Ancient Shiva temple at the source of the Godavari river; must-see for devotees and for its unique three‑faced lingam. Temple typically opens early (around 5:00–5:30am) for morning aarti and continues through the day with an evening slot; plan early to avoid crowds.
Grab fresh poha, sabudana khichdi or a hot Maharashtrian thali from the temple‑area vendors or a nearby small hotel; vendors usually start by 6:30–7:00am—simple, quick, and local.
Scenic drive southeast (~4–5 hours depending on stops). Route flows via Nashik → Ahmednagar → Aurangabad region; this is the longest transfer day so leave early to arrive with daylight.
Stop at a reliable highway restaurant or local thali place—try a Maharashtrian thali (sabzi, bhakri/roti, dal, salad) to refuel; most places serve hot lunch from 12:00pm–3:00pm.
One of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines, located adjacent to the Ellora Caves; evening darshan and aarti typically from late afternoon into evening (commonly 4:00pm–9:00pm). Close the day with a serene visit to this compact and beautiful temple.
Choose a nearby restaurant serving local Maharashtrian/Mughlai fare—try bharli vangi, dal tadka and a dessert (shrikhand). Many Aurangabad eateries are open until 10:00–11:00pm.
Have a hearty breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café—try uttapam or an Indian breakfast thali to fuel a day of sightseeing; most hotels serve from 7:00–9:30am.
Explore the world‑famous rock‑cut temples (especially Cave 16, the Kailasa temple); the site is usually open around 9:00am–6:00pm (confirm ASI timings on the day). Allow 2–3 hours to see the highlights.
Lunch at a reliable local restaurant near the caves; try the regional millet roti or a vegetable thali—vendors around the monument serve lunch from noon onward.
Optional short visit to Bibi Ka Maqbara — a calm, smaller mausoleum sometimes called the 'Taj of the Deccan'; it’s open during daylight hours (typically 7:00am–6:00pm) and is 20–30 minutes from Ellora.
If you missed rituals the previous evening or want a quieter darshan, return to Grishneshwar which usually reopens late afternoon; otherwise relax at the hotel and prepare for the drive east tomorrow.
Early departure to Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli district); drive time approximately 3–4 hours depending on route and stops. Leaving early gets you to midday darshan comfortably.
Stop for a substantial breakfast (idli‑sambar, misal pav or poha) at a highway restaurant or a popular local breakfast spot near Hingoli; most open by 7:00am–8:00am.
Ancient Nagnath temple (one of the significant Shiva shrines in Marathwada) known for its architecture and spiritual atmosphere; usual temple hours include early morning and late afternoon/evening (confirm locally). Midday darshan is possible—expect 45–75 minutes.
Lunch at a local restaurant—try jhunka bhakar or a vegetarian thali that showcases regional flavours; local restaurants typically serve lunch 12:00pm–3:00pm.
Attend the evening aarti or an additional darshan slot—many pilgrims prefer the evening atmosphere and bhajans; temples commonly open 4:00pm–8:00pm for evening rituals.
Famous Jyotirlinga shrine and one of the key pilgrimage destinations in Marathwada; temple timings usually include morning and evening sessions (confirm local timings), and midday is a good time to experience the temple complex and nearby markets.
Eat at a recommended local restaurant—try regional dishes and sweets; many Parli eateries serve robust vegetarian and non‑vegetarian options from 12:00pm.
End of the four‑temple circuit — arrange onward travel from Parli (return to nearest major railheads or airports: Parli/Beed → Aurangabad/Nanded/Pune depending on your onward plan).