Vacations are always great for the body, but they do not quite have the same effect a pilgrimage has on the soul. A pilgrimage to the right place can work wonders for your spirit, body and mind; and sometimes, a visit to a religious place is the best thing to do to get away from the hustle and bustle of a metro city.
Maharashtra houses some of the most important temples in Hinduism, so it comes as no surprise that there are many places of religious importance around Mumbai. Here, we shall take a look at three of the more famous, important temples around the sprawling city.
Trimbakeshwar
A small pilgrim town located around 180 km from Mumbai, Trimbakeshwar also houses one of the most important temples of Lord Shiva in the nation. Getting here is not difficult, especially with the availability of Mumbai to Trimbakeshwar cabs.
The town is famous for the Trimbakeshwar temple, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva spread across the nation. The River Godavari flows by majestically, and the town is also close to the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain range.
The temple itself was built in 1755 AD, by Sri Nana Saheb Peshwa with Lord Shiva as the presiding deity. Built in black stone in the Nagara style of architecture, it is a structure to behold. A crown studded with precious stones rests atop the Linga in the temple, and this crown is said to be from the age of the Pandavas. This crown is on display every evening, so make sure to give it a visit!
Shirdi
Another small town located slightly farther away from Mumbai at 260 km, Shirdi is also among the most visited pilgrimage spots in the world. The main attraction for devotees in this holy town is the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, who is among the most followed saints in India. The best way to get there would be via Mumbai to Shirdi cabs.
Sai Baba visited Shirdi when he was merely 16 years old, and stayed there until his death in 1918. It is the place where he attained his ‘Samadhi’, or final abode. The temple itself is not too large, but attracts over 50,000 pilgrims every day. It is also among the richest temples in the nation, in terms of donations received.
Nashik
A large town located in the Northwest region of Maharashtra, Nashik is around 180 km from the capital city. It holds an important place in Hinduism, since Lord Rama is said to have stayed there during his exile, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana.
The city itself has many famous temples, including Panchavati, Someshwar, Muktidham Temple and the Pandavleni Caves. Apart from its religious importance, Nashik also has many vineyards that dot the countryside, which has earned the city its nickname as the ‘Wine Capital of India’. The travel to and from from Nashik has been made extremely convenient with the abundance of Mumbai to Nashik cabs.
These three are only some of the many religious town that dot the state. Each provides a varied experience compared to others, so boredom will never be a problem. Pilgrimages can work wonders, so start planning your next trip!
