3 Jyotirlinga Tour in Maharashtra from Pune – Complete Travel Guide

Maharashtra has three of the twelve Jyotirlinga, which makes it one of the easiest states in India to cover this pilgrimage in one go. From Pune, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar are all within a day’s drive, so most families plan them together instead of as separate trips.

No flight or overnight train needed, just decent roads and hotels at every stop. The route suits everyone, elderly parents, kids and first-time travelers, with no trekking or paperwork involved, apart from a short walk near Bhimashankar.

This guide covers the route, temple timings, VIP darshan process, day-wise plan, costs, practical tips and all the other information you need for your 3 Jyotirlinga tour from Pune. 

What are the 3 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra?

Bhimashankar is located into the Sahyadri hills near Pune

Trimbakeshwar is situated near Nashik and it is right by the point where the Godavari river begins

Grishneshwar is located near Aurangabad which is just next to the Ellora Caves

Two Famous Shiva Temples in Maharashtra Visited with the Jyotirlinga

There are two more Shiva temples in the state that people often lump in with the main three, and this causes a fair bit of mix-up. Here is the actual picture.

Aundha Nagnath Temple

The Aundha Nagnath Temple, situated in the Hingoli district, features carvings similar to those of Khajuraho. A lot of pilgrims consider it to be a part of the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, but the original Nageshwar is located close to Dwarka in Gujarat. However, lakhs of people pay visits there annually, particularly on Mahashivratri, due to its historical significance.

Parli Vaijnath Temple

Parli Vaijnath in the district of Beed in Maharashtra is considered the real Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga by many in Maharashtra, whereas the people from the eastern part of the country consider the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar in the state of Jharkhand to be the true Jyotirlinga. Both of these have their bases in the scriptures, and there is no single solution for the same. 

It will be completed within 4 to 5 days if you plan it well. If you are travelling with a bigger group, look into a bus on rent instead of juggling multiple cabs. A lot of larger groups doing the complete circuit prefer booking a Pune to 5 Jyotirlinga Darshan bus hire because it keeps the whole group together and turns out cheaper than renting separate cars.

Why Take a Jyotirlinga Yatra During Sawan?

The sawan month occurs between July and August. It is regarded as the most auspicious time when any Shiva temple can be visited.

As per the tradition, prayers offered during this month are attended by Shiva faster than usual, and a lot of devotees plan their annual tour only on the basis of the same. Special decoration is done in the Lord Shiva temples Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar. Bhajans, kirtan, Shiv naam, and maha mrityunjaya jaap are regularly performed for the whole month.

The reasoning here comes from faith, and that is exactly how devotion works. Sawan is the sacred month dedicated to Lord Shiva and the belief is that offering water and bel patra during this month pleases Lord Shiva and he grants wishes of his devotees. 

A lot of families also use this month to complete a vow made years earlier. On one of my own trips, I ran into a family at Trimbakeshwar who told me they had been coming back every single Sawan for over a decade, ever since a relative recovered from a serious illness. Whatever the personal story behind it, Sawan tends to act as the trigger that pushes this yatra to the top of the year’s travel list for a lot of devotees.

Pune to Jyotirlinga Distance:

Here is exactly how the distance breaks down for the full Pune to Jyotirlinga tour route. 

Route	Distance	Time Taken
Pune to Bhimashankar	110 km	3 to 3.5 hours
Bhimashankar to Trimbakeshwar	210 km	5 to 5.5 hours
Trimbakeshwar to Grishneshwar	165 km	3.5 to 4 hours
Grishneshwar back to Pune	235 km	5 to 5.5 hours

The total distance is about 720 km for the entire journey. In a span of 4 or 5 days. Imagine a triangle with Pune as one point, and the second temple is located northeast of Pune. The third temple is located farther up north in the area of Nashik, while the fourth temple is situated to the east of Aurangabad.

How to Travel to 3 Jyotirlinga of Maharashtra from Pune?

There are a few practical ways to get this route done, and which one works for you really depends on group size and how much you want to handle yourself.

Cab

This is the option that gives you the most control, since you can stop wherever you like and plan your day around temple aarti timings instead of a fixed schedule. A sedan is fine for a couple, but a family of four or more will be more comfortable in an SUV, especially on the ghat stretch heading into Bhimashankar.

Tempo Traveller

If you are travelling with a larger family or a group, a 17 seater tempo traveller hire in Pune is worth booking instead of splitting into multiple vehicles. It keeps everyone together for the whole trip, and the extra boot space comes in handy once you start collecting prasad and shopping bags along the way. 

Bus

MSRTC runs buses connecting Pune to both Nashik and Aurangabad, but there is no single bus that covers all three temples in one go. You end up changing buses at each city and then hopping into a local auto or shared jeep to reach the actual temple, which adds time, more so if you are travelling with luggage or elderly family members.

Groups starting their journey from Bhimashankar in Pune can book a Pune to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga bus on rent, and the same vehicle can be extended further to cover Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar darshan as well. This works out conveniently for larger families or society pilgrimage groups. 

Tour package

Several local operators offer a fixed 3 Maharashtra Jyotirlinga tour package from Pune, which usually takes around 4 nights and 5 days, with transport, hotel and VIP darshan bookings included. These tour packages sometimes cost you more than planning your own trip and saving money.

Complete 3 Jyotirlinga Tour Itinerary from Pune

Here is a day-by-day plan for the 3 Jyotirlinga tour itinerary from Pune that has worked well on past trips.

Day 1: Leave before 6 am if you can, from Pune to Bhimashankar, to avoid heavy traffic, especially during the month of Sawan. You must reach Bhimashankar by late morning, check in, and head straight for darshan. In the evening, walk through the small local market, and if there is time left, stop by Hanuman Lake close to the temple.

Day 2: Bhimashankar to Nashik Get breakfast out of the way early and start towards Nashik. This drive eats up most of the day, so build in a proper lunch break somewhere midway. Reach Nashik by evening and just rest, since the next day is fully about the temple.

Day 3: Reach Trimbakeshwar early to avoid the daytime rush. Once darshan is done, walk over to Kushavarta Kund right next to the temple, which marks where the Godavari River is believed to originate. If there is energy left, spend the afternoon around Panchavati.

Day 4: Nashik to Grishneshwar is one of the longest on this trip. Start early and take a short break somewhere along the highway to take some rest. You should reach Grishneshwar by late afternoon, check in, and make it in time for the evening aarti.

Day 5: Ellora Caves and Return to Pune Spend the morning walking through Ellora Caves, right next to Grishneshwar, before setting off back to Pune. Most travellers are home by late evening.

Estimated Tour Package Price: A 3 Jyotirlinga tour package from Pune for this 5-day plan usually begins around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per person for a shared vehicle with standard hotels, going up to Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per person if you want a private vehicle, better stays and VIP darshan already sorted. Always ask exactly what is included before you pay, since food and VIP darshan charges are sometimes billed separately. 

Best Time to do Jyotirlinga Tour from Pune

October to March brings the most comfortable weather of the year, and the dry roads matter a lot on that ghat stretch near Bhimashankar.

The Sawan month comes between July and August, which works best if you want to witness the great devotion of Lord Shiva. 

April to June can turn quite harsh, especially around Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar, so aim for early morning or late evening darshan if you are travelling in this window.

Jyotirlinga Temple Timings 

Temple	Opening Time	Closing Time	Aarti Time
Bhimashankar	4:30 AM	9:30 PM	Morning around 5 AM, evening around 7 PM
Trimbakeshwar	5:30 AM	9:00 PM	Morning around 6 AM, evening around 7:30 PM
Grishneshwar	5:30 AM	9:30 PM	Morning around 6 AM, evening around 7:15 PM

Tip: Timings can change a little during festivals, so it is better to check from the various sources before taking any decision. I have personally seen timing boards change around Mahashivratri.

How to Book a Darshan at Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar?

Booking darshan slots ahead of time saves a lot of standing around, especially on weekends and through Sawan when the queues stretch on for hours. Here is how it actually works at each temple.

Step 1: Begin with the temple trust’s official website. The two temples have their own websites where priority darshan timings are listed; therefore, check them before you assume that you have to queue like everybody else.

Step 2: At Bhimashankar, these slots are sold at a counter right near the entrance, and every now and then they show up online too. Keep a valid ID on you, since it gets asked for at the counter more often than not.

Step 3: At Trimbakeshwar, you can either book online in advance or just walk up to the trust office standing outside the temple. If you are going during peak season, try to lock this in two or three days before you arrive, since slots do run out.

Step 4: Grishneshwar is a smaller temple, so the slots here are genuinely limited. What has worked better on past trips is reaching the temple office early in the morning and asking directly, rather than counting on an online slot being available.

Step 5: Once booked, hold on to a printout or even just a screenshot, and turn up at least 30 minutes before your slot time. Show up late and there is a good chance your turn goes to the next group waiting behind you. 

Helpful Links: 

https://trimbakeshwartrust.com/onlinevip

https://shreebhimashankar.com/darshan-pass-booking

Places to Visit around Every Jyotirlinga

Around Bhimashankar

Hanuman Lake is located near the temple complex

Nagphani Point is famous for its sunsets overlooking the sanctuary

Gupt Bhimashankar is a miniature waterfall having spiritual importance

Bhorgiri is a historical fort with a trekking site nearby

Around Trimbakeshwar

Kushavarta Kund is located near the temple complex

Brahmagiri Hill is an easy trekkable hill with valley views

Anjaneri Hills is said to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman

Panchavati is a religious zone in Nashik city related to Ramayana

Around Grishneshwar

Ellora Caves is just next to the temple, famous for rock-cut architecture

Daulatabad Fort is a well-preserved hill fort located about half-an-hour away

Bibi Ka Maqbara is similar to the Taj Mahal

Khuldabad is a historical town containing several ancient tombs and shrines

Where to Stay During the 3 Jyotirlinga Tour?

At Bhimashankar, you are mostly looking at budget lodges and a couple of MTDC resorts, since the whole area sits inside a forest zone. Booking ahead genuinely helps on weekends.

At Trimbakeshwar and nearby Nashik, the choices open up quite a bit, from simple dharamshalas near the temple itself to proper 3- and 4-star hotels in Nashik city, about 30 km away.

At Grishneshwar, most people end up staying in Aurangabad city, roughly 30 km from the temple, which also puts you close to the Ellora Caves and a few other sightseeing spots worth visiting.

If a simpler, more traditional stay suits you better, the dharamshalas near each temple are clean and easy on the pocket, though the facilities are basic compared to a regular hotel.

Must Try Local Food on the 3 Jyotirlinga Tour

Misal pav in Pune before you even leave the city, a spicy way to kick off the trip

Thalipeeth near Bhimashankar, a multi grain flatbread usually served with fresh curd

Nashik-style vada pav, a touch tangier than what you get in Pune

Fresh grapes from Nashik, sold straight off roadside stalls near the vineyard belt

Puran poli near the temples, a sweet flatbread often served as prasad-style food

Estimated Tour Cost

Here is a fairly realistic cost split for the 3 Jyotirlinga tour from Pune, based on how many people are travelling.

Traveller Type	Transport	Hotel	Food	Entry and Darshan	Miscellaneous	Total Approx
Solo Traveller	Rs 3,500	Rs 4,000	Rs 2,000	Rs 1,000	Rs 1,000	Rs 11,500
Couple	Rs 6,000	Rs 7,000	Rs 4,000	Rs 2,000	Rs 1,500	Rs 20,500
Family of Four	Rs 9,000	Rs 12,000	Rs 7,000	Rs 3,500	Rs 2,500	Rs 34,000
Group of Eight	Rs 15,000	Rs 20,000	Rs 12,000	Rs 6,000	Rs 4,000	Rs 57,000

NOTE: We have created this chart so you can get some estimate of the total amount. Please do not make any decision based on this chart. These costs are estimated for a 3- to 5-day trip and assume basic hotels rather than anything fancy. 

3 Jyotirlinga Travel Tips for a Comfortable Journey

Get an early start on every driving day. Once mid-morning rolls around, both the road near Bhimashankar and the Aurangabad highway start filling up fast.

Pack a light jacket, even if you are travelling in peak summer. Bhimashankar sits at a higher altitude, and the mornings there catch a lot of people off guard with how cool they actually are.

Carry some cash along the way. A good number of the small shops and prasad counters near these temples still do not accept UPI or cards.

Stick to footwear that comes off easily. You will be removing your shoes at every single temple, and this one habit alone cuts down a good chunk of queue time.

Lock in your hotel rooms early if you are travelling during Sawan or Mahashivratri. Rooms near Bhimashankar and Trimbakeshwar go out of stock quickly during these two stretches.

Conclusion

The 3 Jyotirlinga tour from Pune is one of those trips that sticks with you long after you are back home. It is not really about ticking off three famous names; it is the small moments in between, an early morning aarti at Bhimashankar, that quiet walk around Kushavarta Kund at Trimbakeshwar, or the carvings at Grishneshwar that you would completely miss if you rushed through. Give the trip enough days, keep the driving relaxed, and pick a comfortable vehicle for the group, whether that means a private cab or a Force Urbania van rental in Pune for a bigger family, and the rest of the journey tends to fall into place on its own.

FAQs

Which are the three Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra?

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.

How many days are enough for 3 Jyotirlinga yatras in Maharashtra?

Most travellers manage it comfortably in 4 to 5 days. That gives you enough breathing room for darshan at each temple without having to rush the drives in between.

What to pack for the Maharashtra 3 Jyotirlinga? 

A few things to carry along with you are comfortable slippers or shoes you can slip off easily, a light jacket for the cooler mornings, some cash since not every shop takes cards, a valid ID if you are booking darshan slots in advance, and basic motion sickness tablets for the ghat roads. 

Which is the best route from Pune to 3 Jyotirlinga?

Pune → Bhimashankar → Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Grishneshwar) → Nashik (Trimbakeshwar) → Pune 

Which season is best for the 3 Jyotirlinga tour in Maharashtra?

October to March gives you the best weather for travelling overall. If a stronger spiritual atmosphere matters more to you than convenience, Sawan, usually falling between July and August, is worth it despite the rain and the crowds.