If you are organising an Ashtavinayak yatra for a big family, a society group, a bhajan mandal or a office outing, one bus is almost always better than four or five cars. Everyone travels together, nobody gets lost between temples, and the cost per person drops a lot.
This guide explains the complete route, how many days you need, what a Pune to Ashtavinayak bus hire usually costs, and how to book without any confusion. We are Shelke Travels, and we have been running group trips from Pune for over 30 years, so the advice below comes from real trips on these roads.
What Is Ashtavinayak Darshan?
Ashtavinayak means “eight Ganpatis”. It is a pilgrimage circuit of eight ancient Ganesh temples in Maharashtra, mostly around Pune, Raigad and Ahmednagar districts. Devotees believe the yatra is complete only when all eight temples are visited, and many people follow the traditional order, which ends at Pali.
The eight temples are:
- Mayureshwar at Morgaon
- Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek
- Chintamani at Theur
- Mahaganapati at Ranjangaon
- Vighnahar at Ozar
- Girijatmaj at Lenyadri
- Varadvinayak at Mahad
- Ballaleshwar at Pali
Why Hire a Bus for Ashtavinayak Darshan?
Most groups start by asking for a tempo traveller and then realise their group is bigger than 17 or 20 people. A bus makes more sense when:
- Your group has more than 20 passengers
- There are senior citizens who need space and a proper seat with legroom
- You carry luggage, prasad boxes, bhajan instruments or food for the journey
- You want one single driver and one single point of contact for the whole yatra
- You want to keep the per person cost low
For smaller groups of up to 20, you can look at our Ashtavinayak darshan by tempo traveller guide, which has a complete itinerary and cost breakdown for smaller vehicles.
Ashtavinayak Route From Pune: Day Wise Plan
The full circuit from Pune is roughly 650 to 700 km depending on the route you choose and where you stay overnight. Doing it in two days is possible but tiring. Most groups with elders prefer two days with a proper night halt. Here is the plan we suggest most often.
Day 1: Theur, Morgaon, Siddhatek and Ranjangaon
Leave Pune early, ideally by 5:30 or 6:00 AM, so you reach the first temple before the crowd builds up.
- Theur (Chintamani): The closest to Pune, so many groups start here.
- Morgaon (Mayureshwar): The temple many devotees consider the starting point of the yatra.
- Siddhatek (Siddhivinayak): This is one of the few Ganpati temples with the idol’s trunk turning to the right, and the temple sits on a small hill, so there is a short walk or parikrama.
- Ranjangaon (Mahaganapati): A good place to end the day before heading towards your night stay.
Stay overnight near Ranjangaon or in the Ozar and Junnar side so that Day 2 starts without a long drive.
Day 2: Ozar, Lenyadri, Mahad, Pali and Return
- Ozar (Vighnahar): Beautiful temple with a large complex and a calm morning atmosphere.
- Lenyadri (Girijatmaj): This one is carved inside a cave and involves a climb of around 300 steps. Tell elderly passengers in advance. They can rest at the base while the rest of the group goes up.
- Mahad (Varadvinayak): Known for its quiet setting.
- Pali (Ballaleshwar): The traditional last temple of the circuit, and you return to Pune from here.
Some groups prefer a three day plan with relaxed timings, especially during monsoon or when travelling with many senior citizens. Tell us how you want to travel and we will adjust the schedule.
Pune to Ashtavinayak Bus Hire Price
Pricing depends on the bus size, total kilometres, number of days and your night halt. Our current standard bus rates on the website are:
- 22 seater bus: ₹40 per km, 1 day package ₹12,000
- 27 seater bus: ₹45 per km, 1 day package ₹13,500
- 32 seater bus: ₹50 per km, 1 day package ₹15,000
- Extra hour rate: ₹500 per hour
For 40 and 50 seater buses, the rate depends on the season and availability, so please call us for a quote.
A Simple Price Example
For a circuit of about 700 km, the base fare at per km rates works out roughly like this:
- 22 seater: around ₹28,000
- 27 seater: around ₹31,500
- 32 seater: around ₹35,000
Toll, parking and driver allowance are separate and are discussed with you before booking. So these figures are a guide for planning, not a final quote. Your actual price can change with the exact route, the night stay location and the travel date.
Cost Per Person
This is where a bus really helps. If 30 people travel in a 32 seater bus, the base fare comes to roughly ₹1,170 per person for the whole two day yatra, before toll and driver allowance. The same group in cars would pay much more and would also have to manage multiple drivers.
You can see the full fleet and fares on our bus on rent in Pune page, or go directly to the vehicle that matches your group:
Which Vehicle Should You Choose?
A quick way to decide:
- Up to 9 people: Tata Winger on rent in Pune
- 10 to 17 people: Force Urbania on rent in Pune or a tempo traveller on rent in Pune
- 18 to 22 people: 20 seater tempo traveller or a 22 seater bus
- 23 to 32 people: 27 or 32 seater bus
- 33 to 50 people: 40 or 50 seater bus
One tip from experience: never fill a vehicle to its exact seating limit on a two day yatra. Leave two or three seats free for bags, prasad and anyone who wants to stretch out.
What Is Included in the Price?
When you book with Shelke Travels, the quote you receive before booking is the amount you pay at the end of the trip, as long as the route and vehicle do not change. Before you confirm, we explain these points clearly:
- Kilometre limit and extra kilometre rate
- Toll and parking charges
- Driver allowance and night halt charges
- State tax or permit charges where applicable
- Waiting time rules at each temple
Please also read our cancellation and refund policy and terms and conditions before paying the advance.
How to Book Your Ashtavinayak Bus From Pune
Booking is simple and takes only a few minutes.
- Share your trip details. Tell us the date, number of passengers, pickup location in Pune and whether you want a 2 day or 3 day plan.
- Get your quote. We suggest the right bus size and send a clear quote with all charges explained.
- Confirm with an advance. Once you are happy, pay the advance amount to block the bus for your date.
- Receive driver details. Before the trip, you get the vehicle and driver details so everyone knows who to expect at pickup.
- Travel and enjoy the darshan. A single driver and a GPS tracked bus stay with your group for the entire yatra.
You can send your enquiry on our contact or call us directly on +91 84840 68364. For weekends, Sankashti Chaturthi days, Ganesh Chaturthi and the festival season, book at least 7 to 10 days ahead, because buses fill up early.
Best Time to Do the Ashtavinayak Yatra
- October to February: Pleasant weather, the best time for a comfortable yatra.
- Monsoon (June to September): Green and beautiful, but ghat sections and roads near Pali and Mahad need careful driving, and the schedule may need extra time.
- Summer (March to May): Hot afternoons, so start very early and plan breaks.
- Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi: Extremely crowded, and darshan queues can be long. Plan extra time.
Practical Tips Before You Travel
- Check temple darshan timings in advance, because they can change on special days.
- Carry a valid ID card and avoid carrying expensive jewellery.
- Dress modestly, since a few temples have dress guidelines.
- Keep water, light snacks and any regular medicines handy for elders.
- Start early. Reaching a temple by 7:00 AM saves a lot of waiting time.
- Decide the lunch and dinner stops with the driver in advance, so the schedule does not slip.
Why Book With Shelke Travels?
- Over 30 years of experience in group travel from Pune
- Verified drivers who know Maharashtra highways and ghat roads
- Well maintained, cleaned and GPS enabled vehicles
- Clear pricing explained before booking
- Support available by phone around the clock
Planning another trip after Ashtavinayak? Many of our customers also book a Pune to Shirdi group trip or travel to Bhimashankar and Mahabaleshwar with the same vehicle and driver they liked.
Book Your Ashtavinayak Bus Today
An Ashtavinayak yatra should be peaceful, not stressful. With the right bus, a driver who knows the route and a price that is clear from the start, you can focus only on the darshan. Call +91 84840 68364 or send your trip details through our booking, and we will send you a clear quote for your date and group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Pune to Ashtavinayak bus hire cost?
For a two day circuit of about 700 km, a 22 seater bus costs roughly ₹28,000 base fare, a 27 seater around ₹31,500 and a 32 seater around ₹35,000, before toll, parking and driver allowance. The final price depends on your route and dates.
How many days are needed for Ashtavinayak darshan from Pune?
Two days is the most common plan, with a night halt. If you have many elders or want relaxed darshan, choose three days.
Which is the best bus size for an Ashtavinayak yatra?
Pick a bus that fits your group with a few seats to spare. Groups of 25 to 30 usually choose a 32 seater for comfort and luggage space.
Is the Ashtavinayak route possible in one day?
It is technically possible, but it means more than 15 hours on the road and very short darshan time at each temple. We do not recommend it for families or senior citizens.
Can the bus pick us up from our society or home in Pune?
Yes, pickup can be arranged from your chosen location in Pune, including Kothrud, Baner, Hinjewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad and other areas.
Is the driver’s food and stay included?
Driver allowance and night halt charges are discussed in the quote, so you know the total before you book.
Do you also provide smaller vehicles for Ashtavinayak?
Yes. For smaller groups we offer tempo travellers, Force Urbania and Tata Winger vehicles. See our Force Urbania on rent in Pune for options.
