Maharashtra is one of India’s most important destinations for devotees of Lord Shiva. From the lush Sahyadri hills of Bhimashankar to the ancient temple town of Trimbakeshwar and the sacred caves of Ellora near Grishneshwar, the state offers some of the country’s most powerful Shiva pilgrimage experiences.
If you are searching for Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, you may come across different answers about the total number. This happens because the traditional list of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India clearly includes Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar in Maharashtra, while regional traditions also identify Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath as Jyotirlingas.
Because of this, many pilgrims commonly refer to the 5 Jyotirlingas in the Maharashtra pilgrimage circuit.
This guide by Sai Shishir Tours explains the Maharashtra Jyotirlinga names, temple locations, spiritual significance, nearby attractions, suggested travel routes, and how to plan a comfortable Jyotirling Tour Package from Bangalore.
How Many Jyotirlinga Are There in Maharashtra?
The question “How many Jyotirlingas are there in Maharashtra?” can have two answers depending on the tradition followed.
According to the widely accepted pan-Indian list of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Maharashtra is home to:
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
However, many Maharashtrian pilgrimage traditions also recognize:
Parli Vaijnath
Aundha Nagnath
That is why searches for the 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra and the 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra list are common among devotees.
Maharashtra's 5 Jyotirlingas List at a Glance
Jyotirlinga Temple | Location | District/Region | Why It Is Famous |
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Trimbak | Nashik | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas; associated with the Godavari River |
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Bhimashankar | Pune district | Jyotirlinga surrounded by the Sahyadri forests |
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Verul | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar region | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, located near Ellora Caves |
Parli Vaijnath | Parli | Beed | Revered in regional traditions as a Jyotirlinga |
Aundha Nagnath | Aundha | Hingoli | Ancient Shiva temple traditionally associated with Nageshwar |
1. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Nashik
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most important Jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra and one of the officially recognized 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
The temple is located in Trimbak, near Nashik, at the foothills of the Brahmagiri Mountains.
Trimbakeshwar is especially significant because the sacred Godavari River is traditionally associated with its origin in the nearby Brahmagiri hills.
The temple’s architecture is built mainly from dark stone and reflects the traditional temple style of Maharashtra.
What to See at Trimbakeshwar
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Brahmagiri Hills
Kushavarta Kund
Godavari origin region
Nearby Nashik temples
Panchavati
Trimbakeshwar is often combined with Shirdi, Nashik and Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra pilgrimage itineraries.
Best for: Pilgrimage, family travel and senior citizens
Nearest major city: Nashik
2. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Pune District
If you are searching for a Jyotirlinga in Pune, Bhimashankar is the temple you are looking for.
Located in the Sahyadri mountain range in Pune district, Bhimashankar is one of the most scenic Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
The temple is surrounded by dense forests and hills, giving devotees a rare combination of spirituality and nature.
Bhimashankar is also associated with the origin of the Bhima River.
What to See at Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
Sahyadri viewpoints
Bhima River origin region
Hanuman Lake
Ancient temple architecture
The road to Bhimashankar passes through beautiful Western Ghats scenery, making the journey particularly rewarding during and after the monsoon.
Best for: Devotees, nature lovers and road trips
Nearest major city: Pune
3. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Near Ellora
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located near the famous Ellora Caves at Verul.
It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is particularly convenient for travellers who want to combine spirituality with heritage sightseeing.
The temple has undergone reconstruction several times over the centuries and is closely associated with the religious history of the region.
What to See Near Grishneshwar
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Ellora Caves
Kailasa Temple
Daulatabad Fort
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A visit to Grishneshwar can easily be combined with an Ajanta Ellora Tour Package, making it ideal for families interested in both pilgrimage and history.
Best for: Pilgrims, heritage travellers and families
Nearest major city: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
4. Parli Vaijnath – Beed
Parli Vaijnath is one of the most revered Shiva temples in Maharashtra and is commonly included in the 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra pilgrimage circuit.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vaijnath, a form of Shiva associated with healing and divine protection.
While different traditions identify different locations for the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga mentioned in the 12 Jyotirlinga tradition, Maharashtra devotees often regard Parli Vaijnath as one of the state's important Jyotirlinga shrines.
What to See
Parli Vaijnath Temple
Temple courtyards
Traditional Shiva worship
Local pilgrimage sites
It is particularly busy during Mahashivratri and the Shravan month.
Best for: Shiva devotees and pilgrimage groups
District: Beed
5. Aundha Nagnath – Hingoli
Aundha Nagnath Temple is another sacred Shiva shrine often included among the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
Regional tradition associates the temple with the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga tradition.
The temple is believed to be extremely ancient and is known for its distinctive architecture and deep spiritual significance.
What to See
Aundha Nagnath Temple
Ancient stone carvings
Sacred temple complex
Traditional Shiva rituals
The temple attracts large numbers of devotees during Mahashivratri and Shravan.
Best for: Pilgrimage groups and spiritual travellers
District: Hingoli
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Map & Suggested Route
If you are planning a Maharashtra Jyotirlinga map route, a practical circuit can be arranged depending on where you enter the state.
A possible route is:
Pune → Bhimashankar → Nashik → Trimbakeshwar → Shirdi → Grishneshwar → Parli Vaijnath → Aundha Nagnath
This can be adjusted according to:
Flight or train arrival city
Number of travel days
Senior citizen requirements
Hotel preferences
Additional pilgrimage stops
Travellers from Bangalore often find Pune, Mumbai or Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar useful entry points depending on flight availability.
Best Time to Visit Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Jyotirlinga temples can be visited throughout the year, but weather and crowd levels vary.
October to February
Generally the most comfortable period for temple visits and road travel.
July to September
The monsoon makes Bhimashankar and the Sahyadris especially beautiful, but heavy rainfall can affect road conditions.
Shravan Month
A highly auspicious period for Lord Shiva devotees. Expect large crowds.
Mahashivratri
One of the busiest and most important festival periods at all major Shiva temples.
Families and senior citizens seeking a relaxed pilgrimage may prefer weekdays outside major festivals.
How Many Days Are Required for 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra?
A complete 5 Jyotirlinga Maharashtra tour generally requires around 5 to 8 days, depending on transportation and additional sightseeing.
Other Shiva Temples and Shivling in Maharashtra
Apart from the famous Jyotirlingas, Maharashtra is home to numerous important Shivling in Maharashtra and ancient Shiva temples.
Popular examples include:
Shikhara Shingnapur
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Kedareshwar Temple
Kopeshwar Temple
Gondeshwar Temple
Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Kailasa Temple at Ellora
These temples strengthen Maharashtra's reputation as one of India's major Shiva pilgrimage destinations.
Which Jyotirling Is Not Located in Maharashtra?
A common search query is “Which of these Jyotirling is not located in Maharashtra?”
Several of the 12 Jyotirlingas are outside Maharashtra.
For example:
Somnath – Gujarat
Nageshwar – Gujarat, according to the widely followed Dwarka tradition
Mahakaleshwar – Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar – Madhya Pradesh
Kedarnath – Uttarakhand
Kashi Vishwanath – Uttar Pradesh
Rameshwaram – Tamil Nadu
Mallikarjuna – Andhra Pradesh
Baidyanath – Jharkhand, according to one widely followed tradition
No. | Jyotirlinga Name | Place | State | Spiritual Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Somnath Jyotirlinga | Prabhas Patan / Veraval | Gujarat | Strength and rebirth |
2 | Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | Family peace and devotion |
3 | Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | Protection from fear |
4 | Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga | Mandhata Island | Madhya Pradesh | Calmness and balance |
5 | Baidyanath Jyotirlinga | Deoghar | Jharkhand | Healing and surrender |
6 | Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Near Pune | Maharashtra | Courage and protection |
7 | Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga | Rameswaram | Tamil Nadu | Purity and forgiveness |
8 | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Near Dwarka | Gujarat | Fearlessness |
9 | Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | Moksha and wisdom |
10 | Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Nashik | Maharashtra | Karma cleansing |
11 | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | Faith and surrender |
12 | Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Near Ellora | Maharashtra | Devotion and blessings |
Because traditions differ regarding Nageshwar and Vaidyanath, pilgrims may encounter alternative regional interpretations.
Plan a Jyotirling Tour Package from Bangalore
Visiting multiple Jyotirlingas involves long-distance road travel, hotel coordination, temple timings, and route planning.
Sai Shishir Tours offers Jyotirling Tour Packages from Bangalore for families, senior citizens, groups and individual pilgrims.
Depending on the selected itinerary, your Maharashtra pilgrimage may include:
Bhimashankar
Trimbakeshwar
Grishneshwar
Parli Vaijnath
Aundha Nagnath
Shirdi
Shani Shingnapur
Nashik
Ellora Caves
Sai Shishir Tours also offers Pilgrimage Tour Packages from Bangalore, Maharashtra Tour Packages, Domestic Tour Packages, Family Tour Packages, Senior Citizen Tours, and customized spiritual journeys.
A professionally organized itinerary can be especially useful when travelling with elderly family members or when covering several temples within a limited number of days.
Final Thoughts
The Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra offer a remarkable spiritual journey through ancient temples, sacred rivers, forest landscapes and historic cities.
For devotees following the standard list of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Maharashtra is home to Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar.
For travellers following Maharashtra's broader regional pilgrimage tradition, Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath are also included, creating the popular 5 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra circuit.
Rather than focusing only on the number, the real value of the journey lies in experiencing the history, devotion and cultural traditions surrounding each sacred temple.
Whether you are planning a short Bhimashankar pilgrimage, a Trimbakeshwar–Shirdi trip, or a complete Maharashtra Jyotirlinga tour from Bangalore, Sai Shishir Tours can help you explore these sacred destinations through a thoughtfully planned spiritual journey.