Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Circuit

The Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Circuit is an 8-day (7 nights) road pilgrimage from Pune to all five Jyotirlingas that Maharashtra tradition places in the state: Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath. The package is priced from ₹ 24,900 per person and starts and ends in Pune, so you can book return tickets from one city.

The route runs as a loop. After an arrival night in Pune, Day 2 goes up to Bhimashankar in the Sahyadri forest, where the Bhima river rises, and then on to Nashik. Day 3 is Trimbakeshwar at the foot of Brahmagiri, source of the Godavari, whose sanctum holds three small lingas for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, followed by the drive to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Day 4 is Grishneshwar at Verul, traditionally counted as the last of the twelve, with the Ellora Caves and the rock-cut Kailasa temple (Cave 16) close by. Days 5 and 6 cover the Marathwada shrines: Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli district, honoured here as Nageshwar, and Parli Vaijnath in Beed district, honoured as Vaidyanath. Day 7 is the long drive back to Pune.

The loop covers roughly 1,200-1,300 km, so expect several 5-7 hour driving days. There is no compulsory trekking, which suits most senior citizens. The price includes hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, an AC vehicle, tolls and parking, help with abhishek or Kalsarpa puja bookings, and 24x7 assistance; puja fees and the Ellora ticket are paid separately. October to February is the most comfortable season. For the full list of shrines, see our 12 Jyotirlinga yatra guide.