Mumbai Shirdi with Aurangabad 05N / 06D

A 6 day/5 night circuit covering Maharashtra’s devotion and heritage: start in Mumbai with the city’s temples and skyline, head to Shirdi for Sai Baba darshan, visit Shani Shingnapur’s famous open-air Shani temple, explore Aurangabad’s Ajanta-Ellora caves and heritage, stop at Nashik for Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and Godavari ghats, then loop back to Mumbai.  Devotion + history + a bit of wine country, all in one trip. Want a day-wise breakdown?

• Day 01 : Chandigarh / Mumbai (By Flight 6E 264 1210/1445 Hrs) – Drive to Shirdi (260Kms, 5 Hrs drive)

  Scheduled arrive Mumbai International Airport; meet our representative and drive to Shirdi. Afternoon on arrival check in hotel. After fresh up visit Mahasamadhi temple of Sri Sai Baba. Abode of one of Maharashtra's most revered saint - Sai Baba of Shirdi. Popularly known as the 'Child of God', Sai Baba preached tolerance towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood. Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba.
  Take your Dinner in the hotel and stay overnight in Hotel.

• Day 02 : Shirdi - Shani Signapur (70Kms one way) – Shirdi (B,D)

  Take breakfast in the hotel and visit Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near the mosque, in a corridor is the dhuni or eternal flame that burns day and night. Other places of importance are the Gurusthan, the Kandoba Temple, Shani Mandir, Narsimha Mandir, Changdev Maharaj Samadhi and the Sakori.
  
  In the afternoon excursion of Shani Signapur located 70kms far from Shirdi. The presiding deity of Shinganapur, Sri Shaneshwara or Lord Shanidev- the personification of the planet Saturn is worshipped with utmost reverence and devotion by multitudes of people from all over the world. The spectacle of the deity in black stone is overwhelming. A unique aspect of this place is, that no temple structure houses the Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone.
  
  Unlike other pilgrimage centers, devotees here can perform Puja or Abhishek or other religious rituals themselves. One of the unique aspects of the village Shinganapur is that houses here have no door- frames or locks on them for safety. They are in fact not needed. The people here believe that it is the benediction of the god that no crime ever occurs in this village. Back to hotel.
  Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

• Day 03 : Shirdi - Aurangabad (185Kms, 4.5/5 Hrs drive) Ellora Caves (B,D)

  Take early morning breakfast in the hotel and check out to depart for Aurangabad. Enroute visit Ghrineshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The word Ghrineshwar means "lord of compassion". The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition ofHinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlingas (linga of light).
  
  Later in the afternoon proceed to Ellora Caves (Closed on Tuesday). Impressive in their own right are the rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora that lays just 30 kms away from Aurangabad City and are the meeting point of the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. In all, there are 34 elaborate cave temples. In the evening back to Hotel.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 04 : Aurangabad City Tour/ Nashik (B,D)

  Post breakfast in the hotel proceed for sightseeing tour of Aurangabad. The Pani Chakki is a late 17th century water mill that displays the engineering skills of Malik Ambar, the architect of Aurangabad City. It is surrounded by a picturesque garden-landscape dotted with fish tanks. The Bibi-ka-maqbara was built by Aurangzeb’s son as a tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia-ud-Durani. It is a replica of the Taj Mahal, and stands out as the only example of Mughal architecture on the Deccan Plateau. Also visit the Aurangabad Caves No. 7 & 8, caves from the Mahayana school of Buddhism and Daulatabad Fort, a labyrinthine structure that was once covered in Persian tiles. In the afternoon depart for Nashik. In the evening arrive and check into hotel.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 05 : – Mumbai (180Kms, 4 Hrs drive) (B,D)

  After breakfast at hotel proceed for sightseeing of Nashik which is located in the northwest of financial capital city of Mumbai. It is one of the holiest Hindu cities. Kumbhmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. Visit the Temples including Trimbakeshwar Temple (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas), Kalaram Temple, Sita Caves, the Godavri River, Naroshankar Temple, and the Sundernarayan Temple etc. In the afternoon depart for Mumbai. In the evening arrive and check into hotel.
  Overnight stay in Hotel.

• Day 06 : Mumbai - sightseeing / Airport Departure (Chandigarhby FlightG8 2506 1705/1925 Hrs)

  This morning take breakfast in the hotel and later explore the mesmerizing and the most populous city of India. It is also called the financial capital of India where the multinational companies flourishing in a big way. The city is established on what was once an archipelago of Seven Islands. Over the years, it saw many changes and became the very popular business hub all around the world.
  
  Start your city tour and visit Gateway of India – one of the most famous landmarks built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Prince of Wales Museum – close of the Gateway of India has a priceless collection of Art, sculpture, painting & traditional utensils followed by Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali Mosque and Choupatty Beach etc.
  
  Later in the afternoon until transfer to Mumbai International Airport to board the flight for your home Town.
  Tour ends with happy memories.