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As one of the fastest-growing states in India, Maharashtra is home to several metropolitan cities like Mumbai. However, the state offers numerous things like historical sites, wildlife sanctuaries, wineries, and much more to make a vacation memorable. Temples in Maharashtra are an integral part of it and hold years of history. They reflect the state’s religious beliefs and practices. It is nothing short of a learning and awakening to explore these shrines. A trip with your family to visit the famous temples in Maharashtra will be a memorable one.
10 Best Temples In Maharashtra
Featuring unique architectural styles, these temples in Maharashtra, one-of-a-kind, reflect the devotion of numerous devotees and should be visited for sure:
1. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Photo: Jainish rana / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is undoubtedly one of the most famous temples in Maharashtra. Situated 258 km away from Mumbai, the shrine is flocked by millions of devotees each year. People from all across the country come to seek blessings. Even with a simple architecture, this temple holds immense importance for devotees. This is where Sai Baba attained Samadhi. The temple exudes a different aura during the festival season, which is between October and November.
Location: Mauli Nagar, Shirdi, Maharashtra 423109
Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM
2. Trimbakeshwar Temple
Photo: Abhideo21 / Wikimedia Commons
Maharashtra has several Shiva temples, but the most popular of them is Trimbakeshwar. Located near Nashik, Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. This ancient Jyotirlinga was constructed in the 18th century and features stunning architecture. You can’t help but notice the intricate carvings and sculptures on the wall. The main highlight of the shrine is the three-headed Linga, which symbolises Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. During the annual Kumbh Mela in Nashik, the temple becomes extra crowded because of the pilgrims pouring in.
Location: Trimbak, Maharashtra 422212
Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
3. Siddhivinayak Temple
Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
As the biggest temple in Maharashtra, Siddhivinayak welcomes devotees with open arms. The main idol of Lord Ganesha is placed at the centre of the temple for everyone to see during darshan. As per records, the construction work started in 1801, and the temple was modified in 1993. In comparison to other temples, Siddhivinayak is quite well-maintained. Since the shrine remains open every day, you can arrange for a puja through their official site. The temple is only 2.5 km away from Dadar Railway Station, so reaching there is very easy.
Location: SK Bole Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028
Timings: 5:30 AM to 10 PM
4. Ganpatipule Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Ganpatipule is one of the oldest temples in Maharashtra, located in Ratnagiri. This temple belongs to Lord Ganesha and is over 400 years old. The speciality of this place is the self-incarnated idol that sits inside the shrine. There are several myths concerning both the idol and the shrine. You can dig deeper into these stories once you reach the temple. Since the temple is built near Ganpatipule Beach, it offers a serene atmosphere. After you are done with the rituals and poojas, you can explore the beach and spend some relaxing time there.
Location: Ganpatipule, Maharashtra 415615
Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
5. Shani Shingnapur Temple
Photo: Booradleyp1 / Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to Lord Shani, Shani Shingnapur Temple is a unique temple to visit. This shrine is located in Shingnapur in Ahmednagar where the main idol is placed under the open sky. It is because of this unique practice the shrine is famous among devotees. People in the village don’t lock their doors because they believe that Lord Shani is protecting them. The main idol is made of pure black stone, which represents his powerful and divine nature. To appease Lord Shani, devotees perform special rituals like offering him oil and lighting lamps. An auspicious time to visit the temple is during Shani Jayanti.
Location: Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra 414105
Timings: 24*7
6. Aundha Nagnath Temple
Photo: Rajesh rajewar / Wikimedia Commons
You cannot miss Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli among Maharashtra temples. It is believed that the temple was built by the Pandavas during their exile. Once you enter the temple, you will notice the self-manifested linga that is placed inside the main shrine. With intricate carvings on the walls, the entrance of the shrine is decorated beautifully, reflecting the skills of ancient artisans. The temple is particularly crowded during Shravan when special rituals and prayers are performed. Even festivals like Mahashivaratri attract thousands of devotees who come to participate in the vibrant celebrations.
Location: Nanded – Aundha Rd, Aundha Nagnath, Maharashtra 431705
Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
7. Bhimashankar Temple
Photo: Hpsatapathy / Wikimedia Commons
Bhimashankar Temple is nestled in Sahyadri Hills. Legends suggest that Lord Shiva assumed the avatar of Bhima in Sahyadri Hills to defeat the demon Tripurasura. This is the reason that the area surrounding the temple is named Bhimashankar. The best time to visit the jyotirlinga is during Mahashivratri, celebrated here with great pomp and joy. The location of the temple is such that it offers great trekking or hiking opportunities. This is particularly exciting for those who want to make their trip more adventurous. You can also go rock climbing or explore the jungles near the temple.
Location: Dimbhe Dam Colony, Via, Dist, Khed taluka, Maharashtra 410509
Timings: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
8. Mahabaleshwar Temple
Photo: Nimishaa001 / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a devotee of Lord Shiva, Mahabaleshwar Temple needs to be on your itinerary. Located in Satara District, this shrine is the home to Kalabhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva. Mahabaleshwar is regarded as one of the best temples in Maharashtra mainly because of its stunning architecture. As soon as you enter the temple premises, you will notice the pyramidal tower set up and intricate carvings on the interior walls. According to reports, the temple was built in the 16th century in hemadpanthi style.
Location: Old Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 412806
Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 PM
9. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Photo: Sharma.aditya1006 / Wikimedia Commons
If you search for popular temples in Maharashtra, you will likely see Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga at the top of the list. This shrine of Lord Shiva is believed to have been constructed in the 13th century during the Delhi Sultanate. However, there are no historical documents to support this information. For those unversed, this temple is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. The temple is located only 2 km from Ellora Caves, allowing you to visit both places in a single day.
Location: Ghrushneshwar, Ghrishneshwar Temple Rd, Ellora, Maharashtra 431102
Timings: 5:30 AM to 9 PM
10. Yamai Devi Temple
Photo: Yashodhansd / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Yamai Devi Temple is located in the village of Ambegaon. As the name suggests, the temple belongs to Goddess Yamai, a revered deity in local folklore. Due to the picturesque location of the shrine, it offers a serene environment to devotees. According to local traditions, goddess Yamai fulfils the wishes of her devotees, which is why the temple remains crowded throughout the year. The best time to experience the spiritual significance of the temple is during Navratri, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Location: Aundh, Maharashtra 415510
Timings: 8 AM to 9:30 PM
Exploring temples in Maharashtra and paying homage to various gods and goddesses is a unique experience. Whether solo or with family, visiting these temples can refresh your perspective on life. So, if you plan a trip to Maharashtra, make sure to include some of these shrines in your itinerary along with other places. You can make your travel experience even better by booking your journey with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
