Maharashtra is home to five of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, and if you’ve been searching for a complete guide that actually tells you everything in one place, you’re in the right spot. Many pilgrims visit only one or two shrines without realizing the others are just a few hours away, or they arrive at a temple only to discover that the darshan window has already closed.
Each of these 5 jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath, carries its own legend, its own route, and its own best time to visit. You can easily cover all five shrines with the right planning, even if you have only a week or a long weekend, although they are spread across the state.
In this guide, you’ll get the exact location, distance from major cities, darshan timings, the story behind each Jyotirlinga, practical tips, and a clear route so you don’t have to piece together information from ten different websites.
Let’s begin.
What is a Jyotirlinga?
The word Jyotirlinga comes from two Sanskrit words, Jyoti, meaning light, and Linga, meaning symbol or sign. Together, it means “a pillar of radiant light.” According to the Shiva Purana, Brahma and Vishnu once got into a dispute over who among them was supreme. To end the argument, Lord Shiva appeared as a massive, endless column of fire that pierced through all three worlds. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find its beginning or end, and in that moment, Shiva revealed his formless, infinite nature. People believe that the divine light manifested at 12 places across India, and these sacred sites became the Jyotirlingas.
People have named each of the 12Jyotirlinga sites after its presiding deity, and they consider each one a different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is a lingam, representing the beginning and endless pillar that symbolizes the infinite nature of Shiva.
People originally believed that 64 Jyotirlingas existed, but they consider 12 of them especially auspicious and sacred today. Out of these 12, five are located right here in Maharashtra, making it the state with the highest number of Jyotirlingas in India. For a devotee or even a curious traveler, this means you can experience five of the most powerful Shiva shrines in one single state, each with its own unique legend, architecture, and spiritual atmosphere.
What are the names of 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra is home to five of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas: Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath. People collectively call these five shrines the Pancha Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. Each one sits in a different corner of the state, carries its own legend, and draws pilgrims from across the country throughout the year.
What makes Maharashtra special is that no other state in India holds five Jyotirlingas within its borders. These five shrines are not only places of worship but also cultural landmarks deeply rooted in the Shaivite tradition. In the sections ahead, we cover each shrine in detail, including its location, distance, legend, darshan timings, and important travel tips.
So read carefully about every single detail before planning your 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Tour Package.
5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Trimbak town, Nashik district, Maharashtra
Distance: About 28 km from Nashik city, near the Brahmagiri mountain from which the river Godavari flows. From Mumbai, it is around 180 km, and from Pune, approximately 220 km.
Legend: Sage Gautama and his wife Ahilya lived in Trimbak and were blessed with an endless supply of food grains by Lord Shiva. Jealous sages tricked Gautama into accidentally killing a false cow and cursed him. To seek redemption, Gautama worshipped Shiva, who brought the Ganga to earth as the Godavari River and manifested there as Trimbakeshwar.
What makes it unique: The fascinating feature of this Jyotirlinga is its three faces symbolizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra, making it the only Jyotirlinga that represents the entire Hindu Trinity together.
Darshan Timings: The temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 9:00 PM. Rudrabhishek timings are 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM. The temple allows devotees to touch the Shiva Linga between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM during the morning hours. Entry for the general darshan is free.
Tips:
- The temple permits only male devotees to enter the core area, or garbhagriha, of the temple. It is mandatory to wear a sovala or silk dhoti here.
- You can complete the darshan within 15–20 minutes if you reach early in the morning. It may take 40–60 minutes in the afternoon.
- Avoid Mondays and the Shravan month if you prefer shorter queues.
Route:
- From Nashik, take any MSRTC bus from the CBS Bus Stand, and it takes about 1 hour to reach the temple.
- Cabs and taxis are also available directly.
- The nearest railway station is Nashik Road (NK), well connected to all major cities.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Location: Village of Bhorgiri, Pune district
Distance: About 111 km from Pune, 124 km from Lonavala, and 224 km from Mumbai. The temple sits at an altitude of around 3,250 feet, so the weather here remains cool and pleasant almost throughout the year.
Legend: During the Treta Yuga, Bhima, the powerful son of Kumbhakarna, gained immense strength through penance and a boon from Lord Brahma. Arrogant and tyrannical, he imprisoned King Kamarupeshwar for refusing to stop worshipping Shiva. Despite captivity, the king remained devoted. Lord Shiva then appeared, defeated Bhima, and manifested as the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga.
What makes it unique: In the temple sanctum, the Linga is exactly at the centre of the floor, which is a special feature of Bhimashankar Temple. Pilgrims are allowed to take closer darshan and can touch the lingam. The Bhima River originates right from this village.
Darshan Timings: The temple opens at 4:30 AM and closes around 9:30 PM. The best time for darshan is 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. You can book darshan, Aarti Seva, and other sevas through the official website bhimashankar. in.
Tips:
- October to March is the ideal time for darshan and nature exploration.
- Advance accommodation booking is essential during the Shravan month and Maha Shivratri.
- The surrounding wildlife sanctuary is home to the Indian Giant Squirrel, worth watching on your way up.
Route:
- From Pune’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Bus Stand, MSRTC buses are available, and the journey takes about 3–4 hours.
- Cabs from Pune take around 2.5–3 hours via NH60.
- The nearest railway station is Pune Junction, about 110 km from the temple.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Verul village, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra
Distance: About 1 km from Ellora Caves and 29 km from Aurangabad city. The nearest airport is Aurangabad Airport, approximately 30 km away.
Legend: A childless Brahmin couple longed for a son. Following Sudeha’s advice, her sister Ghushma worshipped Shiva daily by making and immersing lingas in a lake. Blessed with a son, she lived happily until a jealous Sudeha killed the boy. Unshaken, Ghushma continued her devotion. Pleased by her faith, Lord Shiva restored her son and appeared as the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.
What makes it unique: It is the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga described in the Shiva Purana, so for those doing the full Jyotirlinga circuit, this is where the journey ends. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the current red stone temple structure in 1754, the same queen who rebuilt Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Darshan Timings: The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. The best darshan time is 5:30 AM to 8:00 AM. General darshan is free, with no official online booking system available.
Tips:
- Men are required to enter the sanctum bare-chested. Traditional attire is mandatory inside the garbhagriha.
- Since the Ellora Caves are just 1 km away, most travelers prefer visiting both places on the same day.
- Photography is restricted inside the sanctum.
Route:
- From Aurangabad, frequent buses run directly to Verul/Ellora.
- From the railway station, you can hire auto-rickshaws, state buses, private taxis, or shared cabs, all of which operate frequently toward Ellora and Verul.
- Private cabs from Pune take 5–6 hours.
Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
Location: Aundha Nagnath town, Hingoli district, Maharashtra.
Distance: About 25 km from Hingoli city, 61 km from Nanded, and 204 km from Aurangabad.
Legend: During their exile, the Pandavas lived in a forest hermitage in this region. One day, Bhima noticed their cows releasing milk into a nearby river and informed Yudhishthira. Sensing a divine presence, Bhima struck the river three times with his mace. Blood emerged, followed by a Shiva Linga. Yudhishthira then built a temple around it.
What makes it unique: The current structure dates back to the 13th century. The temple was once seven stories high before being sacked by Aurangzeb, and was later rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar. It has Hemadpanti architecture and includes 12 small Jyotirlinga temples, 108 temples, and 68 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many also consider this the first or Adya Jyotirlinga among the twelve.
Darshan Timings: The temple remains open daily from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. The Morning Aarti begins at 5:30 AM, the Afternoon Puja and Darshan is between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and Evening Aarti begins at 7:00 PM.
Tips:
- The temple is ancient and not as crowded as others, which gives you a more quiet darshan experience.
- Hingoli is a small town, so book your accommodation in advance as options are limited.
- Best visited during Mahashivratri and Vijayadashami when the temple is at its most vibrant.
Route:
- The nearest railway stations are Hingoli, 25 km away, and Parbhani, 50 km away, both well-connected to Maharashtra’s railway system. From these stations, travelers can hire cabs or use state transport buses.
- From Aurangabad, the road distance is around 204 km via the state highway.
Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga
Location: Parli Vaijnath town, Beed district, Maharashtra, situated near the banks of the rivers Brahma, Venu, and Saraswati.
Distance: About 60 km from Latur, 105 km from Nanded, 119 km from Aundha, and 219 km from Aurangabad. Parli has its own railway station, making it one of the most directly accessible Jyotirlingas by train.
Legend: According to mythology, Ravana was carrying Jyotirlinga from the Himalayas to Lanka, and Narad Muni tricked him into dropping it at this very place. The Jyotirlinga became the Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga and remained there indefinitely. Known as “Lord of Physicians,” it is believed to hold deep healing properties, making it a sacred site for both physical and spiritual wellness.
What makes it unique: The temple stands approximately 75–80 feet high with a brass-plated main entrance door facing the east. Devotees here are also allowed to directly touch the Shiva Linga.
Darshan Timings: The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Abhishekam rituals take place daily between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The temple follows extended darshan hours during Shravan and Mahashivratri. Online bookings for sevas can be done at vaijnathjyotirling.com.
Tips:
- For calm and peaceful darshan, choose normal weekdays or early morning hours.
- Parli Vaijnath has its own railway station directly connected to major cities, ideal for those travelling by train.
- The mountains, jungles, and rivers nearby are full of medicinal herbs, which is why this Jyotirlinga is also known as Vaidyanath, the divine healer.
Route:
- Parli Vaijnath railway station is directly connected to Latur, Nanded, Aurangabad, and Pune.
- By road, MSRTC buses and private cabs are available from Latur (60 km), Nanded (105 km), and Aurangabad (219 km).
Can you cover all 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra in one trip?
Yes, you can cover all five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra in a single trip. With proper planning, a road trip of 5–7 days is usually enough to visit all the temples comfortably.
Si, if you’ve read this far, you already know where you need to go. These five shrines have been calling pilgrims for centuries, not with loudspeakers or advertisements, but quietly, through stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, through that one friend who came back from the yatra looking inexplicably at peace.
The planning is done. The timings are in front of you. All five are doable in one trip if you plan it right. So why keep it on the wishlist?
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Frequently asked questions
The five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath. Together, they are known as the Pancha Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra and attract devotees year-round.
Yes, all five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra can be covered in one well-planned trip. With proper routing and transport planning, pilgrims can comfortably complete the yatra within a week.
Maharashtra has five Jyotirlingas out of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in India, making it the state with the highest number of Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The five Jyotirlingas often covered from Shirdi are Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, and Parli Vaijnath, as Maharashtra offers convenient road connectivity between all these sacred temples.
The five Jyotirlingas are spread across Maharashtra with varying distances. Trimbakeshwar to Bhimashankar is around 210 km, while Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath are approximately 120 km apart.