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December 2025 – January 2026 India Jyotirlinga Road Trip Itinerary

Viewed by 207 travelers

Day 1 – 25 December: Arrival in Mumbai

Morning: Depart Deoghar early and enjoy a relaxed drive to the airport, covering about 250 km (≈5 h). Grab a light breakfast on the way.

Afternoon: Fly to Mumbai and collect your rental car at the airport. A short drive (≈30 km, 1 h) takes you to your pre‑booked hotel in South Mumbai.

Evening: Arrive at the hotel around 5 pm, unwind, and enjoy a coastal dinner at a seaside restaurant while watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

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Day 2 – 26 December: Siddhivinayak Mandir & Mumbai Exploration

Morning: After breakfast, drive 8 km (15 min) to the iconic Siddhivinayak Mandir. Spend about 1 hour offering prayers and exploring the vibrant surrounding market.

Afternoon: Head to the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (5 km, 20 min) and then stroll along Marine Drive for a relaxing walk with panoramic sea views.

Evening: Dine at a local seafood eatery in Colaba and return to the hotel (≈10 km, 30 min) for a restful night.

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Day 3 – 27 December: Travel to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Morning: Check out and embark on the 100 km (≈2.5 h) drive to Bhimashankar, enjoying the lush Western Ghats scenery.

Afternoon: Arrive, settle into a forest‑side guesthouse, and have lunch. Take a short walk to the base of the Bhimashankar Temple for a first glimpse.

Evening: Relax amidst nature, perhaps a gentle trek to the nearby waterfalls, then enjoy a simple dinner at the guesthouse.

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Day 4 – 28 December: Bhimashankar Temple & Travel to Trimbakeshwar

Morning: Devote 2 hours to a thorough visit of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, exploring its sanctum and the surrounding forest trails.

Afternoon: After lunch, begin the 260 km (≈5 h) drive to Trimbakeshwar. Stop for tea at a roadside dhaba near Igatpuri.

Evening: Check into a hotel near the temple, enjoy a quiet dinner, and rest for the next day’s pilgrimage.

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Day 5 – 29 December: Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga & Travel to Shirdi

Morning: Spend 1.5 hours at the majestic Trimbakeshwar Temple, followed by a brief walk to the nearby Brahmagiri Caves.

Afternoon: Depart for Shirdi, a 250 km (≈5 h) journey. Enjoy a late lunch en route.

Evening: Arrive in Shirdi, check into a comfortable lodge, and take an evening stroll around the town’s illuminated streets.

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Day 6 – 30 December: Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga & Possible Aundha Nagnath

Morning: Attend the serene Sai Baba Temple for the aarti (≈2 h) and explore the museum displaying his life.

Afternoon: Drive 200 km (≈4 h) to the historic Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga. After a brief lunch, spend 1 hour visiting the temple and the adjacent archaeological site.

Evening: If time permits, continue 130 km (≈3 h) to Aundha Nagnath for a sunset view of the temple’s tower, then return to a nearby guesthouse for overnight rest.

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Day 7 – 31 December: Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga & Travel to Parli Vaijnath

Morning: Re‑visit Aundha Nagnath for a deeper worship session (≈1 h) and explore the surrounding market.

Afternoon: Embark on a 100 km (≈2 h) drive to Parli Vaijnath, stopping for a traditional Maharashtrian lunch.

Evening: Check into a local hotel, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the New Year’s pilgrimage the next day.

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Day 8 – 1 January: Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga & Travel to Hampi

Morning: Celebrate the New Year with a 1.5‑hour visit to the revered Parli Vaijnath Temple, taking part in special prayers.

Afternoon: Begin the 330 km (≈6‑7 h) drive to Hampi, crossing into Karnataka. Enjoy a packed lunch en route.

Evening: Arrive in Hampi, settle into a heritage homestay, and unwind with a quiet dinner under the stars.

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Day 9 – 2 January: Hampi Exploration

Morning: Explore the iconic Virupaksha Temple and the bustling Hampi Bazaar (≈2 h).

Afternoon: Visit the awe‑inspiring Vijaya Vittala Temple with its stone chariot, and wander through the Royal Enclosure (≈3 h).

Evening: Watch a sunset over the **Hemavathi** River from the **Matanga Hill**, then return to the homestay for a relaxed dinner.

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Day 10 – 3 January: Travel to Bangalore

Morning: After breakfast, start the 340 km (≈6 h) drive to Bangalore, enjoying the changing landscape from rocky hills to the city’s outskirts.

Afternoon: Arrive in Bangalore, check into a centrally located hotel, and have lunch at a popular South‑Indian restaurant.

Evening: Take a leisurely walk around Cubbon Park or visit the bustling MG Road for some shopping before a restful night.

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Day 11 – 4 January: Return to Deoghar

Morning: Pack up, enjoy a final Bangalore breakfast, and head to the airport (≈20 km, 45 min).

Afternoon: Fly back to Deoghar (≈1,300 km, 2 h flight) and collect your car at the airport.

Evening: Arrive home with wonderful memories of a fulfilling pilgrimage and cultural tour.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Siddhivinayak Mandir – 1 hour, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹50
  • Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – 2 hours, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹100
  • Trimbakeshwar Temple – 1.5 hours, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹80
  • Sai Baba Temple (Shirdi) – 2 hours, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹100
  • Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – 1 hour, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹70
  • Aundha Nagnath Temple – 1.5 hours, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹60
  • Parli Vaijnath Temple – 1.5 hours, Entry: Free, Parking: ₹70
  • Virupaksha & Vittala Temples (Hampi) – 5 hours total, Entry: ₹200 (combined), Parking: ₹50
  • Fuel (≈2,200 km total) – Approx. 180 L @ ₹110/L = ₹19,800
  • Accommodation (10 nights) – Avg. ₹2,500 per night = ₹25,000
  • Meals (₹800 per day × 11 days) – ₹8,800
  • Road Tolls & Parking Fees – Approx. ₹4,000
  • Flight Deoghar‑Bangalore (round‑trip) – ₹7,500
  • Miscellaneous (entry fees, souvenirs) – ₹5,000
  • Total Estimated Cost₹71,620

Tips

If you wish to extend the journey, consider adding a day at Hampi to explore the lesser‑known ruins of **Anjaneya Hill** and the **Royal Enclosure** in depth, or spend an extra night in Mumbai for a coastal day‑trip to **Elephanta Island**. To shorten the trip, you could skip the optional visit to **Aundha Nagnath** and proceed directly from Grishneshwar to Parli Vaijnath, saving roughly one travel day while still covering the primary Jyotirlingas.

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