Jyotirlinga

The twelve Jyotirlingas are the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, spread across the length and breadth of India. Believed to be the self-manifested lingams of Lord Shiva himself, visiting these divine abodes is considered among the most meritorious acts in Hindu dharma. Lakhs of devotees undertake the 12 Jyotirlinga tour every year, seeking blessings, spiritual liberation, and a once-in-a-lifetime connection with the divine.

At Cholan Tours, we offer curated Jyotirlinga tour packages that cover all twelve sacred shrines. We also focus on 5 Jyotirlinga tour packages and 7 Jyotirlinga tour packages for devotees who wish to plan their pilgrimage in stages. You can either take a complete 12 Jyotirlinga tour or visit each shrine. We are here to help you. Our team ensures your journey is spiritually fulfilling, seamless, and respectful of your faith and customs.

From senior-friendly travel arrangements to pure vegetarian meals and group pilgrimage coordination, our Jyotirlinga tours are designed to let you focus on what matters most: your devotion.

The 12 Jyotirlingas and Their Location Across India

Our 12 Jyotirlinga tour packages cover all the following sacred shrines, each unique in its spiritual significance, mythology, and architectural splendour:

1. Somnath - Gujarat

Somnath is the first and most revered of the twelve Jyotirlingas, situated on the western coast of Gujarat in Saurashtra. Rebuilt several times across centuries, the present temple stands as a magnificent testament to unwavering faith. It is the first stop on most Jyotirlinga tour packages starting from Western India.

2. Mallikarjuna - Andhra Pradesh

Located on the Srisailam hill along the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, Mallikarjuna is known as the Kailash of the South. It is one of the most spiritually powerful shrines on the Jyotirlinga tour circuit and is also a Shakti Peetha, making it doubly auspicious for pilgrims.

3. Mahakaleshwar - Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most visited Jyotirlingas in India. Famous for the Bhasma Aarti, a ritual performed with sacred ash before sunrise, this shrine draws thousands of devotees daily. It is a key highlight of our 5 Jyotirlinga tour package covering Central and Western India.

4. Omkareshwar - Madhya Pradesh

Also in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar sits on a sacred island in the Narmada River shaped like the holy symbol Om. The divine setting, combined with the spiritual energy of this Jyotirlinga, makes it an unforgettable stop on any Jyotirlinga tour package.

5. Kedarnath - Uttarakhand

Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,583 meters. It is the most dramatic and physically demanding of all twelve Jyotirlingas. It is a part of the Char Dham circuit and is open only between May and November. Our Jyotirlinga tours to Kedarnath include helicopter options and special arrangements for senior pilgrims.

6. Bhimashankar - Maharashtra

Bhimashankar is situated in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra near Pune and is also the source of the Bhima River. Surrounded by dense forest, the temple has a distinct Nagara style of architecture. It is part of our Maharashtra jyotirlinga tour packages covering Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar together.

7. Viswanath - Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is perhaps the most famous of all twelve Jyotirlingas. Set in the spiritual capital of India on the banks of the Ganga, a darshan here is believed to grant moksha. The recently revamped Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has made access more comfortable, and it is a centrepiece of our 7 Jyotirlinga tour package.

8. Trimbakeshwar - Maharashtra

Trimbakeshwar near Nashik in Maharashtra is uniquely significant as one of the few Jyotirlinga temples where the lingam has three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It is also the source of the Godavari River and is a prominent stop on our Maharashtra and Western India jyotirlinga tour packages. It is believed to 

9. Vaidyanath (Baidyanath) - Jharkhand

Vaidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand, is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Eastern India. Believed to be the place where Ravana offered his heads to Lord Shiva, it attracts especially large crowds during the Shravan month. It is a key destination in our Eastern India Jyotirlinga tours.

10. Nageshwar - Gujarat

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located near Dwarka in Gujarat, close to the Arabian Sea coast. The massive statue of Lord Shiva seated in meditation is a striking landmark. Being in Gujarat, it is conveniently combined with Somnath in our Gujarat jyotirlinga tour packages and 5 jyotirlinga tour packages.

11. Rameshwaram - Tamil Nadu

Rameshwaram, on the southern tip of India, holds immense significance in Hinduism. It is relevant in both Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions. The Ramanathaswamy temple is one of the longest temple corridors in the world. It has a magnificent corridor of over 1,200 pillars. It is the southernmost Jyotirlinga and a signature destination in our South India Jyotirlinga tour packages.

12. Grishneshwar - Maharashtra

Grishneshwar near Aurangabad in Maharashtra is the twelfth and last of the Jyotirlingas, located close to the Ellora Caves. It is often combined with Bhimashankar and Trimbakeshwar in our Maharashtra jyotirlinga tour packages, offering a convenient and spiritually complete circuit.

Best Time to Visit and Important Festivals

While jyotirlinga tours can be undertaken throughout the year, certain seasons and festivals offer a particularly elevated spiritual experience:

Maha Shivaratri - February / March

Maha Shivaratri is the single most auspicious occasion to visit any Jyotirlinga. Temples across all twelve shrines conduct all-night pujas, abhishekam, and special darshan sessions. Devotees throng to Mahakaleshwar, Kashi Vishwanath, and Somnath in lakhs. Our Maha Shivaratri jyotirlinga tour packages are the most popular of the year and must be booked well in advance.

Shravan Month - July / August

The holy month of Shravan is considered the most auspicious period for worshipping Lord Shiva. All twelve Jyotirlinga temples see massive surges in pilgrims, especially on Mondays. Vaidyanath Dham in Jharkhand sees the famous Kanwar Yatra during this period. Our Jyotirlinga tours during Shravan include special queue management and early morning darshan arrangements.

Kartik Month -  October / November

Kartik is another sacred month in the Hindu calendar, especially beloved of Shiva devotees. Lamp lighting (deepotsav) ceremonies at temples like Kashi Vishwanath and Rameshwaram during Kartik Purnima are spiritually charged and visually magnificent.

October to March (General Best Season)

For the 12 Jyotirlinga tour package covering all shrines across multiple states, the best time is October to March. During this time, the weather is comfortable at most locations. Kedarnath is accessible until November, and the post-monsoon clarity makes travel between destinations smooth and pleasant. It is the ideal season for all kinds of travellers.

Why Cholan Tours Should Be Your Partner for Jyotirlinga Tours

Planning a Jyotirlinga tour, especially the full 12 Jyotirlinga tour package, needs an unmatched local expertise. Here is why pilgrims trust Cholan Tours:

• Pan-India Pilgrimage Expertise : Our jyotirlinga tours span Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. We have on-ground experience and local contacts at every destination.
• Pure Vegetarian & Satvik Meal Arrangements : All our Jyotirlinga tour packages include strictly vegetarian meals throughout. Special satvik (no onion, no garlic) menus are arranged on request.
• Senior-Friendly Travel : From helicopter bookings for Kedarnath to palanquin and porter services at hill shrines, we ensure senior devotees can complete their jyotirlinga pilgrimage with comfort and dignity.
• Flexible Package Structures : Completing all twelve shrines in one trip is a tedious task. We offer 5 jyotirlinga tour packages, 7 jyotirlinga tour packages, regional circuits, and the full 12 jyotirlinga tour package, so you can plan at your own pace.
• Group Pilgrimage Specialists : We manage group jyotirlinga tours for families, temple trusts, and religious organisations with chartered transport, group accommodation, and dedicated travel coordinators.
• Early Morning Darshan & VIP Puja Bookings : Queue darshan and special abhishekam bookings at key temples like Mahakaleshwar (Bhasma Aarti) and Kashi Vishwanath are arranged in advance so you never miss the most sacred moments.

What Type of Jyotirlinga Tour Packages Do We Offer?

We offer a comprehensive range of Jyotirlinga tour packages to suit every pilgrim's schedule, group size, and spiritual goal. Whatever your travel type, Cholan Tours ensures a package designed just for you. 

• 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package (Complete Circuit): This is a comprehensive pilgrimage covering all twelve Jyotirlingas pan India. You can opt for air, train, or road, depending on your preference. It is perfect for visitors who wish to experience the beauty of Jyotirlingas in one go. 
• 7 Jyotirlinga Tour Package: This is a mid-length package curated for travelers who wish to enjoy one state at a time. It covers seven out of the twelve Jyotirlingas. You can personalize the package however you like. 
• 5 Jyotirlinga Tour Package: It is a focused package ideal for first-time pilgrims or those with limited travel time. The common itineraries include a combo of Northern and Southern India. Some of the popular packages include the Maharashtra, Somnath, and Nageshwar circuit or the North India circuit covering Kedarnath, Varanasi, and Mahakaleshwar with Omkareshwar.
• Regional Jyotirlinga Tour Packages : We provide you with state-specific circuits such as the Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour (3 shrines), the Gujarat Jyotirlinga Tour (Somnath + Nageshwar), and the South India Jyotirlinga Tour (Rameshwaram + Srisailam). It is highly convenient for pilgrims wanting to cover nearby shrines in a short trip.
• Festival Special Jyotirlinga Tours: We have made packages around Maha Shivaratri and Shravan Mondays. We also provide you with special puja bookings, advance darshan passes, and accommodations secured months in advance at key Jyotirlinga destinations.
• Customized Jyotirlinga Tour Packages: We build a fully personalized Jyotirlinga tour package according to your preferences, families, senior groups, or individual pilgrims with specific requirements. We build a fully personalized Jyotirlinga tour package around your dates, budget, pace, and chosen shrines.