Shri Khandoba Temple at Jejuri sits on a hilltop reached by approximately 400 stone steps in Pune district of Maharashtra, and is one of the principal kuldaivat (family deity) shrines for many Marathi households. Daily timings run from around 5:00 AM, with darshan structured into morning (6:30 AM–12:00 PM) and afternoon-evening (1:00 PM–8:45 PM) sessions; the day closes with the Shej Aarti around 9:00 PM. The signature event is the Bhandara Festival, when devotees throw turmeric powder into the air and the entire hilltop turns gold, hence Jejuri’s other name Sonyachi Jejuri, “Golden Jejuri”. This article covers the timings, the steps climb, the Bhandara festival schedule, and the practical points first-time visitors get wrong.
Daily timings
- Opens: approximately 5:00 AM
- Morning darshan: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Afternoon-evening darshan: 1:00 PM to 8:45 PM
- Shej Aarti: around 9:00 PM (final closure)
General entry to the temple is free. The Khandoba Devasthan Trust offers darshan passes for donations of ₹100 or ₹200 through its official booking page; passes are collected at the distribution centre on arrival. The pass is for queue management rather than required entry.
The 400-step climb
The temple sits on a hilltop accessed by approximately 400 stone steps from the foothill car park. Practical notes:
- The climb takes a moderately fit adult 20–35 minutes at a comfortable pace.
- The path is open, with railings on the steeper sections. Several small shrines en route provide natural rest stops.
- The steps can be slippery during and immediately after monsoon rain; wear footwear with grip up to the temple entrance, where you remove them.
- Palanquin (palkhi) services are available for those who cannot manage the climb, on a payment basis.
The pre-dawn and early-morning climbs are the most pleasant; midday in summer (April-June) and the post-noon hours are hot, with limited shade on the upper sections. Plan to be at the foothill by 6:00 AM for the most comfortable climb.
The Bhandara (turmeric) festival
The signature event at Jejuri is the Bhandara, the throwing of bhandara (sacred turmeric powder) into the air by devotees. The hilltop and the steps become covered in a vibrant yellow-gold coating; the name “Sonyachi Jejuri” describes this effect. Three notes:
- Main Bhandara dates: on Somvati Amavasya, the new moon day that falls on a Monday. The exact Gregorian date shifts every year with the lunar calendar.
- Other major Bhandara observances: the temple sees major Bhandara days approximately three times a year, in conjunction with the broader Khandoba festival calendar.
- Crowd size: a major Somvati Amavasya Bhandara draws crowds of 500,000 or more. Plan accordingly.
For what it’s worth, the Bhandara visit is one of the more visceral festival experiences in Maharashtra. Wear yellow or white clothes you don’t mind staining. Carry water and a damp cloth for your eyes — the turmeric is fine and will get into them. The aerial photography from the hilltop on Bhandara day is the iconic image of Jejuri; the experiential reality is louder, dustier and more sensory than the photographs suggest.
Who Khandoba is
Khandoba is venerated by many Marathi and Karnataka communities as a regional manifestation of Shiva, with a specific iconographic and devotional profile. He is shown as a warrior god on horseback with a sword, accompanied by a dog. He is the kuldaivat (family deity) for many communities including the Marathas and several agricultural castes, and his temple at Jejuri is the most important pan-regional Khandoba shrine, attracting devotees from across Maharashtra, northern Karnataka and the Marathi diaspora.
Reaching Jejuri
- From Pune: approximately 50–55 km, 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
- By air: Pune International Airport is the nearest, about 50 km away.
- By rail: Jejuri railway station is on the Pune–Daund line, about 2 km from the foothills.
- By road from Mumbai: approximately 240 km via Pune.
Common questions
Can I avoid the steps?
Palanquin services from the foothill to the temple are available for a fee, for elderly or differently-abled devotees. There is no full motor road to the sanctum at Jejuri; the climb (by foot or palanquin) is the only access. Wheelchair access is limited.
When is the best time of year to visit?
For a quiet darshan: October through February, when the weather is cool and the crowds outside major festival days are manageable. For the Bhandara experience: the Somvati Amavasya in any month, with the post-monsoon Bhandaras (September–November) drawing the largest crowds.
Is photography allowed?
Outside the inner sanctum, yes. Inside the sanctum, photography is generally restricted; check the signage at the entrance. On Bhandara festival days the entire hilltop is photographed openly; this is one of the most documented Maharashtra festivals.
One limitation worth noting
Bhandara dates shift each year by the lunar calendar; check the temple trust website close to the date. Donation-pass amounts and seva costs are revised periodically. Specific to the Bhandara experience: the temple trust periodically restricts the use of large volumes of bhandara powder by individuals in response to safety and air-quality concerns; current rules at the time of your visit are posted at the entrance.
For background see Khandoba on Wikipedia and the Jejuri town entry.
