Alandi (Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi)

Alandi, on the Indrayani River about 25 km north of Pune, is one of the main pilgrim towns of the Varkari tradition. The 13th century saint and poet Dnyaneshwar, author of the Dnyaneshwari commentary on the Gita, took sanjeevan samadhi here in 1296, and the temple built over his samadhi draws devotees every day. The ghats along the Indrayani are lined with smaller temples and ashrams. In June or July Dnyaneshwar's palkhi leaves Alandi on the walk to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi, and the Kartiki Ekadashi fair in November or December brings huge crowds back to the town.