Eat a hearty breakfast before the drive; recommended spot in Mumbai: The Nutcracker (Bandra) for good breakfast options and quick service before hitting the highway.
Drive north-east from Mumbai toward Bhimashankar (approx 4–6 hours depending on traffic). Scenic ghats near Kalyan and Pune region; plan fuel/top-up stops.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (open generally 6:00–18:00) sits in the Western Ghats and is known for its natural setting and Ganeshgiri wildlife; combine darshan with a short nature walk.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (typical darshan hours 5:00–21:00) — known for the presence of the holy Godavari and Panchaganga. Expect queues; wear modest clothing.
If you have time, Sula (open afternoons/evenings) is a short drive from Nashik for vineyard views and light snacks — useful rest stop before onward travel.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (near Ellora Caves) — typically open 5:00–21:00; this small historic temple sits next to the famous Ellora complex and is easy to combine with sightseeing.
Choose a highway restaurant or recommended Gujarati thali stop (e.g., a trusted highway dhaba or a clean chain like Gujarat Bhavan/GSRTC cafeteria where available).
Check into Somnath hotel; dinner at hotel restaurant or popular local option such as Hotel Somnath (simple seafood/vegetarian options available near the temple).
Expect 12+ hours of driving with stops; stop for lunch in Rajkot/Ahmedabad corridor depending on the chosen route. Aim to reach Ujjain by late evening.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is famous for the Bhasma Aarti at dawn (timing ~4:00–5:30; confirm locally). Arrive early, expect crowds; darshan protocols are strict.
Early breakfast and begin the long eastward drive toward Varanasi; this will be a multi-day driving segment across MP to UP; plan overnight stops en route if needed.
Arrive Varanasi (or overnight stop close by depending on driving split); dinner at hotel or local recommended place if in Varanasi: Kashi Chat Bhandar or hotel restaurant.
Take an early boat ride on the Ganga for sunrise and the morning puja (boat services typically start around 5:00–6:00am). Experience the ghats before crowds.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (open long hours; check for special queue/booking options). Central to Varanasi’s spiritual life—expect queues and security checks.
Drive east toward Deoghar (Baidyanath Jyotirlinga). The trip is long (6–8+ hours) — plan for breaks; some travelers split with an overnight stop en route.
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar generally open long hours (check seasonal timings) and is especially busy during certain months; evening darshan recommended after arrival.
Begin long northbound drive toward Kedarnath region (Uttarakhand). Expect 12+ hours of driving and plan overnight near Rishikesh/Haridwar or Sonprayag/Gaurikund depending on pace.
Check into a hotel in Rishikesh/Haridwar, rest and prepare for early morning drive into the mountains the next day (or continue to Sonprayag if time/energy allow).
Early start to reach Sonprayag/Gaurikund (roadhead). From there the Kedarnath shrine requires trek (~16 km one-way) or booking a helicopter to Kedarnath helipad (seasonal). Check opening: Kedarnath is seasonal (usually May–Nov) — confirm before travel.
If fit, trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (6–8 hours depending on pace); alternatives: pony/palanquin services or helicopter (book in advance) to the Kedarnath helipad (subject to weather).
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga darshan (seasonal opening) — expect basic facilities and cold nights; temple timings and access depend heavily on weather and local administration.
After lunch drive south toward central India to begin the long southbound leg to Srisailam/Mallikarjuna; split drive with an overnight stop at a comfortable junction city (e.g., Kanpur/Bhopal depending on route).
Set out early on the southward leg; this will be two long driving days broken by an overnight stop depending on how many hours you prefer to drive in a day.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam (temple timings vary: typically morning and evening darshan windows) — the temple is located in a forested hill range; check opening hours and forest entry timing.
Explore the hill views, local ghats on the Krishna river and small viewpoints around Srisailam; rest and prepare for the drive to southern Tamil Nadu next.
Early breakfast and set out for the long drive across Tamil Nadu to Rameshwaram; this may be split into two days depending on driver preference but plan comfortable stops.
Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameshwaram) — the Jyotirlinga here is in the main temple complex; temple timings usually from early morning to late evening with midday closures for rituals. Expect long queues around major festival days.
Breakfast at hotel or local eateries offering South Indian breakfast (dosa, idli) before visiting the island’s other holy spots like Agnitheertham and Dhanushkodi.
Visit Agnitheertham beach and if time permits a short visit to Dhanushkodi (check vehicle permits and road conditions). Enjoy coastal views and do prasad/rituals as needed.
Dinner at the hotel; prepare for the final long north-westward drive back toward Mumbai on next day(s), or fly if you choose to shorten the return — note user preference was by car.
Begin long return drive up the west coast toward Mumbai; you can choose coastal NH route via Madurai, Salem, Bangalore (inland) or coastal NH via Tuticorin → Kochi → Mangalore → Goa → Mumbai. Plan multiple overnight stops, or break into a 2–3 day return depending on pace.
Lunch at a reputable highway restaurant or city stop if passing Chennai or a major junction; pick marine-safe eateries along the coast and avoid isolated fast stops after dark.
Overnight in a major city such as Madurai/Coimbatore/Salem depending on chosen route; enjoy dinner at a recommended city hotel and take a full vehicle check for remaining highway legs.