Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon

My family and I drove to Morgaon on 4 January 2026. It was the first long drive I undertook after the operation in the second week of December. It was a two-hour drive one-way.

The drive to the temple was on mostly good roads except for a stretch between Hadapsar and a little beyond Phursungi. After that the roads were good and mostly empty. We made a stop at Kamat’s at Khalad on NH 965 for tea and our bathroom break.

We didn’t make any stops on the way back. We stopped after we crossed Magarpatta to snack on some makhana.

I first heard about Mayureshwar Temple associated with the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage circuit. It is the starting and ending temple to visit on that circuit. There are some fascinating myths associated with the temple.

The temple was really well planned. It had good parking space, not too many heckling commercial establishments, and really well kept temple surroundings. We had a good darshan after a small waiting time. I found it hard to pray though the darshan was relaxed.

I did not notice too much on this journey because I was really focussed on driving and my own driving comfort.

Addendum: 16 January 2026

I watched this post on Instagram that gives the story of Khandoba at Jejuri. This is near Mayureshwar. While standing in line, we saw several people who seemed bathed in turmeric and we were curious to learn more.

View this post on Instagram

Khandoba was a version of Shiva who came to fight Mani and Malla’s terror. Mani surrendered. Malla refused to surrender and was beheaded.

After the war, Khandoba’s battle wounds were smeared with turmeric and the temple at Jejuri is still bathed in a sea of yellow.