Depart Kalyan in your CNG car and stop for breakfast at Shri Krishna Udipi, Thane - enjoy hot masala dosa and filter coffee to fuel the drive toward Gangapur.
Short halt at Gangapur Lake for a stretch and photos; take a brief walk along the promenade and admire local birdlife before continuing to Pandharpur.
Visit Vitthal-Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur upon arrival; join the morning aarati if timing permits and soak in the devotional atmosphere.
Explore the historical precincts around Pandharpur Temple complex - see the old matha buildings and chat with local priests about temple history.
Walk to Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi nearby for a quiet moment and brief reading of the saint's teachings; pick up prasadam offered at the samadhi.
Brunch at Sujata Restaurant near the temple - try local Maharashtrian thali with bhakri, varan-bhath and sol kadhi to recharge before afternoon travel.
Short drive to Bajabai Garden for a relaxed post-brunch walk amid shady trees and fountains; enjoy local vendors selling fresh sugarcane juice and snacks.
Visit Sant Tukaram Temple nearby to see the smaller shrine and learn about Tukaram's connection to the region from a temple pujari.
Lunch stop at Hotel Sant Krupa - order thali specialties and try the local kund (sweet) for dessert before resuming sightseeing.
Walk the pilgrimage lanes toward Chandramouleshwari Temple and explore the vibrant market stalls selling devotional items and handloom textiles.
Take a guided heritage stroll around the Pandharpur Temple complex outskirts focusing on old architecture and the annual palkhi procession stories.
Relax with evening refreshments at Cafe Kashi (or a local chai stall) and watch devotees gather on the temple steps as the light softens.
Attend the evening aarati at Vitthal-Rukmini Temple if you wish to experience the devotional music again and collect evening prasadam before retiring for the night.
Stroll through the market lanes near Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, picking up local sweets like puran poli and browsing stalls selling religious souvenirs and bead malas.
Dinner at Hotel Suraj, enjoying a warm plate of bharli vangi and bhakri while listening to soft local devotional songs that set a peaceful evening mood.
Attend a short bhajan session at Sant Dnyaneshwar Sabha, where local musicians perform abhangs; it's a chance to experience communal singing and temple culture up close.
Take a calm walk along the dimly lit lanes toward Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi for a quiet reflective moment before heading back to your hotel.
Return to your accommodation for a hot cup of masala chai or kaapi at Hotel Sant Krupa (or your chosen stay) and review photos from the day while planning tomorrow's early departure.
Depart Pandharpur after an early breakfast at Hotel Sant Krupa; enjoy a light plate of bhakri and varan-bhat as you drive toward Akkalkot in your CNG car, aiming to beat the heat and crowds.
Arrive at Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Temple complex; take part in the morning darshan and walk the shaded courtyard while listening to local caretakers recount the saint's life.
Visit the nearby Samadhi of Swami Samarth and spend time in quiet reflection, then join a short blessing ritual if available from the resident pujari.
Explore the bustling lanes around the temple where vendors sell akhanda and religious souvenirs; pick up a packet of fresh barley ladoos from a popular stall to snack on.
Drive toward Tuljapur with a brief stop for chai at Hotel Sai Sagar on the highway; use the break to stretch and check local fodder and CNG refill locations for the rest of the day.
Arrive at Tulja Bhavani Temple in Tuljapur and perform a mid-morning darshan; take time to view the inner sanctum and notable metalwork while following temple etiquettes.
Walk the temple precincts to see smaller shrines and the Shiva Temple nearby, then stop at Anna Seva for a simple prasadam meal and to observe local devotional practices before lunch.
After the Anna Seva prasadam, take a short rest and wander to the nearby Tuljapur Bazaar to browse stalls selling brass puja items and local sweets like tilgul, sampling small bites as you go.
Lunch at Hotel Tulja Bhavani Bhojanalay-order a hearty Maharashtrian thali with jhunka-bhakar and solkadhi, enjoying the cool shade before more temple visits.
Drive a short distance to the Tuljapur Fort viewpoint for panoramic views of the town and a photo stop; the gentle uphill walk rewards you with vantage points over the temple complex.
Return to the temple precincts and visit the smaller shrine of Bhairavnath, observing local rituals and talking with a pujari about festival customs in Tuljapur.
Head to Gurudatt Udyan nearby for a relaxed walk among landscaped paths and to cool down with fresh sugarcane juice from a vendor at the park entrance.
Begin the drive back toward Akkalkot, stopping en route at Hotel Sai Sagar or a highway chai stall for a quick cup of masala chai and to check CNG levels for the evening leg.
Arrive in Akkalkot and visit the quieter evening corners of the Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Temple compound; sit in the shaded courtyard and listen to ambient bells as locals prepare for evening rituals.
Attend the evening aarti or bhajan session at the temple complex if offered, then stroll through nearby lanes to buy handcrafted bead malas from a recommended stall near Swami Maharaj's Samadhi.
Dinner at Hotel Sai Plaza in Akkalkot-try local specialties such as spicy bharli bhendi and a comforting bowl of dal-chawal before settling in for the night.
Take a short drive to Shivaji Chowk in Akkalkot and enjoy an evening walk around the lit-up square; stop at a roadside stall for hot batata vada and chai while watching local life unwind.
Visit Hotel Swami Residency rooftop (or a nearby rooftop café) for a relaxed cup of filter coffee and a view of the temple lights; it's a good spot to sort photos and chat with fellow travelers.
Head to Priya Sweets & Fast Food for a light dessert - try the warm gulab jamun or milk peda - and pick up packaged snacks for the next day's drive.
Attend an informal bhajan circle if available near Swami Maharaj's Samadhi courtyard; join locals in singing abhangs or simply listen to the soothing devotional music under the night sky.
Return to your hotel - Hotel Sai Plaza or chosen stay - for a brief freshen-up, check vehicle CNG readiness for tomorrow, and set an early alarm for the Tuljapur departure.
Early departure from Tuljapur after a quick breakfast at Hotel Tulja Bhavani Bhojanalay; drive toward Aurangabad with a planned fuel/CNG stop en route to ensure a smooth highway run.
Stop for a roadside chai and snack break at Hotel Sai Sagar junction; stretch legs, check CNG pressure and enjoy fresh hot chai with crispy samosas before continuing the journey.
Arrive in Aurangabad and head straight to Bibi Ka Maqbara for morning light photography and a peaceful walk around the gardens while crowds are still light.
Visit the nearby Zaverchand Meghani Chowk area to sample local Maharashtrian snacks at Perfect Bakers & Fast Food and try a plate of misal pav or a fresh sugarcane juice to refuel.
Short drive to the Aurangabad Cidco area for a quick check-in (if staying) or luggage drop at Hotel Natraj, then prepare for the afternoon sightseeing itinerary around the city and nearby monuments.
Lunch at Chaitanya Lunch Home near CIDCO - enjoy a hearty Maharashtrian thali with dal, bhaji and rice or try their thali with a side of cooling solkadhi before heading out to sights.
Drive to Ellora Caves (approx. 30-40 min from CIDCO) and begin with a walk through the visitor area to collect maps and audio-guide options; take time to admire the intricate rock-cut architecture outside Cave 16 (Kailasa) before entering.
Explore the monumental Kailasa (Cave 16) - follow the recommended route to view relief panels and courtyards, and pause at vantage points for photos of the massive sculpted pillars and chariot reliefs.
Continue to nearby notable caves like Caves 10-12 to see Buddhist chaitya halls and intricate carvings; take a shaded rest on benches near the site kiosk while sipping bottled water.
Drive back toward Aurangabad city center and stop at Panchakki for a short visit - enjoy the cooled stone passage and learn about the ancient water mill while walking the small gardens around the monument.
Head to Sidhnath Bagh or a nearby café such as Cafe Universal for a late-afternoon chai or filter coffee and a light snack like a sandwich or bun maska while sorting photos and notes from the day.
Visit Aurangabad Caves (the hill caves) for a brief sunset stroll to view the sculpted panels and enjoy panoramic views across the city as the light softens; keep the stop short to avoid dusk on uneven paths.
Return toward Hotel Natraj / CIDCO area and stop at Siddharth Garden or Bibi Ka Maqbara viewpoint for evening photos and a relaxed walk as the monument is lit up at dusk.
Dinner at Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar or Hotel Sagar's rooftop restaurant - sample regional specialties like biryani or stuffed kebabs and finish with a warm dessert or kulfi before preparing for tomorrow's return or onward travel.
Quick visit to Zaverchand Meghani Chowk or a late stroll through Main Market (CIDCO) to pick up local snacks and packaged sweets such as lavang latika for the journey, then return to your hotel to pack and check CNG for the next leg.
Take a short drive to Bibi Ka Maqbara viewpoint to see the monument illuminated after dusk and enjoy a peaceful stroll through the gardens while capturing night photos of the façade.
Dinner at Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar (if still open) or Hotel Sagar's rooftop restaurant to savor local Mughlai and Maharashtrian flavors-order a small portion of biryani or kebabs and finish with kulfi.
Drop by Zaverchand Meghani Chowk for a late-evening walk through the lit market lanes and pick up packaged sweets like lavang latika or local bhakri snacks for the road.
Return to Hotel Natraj/your CIDCO lodging to freshen up, check CNG pressure and routes for the next day's return, and lay out luggage for an easy morning departure.
If you prefer a calmer end to the day, visit Hotel Natraj's lounge or a nearby 24-hour café for a final cup of filter coffee and a relaxed review of photos and notes from Ellora.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Shri Krishna Udipi (breakfast) | ₹150 |
| Gangapur Lake (promenade, birdwatching) | Free |
| Vitthal-Rukmini Temple (darshan, morning aarati) | Free |
| Pandharpur Temple complex (heritage precincts, guided stroll) | ₹100 |
| Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi (visit, prasadam) | Free |
| Sujata Restaurant (brunch - Maharashtrian thali) | ₹200 |
| Bajabai Garden (walk, vendors - sugarcane juice) | ₹50 |
| Sant Tukaram Temple (visit) | Free |
| Hotel Sant Krupa (lunch/thali) | ₹250 |
| Chandramouleshwari Temple (walk, market stalls) | Free |
| Guided heritage stroll (Pandharpur outskirts) | ₹200 |
| Cafe Kashi / local chai stall (evening refreshments) | ₹50 |
| Evening aarati at Vitthal-Rukmini Temple | Free |
| Market shopping (puran poli, souvenirs, bead malas) | ₹300 |
| Hotel Suraj (dinner) | ₹300 |
| Sant Dnyaneshwar Sabha (bhajan session) | Free |
| Shri Krishna Udipi (breakfast on day 2 if repeated) | ₹150 |
| Akkalkot Swami Maharaj Temple (darshan) | Free |
| Samadhi of Swami Samarth (visit, blessing) | Free |
| Local stalls in Akkalkot (barley ladoos, akhanda) | ₹50 |
| Hotel Sai Sagar (chai stop / CNG check) | ₹40 |
| Tulja Bhavani Temple (darshan, inner sanctum) | Free |
| Anna Seva prasadam (Tuljapur) | Free |
| Tuljapur Bazaar (shopping - brass puja items, tilgul) | ₹200 |
| Hotel Tulja Bhavani Bhojanalay (lunch/thali) | ₹250 |
| Tuljapur Fort viewpoint (photo stop) | Free |
| Bhairavnath shrine (visit) | Free |
| Gurudatt Udyan (park, sugarcane juice) | ₹40 |
| Hotel Sai Plaza (dinner) | ₹300 |
| Shivaji Chowk (evening walk, batata vada) | ₹60 |
| Hotel Swami Residency (rooftop coffee) | ₹80 |
| Priya Sweets & Fast Food (dessert - gulab jamun) | ₹60 |
| Tulja Bhavani Bhojanalay (breakfast day 3 if repeated) | ₹120 |
| Roadside chai/samosa break (Hotel Sai Sagar junction) | ₹40 |
| Bibi Ka Maqbara (entry & gardens) | ₹30 |
| Zaverchand Meghani Chowk / Perfect Bakers (snacks) | ₹100 |
| Hotel Natraj (luggage drop / check-in) | Free |
| Chaitanya Lunch Home (lunch/thali) | ₹250 |
| Ellora Caves (entrance fee + basic services) | ₹40 |
| Kailasa (Cave 16) guided audio/map (optional) | ₹100 |
| Other Ellora caves (Caves 10-12) visit | Free |
| Panchakki (visit) | Free |
| Sidhnath Bagh / Cafe Universal (chai / snack) | ₹80 |
| Aurangabad Caves (hill caves visit) | Free |
| Siddharth Garden / Bibi Ka Maqbara viewpoint (evening) | Free |
| Jaffer Bhai's Delhi Darbar or Hotel Sagar (dinner) | ₹350 |
| Zaverchand Meghani Chowk / Main Market (shopping - lavang latika) | ₹200 |
| Hotel Natraj / 24-hour café (final coffee) | ₹80 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹4,690 |