Package

Ganesha Heritage Circuit

Theme type: Festivals & Celebrations

About

Mumbai formerly called Bombay is a melting pot of cultures that offer memorable experiences. The commercial capital of India is home of entrepreneurs, dreamers, sky-touching concrete towers, thriving nightlife, cricket, Bollywood and so much more. The mesmerizing metropolitan is a cluster of seven islands, named after the Goddess Mumbadevi. The Portuguese arrived in 1534 and renamed it Bom Bahia, for the natural harbour which served as a safe haven for its ships. Slowly people made way to the city lured by the promise of business opportunities and religious freedom.

Unique Experiences

Festival Dates: 14th to 25th September 2026.  

Sectors Covered: Mumbai II Pune II Nashik II Shirdi II Aurangabad II Mumbai Departure. 

Tour Highlights:

  • Witness famous pandals, and the grand Ganpati Visarjan procession.
  • Scenic drive via Lonavala with visits to the ancient Karla & Bhaja Caves.
  • Sacred visit to Alandi, the land of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.
  • Nashik pilgrimage including Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and sacred Panchavati.
  • Shirdi Darshan – blessings at Sai Baba Temple and Shani Shingnapur.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Explore the magnificent Ajanta & Ellora Caves.
  • Visit the iconic Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad.

 

 

About The Festival:
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesha's birth, starting from the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the lunar month Bhadrapada and ending on Anant Chaturdashi. While the main festival is 10 days, devotees often bring idols home for shorter, auspicious odd periods like 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 11 days before immersing them, with public celebrations often lasting the full 10 days. 

The festival begins with the installation (Sthapana) and ends with the immersion (Visarjan) of the Ganesha idol, symbolizing his return to Mount Kailash. 

For Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026, the main Visarjan day, Anant Chaturdashi, falls on Friday, September 25, 2026, though many families perform immersion on earlier days like the 1.5th, 3rd, 5th, or 7th day, with specific dates around September 15-20, 2026, depending on tradition. 

Key Visarjan Dates for 2026:

Ganesh Chaturthi: Monday, September 14, 2026.
1.5 Days Visarjan: Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
5 Days Visarjan: Friday, September 18, 2026.
7 Days Visarjan: Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Anant Chaturdashi (Main/10-Day): Friday, September 25, 2026. 

Devotees immerse the idols on these various days, concluding with the grand procession on Anant Chaturdashi, symbolizing Lord Ganesha's return to Mount Kailash.

Destinations

Mumbai Day 1-4
Pune Day 4-6
Nashik Day 6-8
Shirdi Day 8-9
Aurangabad Day 9-11

The best time to visit

Mumbai October to March
Pune June to September
Nashik October to March
Aurangabad October to March
Shirdi October to February
Day 1
DAY 01 || ARRIVE MUMBAI || INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Upon arrival at Mumbai Airport you will be met by our representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
DAY 02 || MUMBAI

After breakfast proceed to visit Elephanta Caves. Boat leaves at 09:00 hrs from the Gateway of India Pier. Enjoy a one-hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lovely, green Elephanta Island. Here you visit some of the huge and intricately carved Cave Temples dating back to the 7th century and dedicated to the Sun God - Shiva. Large panels depict episodes in his life. The central sculpture represents Shiva's three aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer. Return back to the pier at 13:30 hrs. Afternoon procced for Mumbai City tour - covering The Gateway of India, stop to view the David Sassoon Library and the Army & Navy Building and walk to the Mumbai University, see the famous Rajabai Clock Tower, which still keeps time. Thereafter proceed to visit the Prince of Wales Museum (Closed on Monday), built in the Indo-Saracenic style, which is a treasure trove of art, sculpture, china, rare coins and is famous for its priceless collection of miniature paintings. Drive past the Parsi Towers of Silence to the Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundry which is still popular with the citizens despite the advent of the modern washing machine! Visit Mani Bhavan (Closed on Public holidays), today a museum, but which was the residence of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi when he stayed in Mumbai between1917-1934. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3
DAY 03 || MUMBAI

Today spend the entire day visiting beautifully decorated Ganpati pandals and immerse yourself in the festive spirit. In the evening, witness the grand Ganpati Visarjan, filled with devotion, traditional music, colourful processions, and joyful celebrations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
DAY 04 || MUMBAI - PUNE || 167 KMS / 4 HRS

After breakfast, leave for Pune enroute visit to Karla and Bhaja caves in  Lonavala, picturesque hill station at Sahyadri range, known for its lush greenery, waterfalls, and cool climate, serving as a favourite weekend escape from Mumbai and Pune. Famous for ancient caves (like Karla & Bhaja).  Karla Caves are ancient rock-cut Buddhist shrine, dating from the 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE, famous for India's largest rock-cut prayer hall (Chaitya Griha) with a massive stupa, intricate pillars, and sculptures, showcasing ancient craftsmanship and serving as a vital monastic center on a historic trade route. These caves feature grand vaulted ceilings with original wooden ribs and a serene atmosphere, offering a glimpse into early Buddhist architecture and spiritual life, with a temple to the local goddess Ekvira at the entrance.


The Bhaja Caves are an ancient group of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves, dating to the 2nd century BCE, making them some of India's earliest rock-cut monasteries, famous for their ornate facades, early Buddhist architecture (Hinayana sect), and a unique carving of a woman playing a tabla. They were built along an important ancient trade route and feature chaityas (prayer halls) with wooden-imitating columns, monasteries (viharas), and a cluster of 14 stupas, offering insights into early Buddhist life with beautiful views and carvings. Continue drive to Pune and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 5
DAY 05 || PUNE - ALANDI - PUNE || 20 KM / 50 MINS-ONE WAY

After breakfast, check-out and explore Pune visiting Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, a highly revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, famous for its beautiful idol and vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, rooted in the story of sweet-maker Dagdusheth Halwai who established it after personal tragedy, becoming a significant cultural landmark known for faith, tradition, and social service.

Then visit Shaniwar Wada, a historic fortification built by Peshwa Bajirao I in 1732 as the seat of the Maratha Empire's power, showcasing grand Maratha and Mughal architecture with massive gates, ornate carvings, and a famed fountain. Though a fire destroyed most of the original seven-story palace in 1828, its impressive ruins, including grand gateways like the Delhi Darwaza. Lastly you will visit Aga Khan Palace, a historic landmark, built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III to provide famine relief, which later became a pivotal site in India's freedom struggle, housing Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, and others during the Quit India Movement. Today, it's a museum and memorial dedicated to Gandhi, featuring lush gardens, splendid architecture, and displays on India's independence, with the Samadhi’s (memorials) of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai located within its grounds. Continue drive to Alandi, a significant Hindu pilgrimage town near Pune, India, famous as the final resting place (Samadhi) of the revered 13th-century Marathi saint Sant Dnyaneshwar, attracting devotees, especially from the Varkari sect, to the Dnyaneshwar temple complex on the banks of the sacred Indrayani River. This historically rich town is a center for spirituality, culture, and tradition, known for its deep connection to the saint who entered a deep meditative state (sanjeevan Samadhi) at age 22. Return to Pune for an overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 6
DAY 06 || PUNE - NASHIK || 215 KMS / 5 HRS 30 MINS

After breakfast checkout for Nashik, is a historic and spiritual city located on the banks of the Godavari River. It is one of the four Kumbh Mela sites and is famous for its ancient temples, ghats, vineyards, and rich mythological and cultural significance. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon head to Sula Vineyards, India's most famous winery. Take a guided tour of the vineyard and the winery to learn about the winemaking process, from grape to bottle. This is followed by a tasting session where you can sample a variety of their wines. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7
DAY 07 || NASHIK

After breakfast, visit Trimbakeshwar Temple and Panchavati. Trimbakeshwar Temple is a sacred Jyotirlinga shrine of Lord Shiva near Nashik, known for its unique three-faced linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Panchavati is a holy area in Nashik, associated with the Ramayana, where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are believed to have lived during their exile, and is famous for its temples and river ghats. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8
DAY 08 || NASHIK - SHIRDI || 95 KMS /2 HRS

Today check-out and leave for Shirdi and visit Sai baba temple. Shirdi is a famous pilgrimage town known for the Sai Baba Temple, where devotees from all over the world come to seek blessings of Sai Baba, a saint revered for his teachings of faith, compassion, and unity. Then visit Shani Shingnapur, located nearby, is renowned for its Shani Temple dedicated to Lord Shani, the deity of justice and karma. The village is famous for its unique tradition of having houses without doors, symbolizing trust and protection by Shani. On arrival at Shirdi, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9
DAY 09 || SHIRDI - AURANGABAD || 110 KMS /1 HR 52 MINS

After breakfast, check-out and drive to Aurangabad, known for its rich cultural heritage, Mughal-era architecture, and proximity to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is also famous for Bibi Ka Maqbara, ancient forts, and as a gateway to many tourist and pilgrimage destinations in the region. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon proceed to visit Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed) a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the impressive rock-cut temples. With 34 intricately carved caves, including the magnificent Kailasa Temple, these sacred spaces offer a journey through time, religious diversity, and unparalleled craftsmanship, making them a must-visit for cultural enthusiasts. Bibi Ka Maqbara, a historic monument built in the 17th century by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum. Often called the "Mini Taj Mahal," it is admired for its beautiful Mughal-style architecture and serene gardens. Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 10
DAY 10 || AURANGABAD

Today proceed for an excursion to the Ajanta Caves (closed on Monday), another UNESCO World Heritage site, are a collection of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments adorned with magnificent paintings and sculptures. Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, they are a testament to India's ancient artistic and spiritual heritage, providing a captivating journey into the past and the teachings of Buddhism. Return to hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11
DAY 11 || AURANGABAD - MUMBAI || FLIGHT

Early check-out from hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the time free at leisure. Later in time transfer to international airport to board your flight to onward destination.

 

For more details, get in touch with one of our travel experts.

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