Maharashtra, the state rich in cultural heritage and holding immense spiritual significance, is home to 5 Jyotirlingas. These sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva attract millions of spiritual seekers every year. Have you ever been there? If not, but planning a tour to Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, then you are at the very right place.
This comprehensive guide provides detailed information about the Maharashtra Jyotirlinga tour 2026. This guide will provide a list of the Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, their history, the best time to visit, and travel tips. Read this blog to the last, as it helps you plan an unforgettable spiritual journey efficiently.
A Jyotirlinga symbolizes the self-existence of lord Shiva in the shape of a mighty column of unlimited light. As Hindu scriptures state, he appeared in the form of a glowing column of divine fire in a total of twelve locations on the planet. These were referred to as the twelve Jyotirlingas.
The five Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra are not only a place of worship to be visited but also a cultural hub. All temples reveal years of worship and customs and practices that have been shared across generations. The visit of these shrines allows individuals to view the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra, both in its temple art, folk stories, and ancient literature. The Panch Jyotirlinga Yatra is regarded as a purification process for the soul and attracts individuals wanting to be blessed, seek tranquility, and get rid of negative thoughts.
| Temple Name | Location (District) | Temple Timings | Key Highlight (Suggested) |
| Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Pune District, Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary | 4:00 AM – 9:30 PM | Located amidst the dense forest, best suited to trekking and nature lovers |
| Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Nashik District, Trimbak Town | 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM | Home to a unique three-faced lingam symbolizing Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh |
| Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Aurangabad District, Ellora | 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM | Located near the UNESCO World Heritage Ellora Caves, the ancient yet quite popular Hemadpanthi architecture |
| Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga | Hingoli District, Aundha | 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Believed to be the oldest Jyotirlinga; an attractive Hemadpanthi-style temple |
| Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga | Beed District, Parli | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Well-known for its healing power and Ayurvedic medicinal herbs. |
These temples combine to make a significant part of the Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour Circuit, which is very popular among religious followers and tourists.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is a place venerated as the origin of the River Bhima, situated in the fertile Sahyadri ranges. This majestic pilgrimage offers a combination of harmony with spirituality and nature, with thick forests and abundant wildlife.
Key Highlights
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Nearest City: Pune (110 km)
Temple Timings
How to Reach
It has a Trimbakeshwar, which is probably the strongest of the Shiva temples in the area, located next to the origin of the sacred Godavari River. The sanctum is also known to have a very unique lingam that is trident-shaped and is an emblem of Brahma and Vishnu in a single composite body with Mahesh.
Key Highlights
Best Time to Visit: All year
Nearest City: Nashik (28 km)
How to Reach
Grishneshwar Temple, which is near the Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage), is the smallest of the Jyotirlingas but contains immeasurable religious seriousness. It also holds great importance in Indian ancient as well as modern history.
Key Highlights
Peak Season: October-March.
How to Reach
It is commonly believed that Aundha Nagnath is the first Jyotirlinga on earth; it holds a sacred status in the worshiping circles of Shaivites. The origin of the temple traces its roots to the Yadava dynasty, and thus, it has an archaeological relevance besides its spiritual value.
Key Highlights
Peak Season: October-March.
How to Reach:
Vaijnath is renowned and said to have curative qualities, which are expected to provide relief to maladies and moksha. The calm atmosphere and the holy ground confer peace to whoever lands within its walls.
Key Highlights
High Season: October to February.
How to Reach
All the temples are associated with Shaivism and special rituals and ceremonies. Rudrabhishek, Laghu Rudra, Maha Rudra, and Mahamrityunjaya Jaap are always performed frequently to request peace and prosperity. Trimbakeshwar Kaal Sarp Dosh Puja is highly attended and attracts numerous followers every month who seek astrological advice. It is believed by many that performing rituals at a Jyotirlinga brings the protection of God and transforms the inner personality.
Suggested Tour
Maharashtra has the largest number of Jyotirlingas in one state and is thus offering a unified pilgrimage itinerary. The connectivity, aviation, road transport, and railway infrastructure are efficient enough to reach every site. It is, therefore, a perfect place to visit in a Jyotirlinga tour package, where all five temples can be seen. The area provides a rich mixture of tradition, mythical accounts, and natural aesthetic beauty.
Maharashtra Panch Jyotirlinga Yatra has emerged as one of the best spiritual visits in India. All five temples are located within the same state; hence, people can complete the Yatra during a single visit. The pilgrimage has never been accessible in the past with the availability of better roads, hotels, and modes of traveling. The pilgrims declare that the trip transforms their lives as the Char Dham Yatra does in relation to spiritual power and fulfillment.
The vibrant temple markets around the Jyotirlingas are selling Rudraksha beads, brass idols, sacred ash, and handmade Pooja material. They contribute to the cultural diversity of the pilgrimage, and these products assist small craftsmen. Besides this, various local Maharashtrian meals, such as Misal Pav, Pithla Bhakri, Poha, and fresh sugarcane juice, can be enjoyed by the devotees as well, which makes the trip more entertaining.
The tourism department of the state and temple authorities have been striving to make all Jyotirlinga sites better in terms of provisions. The presence of new toilets, clean drinking water, shaded waiting bays, VIP queues, medical assistance, and food counters makes the visit comfortable for people of all ages. Along with this, crowd control and security are enhanced during major festivals such as Shravan, Mahashivratri, and Kartik Purnima to prevent loss of life of devotees.
Moreover, several IAS officers [RP1] have been appointed by the state government for direct oversight of religious infrastructure projects at this level.
Maharashtra is a major tourist destination in India, ranking 5th in domestic and 2nd in foreign tourist arrivals.
There are numerous tourist attractions around the temples, attracting a good crowd.
Let’s have a brief detail about the places you will cover and the day’s exploration schedule.
Note: You can also check our Maharashtra tour packages section to plan a stress-free pilgrimage.
Note: Bhimashankar trekking should be avoided during monsoons.
You need to make a checklist of the following travel tips to avoid last-minute hassle.
Q-1: How many Jyotirlingas are there in India?
Ans- India boasts of 12 ancient Shiva shrines, each located in a different state.
Q-2: I am planning to visit Maharashtra next month. Is it possible to cover all 5 Jyotirlingas in 1 trip?
Ans- Yes, if you are planning to spend at least a week there.
Q-3: I am travelling from Mumbai, so which Jyotirlinga would be the nearest to me?
Ans- Trimbakeshwar is the nearest to Mumbai and is located at a distance of almost 175 km.
Q-4: What are some other activities that I can do after completing puja rituals?
Ans- You can explore the nearby tourist attractions, do some street shopping, buy souvenirs for loved ones, and enjoy the nightlife of the city.
Q-5: Which was the first constructed/ancient Shiva site in Maharashtra?
Ans- Aundha Nagnath Temple happens to be the most ancient architecture.
Q-6: Is VIP Darshan arrangement available?
Ans- Yes, you can either arrange it yourself or ask your travel agency for the same.
Q-7: Can I travel with my parents to Bhimashankar Temple?
Ans- Yes, but I would recommend you not to take the trekking route and rather opt for Palkis.
Q-8: I am coming from Nashik. Which place should I cover first?
Ans- Trimbakeshwar is the Jyotirlinga near Nashik; hence, start your journey from there.
These Jyotirlingas are amongst the most ideal spots to experience the might and glory of Lord Shiva, should you be planning a pilgrimage, writing travel articles, or just learning about the spirituality of India. The Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra is not a religious journey, but an awesome experience which nourishes the heart, mind, and spirit.
So, why the wait? Plan this spiritual journey with us and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for love, protection, and divine serenity.
Har Har Mahadev!
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