Road Trip Itinerary: Bhopal ➜ Bhimashankar, Ghrishneshwar & Mallikarjuna Jyotirlingas ➜ Bhopal

Day 1: Departure from Bhopal & Arrival at Bhimashankar

Morning: Begin the journey early from Bhopal, covering roughly 950 km on NH 46 and NH 48. Enjoy scenic views of the Malwa plateau as you head south.

Afternoon: Stop for lunch at a highway dhaba near Pune, then continue the drive through the Western Ghats, reaching the foothills of the Sahyadri range.

Evening: Arrive at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and check into a nearby guesthouse. Take a leisurely stroll around the temple complex to soak in the evening ambience.

Day 2: Bhimashankar Temple & Journey to Ghrishneshwar

Morning: Participate in the early Aarti at Bhimashankar Temple, then explore the surrounding forest trails and the famous Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Afternoon: After a light lunch, depart for Ghrishneshwar (≈200 km, 4‑5 hrs). The drive passes through lush valleys and the historic town of Pune.

Evening: Check into a hotel in the village of Ghrishneshwar. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the banks of the Godavari River before dinner.

Day 3: Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga & Transfer to Mallikarjuna

Morning: Attend the Shodashopachara rituals at Ghrishneshwar Temple, one of the oldest Shiva shrines in Maharashtra.

Afternoon: Depart for Mallikarjuna (≈250 km, 5‑6 hrs) via NH 65, crossing the scenic Krishna River and the dense forests of the Nallamala hills.

Evening: Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at Srisailam and settle into a riverside lodge. Relax with a quiet dinner overlooking the Tungabhadra River.

Day 4: Mallikarjuna Temple & Return Journey (Part 1)

Morning: Experience the powerful Aarti at Mallikarjuna Temple and explore the adjacent Shiva Ganga and Trikuteshwara shrines.

Afternoon: Begin the long return drive toward Nagpur (≈800 km, 13‑14 hrs). Take scheduled breaks at major towns for refreshments.

Evening: Arrive in Nagpur and check into a comfortable hotel. Unwind with a stroll in the Zero Mile Stone Park and enjoy a local dinner.

Day 5: Final Leg Back to Bhopal

Morning: After breakfast, depart Nagpur for Bhopal (≈500 km, 8‑9 hrs) via NH 44, passing through the historic city of Jabalpur.

Afternoon: Stop at the stunning Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat for a brief sightseeing break and lunch.

Evening: Arrive back in Bhopal, concluding the pilgrimage road trip. Optionally, enjoy a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – 2‑3 hrs visit, free entry (donations optional)
• Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga – 1.5‑2 hrs visit, free entry
• Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Srisailam) – 2‑3 hrs visit, free entry
• Fuel (≈3,000 km @ 15 km/l, ₹110/l) – ~₹22,000
• Accommodation (4 nights @ ₹2,500/night) – ₹10,000
• Food (₹1,200/day × 5 days) – ₹6,000
• Miscellaneous (parking, tolls, donations) – ₹2,000
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹40,000

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day at each Jyotirlinga for deeper exploration of nearby attractions such as the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, the historic town of Aurangabad en route to Ghrishneshwar, and the Srisailam Dam area. If time is limited, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 by flying from Nagpur back to Bhopal after the first leg of the return journey, reducing the road travel by ~800 km.