12 Jyotirlinga Darshan

After having breakfast, you will head towards Shirdi which is located at a distance of 183 km and it will take 4 hours to reach. Shirdi is a religious place that was an abode of Sri Sai Baba and it gained global popularity because of Sai Baba. It is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites and is being frequented by tourists from all over the world. Every year millions of pilgrims visit here to seek blessings of Sai Baba. During the sightseeing tour of Shirdi, you will visit the Samadhi Mandir, Khandoba Temple, and Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Complex.

As you reach Sainagar, start a visit to Samadhi Mandir where the sacred body of Sai Baba is resting in peace. The Samadhi is built up of white marble and railing is decorated with ornaments. Then, move to Khandoba Temple. It is the place where Sai Baba was welcomed by Poojari Mhalsapati who said "Aao Sai" when he stepped in Shirdi. This temple consists of two small shrines – one shrine contains the idol of Baba and his Charan Padukas and another shrine houses Lord Khandoba's horse idol. After that, visit Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Complex. Devotees must visit this holy place to experience pure tranquility, bliss, and God from close quarters. The huge shrine includes many temples such as Chavadi, Gurusthan, Samadhi Mandir, DwarkaMai, Khandoba Temple, Lendi Garden, and much more.

Now, you will proceed to Shani Shingnapur which is located 65 km from Shirdi. This place highlights the kindness and power of God Shani. It is dedicated to Lord Shaneshwar or Lord Shani Dev. The unique aspect of this place is that there is no temple structure for the Swayambhu Idol of the Shani Dev and this black stone idol stands only on a simple platform. In addition, the houses in village Shingnapur have no doors, locks, or frames for safety because they believed that Shani Dev always protects their houses from thieves.

This place is believed to be the home of Lord Shani, worshipped as the personification of Lord Saturn. Visit the temple and pay your respect to Lord Shani. Then, you will head towards Aurangabad. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the time is at your leisure.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Aurangabad.

On the 3rd day of the tour, after having breakfast you will move towards Grishneshwar. The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This is a UNESCO World Heritage which is located in Ellora. This is an architectural marvel that will leave you spellbound. Seeks blessing here and have an enchanting experience.

Later, head towards Nashik. On arrival, have an assisted transfer to the pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can rest or take a stroll near the resort.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Nashik.

Start your drive in the early morning for Trimbakeshwar which is located 29 km from Nashik. On arrival, you will visit the Trimbakeshwar Temple.

The Trimbakeshwar Temple is located at the foothills of Brahmagiri Mountain which is also the origin point of the holy river Godavari. As per Shiv Puran, Gautami Rishi and Godavari River pleaded Lord Shiva to reside here. The Jyotirlinga in the temple has three faces embodying Tridev, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Praying here bestows longevity and immortality. There are four entry gates in each direction East, West, South, and North. Every direction has spiritual conceptions like East stands for the beginning, West stands for maturity, South stands for completion or fulfillment and North denotes for the revelation. The temple was built in the 18th century in Nagara-style architecture. The temple is popular for its intricate carvings of deities, humans, animals, and flowers. Take part in the Pooja and seek blessings.

Later return back to the hotel and savor breakfast. After breakfast, you will leave for Mumbai. Enjoy the scenic view en-route. On arrival, have an assisted check-in at the hotel in Mumbai. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can visit the nearby beach and spend the evening while enjoying the sunset. You can visit the local market and relish in the vibrant aura of Mumbai.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Mumbai.

In the morning, you will head towards the airport to board the flight for Porbandar. On arrival, you will head towards Dwarka to pay a visit to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. It is nestled on the coast of Saurashtra between Gomati Dwarka and Bet Dwarka Island. The temple is also known as Nagnath Temple and Nageshwar Mahadev. The major highlight of the temple is the 80 feet idol of Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in the temple is made up of stone which is known as Dwarka Shila. The temple is characterized by typical Hindu architecture. Attend the prayer and delve into the serene aura of this religious site.

Later, head towards Porbandar. Overnight stay at the hotel in Porbandar.

On the 6th day of the 12 Jyotirlinga tour, savor the delicious breakfast and then you will head towards Somnath. This is a popular pilgrimage site and home to one of the renowned Jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple. Situated on the western coast of Gujrat, Somnath Temple is one of the oldest temples in the country.

Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located near the ancient Triveni Sangam of three rivers – Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati. Somnath Temple is dedicated to Someshwar which is another name of Lord Shiva who possesses a moon on his head. The lingam here was built by Chandra (Moon) to worship Lord Shiva. The sculptures and carvings in this temple speak volumes about great artisan work of that era. This marvelous edifice boasts of the Chalukya style of architecture. Adore the majestic beauty of this pilgrimage site and revel in the tranquil aura of this pilgrimage site.

Later, return to Porbandar. Overnight stay at the hotel in Porbandar.

Head towards the Porbandar airport to board the flight for Indore via Mumbai. On arrival in Indore, you will have an assisted transfer to Ujjain. Complete the check-in formalities and relax for a while. The rest of the time is at your leisure. Ujjain is considered one of the holiest cities and a popular pilgrimage site. It is one of the four sites for the Kumbh Mela which is one of the largest gatherings. This glorious city is a perfect destination for a spiritual journey.

You can visit the temples of the city and delve into the tranquil aura of this pilgrimage site. The city is located on the bank of River Kshipra. You can also spend the evening on the bank of the river.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Ujjain.

Reach the Mahakaleshwar Temple before 3:00 am to attend the Bhasm Aarti. It is one of the most sacred and outstanding pilgrimage places for Hindus. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is also called as Dakshinamurti because it is facing the south. As per Hindu mythology, this lingam of Lord Shiva is to be Swayambhu (born of itself) deriving Shakti (currents of power) from within itself whereas the other lingams of Lord Shiva are ritually established and installed with mantra-Shakti.

After that, come back and have a sumptuous breakfast. Now, drive towards Omkareshwar. This land is shaped like "Om" which is a holy symbol in Hinduism.

After reaching, complete all the formalities and get over tiredness. In the evening, you will pay homage at the Omkareshwar Temple which is situated on an island Shivapuri, along the Narmada River. This temple features pristine beauty, lofty hills and is also an epitome of Indian culture & heritage. You will attend the evening Aarti at the temple.

Later, come back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Wake up early in the morning and get ready to attend the Abhishekam ceremony at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. After that, enjoy your brisk breakfast at the hotel and check-out from there. Leave for Indore airport where you will board your flight to Hyderabad. On reaching there, begin your journey to Srisailam. This city is mainly famous for its Srisailam Dam and Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple.

In the afternoon, savor your lunch and visit the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple which was built by King Harihara Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire. This temple was constructed in the Dravidian architectural style and has sprawling courtyards and lofty towers. Here, you will see the idols of Sahasralinga, Nandi, Nataraja, and sage Bringi standing on three legs. The pillars and walls of this temple are embellished by delightful sculptures and carvings that attract many devotees to visit this place.

In the evening, you will attend the aarti at the shrine. After that, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Early in the morning, you will attend the Abhishekam ceremony at Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple. After seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, enjoy your morning meal at the hotel. Then, you will be transferred to Hyderabad by road and get ready to explore its prime attractions. Hyderabad is well-known as the 'City of Nawabs'. This city is blessed with various kinds of tourist attractions and offers a delightful shopping experience and delectable cuisines.

Firstly, visit the Salar Jung Museum which is one of the three national museums in the country. It has a huge collection of one million paintings, carvings, artifacts, sculptures, manuscripts, and some art collections that date back to the first century. This museum also contains some rare and valuable pieces such as Aurangzeb's sword, painting of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a full wardrobe of Tipu Sultan, daggers that belonged to Jahangir and Shah Jahan and a musical clock that dates back to the 19th-century. 

Next, you will visit Charminar which is the most prominent landmark in the city. It was erected by Quli Qutub Shah and stands out to remind the glorious past. The massive structure includes four minarets that epitomize the first four Prophets (Khalifas) of Islam. This place is famous for the market that sprawls around it which is called "Chudi" or "Laal" Bazaar.

At last, visit the Mecca Masjid also known as Makkah Masjid. It was built by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah and is made up of bricks and soil which were exported from Mecca. This mosque can accommodate as many as 10,000 devotees at one time. This place attracts tourists because of its peaceful atmosphere and its spiritual environment.

After a soothing day, head back to the hotel in Hyderabad for a relaxing overnight stay.

Kick start your morning with a delicious breakfast and check-out from the hotel. Now, begin your journey towards Hyderabad airport to board the flight for Madurai which is called the pilgrim town and 'Temple City of India'.

After reaching Madurai, you will go to Meenakshi Amman Temple which is a cultural paradise on earth. This temple is dedicated to the Meenakshi, a form of Goddess Parvati and her spouse Sundareshwar, a form of Lord Shiva. The architecture of Meenakshi Amman Temple is of the Dravidian style and referred to as the "Mathura of South". The eternal glory of this temple will take your breath away.

After that, you will proceed to Rameshwaram by road. Rameshwaram is situated on Pamban Island and is home to one of 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the Char Dhams in India. It is believed that Lord Rama built a bridge here to reach Sri Lanka to save his wife Sita from a demon named Ravana.

Upon reaching, check-in the hotel. Savor your dinner and enjoy a comfortable sleep.

Wake up early in the morning around 4:00 am and get ready to pay a visit to the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple. Before visiting the temple, take a holy dip in the sea and then perform all the rituals of Kund Snan. After that, you will attend the Abhishekam ceremony at this Jyotirlinga Temple. This temple is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. As per Hindu mythology, Rameshwaram Temple is the place where Lord Rama showed his gratitude towards Lord Shiva and established a Shivalinga in order to get the blessings for victory over the demon.

Later, come back to the hotel to have your breakfast. Then, check-out from the hotel and go back to Madurai by road. Thereafter, you will be dropped at Madurai airport and here, you will board the flight to Delhi at 2 pm. Upon arrival, a tour representative will transfer you to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities and the rest of the day is at your leisure. You can take a stroll on the streets of the national capital and revel in the vibrant aura of the capital city, Delhi.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

On the 13th day of the tour, savor the delicious breakfast and then you will start your journey for Haridwar. On arrival, you will have an assisted check-in in the hotel. After some time, you will visit the Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi Temple by cable car (tickets have to be purchased directly). Both the temples are Siddh Peetha and are highly revered pilgrimage sites. The temples are dedicated to Goddess Parvati (consort of Lord Shiva). Enjoy the view of the city from the temples as both the temples are located atop the hill.

Later in the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti at Har-ki-Pauri and delve into the spiritual aura of this religious place.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Haridwar.

After having breakfast, you will leave for Guptkashi. Enjoy the scenic beauty en-route and revel in the majestic beauty of this amazing place. Upon your arrival, you will have an assisted check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can take a stroll on the streets of this serene place. You are free to explore the town and delight in the charm of Guptkashi.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Guptkashi.

Early in the morning, you will get transferred to the Phata helipad by road. Here, you will board the helicopter to Kedarnath. Situated at an astonishing height of 3584 m above sea level, Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is a highly revered Hindu shrine. It is situated amidst the majestic snow-capped and lofty Garhwal Himalayan Ranges with the Mandakini River flowing along with it. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple was established by the Pancha Pandavas of the great Hindu epic, Mahabharata. The conical rock idol of Lord Shiva is worshipped in his Sadashiva form. Every year, this place is thronged by thousands of tourists.

After taking the blessings of Lord Shiva, you will come back to Phata by helicopter. Then, you will go back to your pre-booked hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Guptkashi.

Post breakfast, you will drive towards Haridwar which is considered one of the seven holiest cities in India. It is believed that taking a holy dip in river Ganga at the Har Ki Pauri absolves all your sins. Along with Nashik, Prayagraj, and Ujjain, Haridwar is one of the four destinations in India which hosts the world-famous Kumbh Mela. Dotted with ancient temples, ashrams, and Ganges Ghats, Haridwar is the revered town that lures millions of devotees every year.

After reaching there, you will have an assisted transfer to Haridwar Railway Station to catch the train to Varanasi. You will enjoy the overnight journey aboard.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Varanasi Railway Station. Here, you will meet our tour representative who will help you with an assisted transfer to your pre-allotted hotel. Complete the check-in process and get over tiredness.

Varanasi is the most prominent pilgrimage site for Hindus and is famous as the 'Spiritual Capital of India'. Thousands of tourists come here to attain salvation. This city is also known as Kashi. This is an auspicious place which is believed to grant moksha and liberate one from the cycle of life and birth. As per the mythology, this is the city of Lord Shiva.

In the evening, you will proceed to attend the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. This mesmerizing ceremony is the combination of immense grandeur and opulence. Priests line up to perform the aarti while lighting up thousands of lamps in front of the River Ganges.

After that, come back and enjoy a sound sleep at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.

Get up early in the morning and head out to enjoy a boat ride on the river Ganges. You will witness the view of the world awake with the sun and people performing the daily rituals at the Ghats. Savor the sumptuous breakfast and visit numerous holy temples of Varanasi. 

Firstly, visit Durga Temple which is located in the Durga Kund, and is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It was constructed by a Bengali Maharani in the 18th-century. The statue of Goddess Durga appeared on its own in this temple. It is believed that Durga Maa always protects Varanasi from problems. Then, move to the Tulsi Manas Temple which was constructed in 1964 and is dedicated to Lord Rama. This temple is installed at the same place where Goswami Tulsi Das had written an ancient Hindu Epic Ramcharitamanas. It exhibits various inscriptions on the walls that come from the Ramcharitmanas.

After that, go to Birla Mandir. Flaunting the tallest temple tower in the world, the shrine is also called as the new Vishwanath Temple. Subsequently, you will explore Vishalakshi Temple which is situated at Mir Ghat and is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Vishalakshi Devi, a divine form of Goddess Sati. Thereafter, pay a visit to the Annapurneshwari Temple which is also called as Annapurna Temple. This shrine is dedicated to the Annapoorna Mata, the Goddess of Food, and one of the forms of Goddess Parvati.

Now, seek the blessings at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple, also called the Golden Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The almighty is known as Vishweshwara here that means the 'Ruler of Universe'. It was constructed by the Maratha Monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 and considered as a much-revered pilgrimage site for the Hindus. It is believed that Lord Shiva resided here and always offers happiness and liberation to all.

Afterward, you will leave for Sarnath which is 10 km away from Varanasi. It is one of the 4 holiest places for the Buddhists. It is the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon and is well-known for the mystical setting, museums, beautiful temples, numerous Buddhist stupas. The magnificent monuments are Chaukhandi, Dharmarajika, and Dhamek Stupas.

By late evening, you will be transferred to Varanasi railway station to catch the train to Deogarh. Overnight stay aboard.

On arrival in Deogarh, you will have an assisted transfer to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities and rest for a while. Later, get ready to pay the homage at Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple which is also referred to as the Baidyanath Dham. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana kept the lingam of Lord Shiva here and since then, the lingam has been enshrined at this place.

After that, go to Basuki Nath Temple. It is believed that this temple is the court of Baba Bhole Nath. The shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are situated in front of each other in the Basuki Nath Temple. The gates of these temples open in the evening and according to Hindu beliefs, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati meet each other at this time. If you have time, you can also attend the evening aarti here.

After a pleasurable day, return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Deogarh.

Today, attend the early morning aarti at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple. Return to your hotel for breakfast. At 11 AM, checkout from the hotel and proceed to explore the markets. You can buy some souvenirs for your loved ones.

Later, you will have an assisted transfer to the Patna airport from where you can board a flight for your onward destination.