Nanded & Aurangabad Darshan Yatra

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Highlights & Route

This is a tour for families who want to combine two kinds of pilgrimage with some of India’s greatest art. Aurangabad, now officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is the gateway to Grishneshwar, the last of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and to the rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora, both World Heritage Sites. Nanded, a day’s drive east on the Godavari, is the seat of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh spent his final days in 1708, and one of the five Takhts of the Sikh faith. Between them lies Mahur, one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peeths of Maharashtra, where Renuka Mata is worshipped on a hilltop.

Three nights in Aurangabad give you a day each for Ajanta (about 100 km away) and for Ellora with Grishneshwar (30 km), plus the city’s Bibi ka Maqbara and the reclining Hanuman of Bhadra Maruti at Khuldabad. Three nights at Nanded allow an evening and a morning at Hazur Sahib, a day for the historic gurdwaras around the town, and a long day visit to Mahur. The yatra ends at Nanded, which has rail links to most of India and a small airport.

Pace is relaxed: the longest drive is Aurangabad to Nanded, about 260 km. Ajanta involves a fair amount of walking and some steps; everything else is easy. Because Ajanta closes on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays, we fix the order of the Aurangabad days to your arrival date. Price is on request as hotel rates and vehicle costs vary with season and group size.

Route

Aurangabad (3 nights) → Ajanta → Ellora & Grishneshwar → Nanded (3 nights) → Mahur → Nanded

Good to know before you book

Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays and Ellora Caves on Tuesdays; both open 9 am to 5 pm. We reorder the Aurangabad days so that you miss neither.
Ajanta is about 100 km from the city; private vehicles park at the T-junction and visitors transfer by the park’s shuttle bus to the caves, followed by a walk with steps.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga stands a few hundred metres from the Ellora caves; men remove shirts to enter the sanctum and leather items are left outside.
At Hazur Sahib and all gurdwaras the head must be covered, shoes and socks removed, and no alcohol or tobacco carried; langar is open to all.
Mahur is about 130 km from Nanded each way on a hilly road; the Renuka Devi temple is reached by steps or a short road to the top.
Pure vegetarian meals are easy throughout; the langar at Hazur Sahib is an experience in itself.

Yatra Highlights

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga with the Ellora caves and Kailasa temple
Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib at Nanded
Ajanta's painted caves and the Renuka Mata Shakti Peeth at Mahur

Day 1 :

Arrive Aurangabad, Bibi ka Maqbara and Bhadra Maruti

We meet you at your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time at Aurangabad airport or railway station. After check-in and rest we visit Bibi ka Maqbara, the marble tomb built by Aurangzeb's son in the style of the Taj (ticket on own cost), and then drive about 25 km to Khuldabad for darshan of Bhadra Maruti, one of the very few temples where Hanuman is shown reclining. Return for dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 2 :

Ajanta caves

A full-day excursion. We leave after an early breakfast for the roughly 100 km drive (two-and-a-half hours) to Ajanta. From the car park a shuttle bus takes you to the caves, cut into a horseshoe cliff above the Waghora river between the 2nd century BCE and the 6th century CE; the painted Buddhist caves, especially 1, 2, 16 and 17, are the finest surviving murals of ancient India. A guide (own cost) is strongly recommended. Lunch at the MTDC restaurant near the caves (own cost). Return to Aurangabad by evening. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 3 :

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and Ellora

We go early to Grishneshwar, about 30 km from the city, for darshan of the twelfth Jyotirlinga in its red-stone temple built by Ahilyabai Holkar; men enter the sanctum bare-chested. From there it is a few minutes to the Ellora caves, thirty-four Buddhist, Hindu and Jain excavations, dominated by Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, carved out of a single rock from the top down. We spend the day here with a lunch break (own cost), and on the way back pass through Khuldabad and Daulatabad fort (optional stop, exterior). Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 4 :

Aurangabad to Nanded, evening at Hazur Sahib

After breakfast and check-out we drive east through Jalna and Parbhani to Nanded, about 260 km and five to six hours with a lunch halt (own cost). Check in and rest. In the evening we go to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib for the evening diwan and the ceremony of Guru Gobind Singh's weapons, which are displayed each night; the gurdwara is lit beautifully after dark. Dinner at the hotel or langar.

Overnight: Nanded

Day 5 :

Gurdwaras of Nanded

A morning visit to Hazur Sahib again for the early Asa di Var. We then visit the historic gurdwaras associated with the Guru's stay: Nagina Ghat and Banda Ghat on the Godavari, Shikar Ghat, Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Mal Tekri Sahib and the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva Ji. Lunch at the langar if you wish, and the afternoon free to rest or shop near the Takht. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Nanded

Day 6 :

Mahur, Renuka Devi Shakti Peeth

An early start for the 130 km drive (about three hours) to Mahur on the Yavatmal border. The Renuka Mata temple, one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peeths of Maharashtra, stands on a hilltop reached by a road and a final flight of steps; the Goddess is worshipped as a large head. Nearby are the Dattatreya and Anasuya temples on neighbouring hills, which we include if time and energy permit. Lunch (own cost) at Mahur. Return to Nanded by evening. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Nanded

Day 7 :

Departure from Nanded

Breakfast and check-out. If your train or flight is later in the day, a final visit to Hazur Sahib or a stroll along the Godavari ghat is possible before we drop you at your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel) at Nanded railway station or airport.

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Aurangabad	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Aurangabad	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
3	Aurangabad	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
4	Nanded	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
5	Nanded	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
6	Nanded	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why is Hazur Sahib so important to Sikhs?

Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib marks the place on the Godavari where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, passed away in 1708 after declaring the Guru Granth Sahib his successor. It is one of the five Takhts (seats of authority) of Sikhism, with Akal Takht, Keshgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib and Patna Sahib.

Are Ajanta and Ellora closed on certain days?

Yes. Ajanta is closed every Monday and Ellora every Tuesday; both open from 9 am to 5 pm on other days. We arrange the Aurangabad days around your arrival so that both are covered.

Is Grishneshwar part of this yatra?

Yes. Grishneshwar, the twelfth Jyotirlinga, is a few hundred metres from the Ellora caves and is visited on the same day. Men remove their shirts to enter the sanctum, and sparsha darshan is usually allowed on ordinary days.

What is special about Mahur?

Mahur is one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peeths of Maharashtra, with Kolhapur, Tuljapur and Saptashrungi. Renuka Mata, mother of Parashurama, is worshipped here as a large head on a hilltop. It is about 130 km from Nanded and takes a full day to visit.

Why is the price on request?

Hotel rates in Aurangabad vary a lot with season, and Nanded hotels are hard to get on Sikh festival dates. Give us your dates and group size and we will send a firm quote within a day.

What should we know before visiting a gurdwara?

Cover your head (scarves are available at the entrance), remove shoes and socks, wash your feet at the trough, and do not carry alcohol or tobacco. Everyone is welcome regardless of faith, and the langar meal is free and eaten sitting on the floor together.

Is this yatra suitable for elderly yatris?

Mostly yes. Ajanta is the demanding day, with steps and a kilometre of walking; dolis are available for hire there. Ellora and the gurdwaras are on level ground, and Mahur has a manageable flight of steps. We can shorten the Ajanta visit to the main caves if required.

When can we attend prayers at Hazur Sahib on this yatra?

There are three chances. On Day 4 we reach Nanded in the evening and go to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib for the evening diwan, when Guru Gobind Singh’s weapons are shown to the sangat. On Day 5 we return early for the Asa di Var before visiting the historic gurdwaras around the town. On Day 7, if your train or flight leaves later in the day, there is time for one last visit. Langar is open to all on each visit.

Yatra package	Duration	Starts from	Price
Nanded & Aurangabad Darshan Yatra (this page)	7 days / 6 nights	Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)	Price on request
Panj Takht Sahib Darshan Yatra	4 days / 3 nights	Delhi	Price on request
Patna Sahib & Chandika Sthan Darshan Yatra	5 days / 4 nights	Patna	Price on request

Nanded & Aurangabad Darshan Yatra

Get the plan and price for your dates

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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