Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Changdev Maharaj, a siddha yogi who was believed to have defied death 42 times to live for 1400 years.
When Changdev Maharaj learnt about Dnyana and his siblings, he decided to meet them. Riding a tiger, with a deadly cobra in his hands, Changdev approached Alandi with a huge group of followers.
Dnyaneshwar and his siblings were sitting on a wall when they saw the grand retinue. Deciding to break Changdev's pride, Dnyaneshwar tapped on the wall. Lo and behold! The wall rose in the air with the four siblings on it. Deciding to go forth and welcome Changdev, Dnyaneshwar tapped again and the wall flew in the direction of a now astonished Changdev.
This is the site of the original wall, which had carried the divine siblings. While the wall has been re-built several times, there are remains lying underneath the new structure. This is just 200metres from the shibir venue.
4. Mande Mandir - The Miracle of Baking Bread
The 'Mande' Mandir is a small temple next to the Maheshwari Bhakt Nivas. There is a very interesting story associated with it:
Once Nivrittinath expressed his desire to Muktabai to eat "Mande" which are required to be baked on a frying pan. When Muktabai couldn't get a pan due to Vosoba's mischief, she returned home sobbing. Dnyaneshwar consoled her and by the power of Yoga, kindled fire inside his stomach and told Muktabai to bake the "Mande" on his back which was as red hot as the frying pan.
5. Narsimha Saraswati Math
Shree Narasimha Saraswati Swami was a direct disciple of Akkalkot's Shree Swami Samarth. Swamiji spent his last 12 years in Alandi, and then attained Jeevant Samadhi here. A must visit place, with its serene ambience. The math is around 100m west of the Samadhi mandir.
6. Shree Gajanan Maharaj Temple
Located around 1.5km south of the Dnyaneshwar Samadhi Complex, on the Alandi-Dehu road. Managed by the Shegaon trust, it has a beautiful multi-storeyed architecture, with the Garbha gruha at the top floor, offering expansive views of Mauli's samadhi mandir and the surrounding areas. There is an excellent meditation hall right below the Garbha griha.
Tip: It has a flight of stairs, almost 3 storeyed high. The temple offers free mahaprasad from 9/10 am to 7pm (check exact timings). Coupons are distributed at the top.
7. Sant Jalaram Temple
Built in the 1960s with the same architectural design as the one in Virpur, Gujarat. There is also a temple of Santoshi Mata in the same complex. The temple offers free satvik mahaprasad for devotees. Collect the coupons at the office at the entrance.
8. Siddhabet
A garden/complex roughly 1km from the samadhi mandir where Dnyaneshwar Maharaj spent his childhood. It offers beautiful views of the river and is best visited early morning.
Places Around Alandi
Dehu (16km)
Sant Tukaram Maharaj's Bhoomi. This is where he was born, spent all his life, and eventually attained samadhi through Vaikuntha-gaman (transcending the physical form completely).
The Gatha Mandir
A beautiful temple built in honour of Tukaram's Gatha, his spiritual masterpiece. The abhangs are scripted on the marble walls, offering excellent spaces for peaceful meditation.
Tip: Walk down towards the river to find a small temple offering excellent views. This is where Tukaram Maharaj's manuscripts miraculously reappeared after being immersed.
Bhandara Dongar
About 25km from Alandi, this forest is where Tukaram Maharaj spent time in meditation. Best visited early mornings for its serene environment and natural views.
Pune
Notable Samadhi Mandirs in Pune:
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Sadguru Shree Jangli Maharaj Samadhi Mandir
Located in the heart of the city, near Pune Railway station. Best visited outside peak traffic hours.
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Sadguru Shree Shankar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir
Located in Dhankawdi on Pune-Satara Road, near Swargate bus stand. Site of a 2019 Himalayan Dhyan Shibir.