[speedster786]

It was a peaceful Saturday morning. The kind where you plan to do absolutely nothing—and hit the bullseye. The house was quiet, sunlight gently peeking through the curtains, and the only decision pending was whether to have another cup of tea or take a nap.

That’s when my wife, sipping her chai with an unusually mischievous smile, casually blurted out:

"Let’s go to Shirdi."

I froze mid-sip. "Now? As in, right now?"

"Yes!" she said, eyes wide with excitement. "Let’s just pack up and drive. We need some positive energy—and anyway, we didn’t plan anything for the weekend."


I, ever the man of reason, ran a mental checklist. No hotel booking, no packed bags, and definitely no itinerary. I looked at her calmly and said:

"You do realize this isn’t a Bollywood movie, right?"

She rolled her eyes. "Says the guy who once drove 150 km just for a plate of biryani!"

Touché.

Ten minutes later, I found myself shoving clothes into a bag while she scrambled to find matching dupattas.

"Do I need my heels?" she asked.

"Yes, in case Sai Baba decides to roll out the red carpet," I muttered.

She didn’t laugh. I did—quietly.

🚘 Meanwhile, the Verna had its own thoughts: “Ah, wonderful. They remembered me. Just when I thought I could kick back and relax in the shade, here comes another impromptu road trip with half a tank and no tire checks. Classic.”
We finally hit the road at 11 PM. Since we live in Whitefield, Bangalore, I took the expressway from Hoskote, which offered a smooth, traffic-free stretch all the way to Dabaspet. From there, we merged onto the Tumkur Highway (NH 48), setting us on the right track for a long overnight journey.


While the expressway made for a fantastic drive, it’s important to note that it isn’t fully operational till Mumbai. The current exit is at Ghoti, after which you switch over to the standard highway for the remainder of the journey.



The night is when a city truly comes alive.


The roads were calm, the weather was just right, and the Verna was humming along beautifully — as steady as a rock on every turn, effortless on every stretch.

Of course, the in-car comedy continued:
Her: “Don’t go too fast; we’re not in Fast & Furious.”

Me: “We’re in a Verna. We’re the comfort and furious.”

Verna (in her head): “Finally, some praise! Now, please use the brakes like you actually care about me.”

This trip wasn’t just a quick run—it was a full-blown adventure. In total, we clocked 2,700 kilometers, and the Verna, our loyal steed, delivered a commendable 21.2 km/l on the highway—not bad for a diesel workhorse that’s no stranger to long rides.

Route & Stages:

Stage 1 – Onward Journey: Bangalore → Pune → Shirdi → Mumbai

Stage 2 – In and Around Shirdi: Darshan, temple vibes, and a much-needed spiritual recharge

Stage 3 – Shirdi to Mumbai: A scenic stretch with pit stops and playlists

Stage 4 – Exploring Mumbai: Gateway, street food, and sea breeze therapy

Stage 5 – Return Journey: Mumbai → Pune → Bangalore

We took a couple of chai breaks to stretch our legs and keep the yawns at bay, and by the crack of dawn—around 5 AM—we rolled into Hubli-Dharwad. But the honeymoon phase ended soon after Belgavi. The roads turned into a patchwork quilt of potholes and diversions, thanks to endless roadwork.

As we crossed into Maharashtra, traffic hit us like a ton of bricks—and from there, it was bumper-to-bumper with no end in sight.

By then, Verna had been running on fumes after faithfully hauling us all the way from Bangalore. I pulled into the Kognoli Bharat Petroleum outlet—a company-owned, company-operated (COCO) station—just in time to top her up and let her catch her breath.



Just after topping up the Verna’s tank, we spotted Viraj Junction, a food court right near the Kognoli toll gate—like a silver lining after the rough patches of the road. Our stomachs had been singing a chorus of complaints for a while, so we followed our noses and stepped right in.



There’s also a play zone with go-karting and a bunch of fun games, making it a magnet for kids and a perfect pit stop for families looking to unwind.

After a brief and refreshing stop at Viraj Junction, we resumed our journey toward Pune. Unfortunately, the road conditions deteriorated significantly, with numerous diversions and heavy traffic—particularly between Kolhapur and Pune. This stretch added a few unexpected hours to our trip and made the drive more exhausting than we had bargained for.


During our drive, we stumbled upon a Safari that was truly on a mission—it was undertaking the spiritual journey of a lifetime, visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas across the country. The car was decked out like a moving postcard, with each side showcasing vivid visuals of the holy sites on their itinerary.




I truly hope their trip is a great success and that they travel safely, carrying blessings with every mile.

We finally reached Shirdi by 3 PM and decided to call it a day. I had booked a 2BHK Airbnb hosted by Sandeep at Saburi Apartments, just half a mile from the Mandir. The place exceeded expectations—spacious, spotless, and very comfortable. At ₹4,000, it was well worth every penny.




We had a peaceful darshan in Shirdi and spent the rest of the time immersed in prayers and spiritual activities. Since mobile phones weren’t allowed inside the Mandir, I couldn’t capture many moments. The darshan itself took about an hour, and it was truly fulfilling.

Just as we were winding down after a long day of prayers and peace in Shirdi, the calm was once again about to be shattered — predictably, by my ever-enthusiastic wife.

I was lying flat on the bed, digesting both the darshan and the day, when she walked in with that same mischievous glint in her eyes — the one that usually means my plans for rest are about to be hijacked.

"So..." she began, drawing out the suspense like a TV soap opera cliffhanger.

I raised an eyebrow. "So...?"

"Let’s go to Mumbai tomorrow!"

I blinked. “Mumbai? Now?”

“Not now-now,” she grinned, “but tomorrow morning. We’re this close already! When will we get a chance like this again?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off, clearly sensing resistance.

“Come on! Don’t be boring. It’s just a few more hours of driving. You love driving. The Verna’s practically begging to hit the highway again!”

In the corner, I imagined the Verna giving me the side-eye.
“I just got a break, bro. Don’t drag me into this.”

I sighed, knowing I was fighting a losing battle. This is the same woman who once convinced me to take a detour to Hyderabad “just for lunch” on a trip to Hometown.

"Okay," I said finally, pretending to resist a little longer for dramatic effect. "But this time, you handle the traffic in Mumbai."

She laughed, grabbed her phone, and began checking out cafes in Colaba like it was already decided.

And just like that, our peaceful pilgrimage turned into a high-octane sequel — Shirdi Diaries Part 2: The Mumbai Mayhem.

With our minds recharged and bags packed again, we set off for Mumbai the next morning. We took the Samruddhi Expressway — and what a beauty! Smooth, wide, and perfect for cruising.




The expressway seemed to cut right through forested stretches, and we even got a close-up view of the windmills along the way.


While the expressway made for a fantastic drive, it’s important to note that it isn’t fully operational till Mumbai. The current exit is at Ghoti, after which you switch over to the standard highway for the remainder of the journey.


We made it to Mumbai from Shirdi in just about 4 hours and headed straight to Colaba. After a bit of rest and freshening up, we stepped out to soak in the vibes at Marine Drive. As expected, it was buzzing with life — one of the best spots to relax by the sea.


Trident Hotel



Next on our list was the majestic Taj Mahal Palace, just a short drive from Nariman Point. Bathed in golden lights against the night sky, it looked absolutely breathtaking — and of course, we couldn’t resist snapping a few photos.



We ran into a bus that was clearly made for taking the scenic route — a perfect pick for tourists ready to see the city through a window with wheels.


A towering symbol of colonial history and Mumbai pride.


Every time I see the Taj — whether in person or in pictures — the memories of 26/11 come rushing back. A day when the city bled, and countless innocent lives were lost. The scars still remain. Heartfelt salute to the brave martyrs — you will never be forgotten.

We made our way to Bademiya — the OG of Mumbai street-style dining. Packed to the brim, as always, but totally worth it. The Bheja Fry and kebabs? Chef’s kiss!

The attention to detail at Bademiya was impressive — even the water bottles had “Specially made for Bademiya” printed on them. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a legacy.


From Bandstand, the Worli Sea Link stretches like a silver ribbon across the sea.



All good things must come to an end. With a bag full of memories and smiles, we hit the road back to Bangalore. Mumbai, you always know how to steal a piece of our hearts.

This time, we took the Mumbai-Pune Expressway — and I must say, it truly lives up to the name of a real expressway.


And so, with the sun setting on our Mumbai adventure, we began the journey back to Bangalore, feeling like seasoned travelers, but also wondering if we’d ever get around to actually taking a proper weekend off.

As we drove, I caught my wife glancing over at me with that smile—half mischievous, half innocent. I knew something was coming.

“Wouldn’t it be nice,” she said, “if we just took a road trip every weekend? Just like this, no plans, no itinerary, just us, the road, and the Verna.”

I looked at her, feigning shock. "Every weekend? You mean like, forever?"

She nodded sagely. "Well, it’s either that or we become couch potatoes. And you know, I’m really starting to miss those spontaneous lunch detours."

I shook my head, laughing. "I’ll tell you what: How about we plan a week where we don’t go anywhere? No spontaneous trips, no ‘Let’s just pack and go.’ Just us and Netflix."

She raised an eyebrow. "Netflix? You mean you’re finally ready to binge-watch that series I’ve been asking you about for months?"

"Absolutely," I said, with a grin. "But you’re in charge of the snacks."

"Deal," she said. "But next time, I’m the one driving. I’ll even handle the traffic in Mumbai."

I sighed, knowing full well that no matter where we went, I was never truly in control. And that, I realized, was the perfect balance of adventure and comfort.
With the hum of the Verna, and the endless possibilities of future spontaneous trips ahead, I couldn’t help but smile.
And yes, I still maintain that some of those detours were definitely not in the plan. But hey, that’s life with the perfect wife.

End of story.


If you made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back — and thank you! This being my first post on Team-BHP, I promise the road (and the writing) only gets better from here.

[just_amyth]

Great write up! The spontaneous plans end up being the most memorable most of the time. Your story-telling skills are top notch, please keep posting more often, so that the readers can live vicariously through you. The Verna seems to be a perfect companion for such trips as well. Happy Motoring!

[Ikran]

Quite a journey, enjoyed reading the way Verna speaks to you :-)

Next time in Mumbai try Sardar Pav Bhaji as well

[speedster786]

Thank you @just_amyth,

You’re absolutely right — it’s always the unplanned detours and last-minute decisions that turn into the most unforgettable memories.

Haha thank you! �� @Ikran
Glad you enjoyed the inner monologue of the Verna — she does have a personality of her own, especially when pulled into impromptu plans at midnight! ��

And thanks a ton for the tip! Sardar Pav Bhaji has now officially made it to the must-try list for the next Mumbai run.

[SidTheChamp]

You are one energetic couple. Sitting at Bangalore and having an impromptu plan of Shridi-Mumbai-Bangalore. That is some road trip. Enjoyed your writing and hope to see more including the past experiences

[ghodlur]

I was reading the thread in disbelief. How could someone go on such an impromptu trip of 2k+ kms without even blinking an eyelid. And here I am planning every trip months before to the last details and still end up doing less everytime. Hats off to you for the trip and to your partner in crime, I guess you guys are made for each other.

The thread was so lively as if the conversations were all deja vu. Thanks a lot for capturing the Mumbai spirit with some beautiful clicks. May be a few lines of the route taken, the road conditions etc would help someone unfamiliar with the locations.

[speedster786]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I was reading the thread in disbelief. How could someone go on such an impromptu trip of 2k+ kms without even blinking an eyelid. And here I am planning every trip months before to the last details and still end up doing less everytime. Hats off to you for the trip and to your partner in crime, I guess you guys are made for each other.

The thread was so lively as if the conversations were all deja vu. Thanks a lot for capturing the Mumbai spirit with some beautiful clicks. May be a few lines of the route taken, the road conditions etc would help someone unfamiliar with the locations.

Haha, honestly, even I had to pinch myself midway through the trip — it really was one of those "drop everything and just drive" moments. I’ll definitely update the post with more route details and road conditions—I would be glad if it helps a fellow traveler hit the road with confidence.