Set Out on a Spiritual Adventure with One of Pune’s Top 10 Travel Companies!

Set out on a journey that will enhance your soul by combining devotion, history, and divine energy. Five of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas in India, all devoted to Lord Shiva, are located in Maharashtra, a region rich in spirituality and old customs. It is thought that these hallowed temples radiate great spiritual force and are self-manifested pillars of divine light.

More than just a pilgrimage, a Jyotirlinga Yatra is a life-changing experience that leads to spiritual awakening and inner tranquility. Experience a flawless, expertly guided, and pleasant pilgrimage unlike any other by booking your trip with the top travel agency in Pune or one of the leading travel agencies reputable for spiritual tours.


The spiritual journey to these five Jyotirlingas begins in Pune, one of Maharashtra’s energetic cities and a popular destination for pilgrims. Along the way, one can take in the state’s stunning scenery, historic buildings, and ageless myths in addition to a divine encounter.

We will walk you through an incredible pilgrimage that includes these five revered Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra in this guide:

Jyotirlinga Bhimashankar (District of Pune)
Jyotirlinga Trimbakeshwar (Nashik)
Aurangabad’s Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Hingoli’s Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
Jyotirlinga Parli Vaijnath (Beed)
Each temple, rich in intriguing mythology, architectural magnificence, and spiritual serenity, is a monument to the unwavering faith and devotion of millions.

Together, let’s embark on this divine exploration.

1. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – The Source of River Bhima
Location: Bhorgiri village, near Khed, Pune District Distance from Pune: Approximately 110 km Best Time to Visit: October to March

Brief History and Mythology
Bhimashankar Temple is nestled in the dense forests of the Sahyadri hills. According to tradition, the demon Tripurasura wrought devastation across the three planets and was eventually slain by Lord Shiva in his Bhima form. After the intense battle, Shiva rested here, and his sweat gave rise to the River Bhima.

As a result, this place came to be known as Bhimashankar.

The temple is an ancient structure with Nagara-style architecture, believed to have been built in the 13th century by the Yadavas and later renovated by Nana Phadnavis in the 18th century.

How to Reach Bhimashankar from Pune
By Road: The easiest way is to drive via Pune – Rajgurunagar – Bhimashankar route, around 3-4 hours by car or bus.
By Public Transport: MSRTC buses travel frequently from Pune to Bhimashankar.


Trekking Option: Adventure enthusiasts can select for the Bhorgiri trek or Shidi Ghat trek routes.
2. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – The Origin of Godavari
Location: Trimbak town, Nashik District
Distance from Pune: Approximately 240 kilometers
Best Time to Visit: October to March

Brief History and Mythology
The Trimbakeshwar Temple is situated near the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountains, where the Godavari River originates. Legend says Sage Gautama and his wife Ahalya stayed here. After a curse led to the development of a famine, Gautama worshipped Lord Shiva, who brought the Ganges down in the form of Godavari.

What makes Trimbakeshwar distinctive is the presence of three lingams representing the trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The temple is an architectural masterpiece, erected in black basalt stone by the Peshwas in the 18th century.

How to Reach Trimbakeshwar from Pune
By Road: Drive via Pune – Nashik Highway (NH60), taking roughly 5-6 hours.
By Train: Trains travel from Pune to Nashik, and local transport is available from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar.
By Bus: Pune is connected to Nashik by MSRTC and private buses, which then go on to Trimbakeshwar.


3. The Final Jyotirlinga, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Aurangabad District’s Ellora
The approximate distance from Pune is 260 kilometers.
Best Time to Visit: October to March

A Synopsis of Mythology and History
Grishneshwar Temple, the twelfth Jyotirlinga on the hallowed list, is situated close to the well-known Ellora caves. According to folklore, Kusuma, a pious woman, worshipped Lord Shiva by submerging a Shiva Linga in a pond.

 This location has divine significance because of her faith, which caused Shiva to appear before her and award her a blessing.

In the 18th century, Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the temple. It features a five-tiered shikhara (spire) and superb Hemadpanthi architecture with red stone sculptures.

How to Get from Pune to Grishneshwar
By Road: Take the approximately 6-hour drive from Pune to Ahmednagar to Aurangabad.
By Train: Pune and Aurangabad are connected by train. Grishneshwar is roughly 30 kilometers from Aurangabad.
By Bus: Local taxis or automobiles are available from Pune, where regular buses travel to Aurangabad.


4. The First Jyotirlinga: Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
Where: Hingoli District
The approximate distance from Pune is 450 kilometers.
October through March is the ideal time to visit.

A Synopsis of Mythology and History
Many scholars consider Aundha Nagnath to be the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas. According to legend, the temple was constructed during their exile by Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava. The tale of the demon Daruka and his lover Daruki, who tormented sages and followers, is also connected to it. To keep them safe, Shiva took on the shape of Nageshwar.

About 3,000 years old and constructed in the Hemadpanthi style, the temple underwent renovations in the 13th century by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty.

How to Get from Pune to Aundha Nagnath
By Road: Take a 9–10 hour drive along the Pune–Ahmednagar–Jalna–Hingoli route.
By Train: Hingoli, the closest major station, is accessible by train from Pune.
By Bus: Local transportation gets you to Aundha Nagnath, and MSRTC buses travel from Pune to Hingoli.


5. The Temple of Healing, Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga
Beed District is located about 360 kilometers from Pune.
October through March is the ideal time to visit.

A Synopsis of Mythology and History
Parli Vaijnath is frequently connected to health and healing. According to the tale, Ravana lost the Jyotirlinga because of his conceit after getting a blessing from Shiva. The temple is a place of grace and salvation since it is believed to contain this particular lingam.

The temple, which was built under the Yadavas’ control and then renovated by the Peshwas, combines elements of North Indian and South Indian architecture.

How to Get from Pune to Parli Vaijnath
By Road: Take the Pune-Ahmednagar-Beed road, which takes around seven or eight hours.
By Train: Parli Vaijnath railway station is reached by train from Pune.
By Bus: Between Pune and Parli Vaijnath, MSRTC and private buses run.


Arrange Your Trip to Jyotirlinga from Pune
You can arrange a circuit that starts in Bhimashankar and travels to Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath for the perfect itinerary. Depending on your preferred mode of transportation and pace, the overall duration may vary from 5 to 10 days.

Concluding remarks
This holy trip to Maharashtra’s Jyotirlingas is an experience of spiritual connection, cultural discovery, and self-reflection. It goes beyond simply touring historic temples. These sacred places will undoubtedly make a lasting impression on your spirit, regardless of whether you are a history buff or a devoted pilgrim.