This is a review of the famous Asthavinayak temples around Pune. I planned this tour in the month of June before the rains. I being a travel freak, I can't staiy in house doing nothing. I wanted to eagerly make a tour to these temples from a long time. My family (daughter and wife) were busy at that time and so I choose to go by myself on my bike, instead of the car.
On the first Sunday I visited the 1st temple of THEUR, which is the closest of the 8 temples. It is just 30 kms from Pune city on the Pune-Solapur Road after the Toll-naka. I started my journed at 8.30 a.m. from Pune (Bavdhan) and reached the Theur Temple at 9.00 a.m. after having a Wada-pav at the famous Joshi Wadewale. The Theur temple is small clean. As it is close to Pune, a lot of people come here often. The place is peaceful and serene and the surroundings are good. Ater taking the darshan I proceeded to the next destination on my list, which is SIDDHATEK temple which is about 80 kms from Theur but on the same road. You have to take a left turn after 8 kms fromChouphula crossway. It is about 20 kms from Choupulla. The road is not very good and the temple is set atoup a small hill. The temple is not so clean and there is no good eating spot except for the huts and tapris nearby the temple. There is no good restaurant at this spot and it is advisable to take your own food during the stay. It takes about 2 1/2 hours from Theur to go to the Siddhatek temple. After taking darshan at the temple, I left at 1.00 p.m. and rode to my next destination which is MORGAON temple. This temple is about 50-55 kms from the Siddhatek temple. For this you will have to come back to the Pune-Solapur road and ride towards Pune. When you reach Choupulla Phata turn left where you will get the indication for going to Morgaon which is about 30 kms from Choupulla. It takes around 2 hours rom Siddhatek to reach Morgaon. The temple is newly painted and looks in good condition. It also being close to pune city, has a lot of freuqent travellers. The temple is clean and peaceful. There are good eating spots over here and one can have a lunch here in the afternoon. From here one can get back to Pune city which is about 50 kms from here taking the Saswad-Hadapsar route which is a good road.
This is my first part of the review on the Asthavinayak temple circuit. I will try to post to the second part early as possible.
THE ROUTE : PUNE - THEUR - SIDDHATEK - MORGAON - PUNE.
TOTAL TIME TRAVELED : 7 - 9 HOURS BY BIKE.
