WARNING: UJJAIN MAHAKAL TOURISM & ACHARYA PT. LOHITAKSH JOSHI – BOOK AND TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK
We paid £3,495 for a seven-day private spiritual pilgrimage for two people, from 13–19 October 2026, organised by Ujjain Mahakal Tourism and Astrologer Aacharya (Pt.) Lohitaksh Joshi. We travelled from the UK expecting a peaceful, professionally organised pilgrimage. Unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing.
The written itinerary was not properly followed. We were repeatedly instructed to be ready at 5 or 6 AM, only for the driver to arrive late, sometimes by several hours. We then had to collect Acharya before beginning our visits. Despite losing hours waiting, we were rushed through temples, sometimes without enough time to put our shoes back on. Acharya repeatedly walked ahead, leaving us struggling to catch up.
Shri Mahakal Lok was included in our written itinerary, but we did not visit it as part of the organised tour.
Throughout the pilgrimage, Acharya never once asked whether we needed a toilet break. On one occasion, I urgently needed a toilet, but despite my husband and a passerby calling out to him, he continued walking. I eventually had to ask a stranger to use their toilet.
The Omkareshwar excursion on 18 October was particularly appalling. Acharya insisted on an early departure because the journey was approximately three to four hours, yet we did not leave until late afternoon. We were rushed through our visit and missed spending time by the Narmada River because it was dark. No toilet breaks were offered. We did not use a toilet or have a proper meal until approximately 10:30 PM. When we were dropped off at our hotel that night, we had to plead with both the driver and Lohitaksh Joshi to please turn up on time the following morning for our early departure to Indore Airport. We got back so late that we had no time to sleep before packing and leaving for our onward flight.
We also had serious safety concerns about the driver, including repeated mobile phone use while driving, harsh emergency braking and a frightening near collision with pedestrians. The vehicle was not particularly clean or well maintained.
Although three meals daily were included, some eating places were visibly dirty, with flies present. We complained about the hygiene standards.
The 84 Mahadev Darshan was a major reason for booking. Acharya claimed all 84 temples had been completed, but despite our requests, no checklist was provided, so we cannot verify this.
The included astrological/spiritual consultation was never delivered. We also repeatedly had to chase photographs and videos.
During our stay, Acharya arrived at our hotel with his sister requesting a positive video testimonial, which we declined.
The Bhasma Aarti and Maa Baglamukhi havan were meaningful spiritual experiences, but our gratitude for the sacred places and rituals should not be mistaken for satisfaction with the tour operator. For £3,495, we expected punctuality, safe transport, basic consideration, and the agreed services. Instead, we experienced repeated delays, rushed visits, poor organisation and unacceptable disregard for our comfort.
BASED ON OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, WE CANNOT RECOMMEND UJJAIN MAHAKAL TOURISM OR ASTROLOGER AACHARYA (PT.) LOHITAKSH JOSHI. BOOK AND TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK.