Kartiki Ekadashi 2026 Pandharpur Yatra by Cab from Pune and Mumbai
Kartiki Ekadashi 2026 falls on Friday, 20 November (Smarta) and Saturday, 21 November (Vaishnava). Pandharpur follows the announcement of the Vitthal-Rukmini temple committee, so confirm the final date before you leave. After Ashadhi, this is the second great wari of the year, when lakhs of Varkaris reach Pandharpur to see Vithoba on the banks of the Chandrabhaga.
For families in Pune and Mumbai, Kartiki is the easier yatra: the weather is cool and the roads are dry. But the town is packed on Ekadashi, buses are full and parking near the temple is almost impossible. This guide covers the 2026 dates, the drive from Pune and Mumbai, darshan queues, where to stay and what to add to the trip.
Kartiki Ekadashi 2026: date
Dates are per Drik Panchang for India. The Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir Samiti announces the official Pandharpur date and the Mahapuja timings a few weeks before, so check that notice before you book.
Kartiki and Ashadhi: what is the difference?
Ashadhi Ekadashi (June or July) is the big wari, when the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram walk from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur in the monsoon. Kartiki Ekadashi, four months later, marks the end of Chaturmas, when Lord Vishnu is believed to wake from his sleep. There is no long palkhi walk from Pune, but the crowd in Pandharpur on the day is still very large, and the official Mahapuja is held in the early morning. Many families prefer Kartiki because the drive is easier and the weather is pleasant.
Why Pandharpur matters: Vithoba and the Varkaris
Lord Vitthal, lovingly called Vithoba or Vithu Mauli, stands on a brick with his hands on his waist, waiting for his devotees. The story goes that he came to Pandharpur for his devotee Pundalik, who was serving his parents and asked the Lord to wait on a brick until he finished. The Lord is still waiting. The Varkari tradition of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev, Sant Tukaram and Sant Eknath has kept this devotion alive for more than 700 years. Its abhangs are sung on every Ekadashi, and the cry of “Vitthal Vitthal, Jai Hari Vitthal” fills the town.
For many Maharashtrian families a visit to Pandharpur is not a holiday but a duty, often fulfilled with three generations travelling together. That is why comfort on the road and a driver who knows the town on Ekadashi day matter so much.
Pune and Mumbai to Pandharpur by cab
Distances and times are approximate and depend on the route your driver takes on the day. Roads near Pandharpur slow down sharply on the day before Ekadashi.
From Pune, book an outstation cab from our Pune outstation cabs page. From Mumbai, see outstation cabs from Mumbai. Staying in Solapur instead? Book a Mumbai to Solapur cab and drive to Pandharpur early the next morning. For a family of six or seven, an Innova from Pune or an Innova from Mumbai is the most comfortable.
A simple 2-day plan
- Day 1, morning: leave Pune by 6 am (Mumbai by 4 am). Breakfast on the way; from Pune, stop at Jejuri Khandoba if you like.
- Day 1, afternoon: reach Pandharpur, check in, rest. Walk to the Chandrabhaga ghats in the evening.
- Day 2, early morning: holy dip at the Chandrabhaga, then join the darshan queue or take mukh darshan.
- Day 2, after darshan: visit the Pundalik temple and the Rukmini temple, then drive back after lunch.
On Ekadashi itself the queues are longest. If your family has elders, consider going a day or two after Ekadashi, when the crowd is much lighter.
Darshan queues and timing
- Charan (pad) darshan, touching the feet of Vithoba, can take many hours on Ekadashi. The queue starts the night before.
- Mukh darshan, a view of the face from a distance, is much faster.
- Check the temple committee’s website or notice board for any online darshan pass or special timings for 2026.
- Carry water, a light snack and a shawl. Mornings in late November are cool.
Parking and getting close to the temple
Around Ekadashi, vehicles are stopped well before the temple area and diverted to parking grounds outside the town. Your driver drops you at the nearest point allowed on the day and waits at the parking ground. Agree a clear pickup point and time before you get out, because the lanes near the temple are very crowded. This is one of the biggest reasons families book a cab with a driver for Pandharpur rather than driving their own car.
What to carry
- A shawl or light jacket: late-November mornings are cool, especially in the darshan queue.
- Water, dry fruits and light food for those who are fasting.
- Comfortable footwear you can leave outside the temple, and a small bag for it.
- A photo ID for hotel check-in and any darshan pass.
- Cash in small notes for prasad and offerings; network for UPI can be slow in the crowd.
- Any regular medicines for elders, kept in the car and in your bag.
Where to stay
Pandharpur has dharamshalas, mathas and simple hotels, and they fill up fast around Ekadashi. Book early. If you cannot find a room, stay in Solapur (about 75 km) or Tembhurni and drive in early in the morning. Your driver will know the timing that works on the day.
Add more temples to the yatra
- Tuljapur, Tulja Bhavani: about 3 hours from Pandharpur, the family deity of many Maharashtrian families.
- Akkalkot, Swami Samarth: about 2.5 hours away.
- Jejuri, Khandoba: on the way from Pune.
- Gondavale: the samadhi of Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj, on the Phaltan side.
A three-day Pandharpur, Tuljapur and Akkalkot yatra is a popular plan with families from Pune and Mumbai. Tell us the temples you want to cover and we will plan the route. You may also like our Ashtavinayak darshan cab, the Shirdi cab and our Jyotirlinga trips to Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar.
Book early for the wari week
Cars for the day before Ekadashi are booked out first. Book at least a week ahead. For a group of 10 to 17, book a tempo traveller from Pune or a bus from Mumbai. For all festival dates this season, see our Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali 2026 travel guide.
Book your Pandharpur cab: call +91 9702747577 or WhatsApp +91 9702545454.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kartiki Ekadashi in 2026?
Kartiki Ekadashi is on Friday, 20 November 2026 (Smarta) and Saturday, 21 November 2026 (Vaishnava). Pandharpur follows the date announced by the Vitthal-Rukmini temple committee.
How far is Pandharpur from Pune by cab?
Pandharpur is about 210 km from Pune, around 4 to 5 hours by car.
How far is Pandharpur from Mumbai?
Pandharpur is about 360 km from Mumbai, around 7 to 8 hours by car via Pune.
Can a cab go near the Vitthal temple on Ekadashi?
No. Vehicles are stopped before the temple area and sent to parking grounds. The driver drops you at the nearest allowed point and picks you up there.
What is the best time for darshan on Kartiki Ekadashi?
The queue starts the night before. For a shorter wait, take mukh darshan, or visit one or two days after Ekadashi when the crowd is lighter.
Can I do Pandharpur, Tuljapur and Akkalkot in one trip?
Yes. A three-day trip from Pune or Mumbai covers all three comfortably by cab.
Which car is best for a family Pandharpur yatra?
An Ertiga or an Innova Crysta for six to seven people. For bigger groups, book a tempo traveller.
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