Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Circuit and Heritage

Your trip begins with a pick-up from Pune Airport by your driver. From here, take a scenic drive of approximately 3 to 4 hours through the Western Ghats into the forested setting of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into your hotel, visit the ancient Bhimashankar Temple, built in the Hemadpanti style on the banks of the River Bhima. Attend the evening prayers and seek darshan at this first Jyotirlinga. Breakfast and dinner are included, and you spend the night in Bhimashankar.

Depart Bhimashankar early for a drive towards Nashik district. En route near Sinnar, pause to explore the 12th-century Gondeshwar Temple, a fine five-shrine Yadava stone complex dedicated to Lord Shiva with intricate carvings. Continue the journey to Trimbakeshwar, check into your stay, and proceed directly for darshan at the Trimbakeshwar Temple. The shrine is known for its recessed floor sanctum containing three Lingas that represent the Tridev. Breakfast and dinner are included, and you stay overnight in Trimbakeshwar or Nashik.

Devotees may choose an optional morning visit to Trimbakeshwar Temple to experience early prayers before departing. Afterwards, drive from Trimbakeshwar to the pilgrimage town of Shirdi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and head to the Shri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir. You will use VIP passes to enter the temple and offer prayers with minimal waiting time. Later in the evening, enjoy a relaxed walk through the temple market lanes filled with religious souvenirs. Breakfast and dinner are included, and you sleep in Shirdi.

Drive from Shirdi to Shani Shingnapur to visit the famous open-air black stone shrine of Lord Shani, situated in a village noted for houses built without doors or locks. Later, travel onward to Aurangabad and check into your accommodation. In the afternoon, head out to the nearby red-stone Grishneshwar Temple, the third Jyotirlinga of your journey, situated near Ellora. Seek darshan at the holy sanctum before resting for the evening. Breakfast and dinner are included, and your stay is in Aurangabad.

Spend a full day exploring two world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin the morning at the Ellora Caves, dedicating your attention to Cave 16, the monolithic Kailasa Temple sculpted top-down out of a single rock cliff. After Ellora, take a 2-hour drive to the Ajanta Caves, a dramatic horse-shoe ravine lined with Buddhist prayer halls and monasteries. Admire the exquisite rock sculptures and historic murals illustrating the Jataka tales. Return to Aurangabad for the night, with breakfast and dinner included.

Set off on a long road transfer through the Marathwada region towards the village of Aundha. Here, visit your fourth Jyotirlinga shrine, the Aundha Nageshwar Temple, known for its Hemadpanti stone construction and detailed carvings. Following your prayers and temple visit, get back on the road for a 3 to 4-hour drive to the town of Parli Vaijnath. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening to prepare for the final temple visit next morning. Breakfast and dinner are included, and you stay in Parli Vaijnath.

Conclude your Jyotirlinga circuit early in the morning by visiting the sacred Parli Vaijnath Temple, a hill-top stone structure dedicated to Lord Shiva. Complete your prayers and return to the hotel to check out. Afterwards, embark on the return drive across Maharashtra back towards Pune, taking approximately 7 to 8 hours. Your driver drops you off at Pune Airport for your onward journey, bringing the pilgrimage tour to a close. Breakfast is included today.