Jyotirling Yatra

According to Hindu Mythology and Hinduism, it is believed that people reciting 12 jyotirlings name regularly are blessed with all kinds of prosperity and will wash away the sins. Also believed that people opting for this tour plan will attain Moksha.

We don’t know how much is this true, but have definitely read about the same in mythology and have heard numerous times from our elders. Also could say that definitely Jyotirling tour is most carved dreams of elders, and is must visit destinations at least once in a lifetime.

The best way to start jyotirling pilgrimage is from south to north and takes minimum 27 days of journey. The below mentioned travel plan for 12 jyotilingas yatra is the perfect and the best travel itinerary, which we could say by our experience of traveling earlier.

Basically one can drop down to Chennai by air or rail and can start their pilgrimage by visiting first Rameswaram and end up in Kedarnath or at Delhi.
We, Ulltimate travels have fixed departure group tour to jyotirling yatras every year and conduct 2 – 3 such kind of tour. Pilgrimage interested to join the fixed departure tour could contact our officefor further details on our fixed departure dates for jyotirling yatra.

Details of the 12 Jyotirling temples :

Rameshwar Jyotirling : Rameshwaram is a religious island located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Rameshwaram is the holy place where Lord Rama offered his prayers to Lord Shiva asking pardon for killing Ravana and also as a thanks giving for his victory over Lanka.

Mallikarjun in Srisailam : Mallikarjun temple at Srisailam is located in Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh. Srisailam is a revered holy place and it is believed Lord Shiva and Parvati stayed in this place. The temple is dedicated to Mallikarjuana Swamy, one form of Lord Shiva. Srisaila Khandam in Skanda Purana narrates the mythology behind the holy Jyotirlinga temple in Srisailam. It is believed that Lord Rama installed the Jyotirlinga. One can see Panchapandava lingas installed by Pandvas in the temple premises.

Bhimashankar in Maharashtra : The temple of Bhimshankar is considered to be the most revered Shiva temple in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is built in 18th century in the Nagara architectural style. The mythology associates the temple with Lord Shiva’s killing of the demon Tripurasura. It is believed that Shiva killed the Asura in Bhima form.

Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, Maharashtra : Triambakeshwar owns spectacular distinction of the Jyotirlinga having three faces exemplifying Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara (Shiva). All other 11 Jyotirlingas have only Shiva linga as the main deity. This extraordinary feature of the Tridev Linga of Triambakeshwar makes it a most revered Jyotirlinga shrine. The linga has been adorned by jeweled crowns and other ornaments. The crown is very precious with diamonds, worthy stones and emeralds. The devotee who offers puja to the Trimurthy (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) linga in Triambakeshwar is sure to get sanctified and can lead a peaceful life in future. The linga has started to erode due to excessive use of water over it and it is believed that the erosion symbolizes the nature.

Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh : The holy city of Varanasi is fully dedicated to the Lord Kashi Vishwanath. Kashi Viswanath temple enshrines the famous Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga. The present Vishwanath temple is built by Rani Ahalyabhai in the 18th century. The temple is placed in a holy spot on the banks of River Ganges. It is believed that viewing the holy Jyotirlinga at the Kashi enlighten the mind and purify the body. Offering prayers and visiting the Jyotirlinga is assumed to be the sacred moment in anybody’s lifetime. There are many mythological stories behind the installation of Jyotirlinga in Kashi. One mythical story is attributed to Goddess Parvathi's mother and Lord Shiva. Mother in Law of Lord Shiva felt embarrassed as Shiva was not having a decent home. To overcome this and to please wife Parvati Devi, Lord asked Nikumbha to construct the temple at Kashi. To attain Moksha, one has to perform a dip in the Ganges in Kashi and has to offer worship to Kasi Vishweshwar. The Jyotirlingam is positioned in a square brass plated pit. One can perform abhishekam and aarati on the holy lingam at this place.

Baidyanth in Jharkhand : It is believed that the Baidynath (Vaidyanath) Jyotirlingam in Deogarh in Jharkhand is associated with legendary stories of Ravana and Lord Shiva. It was at this place Ravana cut off his nine heads to repent and Lord Shiva blessed him by joining back all his heads like a Vaidya. The temple is very famous with thousands of devotees offer their prayers with great devotion and reverence. The Shivalinga here is adorned majestically with jewels and pearls. One can get all kinds of prosperity and long life by praying in this holy place.

Kedarnath in Uttaranchal : Kedarnath is located at the head end of the River Mandakini. It is the holiest pilgrimage spot for a devout Hindu. Jyotirlingam is termed as Lord Kedareshwar in this shrine. This jotirlingam is the rump of the bull followed by the legendary story. The shrine is snow covered for nearly 6 months in a year. One has to visit the temple to offer prayers from May to October.

Omakareshwar in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh : Omkareshwar is a famous Jyotirlinga temple located is a holy island of Shivpuri in Maheshwar, Madhay Pradesh. This holy shrine is located at the convergence of Kaveri and Narmada rivers. The devotees offer Shiva Bhajan as a ritual in this temple. The place looks like the “OM” and hence the name Omkareshwar. There are two Shiva Lingams in this place Omkareswarar and Amareshwarar. There are many legendary stories relating Naradar and Lord Shiva with Jyotirlinga at Omkareshwar. Devotees offer worship to get salvation from the charka of life and death.

Nageshwar in Dwarka, Gujarat : Nageshwar is a renowned Jyotirlinga temple in near Dwarka, Gujarat. This Nagaeshwara Jyotirlingam is facing south with the Gomugham facing east. The mythology relates the killing of Asura named Daruka by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared as Nageshwar linga in this place to bless Supriya, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva to save Supriya from the cruel Darukasura. Lord Shiva eliminated Daruka and his wife to save the devotees from torture and cruelties.

Grishneshwar in Maharashtra : Grishneshwar is believed to be one of the ancient pilgrim destination revered as the shrine of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. This linga is known as Kusumeswarar, Grushmeswara and Ghushmeswara, apart from Grishneswara. The temple was re-constructed in the 18th century by Ahilyabhai Holkar.

Grishneshwar temple is placed at a close distance of about 11 km from Daulatabad in the neighborhood of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Ellora caves are nearby attractions here. Nearest Airport is located at Aurangabad, which is at distance of about 29 km from the city of Grishneshwar.

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh : Mahakaleshwar is located at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and is a holy temple which is credited with citations in the great works of Poet Kalidasa. The importance of the Jyotirlinga here is that the idol in this shrine faces southward and is known as Dakshinamoorthy. The famous ritual of Bhasma Arti, showering the linga with hot ashes (Bhasmam) symbolizes the life and death of human beings. The temple architecture is worthwhile to observe. The five-storied architectural style is a mix of Rajput style and Mughal style.

Somanath in Gujarat : Somnath temple is considered to be the most significant and revered 12 Jyotirlinga temples across India. The temple is imposing with ancient Chanukya style of constructions. The Jyotirlinga in this temple is adorned with flowers and Jewels and provides eternal feeling to the devotees. Reveberating Shiva Bhajans all through the day and the Aarati Puja at regular intervals are enthralling in this temple.

Jyotirling Tour Plan

Day 1: Chennai : Reaching Chennai Airport and proceeding to Rameshwaram. Chennai to Rameshwaram can be covered by Taxi (600 km, 10 hr. journey) or up to Madurai by flight and then from Madurai to Rameshwaram by Taxi (180 km, 2 hrs). One can get comfortable travel in train up to Madurai as well. Stay at Rameshwaram.

Day 2: Rameshwaram Jyotirling visit : Rameshwaram Temple visit. One can visit other temples in and around Rameshwaram apart from the Jyotir Linga temple. Evening return to Chennai. Stay at Chennai.

Day 3: Hydrabad : Traveling to Hyderabad by train or flight. Stay at Hyderabad.

Day 4: Srisailam Jyotiring : Travel to Srisailam at early morning which is about 230 km away by taxi or bus. It will take about 5 hours Journey. One can go to Markapur railhead and hire a taxi to temple (85 km, 2 hours) Visit to Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisaialm. Evening return to Hyderabad. Stay at Hyderabad. Many good standard hotels are available at Hyderabad for a nice comfortable stay.

Day 5 and 6: Pune : Travel to Pune from Hyderabad by flight or train. Stay at Pune. Many budget hotels are available in Pune.

Day 7: Bhimashankar Jyotirling : Visit to Bhimasanker in the morning, which is 95 km away from Pune. One can try out taxi or bus. Travel will take about two and a half hours. After the Darshan at Bhimashanker, the pilgrim can reach Triambakeshwar in Nasik by evening. Bhimasanker to Triambakeshwar is about 100 km, which can be covered by less than 3 hours. Evening Darshan at Triambakeshwar and move on to Mumbai, which is about 200 kms away taking about 4 hours by taxi. Stay at Mumbai. Mumbai has got enough accommodation facilities for all kinds of travelers from budget hotels to Star Hotels.

Day 8: Travel to Aurangabad for a visit in Grishneshwar. Taxis and train services are available. It will take about 7 hours to reach Aurangabad by taxi or train from Mumbai. Evening visit to temple and stay at hotels in the neighborhood of the temple.

Day 9 & 10: Travel to Mahakaleshwar located at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. One can reach Indore either by flight or by train. stay at Indore on Day 10.

Day 11: Visit to Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain at a distance of 55 km from Indore in the morning. Taxi services can be availed. Many bus services are also available. Travel to the next Jyotirlinga temple Omkareshwar in Maheshwar, which is at a distance of 95 km from Indore. Night return to Indore and stay at Indore. Indore offered fantastic accommodation facilities for the pilgrims.

Day 12 & 13: Travel to Dwarka in Gujarat from Indore by train, Stay at Dwarka either in hotels or pilgrim centers at Nageshwar. Nageshwar can be reached by taxi from Dwarka (17 km).

Day 14: Visit to Nageshwar temple. Evening train can be used to move on to Veraval for a visit to Somnath. Stay at Somanath temple lodges.

Day 15: Visit to Somanath temple

Day 16: Free day before moving to North Indian Jyotirlinga temples.

Day 17 & 18: Travel to Patna by train. Stay at Patna.

Day 19: Visit to Vaidyanath temple. Taxi can be availed from Patna to temple (280 km) or first travel to Deoghar railway station and then travel to temple by taxi (10 km from Deoghar). Stay at Deoghar.

Day 20 & 21: Travel to Varanasi for visit in Kashi Viswanath temple. Train services can be availed fro the travel. Flights are available from Patna to Varanasi as well. Stay at Kashi.

Day 22: Darshan at Kashi Viswanath temple and Stay at Kashi. Government owned guest houses, temple lodges and private hotels are plenty in Varanasi.

Day 23: Travel to Dehradun Varanasi. Flight services are available from Varanasi to Dehradun. Train services can also be availed from Varanasi to Rishikesh. Stay at Dehradun. Or Rishikesh.

Day 24 & 25: Travel to Kedarnath temple. Temple can be reached from Dehradun or Rishikesh. Some part can be covered by taxi up to Gaurikund and other parts require trekking. One day trekking of about 14 km required to reach the temple.

Day 26: Return to Dehradun or Rishikesh.

Day 27: Travel to Delhi finishing the 27 day 12 Jyotirlinga travel.