When I first planned my visit to Renuka Devi Temple in Mahur, I thought it would be just another temple trip. दर्शन, photos, prasad, and back home.
But what I experienced there — the energy, the silence, the climb, the local stories — changed how I look at spiritual travel.
I’m writing this from first-hand experience, not from Google summaries. If you’re planning a trip to Mahur, this post will save you time, money, and a lot of confusion.
📍 Why I Chose Renuka Devi Temple, Mahur (And Why You Should Too)
Renuka Devi Temple is one of the Shakti Peethas and is believed to be the birthplace of Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It’s located in Mahur, Nanded district, Maharashtra, surrounded by hills and forests.
But the real reason I went?
- I wanted a peaceful spiritual place, not overcrowded like Vaishno Devi
- I wanted a place with strong mythological roots
- I wanted a trip that felt authentic, not commercial
And Mahur delivered on all three.
🛕 My First Impression: Calm, Powerful, and Surprisingly Organized
When I reached the temple complex, I expected long lines and chaos. Instead, I found:
- Clean pathways
- Clear signboards
- Volunteers guiding pilgrims
- Proper queue system
The temple is on a hill, and yes, there are steps — but they’re not exhausting if you walk slowly.
The moment I entered the main sanctum, the atmosphere felt heavy but comforting, like the kind of silence that makes you automatically lower your voice.
🧭 How to Reach Renuka Devi Temple, Mahur (Tested Routes)
Here’s what I personally checked and verified:
🚆 By Train (Best Option)
| Station | Distance | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Nanded | ~125 km | Best connectivity, many taxis available |
| Kinwat | ~60 km | Closer, but fewer transport options |
From Nanded, I took a shared taxi which cost around ₹300–₹400 per person.
🚌 By Bus
MSRTC buses are available from:
- Nanded
- Adilabad (Telangana side)
But timing is unpredictable. If you’re on a tight schedule, avoid buses.
🚗 By Car
Roads are decent but last 20 km is hilly and narrow. Drive carefully, especially during monsoon.
🏨 Where I Stayed in Mahur (And What I’d Do Differently Next Time)
Let me be honest — don’t expect luxury here. Mahur is a pilgrimage town, not a tourist city.
My Stay Options Observed:
| Type | Price Range | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Dharamshala | ₹200–₹400 | Budget pilgrims |
| Local Lodges | ₹600–₹1200 | Small families |
| Hotels in Kinwat | ₹1500+ | Comfort seekers |
I stayed in a temple trust guest house. Basic room, clean bed, cold water — but peaceful and safe.
🔥 Pro Tip #1
If you want better comfort, stay in Kinwat and visit Mahur early morning. Roads are clear and darshan is faster.
🕉️ Darshan Experience: What Actually Happens
Darshan is not rushed like big temples. You get a few seconds to actually stand and pray, which I appreciated.
Typical Darshan Flow:
- Shoe stand near entrance
- Queue system
- Short security check
- Main sanctum darshan
- Exit via prasad counter
Best Time for Darshan (From My Experience)
| Time | Crowd Level |
|---|---|
| 5 AM – 8 AM | Very peaceful |
| 9 AM – 1 PM | Moderate |
| Evening Aarti | Crowded but beautiful |
I went for morning darshan and evening aarti, and honestly, evening aarti gave me goosebumps.
🌄 Other Places I Visited Near the Temple
Most blogs skip this part, but Mahur is more than one temple.
1. Parshuram Temple
Believed to be Parshuram’s birthplace. Quiet, small, very spiritual.
2. Dattatreya Temple
Located on another hill. View from top is amazing, especially at sunset.
3. Sahasra Kund Waterfall (If You Have Extra Day)
About 40 km away. Best during monsoon. I missed it due to time, but locals strongly recommended it.
🔥 Pro Tip #2
Plan one extra day if you want full spiritual + nature experience.
🍲 Food Situation: What I Ate and What to Avoid
This is important because food options are limited.
What’s Available:
- Simple veg thali
- Poha, bhaji, tea stalls
- Temple prasad meals during festivals
What’s NOT Available:
- Fancy restaurants
- Online food delivery
- Late-night food
I ate at a local mess near temple — simple dal, rice, bhaji — and honestly, it tasted better than city food.
🔥 Pro Tip #3
Carry dry snacks and water, especially if traveling with family or elders.
📅 Best Season to Visit (Based on Weather & Crowd)
| Season | My Verdict |
|---|---|
| Oct–Feb | ⭐ Best weather, smooth travel |
| Mar–May | Very hot, avoid midday travel |
| Jun–Sep | Beautiful greenery, risky roads |
I visited in December, and it was perfect — cool breeze and clear sky.
📸 Is Photography Allowed?
Outside temple complex — yes.
Inside sanctum — strictly no.
But honestly, this is one place where I didn’t feel like clicking photos. It felt more like a place to experience, not record.
⚠️ Mistakes I Almost Made (So You Don’t)
Let me save you from my almost-blunders:
- ❌ Almost went without hotel booking during festival week
- ❌ Didn’t carry enough cash (UPI sometimes fails)
- ❌ Underestimated walking distances between temples
🔥 Pro Tip #4
Carry cash + power bank + light footwear. Slippers are better than shoes.
📊 Renuka Devi Temple vs Other Shakti Peethas (My Honest Comparison)
| Feature | Mahur | Vaishno Devi | Kolhapur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crowd | Low–Moderate | Very High | Moderate |
| Commercialization | Very low | Very high | Medium |
| Peace Factor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Travel Ease | Medium | Easy | Easy |
If you’re someone who prefers spiritual silence over selfies, Mahur wins.
🧠 What Made This Trip Special for Me (Personal Take)
What stayed with me wasn’t just the temple — it was:
- Old women chanting softly in corners
- Priests explaining stories without asking money
- Kids playing on temple steps after school
It felt like faith mixed with daily life, not packaged tourism.
And honestly, that’s rare now.
✅ Final Checklist Before You Visit Renuka Devi Temple, Mahur
Here’s the exact checklist I’d follow if I go again:
📌 Travel
- ✔ Train to Nanded or Kinwat
- ✔ Pre-book taxi if possible
🏨 Stay
- ✔ Book dharamshala or lodge in advance (especially festivals)
- ✔ Carry your own towel & toiletries
🛕 Temple
- ✔ Visit early morning for peaceful darshan
- ✔ Attend evening aarti if staying overnight
🥗 Food
- ✔ Eat local veg food
- ✔ Carry snacks & water
🎒 Essentials
- ✔ Cash
- ✔ Power bank
- ✔ Comfortable slippers
- ✔ Light jacket (winter mornings are cold)
🙏 Final Thoughts: Is Renuka Devi Temple Worth Visiting?
For me — 100% yes.
Not because it’s famous.
Not because it’s Instagram-worthy.
But because it feels real, grounded, and spiritually strong.
I’m Vikas, the author of Radhajap.in, sharing simple and friendly guides on spirituality and devotional practices. My aim is to make devotion easy to understand and help everyone bring peace and positivity into their daily life.