India is a land filled with spiritualism, temples and pilgrimage sites. The twelve Jyotirlingas are one of the most revered Shiva pilgrimages and devotees from across India and worldwide travel to these holy destinations to seek blessings and experience their divine ambience. However, traversing this huge circuit of twelve Jyotirlingas can be quite a big task as the temples are distributed all over the country. Hence why the best 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package is the ultimate solution to the pilgrimage journey!
A well planned 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package takes care of all your travel arrangements including transport, accommodation, local transfers, sightseeing as well as itinerary planning. Depending upon the package inclusions, you can also receive assistance with temple visits and other requirements.
Whether you are traveling with your family, friends, senior citizens or a group of devotees, your 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage should be chosen according to your budget, convenience, time and comfort needs. This informative article tells you everything you need to know about choosing a 12 Jyotirlinga tour package before embarking on the ultimate Shiva pilgrimage of visiting all twelve Jyotirlingas.
What is a 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package?
A 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package is a specialty pilgrimage tour plan designed to cover all the twelve Jyotirlinga destinations of Lord Shiva.
Being located in various states and geographies, the 12 Jyotirlingas require an elaborate trip involving flights, trains, buses, accommodation, local travel, sightseeing, temple visits and more. An organized tour combines all these aspects in an easy to follow package. A 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package inclusions can comprise of:
- Accommodation in selected properties
- Intercity and local transport
- Pick up/drop facility at airports/railway stations
- Meals as per your selected plan
- Sightseeing
- Tour manager or travel assistant
- Itinerary management assistance
- Selected temple arrangements
Depending on the operator, packages may vary. Hence why it is important to read the itineraries and inclusions before booking your 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage.
Which 12 Jyotirlingas are included in the Yatra?
A complete 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra comprises of visiting the twelve sacred shrines given below:
- Somnath Jyotirlinga – Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Andhra Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Uttarakhand
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Uttar Pradesh
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
- Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – Jharkhand
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Gujarat
- Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Tamil Nadu
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
Each Jyotirlinga is unique and offers a distinct ambience. Some are located in major cities while others are surrounded by mountains, forests, rivers or oceans.
Due to their scattered locations, it is very important to choose a well planned 12 Jyotirlinga tour itinerary.
Why choose a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package?
Planning a 12 Jyotirlinga tour that spans across various states and requires multiple travel modes can be a challenging task. Hence why a well planned package can make all the difference!
Convenient Travel Arrangements
Travel is the most important aspect during any pilgrimage. A tour package can ensure convenient arrangements of all the different transport modes required.
Depending on the 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package inclusions, you can travel either by air, train, bus or private car. Local transport can be arranged between railway stations, airports, hotels and temples as well.
Especially in the case of a family or group of friends, a convenient 12 Jyotirlinga tour plan that covers all the travel requirements is a much better option.
Organized Accommodation
After a day of temple visits and travel, a good accommodation with comfortable beds and a decent meal is something every pilgrim would appreciate. A good 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage package should clearly list the hotel category, room type, meal plan and location inclusions. The accommodation should also be chosen in a manner that ensures convenience to visit the temples and local sightseeing destinations.
Better Itinerary Management
A complete 12 Jyotirlinga tour has a lot of ground to cover. Hence why it is important to have a good itinerary that does not waste a lot of time on unnecessary travel. A professional 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package can ensure grouping of destinations based on their location, minimizing the time spent traveling. This way you can spend more time to explore the attractions and visiting the temples.
Suitable Arrangements for Family
Travel Family pilgrimages are a wonderful way to experience a holy journey with your loved ones.
A convenient family friendly 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package will take care of all transport and accommodation needs.
Since parents and kids may have different travel needs, a balanced family pilgrimage itinerary with enough rest time and comfortable seating/vehicles can be the best option.
Assistance During the Journey
Sometimes, problems and delays are unavoidable. A tour manager can prove to be quite helpful in such situations.
It can be a great relief if you have a person assigned to you who can help during unexpected situations.
Especially in the case of a long pilgrimage like 12 Jyotirlinga tour, local assistance can be extremely useful as you may not know much about the geography.
How to choose best 12 Jyotirlinga tour package?
A 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage tour requires a lot of effort.However, finding the best inclusions and coverage can also help you to save a lot of time and money as well.
Compare the below points to choose the best 12 Jyotirlinga tour package:
- Check the Complete Itinerary
The itinerary should be your main criteria for choosing between different 12 Jyotirlinga tour packages.
Don’t just compare the number of Jyotirlingas covered. Look at the total number of days to be spent and time to be devoted at each destination.
A shorter 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra may seem to cost less, but it can also mean longer traveling hours and lesser time for rest.
Look for a balance between the following while comparing different itineraries:
- Temple visits
- Travel time
- Rest time
- Hotel stays
- Local sightseeing
- Buffer time for delays
A well balanced 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan tour itinerary will greatly enhance your pilgrimage experience.
- Compare the Total Package Cost
Deciding the pilgrim package on the basis of lowest rate is not always beneficial.
Depending upon the inclusions and exclusions there can be a big difference in the rates of 2 different 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Packages.
Before comparing the rates make sure to check the following:
- Transport
- Hotel stay
- Meals
- Local transfers
- Sightseeing
- Tour management assistance
- Taxes and applicable charges
- Temple services
- Extra expenses
A good quotation will help you in easily deciding the choice between 2 different 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Packages.
- Consider Your Travel Style
Every traveler is different and has different requirements.
While some prefer budget friendly accommodations, others may want to invest a bit more in comfort and convenience. Some people may even want a private car while others are okay with shared transportation.
You can generally choose between:
Budget pilgrimage packages: Suitable for travelers looking to control expenses.
Standard packages: A balance between cost and comfort.
Premium packages: Designed for travelers who prefer better accommodation, private transfers, and additional conveniences.
Select the package that matches your actual needs rather than paying for services you may not use.
What should a 12 Jyotirlinga tour package include?
A good pilgrimage tour has to provide all the required inclusions. The most common services provided in a package are:
Transportation (intercity and local)
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Sightseeing
- Temple arrangements
- Itinerary management
- Tour manager assistance
Depending on the operator, you can choose between different transport options like flights, trains, buses, private cars, tempo travellers etc.
Hotel Accommodation
Hotel quality should be checked before booking.
Look for information about:
- Hotel category
- Room occupancy
- Location
- Breakfast
- Check-in and check-out
- Extra-bed policies
- Availability of elevators where needed
For senior citizens, accommodation accessibility can be particularly important.
Meals
Some 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Packages include breakfast only, while others may include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Check whether meals are included at every destination. Also confirm whether special dietary requirements can be accommodated if necessary.
Local Transfers
Local transportation is often overlooked during package comparisons.
A package may include intercity travel but charge separately for certain local transfers. Ask for complete details before booking.
Best route for a 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage
There is no one best route for a 12 Jyotirlinga tour as it depends on your starting location, transport options, comfort and time. However, there are a few popular pilgrimage circuits that are favored by many travelers. The itineraries are divided into different regions, reducing unnecessary travel time.
Western India Jyotirlinga Circuit: Gujarat and Maharashtra are home to several of the Jyotirlingas.
Somnath and Nageshwar can be combined while visiting Gujarat. Maharashtra has Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar.
Central India Jyotirlinga Circuit: Two of the Jyotirlinga shrines are located in Madhya Pradesh – Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar. Both can be visited together in a regional circuit.
Northern India Pilgrimage Circuit: Kedarnath and Kashi Vishwanath are located in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh respectively.
Southern India Jyotirlinga Circuit: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh and Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga in Tamil Nadu comprises the southern circuit.
However, you have to keep in mind that long distance travel between the destinations may take a lot of time out of your pilgrimage.
What is the best time for a 12 Jyotirlinga yatra?
As the twelve Jyotirlingas are spread across different regions, the best time to make the pilgrimage depends on one’s travel plans and preferences.
Winter Season: Winters can be a delightful time to undertake the pilgrimage as it is comparatively pleasant in most parts of the country.
However, the seasonal restrictions of Kedarnath should be kept in mind before deciding on a travel date.
Summer Season: Summer can also be a great time for a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra.
However, the temperature can rise high in Gujarat, Maharashtra and central India.
Kedarnath’s pilgrimage season is very important to keep in mind for a complete Jyotirlinga circuit.
Monsoon Season: Monsoon can be a challenging season for long distance pilgrimages due to rainy weather and road closures.
Always keep the current weather and road conditions in mind before embarking on a 12 Jyotirlinga tour package.
Overall, it is important to choose a season that is suitable for the entire 12 Jyotirlinga tour itinerary.
Planning Kedarnath in your Jyotirlinga tour
Kedarnath pilgrimage requires a separate check as it has its own unique set of conditions.
Since Kedarnath is a high altitude Himalayan destination, special arrangements should be made for the journey and accommodation.
Check the following before booking a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package that includes Kedarnath:
- Season and weather
- Registration formalities
- Transportation
- Trekking requirements
- Medical needs
- Accommodation availability
The duration of your 12 Jyotirlinga tour should not be hurried, especially when Kedarnath is included in the itinerary.
12 Jyotirlinga tour package for families
A family pilgrimage is a great way to share a memorable experience with your loved ones.
Your children can learn a lot of new things while you and your spouse can enjoy visiting the temples together.
However, a family trip will require a comfortable itinerary with balanced seating, sleeping and traveling arrangements.
When choosing a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package for your family, look for the following:
- Comfortable hotels
- Comfortable transport
- Less time spent traveling
- Enough time for rest
- Convenient meals
- Family friendly rooms
- Flexible sightseeing
Avoid choosing a pilgrimage package with the shortest duration that covers all the Jyotirlingas.
A longer family friendly journey can be a much better experience.
12 Jyotirlinga tour for senior citizens
Senior citizens can definitely go on a 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, but a suitable itinerary should be chosen.
Long distance travel, trekking, multiple hotel changes and excessive time spent in transport can be very exhausting for older travelers.
A senior citizen friendly package should have good transport, accommodation and rest time. It is also important to take the medical needs of older people into consideration.
Kedarnath will need special arrangement and planning in case of a senior citizen friendly tour package.
Before embarking on 12 Jyotirlinga tour, the elderly must evaluate their fitness and consult with an appropriate medical practitioner.
How much does a 12 Jyotirlinga tour package cost?
The cost of a pilgrimage tour depends on various factors. A budget traveler can make a lot of changes to reduce the overall cost of the journey.
There is no fixed rate for a 12 Jyotirlinga tour as it depends on the operator.
Some of the common factors that affect the price are:
- Number of travel days
- Starting city
- Hotel category
- Transport
- Group size
- Travel season
- Meal plan
- Local sightseeing
- Special temple services
- Flight and railway fares
A good pilgrim will always look for a transparent quotation before investing in a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package.
What to pack for a 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage?
Packing the right kind of essentials can improve your 12 Jyotirlinga tour experience by a great margin.
Some of the most common items to carry include:
- Comfortable clothes
- Comfortable footwear
- Toiletries
- Medicines and first aid kit
- Chargers
- Travel documents
- Weather appropriate wear (in case of a Himalayan destination)
Avoid carrying many extra things on a long distance pilgrimage as frequent transfers between various cities can become cumbersome.
Important tips for a smooth Jyotirlinga yatra
Some simple preparations can make your 12 Jyotirlinga tour much easier.
Make sure to carry :
- Recent pictures of all Jyotirlingas to identify them
- ID proof, hotel confirmation, and train or flight tickets, if any
- Some extra currency for paying any unforeseen expenses
- Few important contact details in case of any emergency.
- Check if there are any special darshan or pujas offering requirements beforehand.
Always keep some extra time in your itinerary in case of any weather or traffic delays or other unexpected events.
Don’t overdo or over-schedule your Itinerary as it might impact your health and the pilgrimage experience. You must book a tour package ahead of time if you’re visiting during peak seasons, which are usually festive and pilgrimage months.
Is a well planned Jyotirlinga tour worth it?
A 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage tour is worth every penny you spend. Not just because it is a chance to see all the Jyotirlinga temples, but also due to the diverse experience the journey has to offer.
You can witness the different ambience of coastal Somnath, the Himalayan Kedarnath and much more! You can also create wonderful memories with your family and friends.
A well planned 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan Tour allows you to have a convenient and comfortable experience while enjoying the scenic beauty and spirituality of all twelve Jyotirlingas.
FAQS
Question: What is included in a 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package?
Answer: Inclusions depend on the travel operator. Common services covered in a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra Package are accommodation, transport, meals, local transfers, sightseeing and tour assistance. Always double check the inclusions before booking.
Question: How many days are needed to complete a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra?
Answer: A 12 Jyotirlinga journey will depend on your starting location, time duration, transport and rest requirements. Since the temples are located all over India, the tour will definitely span a long duration.
Question: Which Jyotirlinga one should visit first?
Answer: There is no best Jyotirlinga to visit first, as it mainly depends on the travel plan, starting point, conveyance, comfort, accommodation, and much more along with the package inclusions.
Question: Is Kedarnath is included in the 12 Jyotirlinga pilgrimage?
Answer: Yes, senior citizens can go on a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, but I recommend a senior citizen friendly itinerary. You should consider the travel duration and comfort.
Question: Can senior citizens go on a 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra?
Answer: Yes, but I recommend a senior citizen friendly itinerary.. You should consider the travel duration and comfort.
Question: Can I customize a Jyotirlinga pilgrimage package?
Answer: Customizations may be possible depending on the travel operator. You can choose your preferred hotel category, transport, duration, starting location plus sightseeing inclusions.
Question: What is the best time for a 12 Jyotirlinga tour?
Answer: The twelve Jyotirlinga shrines lie in different climatic regions, so no single best time exists for a 12 Jyotirlinga yatra. Choose the travel season based on your itinerary, weather, and accessibility of each Jyotirlinga.
Question: Should I choose between a budget or premium Jyotirlinga tour?
Answer: Your personal preferences should decide the category of your pilgrimage tour. Abudget package will reduce your overall expenses, while a premium pack will involve luxury hotels, private transport along with many other services.
Question: Does a tour package guarantee special temple darshan?
Answer: Temple darshan, special pujas and aarti arrangements are subject to individual temple conditions. Tour packages do not always include these, so you should check them before booking.
Question: How can I select the best 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package?
Answer: Compare the itinerary, transport, accommodation, meals, duration, inclusions, exclusions, cancellation policy and total cost to select the best 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package for your pilgrimage.
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