Shree Narayani Dham

Set in the town of Lonavala, about 1–2 hours outside of Pune, this temple dedicated to Shree Narayani—the Hindu Mother Goddess—is not on the mass tourism radar, but does provide spiritual retreats for visitors (tourists included). Go for the day or book a stay in one of the dormitories or cottages, and attend morning and evening religious ceremonies. Some full-day tours from Pune visit the temple to see the gardens and marble hall before exploring other area highlights.

• Shree Narayani Dham is ideal for those interested in visiting a working temple retreat off the tourist circuit.

• Options for overnight stays include dozens of dorm rooms and four luxury cottages.

• Facilities include a yoga and fitness center with steam baths, as well as dining halls, a library, and a children’s play area.

• Don’t miss the garden with roses sourced from Kashmir.

Shree Narayana Dham is on Tungarli Road in Lonavala, a hill station roughly halfway between Mumbai and Pune on India’s west coast. From Mumbai, it’s about a 2-hour drive, largely along the Mumbai-Satara Highway; from Pune, it takes about 80 minutes along the same road. The Pune Intercity SF Express train travels through Lonavala on its route between Mumbai and Pune.

Generally, the best time to visit the state of Maharashtra is from October to March, sidestepping the punishingly hot summer and the rains of the monsoon season. The temple is open to visitors daily, from around sunrise to sunset, but closes in the afternoon for a few hours; the religious ceremonies take place early in the morning and in the evening.

In addition to serving as a place of worship, Shree Narayani Dham runs a gaushala, a shelter for homeless cattle. While you can’t necessarily purchase dairy products from the cow house, the milk from the 40 or so sheltered cows goes to the kitchen to serve guests in the dining halls.