Jyotirlinga Yatra Complete travel guide

The 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of India are the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, representing his infinite cosmic power. Spread across India from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu, these temples form the ultimate pilgrimage circuit for devotees. Undertaking the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra is said to cleanse sins and grant liberation (moksha).

This journey connects spiritual seekers with the divine energy of Shiva across the length and breadth of India.

 

Suggested 18-Day Jyotirlinga Yatra Itinerary

• Day 1–2 (Gujarat): Somnath & Nageshwar

• Day 3–5 (Maharashtra – Part 1): Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar

• Day 6–7 (Madhya Pradesh): Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar

• Day 8–9 (Uttarakhand): Kedarnath

• Day 10–12 (UP & Jharkhand): Kashi Vishwanath, Vaidyanath

• Day 13–14 (Andhra Pradesh): Mallikarjuna, Srisailam

• Day 15–16 (Tamil Nadu): Ramanathaswamy, Rameswaram

• Day 17–18: Return Journey

Details of All 12 Jyotirlinga Temples (with How to Reach) 

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)

• Location: Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat

• Significance: Considered the first and most sacred Jyotirlinga. Believed to have been destroyed and rebuilt many times (by Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, and Aurangzeb) but always restored as a symbol of faith.

• Special Rituals: Aarti at 7:00 PM with the Arabian Sea as backdrop.

• Best Time to Visit: October–March.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Diu (65 km)

  • Railway: Veraval (5 km)

  • Road: Connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Junagadh 

2.Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)

• Location: Dwarka, Gujarat (on the coast of Saurashtra).

• Significance: Said to protect devotees from poison and evil forces. Known for the massive 25-meter Shiva statue.

• Special Rituals: Rudrabhishek puja with milk and honey.

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, especially during Maha Shivratri.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Diu (65 km)

  • Railway: Veraval (5 km)

  • Road: Connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Junagadh

3. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Location: Nashik, Maharashtra (near Brahmagiri hills).

• Significance: Source of the holy Godavari River. Unique Jyotirlinga with three faces symbolizing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

• Special Rituals: Narayan Nagbali puja (ancestral rites).

• Best Time to Visit: July–March, avoid heavy monsoon.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Nashik (40 km)

  • Railway: Nashik Road (39 km)

  • Road: Buses from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik

4. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Location: Sahyadri Hills, Pune District.

• Significance: Associated with the legend of demon Tripurasura’s slaying by Lord Shiva. Also home to Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Special Rituals: Abhishekam with water from the sacred Bhima River.

• Best Time to Visit: October–February.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Pune (110 km)

  • Railway: Pune (111 km)

  • Road: Buses/cabs from Pune & Mumbai

5. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Location: Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

• Significance: Known as the last (12th) Jyotirlinga. Located beside Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage site).

• Special Rituals: Women are allowed to enter the sanctum and perform puja.

• Best Time to Visit: October–March.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Aurangabad (30 km)

  • Railway: Aurangabad (29 km)

  • Road: Cabs & buses from Aurangabad

6. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)

• Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

• Significance: The only Jyotirlinga facing south, symbolizing victory over death. Famous for Bhasma Aarti performed daily with sacred ash.

• Special Rituals: Attending the 4:00 AM Bhasma Aarti is a must.

• Best Time to Visit: All year, especially during Maha Shivratri & Kumbh Mela.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Indore (55 km)

  • Railway: Ujjain Junction (2 km)

  • Road: Connected to Indore, Bhopal, Omkareshwar

7. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)

• Location: Mandhata Island, Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh.

• Significance: The island is naturally shaped like “ॐ” (Om). Represents cosmic energy.

• Special Rituals: Parikrama (circumambulation) of the island.

• Best Time to Visit: October–March.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Indore (80 km)

  • Railway: Omkareshwar Road (12 km)

  • Road: Direct buses from Indore, Ujjain

8. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand)

• Location: Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand (3,583m altitude).

• Significance: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also part of Char Dham Yatra. Built by Pandavas as penance for Kurukshetra war.

• Special Rituals: Abhishekam with ghee and snow-melt water.

• Best Time to Visit: May–October (closed in winter, idol moved to Ukhimath).

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Dehradun (239 km)

  • Railway: Rishikesh (221 km)

  • Road: Till Gaurikund → 16 km trek or helicopter from Phata/Guptkashi

9. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh)

• Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

• Significance: Known as the spiritual capital of India. Belief that a darshan here liberates from the cycle of rebirth.

• Special Rituals: Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Rudrabhishek puja inside temple.

• Best Time to Visit: November–March, and during Dev Deepawali.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Varanasi (25 km)

  • Railway: Varanasi Junction (5 km)

  • Road: Autos, taxis, cycle-rickshaws in city

10. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand/Bihar)

• Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand (disputed, but Deoghar most accepted).

• Significance: Associated with the legend of Ravana offering his ten heads to Shiva. Shiva healed him, hence called Vaidyanath (The Divine Physician).

• Special Rituals: Kanwar Yatra in Shravan month is famous.

• Best Time to Visit: July–March.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Patna/Ranchi (270 km)

  • Railway: Jasidih (7 km)

  • Road: Buses from Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata

11. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh)

• Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh (Nallamala Hills, Krishna River).

• Significance: Known as Kailash of the South. One of the few Jyotirlingas where both Shiva and Parvati are worshipped together.

• Special Rituals: Abhishekam with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar).

• Best Time to Visit: October–February.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Hyderabad (230 km)

  • Railway: Markapur Road (85 km)

  • Road: Buses & cabs from Hyderabad, Vijayawada

12. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu)

• Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

• Significance: Associated with Lord Rama who worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka. Famous for its 22 holy wells inside the temple.

• Special Rituals: Snan (ritual bath) in wells, then darshan.

• Best Time to Visit: October–April.

• How to Reach:

  • Airport: Madurai (174 km)

  • Railway: Rameswaram (2 km)

  • Road: Direct buses from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy

Packing & Travel Tips

• Clothing: Traditional wear for temples; woolens & trekking gear for Kedarnath.

• Essentials: Medical kit, ID proofs, cash, umbrella/raincoat.

• Special Bookings: Helicopter services for Kedarnath, IRCTC Jyotirlinga tour packages, and online darshan bookings for popular temples (like Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath, and Mahakaleshwar).

• Etiquette: Respect temple customs; photography inside sanctum prohibited.

Conclusion

The 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra is not just a pilgrimage but a spiritual adventure across India’s sacred geography. From the Himalayan heights of Kedarnath to the coastal beauty of Rameswaram, each temple carries unique legends, rituals, and divine energy.

Whether you are a devotee seeking blessings or a traveler exploring India’s cultural heritage, this yatra is truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Check for More tour packages from IRCTC 

Visit Pancharamas Temples in Andhra Pradesh.