An 11-Day Self-Drive Spiritual & Cultural Journey Across India

 

🚗✨ 4045 km of Faith, Family & Learning

An 11-Day Self-Drive Spiritual & Cultural Journey Across India

Some journeys are planned on maps, and some are planned by destiny.
This 11-day, 4045 km self-drive road trip from Indore (MP) turned into a soulful blend of devotion, discovery, culture, patience, and priceless family bonding—especially for our 8-year-old kiddo, who returned richer in values than souvenirs.

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🗓️ Trip Snapshot

• Travel mode: Personal car (self-driven 🚗)

• Total distance: 4045 km

• Total days: 11

• Travel theme: Jyotirlingas, Jain Tirths, Shakti Peeths & Indian heritage

• Travel companions: Family ❤️

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🌄 Day 1: Indore → Pench → Nagpur

We began our journey from Indore towards Pench National Park, with a spiritual halt at Matmor Jain Tirth. Unfortunately, accommodation at Pench didn’t work out—teaching us our first lesson of flexibility.

Instead, destiny led us to Nagpur where we visited:

• Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Mandir Koradi, Nagpur, MH

• Zero Mile, Nagpur, MH

We stayed overnight in Nagpur, grateful for smooth roads and divine redirection.

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🙏 Day 2: Jain Tirths & Chhattisgarh Blessings

Our next spiritual milestone was Uwassaggaharam Parshvnath Tirth, part of our sacred 108 Parshvnath Jain Tirthankar pilgrimage.

En route, we also visited:

• Chandragiri Jain Tirth - Rajkatta, Chhattisgarh 

• Maa Bambleshwari Temple

• Uwassaggaharam Parshvnath Tirth (CG)

• Kevalya Dham Tirth, Raipur (CG)

We ended the day at Kevalya Dham, where night aarti and Jain darshan filled the atmosphere with peace.

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🌊 Day 3–4: Odisha – Shakti, Bhakti & Wonders

After Navkarsi (morning Jain breakfast), we drove towards Odisha.
At noon, we sought blessings at Maa Samaleswari Shakti Peeth.

By evening, we reached the sacred land of Puri and went straight for darshan at Shri Jagannath Temple.

✨ Divine highlight:

• Smooth darshan by Lord Jagannath’s grace

• Our child received Dwaja Prasad from the Panda, a moment of pure joy ❤️

Next day, we explored:

• Konark Sun Temple

• Konark beach & Golden Beach, Puri

• Witnessed the daily Dhwaja change ritual

• Learned about the 7-pot Mahaprasad cooking tradition

• Enjoyed Khaja and local souvenirs

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🏙️ Day 5: Kolkata – The City of Joy

From Puri, we drove to Kolkata, immersing ourselves in culture and history:

• Kalighat Temple

• Victoria Memorial

• Princep Ghat

• Howrah Bridge

• Iconic yellow taxis 🚕

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🕉️ Day 6–7: Deoghar & Shikharji – Peak of Faith

We headed to Deoghar for darshan at Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, offering jal, milk, flowers, and prayers to Baba Baidyanath and Maa Annapurna.

Next, we reached Shri Sammed Shikharji—the most sacred Jain tirth.

We also visited Bodh Gaya, exploring international Buddhist temples—a global cultural classroom for our child.

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🌺 Day 8–9: Varanasi & Ayodhya – History Alive

In Varanasi, we experienced:

• Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

• Ganga ghats, food, culture & Jain Kalyanak Bhoomis

Then came Ayodhya:

• Shri Ram Janmabhoomi

• Hanuman Garhi

• 19 Kalyanak Bhoomis of 5 Jain Tirthankars

Via Lucknow → Jhansi, we finally returned home to Indore, hearts full and souls lighter.

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🌱 What This Journey Taught Us (Especially Our 8-Year-Old)

👨‍👩‍👦 As a Family

• Faith unites beyond religion

• Patience & adaptability are real travel skills

• India’s diversity is its greatest strength

🧒 For Our Child

• Respect for all cultures & beliefs

• Real-world geography, history & values

• Understanding that blessings are felt, not bought

• Learning gratitude, humility & curiosity

“This trip taught our child more than any textbook ever could.”

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❤️ Closing Thoughts

This wasn’t just a road trip—it was a moving classroom, a spiritual retreat, and a family bond strengthened over 4045 km.

Grateful to every temple, every road, every lesson, and every unexpected turn that made this journey unforgettable.

🙏 Jai Jagannath | Jai Jinendra | Har Har Mahadev | Jai Shri Ram 🚩

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