Alandi

Alandi is a small temple town about 22 km from Pune that holds the samadhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar, the Marathi saint-poet who entered it in 1296. It is one of the most important centres of the Varkari tradition, and the town also has historical links with the Maratha period.

The temple complex built around the samadhi is the focus of every visit. On each Ekadashi of the waning moon, some 60,000 to 70,000 pilgrims arrive. The largest event is the Kartik festival on Kartika Vadya Ekadashi, which marks the day the saint went into samadhi and fills the town with devotees from across Maharashtra and beyond.