The 12 Jyotirlingas, revered as the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, are spread across India, attracting thousands of devotees each year. Whether you are embarking on a spiritual journey or a deeper exploration of India’s rich heritage, planning your trip strategically can make your pilgrimage smoother and more fulfilling. Here's a comprehensive travel guide to visiting the Jyotirlingas based on your starting location, whether you want to cover all 12 or select a few.

For Pilgrims from North India

If you're beginning your journey from North India, the most logical route starts in Uttarakhand and moves east before heading west and south:

Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) → Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) → Vaidyanath (Jharkhand) → Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Nageshwar (Gujarat) → Somnath (Gujarat) → Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) → Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) → Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) → Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh) → Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

For Pilgrims from South India

For those starting from the southern states, the best approach is to begin in Tamil Nadu and move north:

Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) → Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh) → Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) → Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) → Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) → Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Somnath (Gujarat) → Nageshwar (Gujarat) → Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) → Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) → Vaidyanath (Jharkhand)

For Pilgrims from West India

If you reside in Maharashtra or Gujarat, this route optimises your pilgrimage:

Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) → Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) → Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) → Somnath (Gujarat) → Nageshwar (Gujarat) → Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) → Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) → Vaidyanath (Jharkhand) → Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh) → Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

For Pilgrims from East India

Starting from the eastern states, this sequence works best:

Vaidyanath (Jharkhand) → Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) → Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) → Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Somnath (Gujarat) → Nageshwar (Gujarat) → Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) → Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) → Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) → Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh) → Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

Try a shorter route instead: Seven Jyotirilingas

If visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas is not feasible, you can opt for a shorter pilgrimage covering the seven that are geographically closer:

Somnath (Gujarat) → Nageshwar (Gujarat) → Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) → Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) → Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) → Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra)

For a more localised trip, you can also club together Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath, and Vaidyanath, or Mallikarjuna and Rameshwaram in South India.

A few travel tips to keep in mind:

·Plan transportation wisely: Use trains, flights, and road travel efficiently.

• Check weather conditions: Some Jyotirlingas, like Kedarnath, are in high-altitude regions with seasonal access.
• Book accommodations in advance: Temples attract large crowds, so secure your stays early.
• Maintain a flexible itinerary: Some locations might require extra travel time due to connectivity.
• Respect temple customs: Follow dress codes and rituals for a fulfilling experience.