How To Reach Akkalkot Swami Samarth Temple

[Tiana Dubree]

Akkalkotis a town in Solapur and a major pilgrimage centre famous for Swami Samarth Maharaj. He was a saint of the 19th century. The Swami Samarth Maharaj Mandir located here at Akkalkot also known as the Banyan Tree Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple, Akkalkot is a bit different from other temples. Here you can see the sacred banyan tree, under which Swamiji is said to have spent more than 20 years. Devotees consider him as the form of Lord Dattatreya.

In the year 1856 Chintopant Tol invited Swami Samarth to Akkalkot. Since then Swami ji started living on the city limits for about 22 years. He lived in the house of his follower Cholappa, where his temple is currently located. People believed that Swamiji had some spiritual powers. He did justice to many people in incredible ways. Amazed by this, many people became his followers.

His followers bear witness to his spiritual powers in many ways. The Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Mandir has a simple architecture. It is not built with the sculptures or carvings common in other Hindu temples.

Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Mandir opens at 5:00 AM in the morning and close at 10:00 PM in the evening. Kakad Aarti starts at 5.00 am. Abhishek Puja takes place from 7 am to 11 am. Laghu Rudra starts at 8.00 am and ends at 10.00 am. 12 noon is the time for Aarti and Naivedya. Shej Aarti is performed from 8 pm to 10 pm.

The temple was built by Yogi Sri Siddharameshwar in honour of Lord Siddheshwar, one of the many forms of Lord Vishnu and Shiva. He was a devoted follower of Sri Mallikajuna of Srisailam and installed 68 Shivalingas in the city of Solapur.

Bhuikot Fort Built in the 14th century under the rule of the Bahmani dynasty, Bhuikot Fort is one of the top attractions in Solapur. According to historical records, Aurangzeb used to stay temporarily in this fort.

Solapur Science Centre is one of the most visited attractions in the city and arguably the most prestigious science museum in the state. The aim of establishing this centre was to promote and disseminate science among the masses.

By Air- The nearest airport from Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Mandir is Sambre Airport which is at a distance of 265 km from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services or taxi.

By Train- The nearest railway station from Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Mandir is akkalkot railway station which is at a distance of few kms from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services or taxi.

By Road- Roads to this temple are well connected with the other cities of the country so you can easily reach this temple by using your own vehicle or by any public buses or taxi from any part of the country.

The train was announced on platform number 4, we all took our luggage and stood at the platform waiting , the train arrived at around 10:25pm, we all boarded the train, as we had booked the tickets with a few days gap, we all were accommodated in different compartments. All of us settled in our places ,chit chatted for sometime, the little bacha party of our family were too excited and were just roaming along the train, after sometime we went to sleep. Sleep was far from my eyes as the train was moving at jet speed making all of us in the compartment dance to its tunes. The scheduled arrival of the train at Solapur station was 5:25 Am but all thanks to the pilot of the express we reached at 5:10 AM at Solapur station.

All the sleepyheads we got down the train and gathered on the platform , I got a call from the cruiser driver that they will be arriving in sometime and asked us to wait outside the station. Crossing the railway bridge we all came out of the station . As it was a chilly winter morning , a tea stall was open on the other side of the road. We all went there and had hot steaming tea which was like fuel to our chilling bodies.

The 2 cruisers arrived and we all settled in them and headed to Akkalkot.

Then we visited the Shri Swami Samarth Mandir. The temple complex, also known as the Vatavruksh Mandir, houses an ancient Banyan tree. This is where the saint would preach to his followers. The tree is the main attraction in the temple today. There are a total of five temples which form the entire complex.

After performing our prayers there, we all moved out of the temple , as this place is a major pilgrimage the area surrounding it has many local stalls serving snacks and breakfasts to the devotees who visit there, as we all were yet to have our breakfast we decided to have it there itself. There were many food items like dosas, poha, idli, onion and potato fritters. Each one of us had different dishes.

We all then went back to our rooms in bhakt niwas ,collected our belongings and vacated the rooms.

We then headed to Swami Samath Maharaj Samadhi which is not in the ashram complex. its about 1-2 km away in another temple.

Cholappa was one of the most devoted disciple of samarth maharaj. He had a very intense desire that maharaj samadhi should be made in his house. so cholappa secretly made the preparation for the samadhi in the compound of his house. The positive vibes which we get from this place is commendable.

We stayed there for around 15 mins and then returned back to where our 2 cruisers were parked.

Our next destination was Tuljapur which is around 77 km from Akkalkot. We began our journey around 11:30 am and it would take us around 1 hr 45 min to reach Tuljapur. The drivers took us from an internal shortcut route which was under construction but was faster than the highway route.

We all ordered thalis particularly maharastrian thali and Punjabi thali wherein the difference was in the vegetable served. We all had our lunch to our hearts content and moved towards the Shri Samarth Bhakt Niwas Logde we had booked for our stay. We had booked different sizes of rooms for each group of people hence we all divided ourselves that way and kept our luggage in the respective rooms.

By the time we all settled in the rooms it was close to 2:30pm. We had to reach the Tuljabhavani temple at around 4pm for our passes. We all decided to rest for a while and then freshen up.

By 4-4:15 we all were ready and proceeded towards the Bhavani temple. As it was evening we all had tea/coffee and snacks at hotel nearby the temple.

Then proceeded towards the temple where the entry passes for Abhishek Puja were to be given.

Our entry passes were created by 5:15 pm and we were then asked to move towards the main temple were the Tuljabhavani idol is.

Tuljabhavani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Bhavani. It is located in Tuljapur in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra and is considered as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas. The temple was built in c. 12th century CE. The Tuljabhawani temple is located on the Yamunachala Hill which is part of Balaghat mountain range.

Tuljabhavi temple is built in a fort like structure.The main entrance of the temple bears the name of Sardar Nimbalkar. The other two entrances are named after the parents of Shivaji Maharaj, that is Raja Shahaji, and Rajmata Jijau. As one enters the Sardar Nimbalkar entrance, there is a temple dedicated to Markandeya Rishi on the right. After descending the stairs, one sees the main Tulja Temple. There is yagna kund (Holy Fire pit) in front of this temple.

We all were made to be seated in an auditorium where there are lined barricades which go round and round and takes you to fourth floor from ground floor and then back to ground floor. after every few feets, there is sitting arrangement in the line. so that tired people can sit . The Abhishek puja timings were from 7pm to 9pm,this puja is performed daily. We all were gathered in the auditorium by 5:45 pm and were waiting for our turn. By 6:30pm we were asked to form a line near the main Sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess.

This mixture is rubbed on the goddess feet and some of us had bought the tuljabhavani idol from our home temple that idol was placed below the main deity and the puja was performed . Then water is poured on the goddess after each abhishek. The number of person allowed during each abhishek is 5. We all in groups of 3,4 and 5 did the puja in front of goddess idol, we all seeked blessings from the almighty and then came out of the sanctum scrotum. Standing infront of the bhavani goddess was a divine experience for all of us.

My mother-in-law bought the saree from this shop.

There was a huge sitting space in the temple with lots of steps just like we have in a stadium. We all sat there for sometime, some of us were relaxing while some were clicking pictures.

The atmosphere was very positive and soothing. There is a ladoo shop in the temple where we all purchased ladoos as prasad from the temple. Coming outside, the main entrance of the temple was decorated with running lights which were enlightening with different pictures and slogans. A view to our eyes..

We all left the temple premises by 9 pm, the dinner was arranged in the lodge where we were staying.

Reaching the lodge we all got freshen up and then went to the 3rd floor , the lodge owner who is the priest Mr. Ajit kadam ,his family stays there, a huge hall and equally huge kitchen, the family was very warm, they served us delicious food. Which consists of dal, rice, leafy vegetable, potato vegetable, puranpoli (Indian sweetdish) , salad, papad, Rotis etc. We all were seated on the floor and the family was serving us.

Post dinner, we retured to our rooms, as it was a excited and tiring day for us , most of us were tired and wanted to sleep, some went for a walk, The children were still energetic but we held their horses and put them to sleep as next day we were going to return home.

Next day we got up early , and had our bath, the logde owner had arranged breakfast and tea for us, hence we all gathered on the 3rd floor in his home and had our breakfast. The 2 cruizers were waiting for us for our return journey to Solapur station, hence post breakfast we loaded the luggage in the cruizers.

We thanked Mr. Ajit Kadam for his hospitality and then by 9 am we set out on our return journey. On the way to Solapur station is the Siddheshwar temple. As we had ample time before the arrival of our train which was scheduled to depart at 11:20 am from Solapur station, but was delayed by 1:30 hours.

So our train Udyan Express tentative arrival was 1 pm at Solapur station,hence we decided to visit this beautiful temple in Solapur.

Siddheshwar temple is situated right in the middle of solapur city.

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