It will make sense for you to try to visit all the locations in a particular region only if you have a weekend with you.

It is also known as Vatavriksha Swami Samarth Temple, Akkalkot.

The place gains religious importance because it has the samadhi of the Swami Samarth Maharaj, who devotees believe is the reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya.

Their shops and residences have the Swamis photograph prominently displayed.

The main structure here has the padukas (footwear) of the Swami Samarth.

Along with this, you can see a tall banyan tree inside the temple premises.

According to legend, the Swami attained his Samadhi under this tree.

There is an idol of the Maharaj in the temple premises, which is white.

The actual Samadhi of the Swami Samarth is about half a kilometer away from the Samarth temple.

One important statue here is the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj sitting on a throne.

Another aspect of note here is the architectural style, that is unique to this area of Maharashtra.

There are a mutt and prasadalaya that offers food to the devotees as well as accommodation.

All through the day, you will see devotees settling down near the Banyan tree and singing bhajans and praying all the while, creating a calming and serene atmosphere all over the Swami Samarth Temple at Akkalkot.

Near the temple, you will see a Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial.

The Chhatrapati memorial is different from the Chhatrapati statue that is along the way.

If you are booking online, make sure that you read the fine print and check out what is allowed and what is not.

Since this is a religious destination, there is a good chance that the hotels and accommodations do not allow smoking and drinking within the premises.

The Samarth Mandir might be one of the very few temples that allow photography and videography.

With the flux of tourists and devotees, the city has evolved, and it has spirituality in its DNA, making it a surreal experience for anyone visiting the Swami Samarth Temple and the nearby areas.

Whether it is the summer or monsoon, make sure you have prepared for it.

Locals in Maharashtra will tell you to wrap up your visit by early afternoon and not to venture out in the punishing heat of the mid-afternoon.

However, keep in mind that the places in the interiors of Maharashtra are quite far from each other.

Swami Samarth Favorite Food