Shegaon Travel Guide

Shegaon is well-connected by rail and road to most cities in Maharashtra and the neighbouring states. The Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is located in the small town of Shegaon in Buldhana district, roughly 300 km east of Mumbai and 150 km west of Nagpur, making it accessible for a weekend pilgrimage from most major Maharashtra cities. This guide covers the train routes from the most common departure cities, the bus options, the nearest airport, road distances, and practical tips for each leg of the journey.

Nearest airport and how to fly

The nearest airport to Shegaon is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur (NAG), approximately 150 km away. Nagpur has regular flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, and several other cities. From Nagpur airport, you can reach Shegaon by:

• Train: The fastest option. Nagpur Junction to Shegaon takes about 2.5 to 3 hours on several daily trains, including the Nagpur–Bhusaval Passenger and the Gondia–Bhusaval Express.
• Taxi / private car: A 2.5 to 3-hour drive (approximately 150 km) via NH-6. Taxis are available at the airport and can be pre-booked.
• Bus: State Transport (MSRTC) buses run from Nagpur to Shegaon, taking approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

The second-nearest airport is Aurangabad Airport (IXU), approximately 280 km from Shegaon. It has flights from Mumbai and Delhi. From Aurangabad, you would need to take a bus or train via Jalna and Partur — this route takes about 5 to 6 hours and is less convenient than the Nagpur route.

Shegaon by train: route-by-route

Train is the most popular way to reach Shegaon. The town has its own railway station — Shegaon railway station (SEG) — on the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line (Central Railway). Almost all trains between Mumbai and Nagpur stop at Shegaon. The station is about 1 km from the Samadhi Mandir.

Mumbai to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 620 km by rail
• Journey time: 8 to 10 hours on most trains
• Best trains:
  • Vidarbha Express (18005/18006): Mumbai CSMT to Shegaon, departs around 9:00 pm, arrives around 5:30 am. This is the most popular train for pilgrims — it gets you to Shegaon in time for the 4:00 am darshan opening.
  • Devlali–Gondia Passenger: Slower but has daytime options if you prefer not to travel overnight.
  • Mail / Express trains: Several other Mumbai–Nagpur and Mumbai–Bhusaval trains stop at Shegaon. Check the current Indian Railways schedule for the latest options.
• Booking: Book at least 15 days in advance on IRCTC, especially during Pragat Din and Samadhi Utsav. The Vidarbha Express fills up quickly.
• From Shegaon station to the mandir: Auto-rickshaws are waiting outside the station (₹20 to ₹40 depending on the season). The walk takes about 15 minutes.

Pune to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 580 km by rail
• Journey time: 10 to 12 hours
• Best option: Take a train from Pune to Akola (several daily options), and then a local train or bus from Akola to Shegaon (about 45 minutes). There is no direct train from Pune to Shegaon.
• Alternative: Pune to Nagpur by train or flight, then Nagpur to Shegaon (2.5 hours by train).

Nagpur to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 150 km by rail
• Journey time: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Best trains: Multiple daily options, including the Nagpur–Bhusaval Passenger, the Gondia–Bhusaval Express, and several MEMU services.
• This is the most convenient rail connection. Nagpur to Shegaon is short enough that you can leave Nagpur after breakfast and arrive in Shegaon in time for afternoon darshan.

Amravati to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 95 km by rail
• Journey time: 2 to 2.5 hours
• Best trains: The Amravati–Bhusaval Passenger stops at Shegaon. There are also direct buses.
• This is the shortest train route from a major city. Amravati is a convenient starting point for a day trip to Shegaon if you live in or near Amravati.

Akola to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 45 km by rail
• Journey time: 45 to 60 minutes
• Best trains: Several local passenger services between Akola and Shegaon run throughout the day.
• Akola is the closest major railhead to Shegaon. If you are travelling from anywhere on the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line, Akola is a convenient change point.

Khamgaon to Shegaon

• Distance: approximately 7 km
• Journey time: 15 to 20 minutes by local bus or auto-rickshaw
• Khamgaon is the nearest town to Shegaon and has several budget hotels for devotees who cannot find accommodation at Bhakta Niwas. See our accommodation guide for Khamgaon hotel options.

Shegaon by bus

State Transport (MSRTC) buses connect Shegaon to most major Maharashtra cities. The Shegaon bus stand is about 1 km from the mandir.

• Mumbai to Shegaon: MSRTC buses depart from Mumbai's central bus terminals (Dadar, Kurla, and Mumbai Central). The journey takes 7 to 9 hours depending on the route and traffic. The overnight sleeper bus is a popular option for pilgrims who want to arrive in Shegaon at dawn.
• Nagpur to Shegaon: Regular MSRTC buses, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Buses depart from Nagpur's Sitabuldi and Nagpur Central bus stands.
• Aurangabad to Shegaon: Approximately 5 to 6 hours via Jalna and Partur.
• Akola to Shegaon: Frequent local buses, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Private operators: Several private travel companies operate Mumbai–Shegaon and Pune–Shegaon services. These are often more comfortable (sleeper seats) but more expensive than MSRTC.

Shegaon by car or taxi

Driving to Shegaon is convenient if you are travelling in a group or carrying luggage. The town is on NH-6 (the Mumbai–Kolkata highway), and the road is in good condition for most of the route.

Key driving distances and approximate times:

• Mumbai to Shegaon: ~620 km, 10–11 hours (via NH-6 through Nashik and Jalgaon)
• Pune to Shegaon: ~580 km, 9–10 hours (via AH-4 and NH-6)
• Nagpur to Shegaon: ~150 km, 2.5–3 hours (via NH-6)
• Amravati to Shegaon: ~95 km, 2–2.5 hours (via SH-204)
• Akola to Shegaon: ~45 km, 1–1.5 hours (via SH-204)
• Aurangabad to Shegaon: ~280 km, 5–6 hours (via Jalna)

Driving tips:

• NH-6 is a four-lane highway for most of the Mumbai–Nagpur stretch. The road narrows to two lanes after Nagpur heading toward Shegaon.
• Fuel stations and food options are available at regular intervals on NH-6. The stretch between Khamgaon and Shegaon has fewer facilities — fill up at Khamgaon if needed.
• The temple town has narrow lanes inside; if possible, park at the designated parking area near the mandir and walk.

When to visit: avoiding the worst crowds

Shegaon is busiest during two periods: Pragat Din (February) and Samadhi Utsav (August–September, around Rishi Panchami). During these festivals, trains and buses are fully booked, and the town accommodates 100,000+ devotees. If you want a peaceful darshan, avoid these dates.

The best time to visit Shegaon for a relaxed experience is:

• October to December: Post-monsoon, the weather is pleasant and the crowds are moderate.
• January to February (excluding Pragat Din): Cool weather, manageable crowds.
• March to May: Hot weather but fewer crowds. Visit early morning and stay indoors during midday.

The monsoon season (July to September) coincides with the Samadhi Utsav period and is the busiest time of the year.

For a complete darshan planning guide, see our Pragat Din planning guide and Rishi Panchami Samadhi Utsav guide.

Planning your itinerary

A typical 2-day Shegaon itinerary:

Day 1:

• Arrive in Shegaon by train or bus (early morning is best)
• Check in at Bhakta Niwas (see our accommodation guide and booking guide)
• Morning darshan at the Samadhi Mandir (4:00 am to 12:00 noon)
• Visit Anand Sagar in the afternoon
• Evening aarti at the mandir (around 7:00 pm)
• Dinner at the Sansthan kitchen or a nearby canteen

Day 2:

• Morning darshan and aarti (4:00 am)
• Breakfast at the Sansthan kitchen (free annadan — see our free food guide)
• Visit the Samadhi Mandir museum or explore the outer campus
• Check out of Bhakta Niwas by 10:00 am
• Depart for your home city

For a longer itinerary that includes other pilgrimage sites, see our Vidarbha pilgrimage planning guide.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Which is the nearest airport to Shegaon? A: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur (NAG), approximately 150 km away. From Nagpur, it is 2.5 to 3 hours by train or car to Shegaon.

Q: How far is Shegaon from Mumbai by train? A: Approximately 620 km. The journey takes 8 to 10 hours. The Vidarbha Express is the most popular train, departing Mumbai CSMT around 9:00 pm and arriving in Shegaon around 5:30 am.

Q: Can I visit Shegaon as a day trip from Nagpur? A: Yes. Nagpur to Shegaon is only 150 km and 2.5 hours by train. Many devotees from Nagpur visit Shegaon for a day trip — leave Nagpur early, do darshan and visit Anand Sagar, and return by evening.

Q: Are there direct trains from Pune to Shegaon? A: No direct trains. The recommended route is Pune to Akola by train, then Akola to Shegaon (45 minutes by local train or bus). Alternatively, take a flight or train from Pune to Nagpur, then Nagpur to Shegaon.

Q: Is driving to Shegaon safe? A: Yes. The main highway (NH-6) from Mumbai and Nagpur is in good condition. The stretch from Nagpur to Shegaon is two lanes but well-maintained. Drive carefully during the monsoon season when the roads can be wet.

Q: What is the best way to reach Shegaon from Delhi? A: Fly Delhi to Nagpur (approximately 2 hours), then take a train or taxi from Nagpur to Shegaon (2.5 to 3 hours). Alternatively, take the Dakshin Express or another direct train from Delhi to Shegaon (approximately 24 hours).