Pandharpur, Tuljapur and Akkalkot from Pune by Cab: A Pilgrim's Guide

For many families in Pune, a trip to Vitthal at Pandharpur, Swami Samarth at Akkalkot and Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur is a tradition, often planned around a family occasion or a vow. All three are in or near Solapur district, so they fit neatly into one journey.

By cab, you avoid crowded buses and changing trains, the elders travel in comfort, and on a round trip the driver waits at each temple. Here are the distances and drive times from Pune, based on our own route data, and a plan that covers all three.

Pune to Pandharpur

Pandharpur is about 209 km from Pune, roughly 3.5 hours by road. Cabs take the Pune–Solapur highway towards Indapur and then turn south towards Pandharpur. The Vitthal-Rukmini temple sits on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river.

During the Ashadhi wari, lakhs of Warkaris walk from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur, and roads along the palkhi route are closed or slow for days. If your trip falls in that season, tell us when booking so we plan the timing and route.

Pune to Akkalkot

Akkalkot, home of the Shri Swami Samarth math, is about 291 km from Pune, around 5 hours by road. The route runs on the Pune–Solapur highway to Solapur and continues south-east to Akkalkot.

Pune to Tuljapur

Tuljapur, the seat of Goddess Tulja Bhavani, is about 292 km from Pune, close to 5 hours by road, also via Solapur. Navratri is the busiest time of year here.

A two-day plan covering all three temples

Day 1: Pune → Pandharpur → Akkalkot

• Leave Pune around 5 am and reach Pandharpur for a morning darshan.
• After lunch, drive to Akkalkot for an evening darshan, and stay overnight in Akkalkot or Solapur.

Day 2: Akkalkot → Tuljapur → Pune

• Morning darshan at Tuljapur.
• Lunch on the way, and reach Pune by late evening.

This plan keeps the drives short each day and works well with senior citizens. Book it as a round trip: the driver and car stay with you for both days. If you prefer a slower pace, add a third day and stay in Solapur, which has a wide choice of hotels.

One temple only?

If you only want to visit one temple and come back the same day, Pandharpur is the easiest from Pune. For Akkalkot or Tuljapur, a same-day return means 10 hours or more on the road, so most families stay one night.

If someone is going to stay on, for example for a longer seva or with relatives in Solapur, a one-way cab is cheaper than a round trip.

Which car to choose

• Hatchback: the most economical, for up to four people with light luggage.
• Sedan: more comfort and boot space for up to four people on a long pilgrimage.
• MPV (6 seats): families of five or six, with room for luggage.

Tips for pilgrims

• Start early each day; morning queues are shorter and the drive is cooler.
• Check darshan timings on the temple trusts' official websites, especially on festival days.
• Carry water, light food and any medicines in the car.
• Keep some cash for tolls if your booking says tolls are paid as actual; the driver gives you the receipts.
• Tell us about special needs, such as a wheelchair, so we send a suitable car.

Best time to go

The months from October to February are the most pleasant, with cool mornings and comfortable afternoons. The Solapur region gets very hot from April to early June, so in summer it is best to have darshan early in the morning and rest in the afternoon. The monsoon brings greenery and fewer crowds outside the wari season, but check the weather before you leave.

Where to stay

Pandharpur, Akkalkot and Tuljapur all have hotels, lodges and dharmashalas for pilgrims, and Solapur city has the widest choice of hotels if you prefer a larger town for your overnight stay. On festival dates, rooms fill up early, so book your stay as soon as your travel dates are fixed.

Book your pilgrimage cab from Pune

Book on the website or message us your dates, temples and number of people on WhatsApp, and we will suggest the best plan and car. See also cab service in Pune and cab service in Solapur.