The morning of 22nd February 2025 began with a simple yet fulfilling breakfast. After breakfast, we set out for Pandharpur Temple, the sacred abode of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini. The temple’s rich history and vibrant devotion filled my heart with an indescribable sense of peace.

One of the most profound moments was the Tulsi Archana Puja. It was performed by chanting the sacred Shri Vishnu Sahasranam (1000 names of Lord Vishnu). A garland of Tulsi was offered to Lord Vitthal, along with fresh flowers, sweets, and coconut. This marked a divine connection with the deity. The highlight of this experience was touching the holy feet of Lord Vitthal. This is a privilege that very few temples offer today.

After this, we proceeded to the darshan of Goddess Rukmini, completing the divine experience at Pandharpur. The serene atmosphere was enchanting. Thousands of devotees chanted in unison, creating a mesmerising spiritual aura that words fail to capture.

At 12:30 PM, we resumed our journey with hearts full of devotion. We headed towards the next destination—Tuljapur, the sacred home of Goddess Tulja Bhavani.

After a two-hour drive, we reached Tuljapur at 2:30 PM. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas and is highly revered. It serves as the divine abode of Goddess Tulja Bhavani, who is the deity of power and protection.

Thanks to a special darshan queue, we completed it within an hour. This allowed us to witness the temple’s grandeur and feel its divine energy. The goddess’s idol, adorned in majestic attire, radiated strength and grace. We saw devotees deeply immersed in prayers. The rhythmic chants of the temple priests filled the air, creating an atmosphere of pure devotion and surrender.

With Mata Tulja Bhavani’s blessings, we moved towards Akkalkot. It is home to Swami Samarth, a revered saint known for his miraculous blessings and divine wisdom.

We reached Akkalkot at 5:30 PM, taking a brief lunch break en route. To avoid the hassle of parking, we opted for a local rickshaw ride, which made the exploration smoother.

Vat Vruksh Temple & Samadhi Mandir

Our first stop was the Vat Vruksh temple. It is believed that Swami Samarth meditated under the sacred Banyan tree here. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of tranquillity washed over me. The aura of Swami Samarth’s presence still lingers in this holy place. It fills devotees with a sense of comfort and assurance.

Next, we visited the Samadhi temple, Swami Samarth’s final resting place. Here, a small aarti was performed, making the experience deeply spiritual. We also visited the house where Swami once lived. It has been preserved with devotion, reflecting this great saint’s simple yet profound life.

A Sacred Morning at Rajarai Math

On the morning of 23rd February, we attended a special puja at Rajarai Math. An Abhishek (holy ritual) and aarti were performed there. A profoundly moving moment was when the pandit gifted us an idol of Swami Samarth. It was a rare blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Holding that divine idol, I felt an inexplicable sense of peace and gratitude.

With our hearts full of spiritual fulfillment, we departed from Akkalkot at 10 AM, beginning our journey back to Mumbai.

The road back to Mumbai was long but fulfilling. We took two breaks. One was for lunch and another for snacks. We reached home by 9 PM. This divine pilgrimage was brought to a full circle.

This 1000-km trip was more than just a journey—it was an inner transformation. Each temple, darshan, and sacred moment deepened my faith and strengthened my belief in divine presence.