Tour Details

Varanasi is famous and has historical known as Banaras or Kashi is situated on the banks of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Regarded as the Spiritual Capital of India, the region in itself is the originator of various religious beliefs  from being the holiest of the seven sacred cities for Hinduism and Jainism, the city was even blessed with development of Buddhism, the famous bhakti movement again made the town popular and thereafter it also assisted the Saint Guru Nanak in laying the various grounds of Sikhism. The holy shrine is being immemorial as the learning centre and is a symbol of wisdom, spirituality and Philosophy. Apart from having the end number of majestic temples, the place is well known for its silk saris, perfumes, ivory works and the local mouth-watering food among which the supreme is the Banaras Paan specially made of betel leaf. One should must visit the divine city to experience the live existence of the stages of life cycle ranging from birth to death and the attainment of Salvation.

Here are Some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About the 12 Jyotirlingas:

Q: What are the 12 Jyotirlingas?    

A: The 12 Jyotirlingas are considered to be the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. They are spread across different parts of India and are revered by millions of devotees. The names of the 12 Jyotirlingas are:

Somnath in Prabhas Patan, near Veraval in Saurashtra, Gujarat

Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar in Mandhata Island, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh

Kedarnath in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Bhimashankar in Pune, Maharashtra

Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Trimbakeshwar in Trimbak, near Nashik, Maharashtra

Vaidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand

Nageshwar in Dwarka, Gujarat

Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Grishneshwar in Ellora, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Q: What is the significance of the Jyotirlingas?

A: The Jyotirlingas are considered to be manifestations of Lord Shiva's divine and infinite light (Jyoti). Pilgrimage to these shrines is believed to be highly auspicious and is believed to cleanse devotees of their sins, grant blessings, and bestow spiritual liberation (moksha).

Q: Can anyone visit the Jyotirlingas?

A: Yes, the Jyotirlingas are open to people of all genders and religions. Devotees from around the world visit these holy shrines to seek blessings and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Q: Can the Jyotirlingas be visited in a single trip?

A: Visiting all the 12 Jyotirlingas in a single trip can be a challenging and time-consuming task, as they are spread across different states in India. It typically requires careful planning, significant time, and logistical arrangements. Many devotees undertake multiple trips to visit these shrines.

Q: Are there specific rituals to be followed while visiting the Jyotirlingas?

A: While there are no strict rituals, it is customary to perform abhishekam (ritualistic bathing) of the Jyotirlinga with water, milk, ghee, honey, and other sacred substances. Devotees offer prayers, perform aarti, and chant mantras to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Q: When is the best time to visit the Jyotirlingas?

A: The best time to visit the Jyotirlingas varies depending on the location. Many of these temples experience significant pilgrim traffic during festivals and auspicious occasions associated with Lord Shiva, such as Mah.

Q: Are there any specific order or sequence to visit the Jyotirlingas?

A: There is no fixed order or sequence to visit the Jyotirlingas. Devotees can visit them in any order based on their convenience and travel plans.

Q: Is there any specific dress code to follow while visiting the Jyotirlingas?

A: While there is no strict dress code, it is advisable to dress modestly and respectfully while visiting any religious site. It is recommended to wear traditional attire and cover your shoulders and legs as a sign of respect.

Q: Can the Jyotirlingas be visited throughout the year?

A: Yes, most of the Jyotirlingas can be visited throughout the year. However, it's important to check for any specific temple timings, rituals, or temporary closures due to festivals or maintenance activities before planning your visit.

Q: Are there any nearby attractions or places of interest near the Jyotirlingas?

A: Many of the Jyotirlingas are located in places that have additional attractions and places of interest nearby. For example, near Rameshwaram (Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga), you can visit the Rameshwaram Temple, Dhanushkodi Beach, and other historical sites. Similarly, near Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga), you can explore the Ganges River, Sarnath, and various temples.

Q: Are there any specific rituals or ceremonies associated with the Jyotirlingas?

A: Each Jyotirlinga has its own unique rituals and ceremonies that are performed by the temple priests and devotees. These rituals often include abhishekam (ritualistic bathing), aarti (ceremonial worship with lamps), and special prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Varanasi

Upon your arrival in Varanasi, you will meet our representative/driver at the airport who will take you to your pre booked hotel.On arrival, check in at your pre booked hotel.Today, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Varanasi. 

Visit the Banaras Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, on the western bank of the Ganges. It is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined here.Visit the numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges by boat, presenting a varied scene from dawn to dusk. There are five important ghats in Varanasi where pilgrims flock to take a bath- The Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika. 

Later, witness the evening aarti or prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganga it is truly a sublime experience. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Varanasi

Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is located eight km from Varanasi, and is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana. 

Visit the Dhamek Stupa' believed to have been built in 500 AD, this stupa is the largest in the region, and marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The main excavation site in Sarnath is a vast expanse of low-lying structures, showing various facets of Buddhist history. The earliest and most important relic is found here is the Ashoka pillar, erected in 250 BC. Four lions representing the spirit of India sit back to back with a wheel between them. This symbol has been adopted as the national emblem of modern India. 

Visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, where the original piece is displayed. The dilapidated remains of the Choukhandi Stupa can be seen in Sarnath. Standing on a terraced rectangular plinth, the Stupa is capped by an incongruous octagonal Mughal tower built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his father's visit to the place.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Departure from Varanasi

Early morning, visit the Durga Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Durga temple was built in the eighteenth century by a Bengali Maharani. It is stained red with ochre and has a multi-tiered shikhara. The Durga temple is also called Monkey temple because of the presence of large number of monkeys.

Later, you will be transferred to Varanasi airport for your onward journey.

Inclusions

Inclusions

- 2 nights accommodation on double/ twin sharing basis in Varanasi.

- Daily buffet breakfast in hotels.

- A/C medium vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing exactly as per the itinerary.

- Evening visit to the Ghats by boat once during the stay.

- All applicable taxes.

Exclusions

- Any Air / Train tickets and airport taxes

- Guide service as per the itinerary

- Entrance fee at Monuments as per the itinerary

- Special activities as per the itinerary

- Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, tips to guides / drivers etc

- Camera / Video camera fees applicable at monuments

- Any other item which is not mentioned in "Inclusions"

Price

Cost: On Request

Payment

Payment Gateway Link: Payment Gateway Online card payments

HDFC BANK DETAILS

Account Title : NTP Tourism Affairs Ltd.
Bank : HDFC Bank Limited
Bank A/C : 12202560000897
Branch : M 39, Outer Circle
Address: M 36, Outer Circle, Opposite Super Bazar, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001
IFSC Code : HDFC0001220
Swift Code : HDFCINBBDEL

ICICI BANK DETAILS

Account Title : NTP Tourism Affairs Ltd.
Bank : ICICI Bank
Bank A/C : 000705004621
Branch : Shop No- 7C Plot No- GH04B, Prateek Stylome Sector- 45 Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida- 201335, India
IFSC Code : ICIC0000031
Swift Code : ICICINBBCTS

Map

Photos

Reviews

Naresh Kumar

Family

Wonderful trip and experience. Big thank you to our driver Sunil who carefully and skillfully drove through the crazy traffic and roads everyday.

Yours faithfully
Naresh Kumar