12 Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra

On your arrival in Pune, begin your road journey to Bhimashankar. Enjoy the stunning scenery and the breathtaking views of the river during Pune to Bhimashankar road trip. Once you reach Bhimashankar, check in at your respective hotel and relax.

Visit the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 highly respected Jyotirlingas in India. Seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple displays the traditional and modern constructions in the Nagara style of architecture, a masterpiece of ancient Vishwakarma sculptors. The beauty of the temple is highlighted by the greenery all around.

You can also plan a visit to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in the evening, where you will explore the beauty of nature with lush hills, waterfalls, and dense forests. This wildlife sanctuary is home to the Indian Giant Squirrel, also known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel, and endangered species of birds. After a hectic day, return to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Bhimashankar.

On the 2nd day of the holy tour, enjoy breakfast early in the morning and check out from the hotel. Later, head straight towards Shirdi, which is located at a distance of almost 183 km from Bhimashankar.

Shirdi is a town located in Maharashtra, in western India. This town is popularly known as the ancient home of esteemed spiritual head Sai Baba. Denoting a major pilgrimage site, millions of people all around the world come to seek the blessings of Sai Baba. On your arrival at Shirdi, pay a visit to Samadhi Mandir, Khandoba Temple, and Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Complex. Later, drive towards Shani Shingnapur.

Shani Shingnapur temple is devoted to Lord Shani Dev. According to Hindu mythology, Shani Dev is known as the God of Justice. The most exceptional fact about this village in India, or probably in the world is that no house here has any doors. It is strictly recommended that you must wear Dotar/Dhoti (a garment worn by male Hindus, consisting of a piece of material tied around the waist and extending to cover most of the legs) to enter the temple premises.

In the evening, drive to Aurangabad. On arrival check-in at the hotel. The rest of the time is at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Aurangabad.

In the early morning, leave to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘Grishneshwar Temple’, also known as the Dhushmeshwar Temple. The word Grishneshwar means “lord of compassion”. The temple has a traditional South-Indian architecture design. It was re-constructed by the grandfather of Shivaji (Maloji Bhosale) in the 16th century and later again by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century. The temple is made up of red-colored stones and occupies an area of 44,400 square feet. It is not just divine but has a unique architectural style that will leave you captivated.

After visiting this temple, head towards Nashik, an ancient city in Maharashtra. The city is renowned for its links to the “Ramayana”. Nashik was earlier known as ‘Panchavati’ before the Ramayana era and is nestled on the bank of the Godavari River, denoting a great mythological, traditional, cultural, and social significance.

On arrival in Nashik, complete the check-in formalities and enjoy the rest of the time at leisure. If you get some free time, then Nashik is an excellent spot for shopaholics as this city is famous for its shopping streets. You can find numerous shopping items such as handicrafts, silver items, copper items, and statues of brass.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Nashik.

On day 4 of the Jyotirlinga Darshan tour, enjoy your breakfast early and check out from the hotel. Then, drive towards Trimbakeshwar, home to one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlinga. The pious Trimbakeshwar Temple is situated around 28 km from Nashik city. The third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao constructed the temple on the position of an ancient temple.

The Jyotirlinga here has its three appearances embracing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra. The significance of this temple is enhanced as the Godavari begins from the Brahmagiri hills in this town, and it is believed that it is the birthplace of Lord Ganesha, known as a place of Tri-Sandhya Gayatri.

According to Hindu mythology, those who visit Trimbakeshwar attain salvation or Moksha (it refers to freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth). Due to its utmost religious importance, this holy destination, a large number of devotees visit this temple every year.

Later you will head towards Mumbai after paying a visit to the Trimbakeshwar Temple. On arrival, you will have an assisted transfer to the hotel. If time and energy permit, then explore the popular market in Mumbai.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Mumbai.

On day 5th, enjoy your breakfast, check out, and head towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, to catch a flight for Porbandar. On arrival at Porbandar airport, you will have an assisted check-in at the respective hotel. Later, you will head towards Dwarka for Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

The 25 m tall statue of Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are major attractions of this temple complex. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. After seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, return to the respective hotel, or if you get some leisure time, you can explore the local markets in Dwarka.

Back to Porbandar for an overnight stay.

Wake up early in the morning, freshen up and enjoy the delicious breakfast. Later begin your drive to Somnath Jyotirlinga, which is believed to be the first among the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple is located on the ancient Triveni Sangam, the confluence point of three rivers – Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati.

The history of this pious temple is very tragic. It is said that the temple was looted and destroyed seventeen times by rulers like Mahmud Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, and Aurangzeb.

At present, the construction of this temple is in the Chalukya style of architecture. The temple comprises impressive architecture with elaborate carvings, silver doors, an important Nandi idol, and the central Shiva linga. Seek the blessing of Lord Shiva and attend the evening aarti. Somnath temple is a major pilgrimage and tourist spot in Gujarat.

After visiting the holy temple, return to Porbandar. Overnight stay at the hotel in Porbandar.

On day 7th, enjoy your breakfast and check out from your respective hotel. You will be driven to Porbandar airport to catch a flight for Indore via Mumbai. On your arrival in Indore, start your drive towards Ujjain. An ancient city is settled on the bank of the Kshipra River in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; Ujjain is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. It is renowned for the centuries-old Mahakaleshwar Temple, a towering construction with an ornate roof.

During the road trip, you will find the scenic beauty of the farms and wide fields. After reaching Ujjain, complete the check-in formalities at the respective hotel and relax. The rest of the time is at your leisure. You can visit the local market to buy souvenirs for your loved ones.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Ujjain.

Wake up early in the morning and head straight towards the Mahakaleshwar Temple to attend the Bhasm Aarti before 3:00 am. The Bhasm Aarti is the first ritual obeyed every day at the temple. It is performed to wake Lord Shiva. After paying homage, return to the hotel for breakfast.

This is followed by a road trip to Omkareshwar, one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an island called Shivpuri between the Narmada River and the river surrounding the temple.

The island’s shape is said to be like the Hindu symbol ‘Om’. Omkareshwar is the most visited religious tourism place in Madhya Pradesh. Post reaching, complete the check-in formalities and unwind yourself. The evening is reserved for visiting the Omkareshwar Temple. Also, get a chance to attend the Aarti.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Omkareshwar.

Wake before the sun rises to attend the early morning Abhishekam ceremony at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and seek the blessing of Lord Shiva. Later, get back to the hotel, have a delightful breakfast, and check out from the respective hotel. Later, begin your drive to Indore, and you will get transferred to the Indore airport to board a flight to Hyderabad.

On your arrival in Hyderabad, begin your drive to Srisailam, a census town in the Kurnool district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This town is renowned for Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, located on the Nallamala Hills, and the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva.

After reaching, proceed for a visit to the magnificent Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple, also known as Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple or Srisailam Temple. Finally, attend the grand aarti in the evening and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

A grand festival is celebrated every year in February and March, and visiting during the festival adds more appeal to the darshan. The seven-day long festival, Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavam, is one of the most popular festivals of the temple.

Overnight stay at the pre-booked hotel in Srisailam.

Attend the early morning ‘Abhishekam’ ceremony at Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Later return to the hotel, enjoy the delicious breakfast and check out from the respective hotel. After this, start your drive back to Hyderabad. Upon reaching, complete the check-in at the hotel and relax for a few hours. Then, enjoy your leisure time by visiting the most popular attractions such as Salarjung Museum, Charminar, and the second biggest Mosque in India.

You can also explore the local street markets of Hyderabad and buy souvenirs for your loved ones, such as Hyderabadi Pearls, Kalamkari Fabrics, Lac Bangles, and many more.

Stay overnight at the hotel in Hyderabad.

On the 11th day of the Jyotirlinga tour, enjoy a healthy breakfast and then check out from the respective hotel. Then, head towards the airport to catch a flight for Madurai.

Madurai is a dynamic and ancient city settled on the Vaigai River in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This city is well known for its temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture by the Pandyan and Madurai Nayak emperors. The holy city of Madurai is also one of India’s most prominent Hindu pilgrimage hubs. It has several historical masterpieces, with the Meenakshi Temple and the Thirumalai Nayak Palace being the most famous place.

On arrival in Madurai, visit the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple. This divine temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, a form of Goddess Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. After seeking the blessings of the Goddess Meenakshi, get on the road to Rameshwaram. The drive to the island town takes almost 4 hours.

On arrival, check into a hotel and unwind yourself. Later, visit the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. One of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, this is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu. The list of unique features in its structure seems to be infinite. This temple holds its name in history books as it has the largest hallway anywhere in India. It is spread across 15 acres, including tall Gopurams and huge walls. In addition, there is a huge pillared corridor that is around 1220 meters in length. Another notable feature of Ramanathaswamy Temple is 22 wells spread throughout the premises. It is said that water from each well tastes different.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Rameshwaram.

Wake up early in the morning, around 4:00 am, and get ready for the holy Mani Darshan. Later proceed for rituals of Kund snan. Also, attend the ‘Abhishekam’ ceremony at the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple. Then, seek the blessings of the Lord and return to your hotel. Savor the delicious breakfast and complete the check-out formalities. Then begin your return journey to Madurai by road. Just sit back and enjoy your favorite music with beautiful views during the road trip. After reaching Madurai, head straight to Madurai airport to board the flight for Delhi.

After reaching Delhi, complete the check-in formalities at the hotel and relax. If energy permits, you can explore the local markets in Delhi and buy souvenirs for your loved ones.

Delhi is well-known for its tourist attractions, cuisine, and local markets. As it is the national capital of India, you can explore places like Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and India gate. If you are interested in history, you can visit major ancient tourist spots such as Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb, and many other spots.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

On day 13th, check out from the hotel and head towards Haridwar. It is an ancient city and significant Hindu pilgrimage site situated in North India’s Uttarakhand state. The city is famous for its several largest sacred Ghats (bathing steps).

Haridwar is renowned all over the world for its majestic Kumbha Mela, held every 12 years. It is the largest gathering of faith in which devotees from all over the globe participate and take a bath in the sacred or holy river. They believe that bathing in the sacred river purifies them of their sins.

After arriving at Haridwar, complete your check-in formalities and visit the renowned Chandi Devi Temple, settled on the top of the Neel Parvat (mountain) on the Eastern point of the Shivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas. You will also visit the Mansa Devi Temple, located on Bilwa Parvat (mountain) in the same mountain chain. This holy temple is devoted to the goddess Mansa Devi. You will visit these temples by cable car (The ticket has to be purchased directly). In the evening, witness the most charming Ganga aarti at the Ghat.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Haridwar.

On day 14th, enjoy your breakfast, complete your check-out formalities, and get ready for the morning drive to Guptkashi. On arrival, check in at the hotel and unwind. The rest of the time is at your leisure. You can explore the famous town of Guptkashi, which is located at an altitude of 1,319 meters in the Kedar-khanda, in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand.

It is well-known for its ancient Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is similar to the one in Varanasi. You can visit the most popular tourist attractions such as Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi, Manikarnika Kund, Ardhanarishwar Temple, Gaurikund, and Ukhimath, Chopta. You will enjoy the pleasant climate, lush green forests, and stunning views of the Chaukhamba Range.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Guptkashi.

On the 15th day of the 12 Jyotirlinga tour, you will enjoy your early morning breakfast and begin the day with a road transfer to Phata Helipad. On arrival, board the helicopter to Kedarnath. While flying high, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of mountains. This holy temple is on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River.

According to legends, the Jyotirlinga is the humped form of Lord Shiva disguised as a bull. The holy temple of Kedarnath was built by the Pandava brothers of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Later the temple was revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. It is believed that this holy temple is around 3000 years old. It is one of the Char Dham destinations and one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Spend a few hours in Darshan at the Kedarnath Temple.

After the holy Darshan, return to Phata via Helicopter. After a safe landing, your vehicle awaits for you to take you back to the hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Guptkashi.

On the 16th day of the tour, savor an early breakfast and start your drive back to Haridwar. This holy town is settled at the foothills of the Himalayas and on the bank of the River Ganga. After reaching the holy town, you will get transferred to the Haridwar railway station to catch the train for Varanasi.

Enjoy the overnight journey to the land of Lord Shiva’ Varanasi’, also known as Banaras or Kashi.

Arrive at Varanasi railway station in the afternoon and get an assisted transfer to the hotel. Complete check-in formalities and relax.

Varanasi is also known as ‘The City of Light’. This city is situated in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is acknowledged as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’, attracting travelers from across the globe. People from various states of India visit here to perform many Hindu rituals.

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that after the death of an individual, if funeral rites are performed then the pure soul attains Moksha (it refers to freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth). Along the city’s winding streets, there are about more than 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” and many more.

Proceed to take part in the famous evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The spectacular Ganga Aarti starts just after sunset. As the aarti begins, saffron-clad priests take their positions on the platform and raise huge heavy brass lamps in reverence of the River Goddess. Chanting of hymns, music, the aroma of flowers, and incense make it a memory you cherish forever.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Wake up before the sun rises and leave for a boat ride on the River Ganges. Watch the world awake with the people making their way to the Ghats for daily rituals. Later, return to the hotel and have a hearty breakfast. Next, complete the check-out formalities, after which you can proceed for a visit to the holy temples. Finally, embark on the city’s sightseeing, including Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas, Birla Mandir, Visalakshi and Annapurneshwari, etc.

The day’s highlight is Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the revered 12 Jyotirlingas in India. This temple is one of the most renowned temples in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was constructed in 1780 by the Maratha monarch Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.

After seeking the blessings from Lord Kashi Vishwanath, leave for an excursion to Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi. Sarnath is a Buddhist pilgrim spot and is famous for being the first place where Lord Buddha preached after attaining enlightenment.

Later, kings who followed Buddhism, like King Ashoka, built a lot of stupas and structures here that are focused on Buddhism. The remarkable remains and modern temple will fascinate you. The outstanding masterpieces of Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi, and Dharnek stupas must not be missed.

Later in the evening, get an assisted transfer to Varanasi railway station to board the overnight train for Deoghar.

Upon arrival in Deogarh, check into the pre-booked hotel and relax. Later, leave to visit Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, also known as Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga temple or Baidyanath Dham. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in Deogarh in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand.

According to Hindu mythology, the demon king Ravana praised Lord Shiva to get the blessings. Ravana offered his ten heads one after another to Shiva as a tribute. Delighted with this, Shiva descended to this place to cure Ravana. As Lord Shiva portrayed himself as a doctor, he is introduced as Vaidya, which means doctor. From this perspective of Lord Shiva, the temple procures its name.

Visit the holy temple to take part in the rituals of Abhishekam and Pooja. Later, pay a visit to Basukinath Temple, one of the ancient temples in the area. It is believed to be the court of Baba Bhole Nath, at Basukinath Dham.

After darshan, return to the hotel, and if time permits, attend the evening aarti. Overnight stay at the hotel.

On the very last day of the 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan tour, wake up early and visit the temple to attend the morning aarti at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple. Then, seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and get a return to your hotel to enjoy your delightful breakfast. Later, complete the check-out formalities and proceed to explore the markets. You can buy many souvenirs for your loved ones such as handloom decorative, handloom fabric, handloom saree, handloom textiles, beautiful bangles, etc.

You can also buy some famous sweets of Deogarh, such as Peda – a type of milk-based sweet meat that is this city’s specialty. A visitor to Deogarh must not miss it.

Later, avail the transfer to the Patna airport to board the flight for your onward destination.