The short answer
Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi Mandir: what visitors should know first
A quiet, short stop that adds a human story to the town. It matters most to Varkari pilgrims and to readers of Marathi saint literature; for others it is a calm contrast to the main temple queue.
History and context
The story behind Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi Mandir
Nivruttinath (c. 1273-1297) was born near Paithan and became the eldest of the saint siblings of Alandi. After his brother Dnyaneshwar took samadhi, he travelled on pilgrimage with his sister Muktabai, who is said to have been lost in a thunderstorm, and then took samadhi near Trimbakeshwar. Sources give differing dates and details, so treat the figures as approximate.
Useful facts
Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi Mandir facts at a glance
- Location
- Trimbak town
- Faith
- Hindu (Varkari, Nath tradition)
- Dedication
- Sant Nivruttinath, brother of Dnyaneshwar
- Visitor note
- Modest dress; yatra days are very crowded
- Time or schedule
- Annual yatra on his death anniversary, usually winter
Why it matters
Why Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi Mandir is worth your time
Nivruttinath was the eldest of four siblings, and the guru of his brother Dnyaneshwar. In the Nath tradition he is placed among the initiates of Gahininath, and the Varkari tradition credits him with encouraging Dnyaneshwar to write the Dnyaneshwari, a Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. The Trust's history page names him as the founder of the Varkari sampradaya.
His samadhi at Trimbak gives the town a second layer beyond Shiva and the Godavari. Each year pilgrims walk to Trimbak on his punyatithi, and in the Ashadhi season a palkhi sets out from the town to Pandharpur.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The samadhi
The simple dome and the small inner room where devotees sit in silence.
- 02
The annual yatra
Varkaris gather in large numbers around the saint's punyatithi.
- 03
A quiet contrast
A calm stop after the main temple crowds.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Walk to the shrine from the main temple area; it sits in the older part of town and is quickly found by asking. The building is simple, with a narrow, colourful dome, and it houses the samadhi of Sant Nivruttinath.
Visit on an ordinary day if you want to sit quietly and take in the atmosphere, which is much calmer than the Shiva temple's queue. Devotees come to offer flowers and sit for a while in silence. If you read Marathi or know the Dnyaneshwari, it is a moving place to pause.
If you are here in winter, check the dates of the annual yatra on the saint's death anniversary: Varkari pilgrims arrive in large numbers, and the lanes fill. It is a remarkable sight but not a comfortable day for older visitors.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Visit on an ordinary day for a calm experience
- Remove footwear and dress modestly
- Check yatra dates before planning a January visit
- Ask locally for the exact route
- Combine with the temple and Kushavarta
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Trimbak town
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning or evening; the January yatra is very crowded
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The shrine is compact and mostly level, with limited seating and a small queue on ordinary days. Pausha Vadya Ekadashi in January draws huge crowds, so older visitors should plan another day.
- Tickets and access
- Free. Footwear comes off at the entrance; modest dress is expected. Confirm the date of the annual yatra with local sources if you want to avoid or join it.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi Mandir
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The shrine is compact and mostly level, with limited seating and a small queue on ordinary days. Pausha Vadya Ekadashi in January draws huge crowds, so older visitors should plan another day.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who was Nivruttinath?
A 13th-century Marathi saint of the Nath tradition and elder brother and guru of Dnyaneshwar. He took samadhi near Trimbakeshwar.
When is the Nivruttinath yatra?
The Trust describes a yatra on his death anniversary. Some sources place it in January, around Pausha Vadya Ekadashi; confirm with local organisers.
Is it crowded?
On ordinary days it is quiet. During the yatra, lakhs of pilgrims attend and the town is packed.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Nivruttinath
- Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust: History
- Outlook Traveller: Trimbakeshwar, where Godavari is born
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
