Group meets at Mumbai Airport (arrivals/terminal as planned). Load luggage into private coach and depart for Shirdi; morning departure avoids Mumbai rush.
Popular and reliable group-friendly restaurant in Shirdi offering Maharashtrian and North-Indian vegetarian options; convenient before temple check-in. Good for large groups and quick service.
Darshan at the main Sai Baba temple complex — famous for regular aartis (confirm aarti schedule). Temple complex normally runs long hours; expect queues and allot at least 60–90 minutes for standard darshan.
Short drive (≈1–1.5h depending on route) to Shani Shingnapur village to visit the open-air shrine of Shani Dev. Plan for an early-evening visit to catch the temple before later closing hours.
Iconic open-door temple of Shani where devotees offer oil and prayers; unique village setting and quick darshan possible in evenings. Temple generally open in day and evening but verify local closing time (often around 8–9pm).
Early breakfast at the hotel; request packed breakfasts if the group departs before full kitchen service. Important to fuel up for the day of sightseeing.
Visit Grishneshwar temple (the Jyotirlinga next to Ellora). A compact temple complex; plan 45–60 minutes for darshan and circumambulation. Check the temple’s daily opening hours (typically early morning and evening sessions).
Group lunch at a clean, reliable restaurant near Ellora (many hotels/restaurant options near the site); pre-book for fast service so the group can visit caves in the afternoon.
Explore the 34 rock-cut monasteries and temples (including the monumental Kailasa temple). The site is open typically ~9:00am–5:30pm; plan 2–3 hours to cover the key caves with a local guide for context.
Long transit across Maharashtra (approx 5–6h depending on stops and traffic). This positions the group close to Bhimashankar for an early-morning visit the next day.
Visit Aga Khan Palace (open ~9:00am–5:30pm) for a short historical stop, or use this time for shopping / rest at the hotel before the early next-day start.
Depart very early for Bhimashankar to beat heat and traffic; mountain roads may be slow so start early. Drive time ~3–4h depending on exact starting point in Pune.
Visit the Bhimashankar temple set in the Sahyadris — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, set in a scenic forested area. Allow time for darshan and a short walk; temple usually opens early (verify daily schedule).
Long transit north toward Nashik/Trimbakeshwar region (approx 4–5h). This positions the group for an evening/next-day darshan at Trimbakeshwar if schedule tight.
Trimbakeshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, located near Nashik; check temple timings (commonly early morning to late evening) and local queue rules. If it’s late, plan for early-morning darshan next day.
If time allows, a brief visit to nearby religious sites in Nashik (Panchavati area) before departing for Mumbai. Keep this optional depending on group energy and traffic forecasts.
Return drive to Mumbai (approx 3.5–5h depending on traffic). Aim to arrive Mumbai in late afternoon — this fits the 'back by 15/16 Dec' window. Drop-off at Mumbai Airport or central Mumbai per your plan.
Arrive back in Mumbai; group completes the pilgrimage. If you prefer to arrive on Dec 16, the itinerary can shift one day slower (overnight in Nashik or Pune) — advise during booking.