PMPML will operate two special Navratri temple-tour circuits in AC electric buses at a fare of ₹500 per passenger, covering 10 shrines across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and nearby areas. The services will give devotees an organised public transport option for visiting multiple temples during the festival.
The buses will operate under Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited’s Tourism Bus Service No. 13. Both routes will start from Pune Station at 8.30 am, travel via Swargate and return to Pune Station at 7 pm. The ₹500 fare applies to either circuit.
The first route covers five temples outside the main city area: Taljai Mata Temple at Taljai, Padmavati Temple, Tukai Mata Temple at Kondhanpur, Shrinath Mhaskoba-Jogeshwari Mata Temple at Kodit in Purandar taluka, and Yamai Mata Temple at Shivari, also in Purandar taluka.
The second circuit focuses on temples within Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Its stops include Mahalaxmi Temple at Sarasbaug, Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple in Budhwar Peth, Chatushrungi Mata Temple on Senapati Bapat Road, Vaishnavi Mata Temple in Pimpri Camp and Bhavani Mata Temple in Bhavani Peth.
The announcement, reported by Pune Mirror, forms part of PMPML’s existing tourism bus network, which has 13 services covering religious and tourist destinations. These buses generally run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, while operations on other days depend on passenger demand. PMPML said its tourism services have received a positive response, particularly during weekends, when employees of offices, educational institutions, industrial units and information technology companies are more likely to have weekly holidays.
PMPML has also expanded the destinations covered by two other tourism services following requests from travellers and devotees. Tourism Bus Service No. 5 will now include Dhayreshwar Temple in Dhayari village and the Jadhav Wada historical museum in Nanded village. Service No. 12 has added Shri Kshetra Pandeshwar, a Shiva temple located on Pandeshwar-Nazare Road. PMPML’s announcement describes the shrine as dating back to the Pandava era.
Tickets for the Navratri tours are available at PMPML pass centres at Deccan Gymkhana, Pune Station, Swargate, Katraj, Hadapsar Gadital, Pune Municipal Corporation headquarters, Bhosari Bus Stand and Nigdi. The AC electric bus circuits are intended to allow passengers to visit several temples through a single scheduled service rather than arranging separate travel for each stop.
