Alandi - Dehu
Alandi and Dehu are twin pilgrimage towns situated on the banks of the Indrayani River in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Located just 15 km apart from each other, they are the foundational pillars of the Warkari (Vithoba) Bhakti movement.
Together, they serve as the starting point for the annual Pandharpur Wari procession, where millions of devotees carry the sacred Palkhis (palanquins) containing the symbolic sandals of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram to Pandharpur.
1. Alandi
Alandi is renowned as the place where the 13th-century saint-philosopher Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj attained Sanjeevan Samadhi (entry into state of samadhi while alive) at the age of 21. He is celebrated for translating the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi as Dnyaneshwari, making spiritual texts accessible to common people.
Dnyaneshwar Samadhi Mandir: The central temple complex built over the Sanjeevan Samadhi spot. Located near the Indrayani River ghats, it houses a sacred Suwarna (Golden) idol and a centuries-old Azaan tree (Azadirachta indica) believed to have grown on the site.
Indrayani River Ghats: Pilgrims gather along the stone steps (ghats) to take a holy dip before entering the temple.
2. Dehu
Located about 15 km west of Alandi, Dehu is the birthplace and spiritual home of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, a 17th-century Bhakti poet-saint. Sant Tukaram is famous for his Abhangas (devotional poetry) dedicated to Lord Vithoba.
Gatha Mandir: A large modern temple built on the banks of the Indrayani River. It features over 4,000 Abhangas of Sant Tukaram carved into marble walls.
Tukaram Maharaj Old Temple Complex: Located near the main town market, housing the ancestral home of Sant Tukaram and the spot from where he wrote his poetry.
Bhandara Hill (Bhandara Dongar): A serene hill roughly 6 km from Dehu town where Sant Tukaram regularly spent days meditating and composing his poems.
Travel & Practical Information
AttributeDetails
Distance from Pune~22 km from Pune city center
Distance between Towns~15 km (approx. 20–30 min drive via local roads)
Nearest AirportPune International Airport (PNQ) (~18 km from Alandi)
Nearest Railway HubPune Junction / Dehu Road Railway Station
Best Time to VisitOctober to March for pleasant weather, or June/July during the Wari procession festival.
Recommended 1-Day Itinerary
Morning (Dehu):
Visit the Gatha Mandir early in the morning along the Indrayani River.
Visit Sant Tukaram’s ancestral home and old temple complex.
(Optional) Take a brief drive to Bhandara Hill for panoramic views and quiet meditation.
Afternoon (En Route):
Have traditional Maharashtrian lunch (e.g., Pithla Bhakri, Misal) along the highway connecting Dehu and Alandi.
Late Afternoon / Evening (Alandi):
Reach Alandi and visit the Dnyaneshwar Samadhi Mandir.
Attend the evening Aarti and spend time along the Indrayani Ghats.
