Getting to Tuljapur
The route follows the Pune–Solapur highway east for most of the way, past Yavat, Indapur and Mohol into Solapur. From Solapur, the road climbs gently onto the Balaghat plateau for the last stretch of about 45 km to Tuljapur, which is in Dharashiv (earlier Osmanabad) district.
The highway is wide and well used, with plenty of places for breakfast and tea. Because the drive is long, a comfortable vehicle and a fixed driver for the whole trip matter more than usual. A Pune to Tuljapur tempo traveller lets everyone stretch their legs, rest and travel together without changing buses.
The goddess of Tuljapur
Tulja Bhavani is one of the most important Devi temples in Maharashtra and is counted among the state’s Shakti Peethas. She is worshipped as the kuldevi of a very large number of families, including the Bhonsle family of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is said to have received her blessings and his famous sword, the Bhavani talwar.
The temple sits in a natural hollow on the side of the hill, so you walk down into the complex through the main gate. Inside are the main shrine, several smaller temples and sacred tanks such as Kallol Tirth and Gomukh Tirth. On festival days, the sound of drums, gondhal songs and the crowd chanting “Aai Raja Udo Udo” fills the whole complex.
Planning a kuldevi visit
For many families, coming to Tuljapur is linked to a wedding, a new baby or a yearly family vow. Rituals like the oti bharane, abhishek or a gondhal can take extra time, so it helps to keep the day flexible. Your driver will wait while you complete everything, and you can head on whenever the family is ready.
Navratri at Tuljapur
The Sharadiya Navratri in Ashwin is the biggest time of the year at Tuljapur. The goddess is believed to rest for some days before Navratri and then return to her seat, and the festival that follows brings devotees from all over Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana. Many walk long distances to reach the temple, and the town stays awake late into the night with bhajans and gondhal.
If your family wants a Pune to Tuljapur tempo traveller during Navratri, plan early and keep the schedule flexible, because queues and traffic near the town can be very slow. For a quiet first visit with elderly parents, a weekday in November, December or January is a better choice.
Combining Tuljapur with nearby temples
Tuljapur fits naturally into a larger yatra. Shri Swami Samarth at Akkalkot is close by, and Vithoba’s town of Pandharpur is a few hours away. Together, these three make one of the most loved two or three day circuits from Pune. Our guide to pilgrimage trips from Pune has more ideas.
About the fare
On long outstation trips like this, the fare is per km with a daily minimum distance for each day. Toll, parking and the driver’s allowance are usually extra, and we list everything clearly in your quote. See the price page to understand how it adds up.
