Jyotirlinga Tour of Maharashtra
Planning a Tour of Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra takes a little more planning than taking a normal break. The five important Shiva temples are scattered all over Maharashtra, so you need to consider travel time, temple visits, accommodation and the number of days at your disposal.
For the first time visitor, identifying where all the temples are located and the optimum route to take, the duration of stay etc. becomes a daunting task.
A bit of planning done in advance usually addresses most of the issues highlighted above, and helps ease the stress of an otherwise challenging task.
There are five Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra, which form part of the pilgrimage circuit- Bhimashankar, Parli Vaijnath, Aundha Nagnath, Grishneshwar and Trimbakeshwar. Each temple has a special place and importance from a religious, cultural and historical perspective.
Which Jyotirlingas Are in Maharashtra?
If you are planning a Jyotirlinga Yatra, the first and the foremost thing to identify is the temples which you are going to visit.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar is located in Sahyadri region of Maharashtra and is located in the hills and is covered in greenery. The temple is very important for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
The Bhimashankar roads are much different than city roads, and if you are traveling with family or elderly, it is a good idea to add some extra time to your journey, rather than relying on the time shown on a map.
Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga
Parli Vaijnath is another Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra, and is located on the route to the other Jyotirlingas.
Because Parli Vaijnath is a little further from the other important pilgrimage sites, you really need to consider the journey when planning your entire route.
Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
The Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga is in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra, and is a significant part of the Jyotirlinga circuit of Maharashtra.
This is especially important if you are trying to cover the five Jyotirlingas within a short timeframe.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar is a Jyotirlinga and is close to the Ellora caves. Because Grishneshwar is near Ellora, it gives you an opportunity to see Ellora as well, which makes your trip more interesting and fun for the whole family.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Trimbakeshwar, about 32 kilometers from Nashik, is famous for the temple dedicated to one of the Jyotirlingas. The surrounding areas of the temple abound with places sacred to Hindus.
Nashik’s proximity to Mumbai makes Trimbakeshwar accessible on a religious tour of Mumbai.
How Should One Plan The Route?
No one route is ideal for all travelers. Your starting location and the number of days you travel can change the way you plan your route.
For travelers starting from Mumbai, you can plan a road trip to the five Jyotirlingas. The order of your route should be based on the geographical location of the temples. This is important because the journey can be long. If you do not account for the distances, you may spend a large part of your day traveling and have very little time for darshan.
A well planned route will help to reach each of the temples on your itinerary and give you enough time for rest in the evenings.
How many days should one plan for?
This is the most common question travelers have when they plan their trip.
A 4 night/5 day Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra from Mumbai is a good option for travelers wanting to cover the 5 main temples in a short period of time. It is important to note that this is a fairly active tour.
There are several long road trips, and 5 days should not be treated as a break from your daily routine.
Travelling with younger people who don’t mind long road trips may work with a 5 day itinerary. Families with older people may want to add an extra day or two to account for long travel days and unexpected delays.
The extra day may be beneficial. You will not feel the pressure to reach the next place on the itinerary, and will have the opportunity to take breaks when you want to rather than just pushing on to get to your next destination.
How do you plan your daily travel?
One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a multi-temple trip is to not try and cover too much in one day.
Start early on days where you need to cover a lot of distance. This gives you more time in the day to account for delays.
If you’re taking senior citizens or families on this trip, plan regular breaks to give everyone some rest. It is more important that the journey is comfortable than trying to save a small amount of time.
What is the Best Time to Visit the Maharashtra Jyotirlingas?
To an extent, the best time to visit will be based on your preference regarding weather and your level of comfortability with road travel.
The period from October to February is generally comfortable and cooler, which can make lengthy journeys and temple visits less taxing.
In the months of March to May, the weather will start to warm up and can make temple visits less comfortable. Keep a good supply of water with you and try not to take long excursions in the heat of the day.
The monsoon season provides some wonderful views of Maharashtra as the state turns more green. Bhimashankar is particularly beautiful during the monsoons. Keep in mind, the season can cause road travel to be less comfortable, especially in hilly areas.
Also take into account the Hindu calendar. Popular pilgrimage days like Maha Shivratri and Shravan attract larger crowds, meaning a longer wait for Darshan. The same can be said for other major holidays.
Some things that may be useful to take are:
- Comfortable clothes for visits to temples
- Shoes or sandals that are easy to remove
- Regular medications
- First-aid
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Light jacket (in cool weather)
- Important documents and ID
- Phone charger and/or power bank
- Small bag with essentials
- Small amount of cash
Be aware that arrangements at temples can change according to day, season, and religious occassions.
Check the latest information regarding temple timings, darshan arrangements, and visitor rules, before you leave for your journey. This is very important if you are travelling during a festival or other peak time.
Always dress respectfully to temple visits and follow the instructions of the temple authorities.
It may not be a good idea to fully depend on an old travel article for information. Checking the latest information yourself can avoid confusion.
What is a Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour Package?
There are two ways to plan a pilgrimage like this. You can make all the arrangements yourself, or you can go with a package where most of the travel arrangements have been made.
You need to be able to organize and plan your time well to manage this independently. You will have to make all the arrangements, including transport and hotel bookings. Once you arrive at your destination you will need to organize your meals and daily itinerary.
It is more of a challenge when you are trying to cover five temples in different locations in Maharashtra in a very short time.
Here, an organized Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour package can help. Instead of arranging all the hotels and travel connections yourself, you can be free from all the logistical hassles of traveling and concentrate on the pilgrimage.
For those who wish to cover the five Jyotirlingas around Mumbai through an organized tour, Trip to Yatra offers a 5 Nights/ 6 Days Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour Package from Mumbai.
When evaluating packages, don’t compare only the prices. You should also evaluate what the package includes. Transport, accommodation, meals and other aspects should be evaluated. You should assess whether the included activities cover what you wish to do. Two packages can have the same price, but the number of activities may differ greatly.
A few little things can make the pilgrimage easier:
Rise early: Long distance travel is easier if you take off some additional time in the day.
Be flexible: Traffic and temple crowds are unpredictable.
Don’t overpack: You will appreciate less luggage when changing hotels.
Think of your family: Senior members may need additional breaks during the trip.
Add a little time: A slight buffer can protect from delays ruining the rest of the trip.
Check temple schedules: This can be quite useful during a festival.
Full hydration is key to avoid fatigue on those long days of driving and temple queuing.
Also, don’t rush. There’s no need to try to visit as many temples as you can in the shortest time to win any sort of competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Jyotirlingas are there in Maharashtra?
Five Jyotirlingas are there in the Maharashtra circuit – Bhimashankar, Parli Vaijnath, Aundha Nagnath, Grishneshwar and Trimbakeshwar.
Can all the five Jyotirlingas be covered in 5 days?
Yes, it’s possible to do this in 5 days starting and ending in Mumbai. There will be a fair bit of driving though so keep that in mind when deciding how busy you want your trip to be.
What is the first city to start a Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra?
For many travelers, Mumbai is the easiest first city to start in and also finish in.
What is the nearest city to Nashik and the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga?
Nashik and the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga are close to each other, as is Shirdi.
Is the trek to Bhimashankar temple family friendly?
Yes, families can do this trek, but plan transportation and breaks for the elderly and other members who may not be as fit.
Do you think I can plan this yatra by myself or should I get a package?
You can plan it however you want, but a tour package gives you flexibility by making most of the big plans and arrangements for you.
Conclusion
A Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra is a relatively well-organized trip due to the five temples being in different locations around the state. By far the biggest hurdle with this trip is not how many temples you visit, but rather how much travel time there is between the temples.
Before you book, take the time to analyze the route, number of days, and travel time. Take into consideration everyone that is traveling with you. A five day itinerary can work well if you or your travel companions are healthy and capable of doing a more vigorous trip. Travelers who want a more relaxed trip could benefit from a longer itinerary.
Whether you take care of all the travel arrangements yourself, or use a Maharashtra 5 Jyotirlinga Tour Package from Mumbai, planning realistically will help you relax and enjoy your trip more. The goal should be to visit the temples without worrying about the next location. A little planning beforehand can help you focus on the real reason you took the trip in the first place.
