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12 Jyotirlinga & Char Dham Road Pilgrimage – 18‑Day Itinerary from Bangalore

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Day 1: Bangalore ➜ Rameshwaram (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Depart Bangalore early and drive towards Krishnagiri, enjoying the scenic Deccan plateau. Stop for breakfast at a local dhaba.

Afternoon: Continue through Salem and reach the historic town of Rameshwaram. After checking into your hotel, visit the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple and its sacred “Papanasam” well.

Evening: Walk along the pristine shores of Dhanushkodi beach, witnessing a serene sunset before a restful night.

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Day 2: Rameshwaram ➜ Tirumala (Mallikarjuna)

Morning: Cross the Pamban Bridge and drive to Tirupati, stopping at the coastal town of Nagapattinam for a quick snack.

Afternoon: Reach Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple (Srisailam) and perform darshan. Explore the ancient Akkanna & Allamudi caves nearby.

Evening: Stay at a lodge near the temple complex and enjoy a quiet evening prayer session.

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Day 3: Srisailam ➜ Nageshwar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Drive northwards through Kurnool, enjoying the rugged landscape of Andhra Pradesh.

Afternoon: Arrive at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka district, Gujarat. Attend the midday aarti and explore the surrounding coastal forts.

Evening: Relax at a beachfront resort in Dwarka, savoring fresh Gujarati cuisine.

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Day 4: Nageshwar ➜ Somnath (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Short drive to the historic port city of Somnath. Check in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Visit the majestic Somnath Temple, followed by a walk on the Arabian Sea promenade.

Evening: Attend the spectacular sunset aarti at the temple and enjoy a cultural show.

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Day 5: Somnath ➜ Bhimashankar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Begin the long drive towards Maharashtra, crossing the Western Ghats via the Surat–Mumbai highway.

Afternoon: Reach the forested hills of Bhimashankar. Trek through the sanctuary to the Bhimashankar Temple, nestled among lush greenery.

Evening: Stay in a forest‑eco lodge and enjoy a quiet night under the stars.

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Day 6: Bhimashankar ➜ Trimbakeshwar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Drive to the sacred town of Trimbakeshwar, famous for its source of the Godavari River.

Afternoon: Explore the Trimbakeshwar Temple, noting its unique three‑faced lingam. Visit the nearby Anjaneri Fort for panoramic views.

Evening: Relax at a local guesthouse and enjoy a traditional Maharashtrian dinner.

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Day 7: Trimbakeshwar ➜ Grishneshwar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aurangabad, then onward to Grishneshwar.

Afternoon: Tour the exquisite Grishneshwar Temple and admire its intricate marble carvings.

Evening: Return to Aurangabad, explore its historic market, and stay overnight.

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Day 8: Aurangabad ➜ Mahakaleshwar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Depart for Ujjain, the ancient city of learning.

Afternoon: Visit the revered Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and the nearby Kal Bhairav Temple.

Evening: Witness the enchanting evening aarti on the banks of the Shipra River.

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Day 9: Ujjain ➜ Omkareshwar (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Travel to the island town of Omkareshwar on the Narmada River.

Afternoon: Explore both the Omkareshwar and Maheshwar temples that face each other across the river.

Evening: Take a serene boat ride on the Narmada and stay at a riverside resort.

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Day 10: Omkareshwar ➜ Vaidyanath (Jyotirlinga)

Morning: Drive eastwards through Madhya Pradesh into Jharkhand.

Afternoon: Reach the hilltop Vaidyanath Temple in Deoghar. Climb the steps and enjoy panoramic views.

Evening: Attend the night aarti and stay in a comfortable lodge.

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Day 11: Vaidyanath ➜ Kedarnath (Char Dham)

Morning: Long drive toward Uttarakhand, passing through Varanasi for a quick cultural stop.

Afternoon: Ascend to the sacred town of Kedarnath via the 16 km mountain road.

Evening: Perform darshan at the Kedarnath Temple and settle into a mountain lodge.

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Day 12: Kedarnath ➜ Badrinath (Char Dham)

Morning: Early trek to Gaurikund and drive to Badrinath via the scenic Alaknanda valley.

Afternoon: Visit the divine Badrinath Temple and take a short walk to the nearby Mana Village.

Evening: Enjoy a peaceful evening by the Alaknanda River and stay at a hotel in Badrinath.

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Day 13: Badrinath ➜ Gangotri (Char Dham)

Morning: Drive to the glacial town of Gangotri, crossing high mountain passes.

Afternoon: Explore the sacred Gangotri Temple and take a short trek to the Gaumukh Glacier viewpoint.

Evening: Rest at a guesthouse and enjoy the crisp Himalayan air.

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Day 14: Gangotri ➜ Yamunotri (Char Dham)

Morning: Short drive to the base of Yamunotri; begin the trek to the temple.

Afternoon: Reach the lofty Yamunotri Temple and perform the holy bathing ritual at the source of the Yamuna River.

Evening: Descend to the nearby town of Hanuman Chatti for overnight stay.

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Day 15: Yamunotri ➜ Rishikesh (Rest & Transit)

Morning: Drive down to Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world.

Afternoon: Relax on the banks of the Ganges, visit the iconic Lakshman Jhula and attend a yoga session.

Evening: Enjoy a Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat and stay in a riverside hotel.

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Day 16: Rishikesh ➜ Varanasi (Cultural Interlude)

Morning: Fly or drive to Varanasi for a cultural pause.

Afternoon: Explore the ghats, especially Dashashwamedh, and visit the ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Evening: Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti and stay overnight.

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Day 17: Varanasi ➜ Bangalore (Return)

Morning: Begin the journey back to Bangalore, stopping at key points for meals.

Afternoon: Continue the drive through central India, crossing the Deccan plateau.

Evening: Arrive in Bangalore, concluding the pilgrimage.

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Day 18: Rest & Reflection (Optional)

Morning: Take a leisurely breakfast at home and reflect on the journey.

Afternoon: Light sightseeing around Bangalore or rest.

Evening: Share experiences with family and friends; prepare for post‑trip duties.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Rameshwaram (Jyotirlinga) – 6 hrs visit, ₹1,200 entry/offerings
  • Sri Mallikarjuna (Srisailam) – 5 hrs, ₹1,500
  • Nageshwar (Jyotirlinga) – 4 hrs, ₹800
  • Somnath – 5 hrs, ₹1,000
  • Bhimashankar – 6 hrs trek, ₹1,200
  • Trimbakeshwar – 4 hrs, ₹800
  • Grishneshwar – 3 hrs, ₹700
  • Mahakaleshwar – 5 hrs, ₹1,000
  • Omkareshwar – 5 hrs, ₹1,000
  • Vaidyanath – 5 hrs, ₹900
  • Kedarnath – 5 hrs, ₹1,500 (incl. pilgrimage tax)
  • Badrinath – 4 hrs, ₹1,200
  • Gangotri – 5 hrs, ₹1,000
  • Yamunotri – 6 hrs (trek), ₹1,200
  • Rishikesh – 3 hrs, ₹500
  • Varanasi – 4 hrs, ₹500
  • Fuel & tolls (≈ 3,500 km round‑trip) – ₹30,000
  • Accommodation (₹2,000/night × 17 nights) – ₹34,000
  • Meals (₹800/day × 18 days) – ₹14,400
  • Total Estimated Cost: ₹91,600

Tips

To shorten the trip, you can combine nearby Jyotirlingas (e.g., Somnath & Nageshwar) into a single day and skip the Varanasi cultural interlude, reducing the itinerary to about 12 days. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, add an extra day at each Char Dham location for acclimatization, extending the journey to 20 days, and consider hiring a local guide for the high‑altitude treks at Yamunotri and Gangotri.

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