Some trips are planned for months. This one was planned in less than 24 hours.
A day before the journey, Harshad and I decided to attempt something that many devotees prefer to spread over two days — completing the legendary 11 Maruti Darshan established by Shri. Samarth Ramdas Swami in a single day.
With a Scorpio-N ready for the road, a rough route on Google Maps, and faith as our fuel, we started from Pune at 6:15 AM and set out on a spiritual road trip across Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur districts.
Trip Highlights
- From: Pune
- Date: 29 May 2026
- Vehicle: Scorpio-N
- Travelers: Myself and Harshad
- Total Distance: 575.6 km
- Total Duration: 15 hr 41 min
- Departure: 6:15 AM
- Return: 9:57 PM
- Average Speed: 55 km/h
- Total Temples Covered: 11
The Perfect Start: Breakfast at Kailash Bhel
Every memorable road trip begins with a good breakfast, and ours was no different.
After crossing the Khed Shivapur toll naka early in the morning, we made our first halt at the famous Kailash Bhel. Before embarking on a 575 km spiritual journey, we wanted something simple, familiar, and satisfying.
The choice was obvious — the classic Maharashtrian road-trip combination of Pohe and Tea.
As we enjoyed our breakfast and finalized the route for the day, the excitement of the journey started to sink in. Less than 24 hours earlier, this trip was just an idea. Now we were on the road, heading towards the sacred 11 Maruti temples established by Samarth Ramdas Swami.
Looking back, that simple breakfast marked the true beginning of our pilgrimage.
1. मठातील प्रताप मारुती, उंब्रज. Mathatil Pratap Maruti, Umbraj
Darshan Time: 9:22 AM
The first temple of our journey welcomed us with a peaceful atmosphere and a sense of excitement for the day ahead. Standing before the powerful Maruti idol, we offered prayers seeking strength and a safe journey.
2. प्रताप मारुती, माजगाव. Pratap Maruti, Majgaon
Darshan Time: 09:50 AM
Located in a quiet village setting, Majgaon Maruti offers a simple yet deeply spiritual experience. The temple seems to be recently renovated.
3. वीर मारुती, चाफळ. Veer Maruti, Chaphal
Darshan Time: 10:03 AM
Veer Maruti symbolizes courage, valor, and unwavering devotion. The idol’s powerful presence immediately captures attention and inspires determination.
4. दास मारुती, चाफळ. Das Maruti, Chaphal
Darshan Time: 10:14 AM
Located close to Veer Maruti, Das Maruti represents humility and service. Together, these two temples beautifully showcase the balance between strength and surrender.
5. खडीचा मारुती, शिंगणवाडी. Khadicha Maruti, Shinganwadi
Darshan Time: 10:41 AM
Nestled amidst natural surroundings, this temple offers a serene atmosphere ideal for reflection. The peaceful setting makes it one of the most memorable stops of the pilgrimage.
6. Maharudra Maruti, Masur: An Unexpected Discovery
Visit Time: 11:19 AM
Masur turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of our journey—not because everything went according to plan, but because it didn’t.
Following our route, we reached what we believed to be the Maharudra Maruti temple and offered our prayers at a Hanuman temple in Masur. At the time, we were confident that we had covered the Maruti associated with the 11 Maruti circuit and continued our journey without a second thought.
It was only later, after returning home and revisiting our photos, route history, and temple locations, that I discovered something unexpected. We had actually visited Hanuman Mandir, Masur, which is located close to the historic Maharudra Maruti temple established by Samarth Ramdas Swami, but is not the same temple.
While some might consider this a mistake, I see it as part of the charm of road travel. Pilgrimages are not always about perfectly following a checklist; sometimes they are about the experiences, discoveries, and lessons encountered along the way.
The realization has given us a good reason to return to Masur in the future and complete the darshan at the original Maharudra Maruti temple. In a way, the journey is still unfinished—and perhaps that is exactly how some pilgrimages are meant to be.
7. प्रताप मारुती, शहापूर. Pratap Maruti, Shahapur.
Darshan Time: 11:43 AM
This temple marks another important milestone in the 11 Maruti circuit. The atmosphere here reflects devotion, discipline, and the teachings of Samarth Ramdas.
Lunch Break at Hotel Shivraj Dhaba, Karad
After completing the seventh Maruti Darshan, it was time to recharge.
We stopped at the famous Hotel Shivraj Dhaba in Karad. After a busy morning on the road, the food tasted even better. We had famous Akkha Masoor with Chapati. Topped it up with curd and settled it down with the Kulfi!
The break provided much-needed rest before continuing toward the Kolhapur side of the route.
8. प्रताप मारुती, मनपाडळे. Pratap Maruti, Manpadale
Darshan Time: 2:34 PM
After lunch, we resumed the journey and reached Manpadale. The temple’s calm surroundings offered a refreshing spiritual pause during the afternoon.
9. गोंडस मारुती, पारगाव. Gondas Maruti, Pargaon
Darshan Time: 3:13 PM
This temple stands as another important link in the chain of Maruti temples established by Samarth Ramdas Swami. Despite the growing fatigue from travel, our enthusiasm remained high.
A Refreshing Stop at Warna Nagar
After completing darshan at Pargaon Maruti, we continued our journey towards 32 Shirala Maruti. As the afternoon sun grew stronger and temperatures climbed, we crossed into the Kolhapur region and passed one of Maharashtra’s most recognizable dairy landmarks — the Warna Dudh Utpadak Prakriya Sangh Ltd.
For anyone who has travelled through this part of Maharashtra, Warna is more than just a dairy brand; it is a symbol of the cooperative movement that transformed rural Western Maharashtra.
Unable to resist the temptation, we made an impromptu stop and picked up chilled bottles of Warna flavoured milk. After hours of driving and darshan, the cold drink was the perfect remedy for the afternoon heat.
Refreshed and energized, we got back into the Scorpio-N and continued our journey towards the final stretch of the 11 Maruti Darshan circuit.
10. वीर मारुती, बत्तीस शिराळा. Veer Maruti, Battis Shirala
Darshan Time: 4:12 PM
One of the most well-known temples in the circuit, Battis Shirala Maruti has a grand presence and attracts devotees from across the region. Reaching here felt like entering the final stretch of the pilgrimage. There is Veergal (Hero-stone) as well in the temple surroundings.
11. बहे बोरगावचा मारुती. Bahe Borgaon Maruti
Darshan Time: 5:14 PM
The final temple of the day.
There is a kilometer long bridge stretch built on Krishna River that takes you to the temple area which is located on an island. You have to walk this stretch. Vehicles to be parked on other end of the bridge. The Krisha River is very scenic and cool breeze adds it to the solitude!
As we stood before the idol and offered our prayers, there was a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. What began as a spontaneous idea just a day earlier had turned into a memorable spiritual journey.
Completing all 11 Maruti Darshans in a single day felt deeply satisfying.
The 8,888 KM Milestone
Road trips often create memories beyond the destination.
As we were returning home after completing all 11 Maruti Darshans, our Scorpio-N’s odometer rolled over to 8,888 km. It felt like a fitting milestone on a day that had already become special in so many ways.
For automobile enthusiasts, moments like these become part of the story. For us, it was an unexpected souvenir from a journey that combined devotion, friendship, and adventure.
A Perfect End: Malai Tea at Khed Shivapur
No road trip in Maharashtra feels complete without a memorable tea stop.
On our way back to Pune, we stopped near the Khed Shivapur toll naka and enjoyed the famous Prasad Malai Tea. After a full day of driving, darshan, and countless memories, the rich and creamy tea was exactly what we needed.
Sometimes it’s these simple moments—a hot cup of tea, conversations about the day, and the satisfaction of a completed journey—that become the most cherished memories.
Final Thoughts
This pilgrimage was much more than a road trip.
It was a day filled with devotion, friendship, discipline, and discovery. Traveling across Western Maharashtra, visiting temples established by Samarth Ramdas Swami, meeting fellow devotees, and experiencing the rich spiritual heritage of the region made every kilometer worthwhile.
What makes this journey special is not just that 11 Maruti temples were completed in one day, but that it happened through a spontaneous decision, good company, and a shared sense of purpose.
If you are considering the 11 Maruti Darshan, I highly recommend it. Whether completed over one day or two, it is a journey that stays with you long after the road ends.
||श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम||
||जय जय रघुवीर समर्थ||
Post-trip note: After reviewing the route and temple locations, we discovered that the temple visited in Masur was Hanuman Mandir near Maharudra Maruti and not the original Maharudra Maruti temple itself. This gives us a perfect reason to revisit Masur and complete the darshan in the future. 🚩🙏
This blog post was reworded with the help of ChatGPT for clarity and structure. The experiences, thoughts, and emotions shared here are entirely my own.
Leave a Reply