Shrigonda — Travel Guide
Truth is, Shrigonda, historically known as Chambhargonde or Shripur, is one of the most historically monumental heritage towns in the Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district of western Maharashtra.
Resting along the Saraswati and Ghod rivers near the Bhima confluence on State Highway 50, it sits just 32 km north of Daund junction, 55 km south of Ahilyanagar city, and 85 km east of Pune.
The refreshing Deccan plateau breeze carries the sweet fragrance of boiling sugarcane juice from local jaggery mills, blooming neem trees, and fertile black soil.
Expansive sugarcane and onion farmlands, historic Maratha wadas, and 12th century Hemadpanthi stone temples frame this hospitable countryside. Shrigonda is celebrated across Maharashtra as the ancestral cradle of the great Scindia (Shinde) Maratha dynasty, home to the historic wada of Ranoji Shinde and the sacred Chhatri memorial of legendary general Mahadji Shinde, alongside the revered syncretic shrine of 17th century saint poet Sant Sheikh Mohammad Maharaj.
It's a wonderful stop if you appreciate 12th century Yadava temple carvings at Pedgaon Fort (Bahadurgadh), Maratha military history, Ashtavinayak pilgrimages at nearby Siddhatek, and authentic rural Khandeshi and Deshastha cuisine.
Look, the surrounding region holds immense historical prominence spanning Yadava architecture, Adil Shahi conflicts, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's early alliances with Sant Sheikh Mohammad. From the sculpted elephant friezes of Laxminarayan Temple to the quiet courtyards of the Shinde Rajwada, fascinating historical stories greet you at every turn.
Thing is, the local atmosphere is remarkably peaceful and rooted in traditional rural warmth. You can wander through lively town bazaars, sip sweet sugarcane juice, and relish authentic local meals featuring crisp Jowar Bhakri, spicy Shengdana peanut garlic chutney, pitthla bhakri, and fresh hot jaggery.
Mind you, neighboring travel destinations like Warud, Nandgaon, and Patur highlight Maharashtra's rich agricultural, fort, and temple circuits. Adding Shrigonda and the Bhima heritage corridor to your travel plan is worth every rupee for history buffs and architecture lovers.
Whether you're marveling at the 800 year old stone pillars of Pedgaon Fort or paying homage at Mahadji Shinde's memorial chhatri, Shrigonda delivers true wonder. It's an authentic jewel of Western Maharashtra.
Timing your trip around colorful annual Urs fairs and cool winter sunshine will make your journey across Maharashtra memorable. Worth every rupee. Here is the seasonal and cultural breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (October to March): The ideal travel window. Daytime temperatures stay between 13°C and 28°C with pleasant dry breezes, perfect for exploring the stone carvings of Pedgaon Fort, heritage wadas, and wildlife watching at Rehekuri.
• Monsoon Season (July to September): Moderate rainfall turns the river valleys green and fills the Ghod and Bhima rivers.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm and dry with daytime temperatures reaching 40°C. Early morning sightseeing is recommended.
Major Annual Cultural & Religious Celebrations
• Sant Sheikh Mohammad Maharaj Urs & Yatra: Grand annual syncretic festival celebrated with Sandal processions, Qawwali recitals, and sweet malida distributions.
• Mahadji Shinde Jayanti: Celebrated with traditional Maratha martial arts displays, lectures on Maratha history, and floral tributes at the Chhatri memorial.
• Siddhatek Ganesh Jayanti & Angarika Chaturthi: Thousands of pilgrims visit the Ashtavinayak temple for holy Bhima river baths and special modak prasad.
• Makar Sankranti & Pola: Joyously celebrated with decorated bullock cart races, sesame jaggery sweets, and traditional rural music.
What Shrigonda is Famous For
• Pedgaon 12th Century Hemadpanthi Temples: Exquisite Laxminarayan and Baleshwar stone temple carvings.
• Mahadji Shinde Ancestral Seat: Historic Maratha wada and cenotaph chhatri.
• Sant Sheikh Mohammad Shrine: Revered symbol of interfaith unity and spiritual literature.
Reaching Shrigonda in Maharashtra is easy due to its location on State Highway 50 and close proximity to major rail junctions at Daund and Kashti. No doubt about it. Here is your transit guide:
By Air
• Pune International Airport (PNQ), Lohegaon: Located 85 km west of Shrigonda (approx 2 hours drive via smooth four lane Pune Nagar highway / SH 50).
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai: Located 220 km west (approx 4.5 hours drive via Mumbai Pune Expressway).
• Airport Transfers: App based cabs, private rental taxis, and MSRTC express buses connect Pune airport directly to Daund, Shirur, and Shrigonda.
By Train
• Town Railway Station: Shrigonda Road Railway Station (Station Code: SGND) is 12 km from town and Kashti (Code: KST) is 14 km on the Daund Manmad line.
• Major Junction: Daund Junction (Code: DD) is 32 km south and Ahmednagar (Code: ANG) is 55 km north on the Central Railway network.
• Connecting Trains: Vande Bharat, Goa Express, Jhelum Express, and Azad Hind Express link Daund directly to Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa.
By Road
• State Highway 50: Smooth paved corridor links Shrigonda directly to Ahmednagar, Shirur, Daund, and Baramati.
• State Highway 68: Connects Shrigonda to Karjat, Jamkhed, and Solapur highway networks.
• Bus Services: Maharashtra State Road Transport (MSRTC) operates frequent ordinary and Shivshahi express buses connecting Shrigonda to Pune (Shivajinagar), Ahmednagar, and Daund every 15 minutes.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws: Shared and private auto rickshaws are available at Shrigonda bus stand.
• Rental Taxis: Local cabs are ideal for full day tours covering Pedgaon Fort, Mahadji Shinde Chhatri, Sant Sheikh Mohammad Dargah, and Siddhatek.
Exploring local traditional markets and tasting rich Ahilyanagar Deshastha cuisine is a wonderful part of traveling in Maharashtra. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Jaggery, Onions & Dairy)
• Pure Chemical Free Sugarcane Jaggery: Fresh golden jaggery blocks and sweet Kakvi syrup directly from local village crushers (Gurhal).
• Famous Shrigonda Red Onions: Sharp, long shelf life pungent red onions directly from wholesale APMC auction traders.
• Traditional Shengdana (Peanut) Garlic Chutney: Coarsely ground roasted peanut chutney with sun dried red chilies and garlic.
• Handmade Terracotta Clay Cooking Pots: Earthen handi cooking pots and water cooling pots from local potter families.
• Pure Cow Desi Ghee & Pedas: Fresh traditionally churned cow ghee and milk pedas from local rural dairy outlets.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Crisp Jowar Bhakri with Pitthla: Hot roasted sorghum flatbreads served with spiced gram flour curry, fresh green chili thecha, and raw onions.
• Spicy Matki Chi Usal: Sprouted moth bean curry tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and Goda masala, served with soft pav.
• Authentic Mutton & Chicken Sukka Rassa: Tender country meat cooked in dry roasted coconut and onion gravy, paired with red tambda rassa.
• Hot Puran Poli with Desi Ghee & Katachi Amti: Sweet chana dal stuffed flatbreads served with spicy strained lentil soup.
• Fresh Sugarcane Juice (Gannyacha Ras): Refreshing cold pressed cane juice flavored with fresh ginger, lemon, and mint.
Must-Visit Places in Shrigonda
Shrigonda and the surrounding Ahilyanagar Bhima river belt offer an extraordinary collection of 12th century Hemadpanthi temple complexes, Maratha wadas, Sufi shrines, and wildlife sanctuaries. Here are the top attractions you'll want to explore during your stay.
1. Historic Pedgaon Fort (Bahadurgadh / Dharmaveergadh)
A massive 17th century riverside fort on the Bhima River housing grand 12th century Yadava era stone temples and historic Maratha defense bastions.
Visiting Hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free public access
Route Note: Located 14 km south of Shrigonda.
2. Shri Laxminarayan Temple (Pedgaon Masterpiece)
A 12th century Hemadpanthi stone marvel featuring intricately sculpted outer walls with friezes of Hindu deities, caparisoned elephants, tigers, and floral patterns.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free entry; ASI protected monument
Route Note: Located inside Pedgaon Fort complex.
3. Shri Baleshwar Mahadev Temple (Pedgaon)
An ancient stone Shiva temple situated west of Laxminarayan Temple, featuring sculpted Nandi mandapas, stone lingams, and fine stone lattice windows.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located within Pedgaon Fort.
4. Mahadji Shinde Wada, Chhatri & Paduka Mandir
The historic ancestral mansion and cenotaph memorial of Maratha general Mahadji Shinde, preserving royal stone courtyards and sacred footprints beside Saraswati River.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free entry
Route Note: Located in old Shrigonda town.
5. Sant Sheikh Mohammad Maharaj Dargah & Sansthan
The sacred 17th century shrine of the revered Sufi saint poet Sheikh Mohammad, celebrating Hindu Muslim unity with daily prayers and annual Urs festivals.
Visiting Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Located in central Shrigonda.
6. Shri Siddhatek Siddhivinayak Temple (Ashtavinayak)
One of Maharashtra's eight sacred Ashtavinayak temples sitting along the Bhima River hillock, where Lord Vishnu achieved siddhi before defeating demons.
Visiting Hours: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located 32 km southeast on the Bhima River.
7. Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary (Karjat)
A 2.17 sq km grassland wildlife sanctuary sheltering over 400 Indian blackbucks, Indian foxes, and open country raptors.
Visiting Hours: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM (best Oct to March)
Entry Fee: Nominal forest department entry charge
Route Note: Located 38 km east near Karjat.
8. Ancient Surya Mandir (Sun Temple, Shrigonda)
A rare ancient stone temple dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev), featuring stone carved solar symbols and east facing sanctum alignment.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located near town school quarters.
9. Ghod & Bhima River Confluence Scenic Viewpoint
The meeting point of the Ghod and Bhima rivers offering expansive water views, peaceful sunset strolls, and rural farming boat crossings.
Visiting Hours: Daylight hours
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Situated near southern border of taluka.
10. Shri Vithal Rukmini Mandir (Shrigonda)
An ancient stone temple deeply associated with the Varkari pilgrimage tradition, hosting daily evening kirtans and Bhajan recitals.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located in old market street.
11. Shri Hanuman Mandir (Daund Highway Pass)
A popular roadside shrine where highway travelers stop for safe journey blessings, Saturday evening aartis, and sweet laddu prasad.
Visiting Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located along SH 50 highway.
12. Shrigonda Mega Sugarcane & Onion Mandi
A lively agricultural market yard where local farmers auction red onions, jaggery blocks, sweet jowar, and fresh farm vegetables.
Visiting Hours: 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Located at APMC market yard, Shrigonda.
Shrigonda Photo Gallery & Attractions
Explore high-resolution photographs of iconic temples, historical monuments, and scenic landmarks in Shrigonda.
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