Three of the Twelve Jyotirlingas, All Within Maharashtra's Sacred Heartland
A 6-day pilgrimage covering all three of Maharashtra's Jyotirlingas — Bhimashankar in the forested Sahyadri hills, Trimbakeshwar near Nashik with its rare three-faced Linga, and Grishneshwar, the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga, beside the UNESCO World Heritage Ellora Caves — combined with visits to Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur.
The journey opens with the drive from Pune through Bhimashankar, an ancient shrine set within a wildlife sanctuary in the Sahyadri range, before continuing to Nashik for two nights — long enough to properly explore both Trimbakeshwar, with its uniquely three-faced Linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, and the sacred Panchavati ghats and Sita Gufa caves in Nashik city itself.
From Nashik, the route continues to Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), the gateway to the Ellora Caves and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga — built in distinctive red stone in the Maratha architectural style, and the only Jyotirlinga where devotees are permitted to touch the Shiva Linga directly. A full day is dedicated to Ellora's rock-cut cave temples, carved from the 6th to 10th centuries CE, including the monolithic Kailasa Temple.
The pilgrimage concludes with a visit to Shirdi, home to the Samadhi Mandir of Sai Baba, and the curious doorless village of Shani Shingnapur, before the drive back to Pune Airport — a complete circuit through some of Maharashtra's most spiritually significant ground.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Arrive at Pune Airport, where you'll be met by our driver. Drive to Bhimashankar (approximately 110 km, ~3 hours), an ancient Jyotirlinga shrine set within a wildlife sanctuary in the Sahyadri hills, and the source of the river Bhima. Seek darshan at this revered Shiva temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Continue the drive to Nashik (approximately 240 km, ~5-6 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Trimbakeshwar (approximately 28-30 km, ~1 hour) — one of the most ancient and spiritually powerful Jyotirlingas, set at the foothills of Brahmagiri Hills, also the source of the Godavari River. The Linga here is uniquely three-faced, representing Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva). Return to Nashik for a local tour: Panchavati, the sacred ghats on the Godavari River associated with the Ramayana; the Kalaram Temple; and the Sita Gufa caves, believed to be where Sita stayed during Lord Rama's exile.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), approximately 180 km, ~4 hours. On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a local sightseeing tour covering Bibi Ka Maqbara — often called the 'Taj of the Deccan', a Mughal-era mausoleum — and Panchakki, a 17th-century water mill showcasing medieval engineering.
After breakfast, drive to Verul village (approximately 30 km, ~45 min) to visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga — the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga, built in distinctive red stone in the Maratha architectural style, and notably the only Jyotirlinga where devotees are permitted to touch the Shiva Linga directly. Just a kilometre away, spend the rest of the day exploring the Ellora Caves — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of rock-cut temples carved from the 6th to 10th centuries CE, including the extraordinary Kailasa Temple, the largest monolithic structure in the world, carved top-down from a single basalt hill.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Shirdi (approximately 110 km, ~2-3 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel. Visit the Samadhi Mandir of Sai Baba, one of India's most visited pilgrimage shrines, revered by Hindus and Muslims alike for the saint's message of universal tolerance. Visit Dwarkamai (the mosque where Sai Baba lived) and Chavadi. In the evening, attend the temple's Aarti ceremony.
After an early morning darshan at the Sai Baba Temple, check out and drive to Shani Shingnapur (approximately 70 km, ~1.5 hours) — a village famous across India for the fact that none of its houses, shops, or even its bank branch have doors, a tradition rooted in deep faith in the protective power of the village's open-air Shani (Saturn) deity. Continue the drive to Pune Airport (approximately 180 km, ~4 hours) for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Pune
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at temples and monuments (where applicable)
- ✗ Ellora Caves entry tickets (nominal, payable locally)
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
Jyotirlingas are 12 sacred shrines across India, each believed to be a self-manifested (swayambhu) form of Lord Shiva as a column of light — considered the most powerful and revered abodes of Shiva in the Hindu tradition. Each Jyotirlinga has its own distinct legend and architectural character, making a multi-temple circuit like this one a uniquely rich pilgrimage experience.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the pace, add extra darshan time, or include nearby sites not listed here. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures (15–28°C) for the ghats, boat rides, and temple queues. April–June is hot on the Gangetic plain (up to 42°C); the monsoon (July–September) raises the Ganges considerably, which can affect ghat access in both cities.
The new Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir draws very large crowds, particularly on weekends and during festivals such as Ram Navami and Diwali. We schedule darshan with queue time built into the itinerary; carrying a valid photo ID is recommended, as security screening is in place at the main temple complex.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, add Lucknow, or swap Chitrakoot for additional time in Prayagraj. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
