5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra: History, Location, and Photos

With their own little story and unique architecture, there are 5 Jyotirling in Maharashtra–Nashik, Aurangabad, Hingoli, Beed, and Pune Jyotirlinga. These are highly revered sites by the Hindu sect, especially those who follow Shaivism. 

As a result, a great number of devotees visit them annually. Assuming that you’re here, signifies your wish to be one of them very soon. 

Before you plan your trip to these famous Shiva temples, get to know everything about the Maharashtra Jyotirlinga names, their location, significance and much more. 

A Foreword to the 5 Jyotirling in Maharashtra

Before we get into the details about the 5 Jyotirling in Maharashtra, let us understand their significance, starting with the meaning of Jyotirlinga. The word ‘Jotirlinga’ itself means a pillar of light.

The lore goes back to a celestial debate between Brahma and Vishnu over who among them is the supreme god. Being the mediator that Shiva is, he appeared as a Jyotirlinga and challenged both of them to find the end of the light.  

This is where the story takes an interesting turn, as Brahma lied about finding it and brought a Ketaki flower as proof. Whereas, Lord Vishnu admitted his inability to find it. 

In the resolution of this tale, Lord Shiva got aggravated by Brahma’s deceptive behavior, banishing him from being worshiped on earth. While Vishnu was rewarded for his honesty. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested as the luminous pillar of light in 12 sacred spots all over India. 5 of these spots are located in Maharashtra, and each Jyotirlinga is named after its respective presiding deity. 

Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Map and List

Out of a total of 12 Jyotirlingas in India, here is a list of the 5 prominent ones in Maharashtra.

The 5 Jyotirlinga In Maharashtra List
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Name	Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Location
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga	Aurangabad
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga	Pune
Aundha Nagnath Temple	Hingoli
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga	Nashik
Parli Vaijnath Temple	Beed

Now that you’ve found out how many Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra are there, let’s move forward and get to know about them. 

The 5 Monumental Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra and How to Reach Them 

In the subsequent subsections, you will find out the details about each of these Jyotirlingas and how to navigate to them easily. So, without any further delays, let’s get right into it! 

It is believed that anyone who touches the lingam present in Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga can achieve salvation. That is why it is considered quite unique and the holiest of them all. As the name suggests, the lingam here is three-faced, representing all three gods, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (another name for Shiva).

Another significant thing about this shrine is that it was constructed by the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760). Hence, it is not to be missed in any case, and you must check twice if this site is covered in your Maharashtra Jyotirlinga tour package.

How to Reach the Nashik Jyotirlinga?

There are several modes to reach Nashik Jyotirlinga. Find out all about how to reach here and choose the mode or a combination of pathways that suits you best:

Train: Nashik Road Railway Station is the nearest to the shrine at a distance of about 44 km.

Bus: There is no Jyotirlinga in Mumbai, but it is a common starting point for the 5 or 3 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra tour packages. Here are the two routes you can take:

• Nashik➡️Trimbakeshwar– Buses start leaving from Nashik New Central Bus Station at 5 am for the Trimbakeshwar Bus Stand.

• Mumbai➡️Nashik➡️Trimbakeshwar– 6:45 am is the departure time for the first bus from Mumbai Central Depot to Nashik Central Bus Station. 

Airport: Nashik Airport is located at a distance of 39 km. 

By Road: The Mumbai-Nashik Expressway (NH-160) is the quickest way to reach there. If coming from the North, you may take the Mumbai-Agra Expressway (NH-3).

Address: Trimbak, Maharashtra 422212. 

Being the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is considered to be a sacred one among all. It is said that if you worship just the Aurangabad Jyotirlinga, the benefits of having visited all 12 can be reaped. 

Besides, the sculptures here are really alluring due to the intricate carvings, similar to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain. However, the intricacy in the carvings isn’t surprising, as it is located in proximity to another marvel of sculptures—the Ellora Caves. 

How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra? 

Find the ways to reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga here. These are all the details that will help you navigate to it smoothly:

By Train: This Maharashtra Jyotirlinga distance from Aurangabad Railway Station is of 22 km, which is the nearest. 

By Bus: Take either of these routes to reach Aurangabad Bus Station:

• Mumbai➡️Aurangabad: Grab the first bus departing at 7 am from Sion Bus Stop. 

• Aurangabad➡️Grishneshwar: Departing from Aurangabad Central Bus Stand at 8:30 am, it returns at 5:30 pm. 

By Air: In case of traveling by air, you must land at Aurangabad Airport. From here it is a journey of 41.4 km further. 

By Road: NH-19 connects most states in central and eastern India to Aurangabad. Those traveling from the north/south may take NH-44 or NH-139. 

Address: Ghrishneshwar Temple Rd, Verul, Maharashtra 431102.

The Pune Jyotirlinga namely Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is a very special one, as the deity residing here is believed to be the avatar of lord Shiva who defeated the demon called Tripurasur in a cosmic war. The victory in this war is celebrated as devadeepavali and is a renowned tale in Hindu mythology. 

What further enhances the spiritual appeal of this Pune Jyotirlinga is its location amid the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. They must be explored together for a holistic experience of visiting a site as auspicious as a Jyotirlinga. 

How to Reach the Jyotirlinga in Pune?

It is relatively easy to reach Bhimashankar due to the position of the sanctuary and temple right next to each other. Find out how to reach the temple using the details given below:

By Train: Pune Railway Station is at a distance of 124 km. Take a bus or a private taxi from here. 

By Bus: While choosing to travel via buses, you can choose from these pathways:

• Mumbai➡️Bhimashankar: Buses leave from Kalyan Bus Stop at 9 am and from Ghatkopar Bus Station at 11 am. 

• Pune➡️Bhimashankar: The first bus leaves at 5:30 am from the Pune Central Bus Stand, while the last departs at 4 pm. 

By Air: This Maharashtra Jyotirlinga distance from Pune International Airport is 118 km. Hereon, take a taxi or a cab to reach your destination. 

By Road: While starting your journey from the north/south, taking NH-48 is preferable. NH-66 also connects southern India with Pune. While the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is best for traveling from Mumbai to Pune. 

Address: Dimbhe Dam Colony, Via, Dist, Khed taluka, Maharashtra 410509. 

Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga in Hingoli is not just renowned due to the deity who is believed to reside here. The other reason for its fervor among Shiva bhakts is that it was built by Dharmraj Yudhishthir, the oldest of the Pandavas from the Bhagavad Gita. 

It is believed that he built this temple during his exile. There are 108 Shiva temples and 68 shrines within its complex. As many would know, the number 108 has a lot of significance, since it symbolizes completeness in the context of yoga and spirituality.

How to Reach Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga?

It is comparatively tougher to navigate to this temple. So, the information mentioned below may prove helpful in finding your way to the temple. 

By Train: Chondi Station is just 21 km away from the temple, which is also the nearest. However, you can also get off at the Hingoli and Parbhani junctions 84 km and 53 km away respectively. 

By Bus: Hingoli Bus Stand is the nearest bus stop to this temple. If you’re departing from Mumbai, the first bus leaves at 6 pm from Sion for this route.

By Air: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport is the closest airport at a distance of 67.5 km. 

By Road: In order to reach here by road, opt for either NH-161 or NH-211.

Address: Nanded-Aundha Rd, Aundha Nagnath, Maharashtra 431705.

The architecture of Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga is as rich as its history. It is believed that the temple was constructed by the Maratha warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Mystery complements the history, as there are various hidden spots waiting to be unearthed, just like the hidden gems near Kedarnath Temple.

As far as the tale goes, Ravana worshipped lord Shiva for several days, after which he was allowed to take the Shivalinga to Sri Lanka. However, on his way back home he was tricked into keeping it down in Beed. Ever since then, the Jyotirlinga has been in here, around which a shrine was built. 

Navigate to Parli Vaijnath Temple with Ease:

Navigability is not an issue while traveling to Parli Vaijnath Temple, as it is well-connected. Find everything you need to know to reach the temple here:  

By Train: The Parli Vaijnath Railway Station is at a distance of a mere 2.2 km. 

By Bus: Parli Vaijnath Bus Stand is the nearest stop to the temple. 

By Air: The Murod Kond Airport in Latur is just 49.9 km away, whereas the Nanded Airport is 90.4 km away. Despite the availability, they are not frequented by flights as often. Aurangabad Airport is the next best option at a distance of 200 km. 

By Road: NH-361-F and 541-B are the highways that lead to Parli. 

Address: Pathanpura, Peth Mohallah, Parli Vaijnath, Maharashtra 431515.

The 12 Jyotirlingas in India

As mentioned previously, there are 12 Jyotirlingas spread across India. Now that we have already introduced you to all the Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra. It is time to discuss locations and shrines other than the 5 total Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra. 

The List of 12 Jyotirlingas in India 

Assuming that you’ve caught onto at least the names of the Jyotirling in Maharashtra. Let’s see if you can find out which of these Jyotirling is not located in Maharashtra just by reading the name of the temple. 

The 12 Jyotirlingas of India
Name of the Jyotirlinga	District and State of Location
Mallikarjuna Temple	Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple	Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Kedarnath Temple	Rudraprayag, Garhwal region of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand
Somnath Temple	Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
Omkareshwar Temple	Mandhata Island, Madhya Pradesh
Bhimashankar Temple	Pune, Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Temple	Nashik, Maharashtra
Kashi Vishwanath	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Vaidyanath Temple	Deoghar, Jharkhand
Rameshwaram Temple	Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Grishneshwar Temple	Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Nageshwar Temple	Dwarka, Gujarat

Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Tour Tips

While planning a visit across Maharashtra ke Jyotirling, you can expect to spend anywhere between ₹12000-₹15000 according to various tour packages available online. 

Those of you planning to save some extra money must take the 3 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra tour package since it instantly cuts the cost. The main three Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra are the Bhimshankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar. 

The Vaidyanath Temple of Jharkhand and Nageshwar Temple of Gujarat are often confused with the Vaidyanath and Nageshwar temple of Maharashtra. Hence, while cost-cutting, keep in mind the above-mentioned three essential Jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra.

In a Nutshell

It does not matter how many Jyotirling in Maharashtra you cover; what matters is whether you’re able to derive a lesson from the didactic tales behind each of them.

Hoping that this blog was insightful about 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra are there, Maharashtra Jyotirlinga tour estimates, their location, and how to reach, we wish you a trip full of solitude!