Stand on the southern bank of the Panzara River and you are standing where Dhule began: a small town laid out on about a square mile, its houses once shut in between an irrigation channel and the water. The city has spread far beyond that since, but the river still anchors the old core, and the streets of Old Dhule keep the irregular, close-built character the town had when it was chosen as the headquarters of the newly formed District of Khandesh.
Dhule suits travellers passing through West Khandesh on the highway network, or anyone using the city as a base for the temples and forts of the surrounding countryside. It is a working city rather than a resort, so plan around its sights, its markets and its river rather than around a long list of attractions.
This guide covers the places worth your time in and around Dhule, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Dhule
1. Laling Fort
Laling is an ancient place about six miles south of Dhule city, and the fort here was built in the 14th century during the regime of the first Faruki king. It stands in broken condition today, which is part of its character: you are reading the remains of a defensive site rather than touring a restored monument.
Within the same visit you can see two temples in the Hemadpanthi style, also much frayed. Combine the fort and the temples in a single trip, since they belong to the same site, and allow time to look closely at the stonework rather than treating it as a quick stop.
2. Ekvira Temple
This temple belongs to Ekvira mata, who is famous as a Shaktipeeth throughout Maharashtra. It is one of the principal religious sites connected with the city.
The temple is five minutes away from the bus station, which makes it easy to reach on foot or by a short ride if you are arriving or leaving by bus. Pair it with Shiva_tirtha, which is also close to the bus station.
3. Shiva_tirtha
Shiva_tirtha lies 300 metres from the bus station and was built by Anil Anna Gote, the MLA of Dhule. The site includes a garden and a massive monument of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
People go there in the evening to hang out, so that is the best time to visit if you want the garden at its liveliest. Its position near the bus station makes it a convenient first or last stop of the day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Ekvira Temple, five minutes from the bus station, while the day is still cool. Walk the short distance to Shiva_tirtha, 300 metres from the bus station, to see the garden and the monument of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Afternoon: Head south of the city to Laling Fort, about six miles away, and take in the two Hemadpanthi temples at the same site. The fort and temples are in broken condition, so give yourself unhurried time to walk the remains.
Evening: Return to Shiva_tirtha, which is at its best in the evening when people come to hang out in the garden. If you still have daylight, walk down to the Panzara River, on whose southern bank the old town was laid out.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Dhule?
The cold season from December to February is the most comfortable, followed by the hot season from March to May, when May is the hottest part of the year. The south-west monsoon lasts until September, and October and November make up the post-monsoon season.
How do I reach the temples and Shiva_tirtha?
Both Ekvira Temple and Shiva_tirtha are close to the bus station, five minutes and 300 metres away respectively, so they are straightforward to reach without a long journey across the city.
Is Laling Fort worth the trip out of the city?
If you have an interest in older defensive architecture and Hemadpanthi temples, yes. The fort dates to the 14th century and both it and the two temples are in broken condition, so go for the site itself rather than for restored buildings.
Set your dates around the cooler months, put the bus-station sights and Laling Fort into a single day, and you have the makings of a straightforward trip to Dhule.