Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi

Getting there

• By air

  Pune International Airport is about 35 km away and is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Pune Junction is the closest railway station to Alandi.

• By road

  State transport buses, private taxis and cars run between Pune and Alandi.

Why devotees come here

Alandi, on the Indrayani River near the northern edge of Pune, is a pilgrimage town. Its temple complex is built around the samadhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar, the 13th-century Marathi saint. Varkari pilgrims come from across India to visit it.

Devotees believe that Sant Dnyaneshwar is still alive. One legend tells of Sant Changdev, who came to visit riding a tiger with a snake as a whip. Dnyaneshwar and his siblings went to meet him on a wall that moved. Pilgrims come to Alandi because of his resting place.

In 1296 he chose to be entombed while still alive, an act known as sanjeevan samadhi. It was made under the Siddheshwar temple complex. Around 1580 to 1600, Ambekar Deshpande built a temple over the samadhi. For two decades after that, the Shinde family were the main sponsors of renovations of the temple.

The complex includes the samadhi, the Shri Sidheshwar temple and the famed Ajanvriksha tree. The morning begins with Kakad Aarti, a prayer that welcomes the deity at dawn. Every year, the paduka of Dnyaneshwar make a 21-day journey from Alandi to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi.

Festivals

• October or NovemberKartik Ekadashi

  Another important festival at Alandi.

• June or JulyAshadhi Ekadashi

  Dnyaneshwar's paduka, or symbolic sandals, leave Alandi on a 21-day palkhi to Pandharpur.

Tips for your visit

• The Ekadashi of the dark half of each month attracts 60 to 70 thousand pilgrims to the town.
• October to February is the ideal season for a pilgrimage here, apart from festivals.
• Frequent state transport buses run between Pune and Alandi.

Questions people ask