The chanting of “Har Har Mahadev” becomes more intense as Sawan takes followers onto the road, which can start as early as before dawn and can cover distances of cities, highways and mountain trails. For many, it is a journey to one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas Yatras of India, and it is a pilgrimage of faith.

From the ghats of Varanasi and the shores of Somnath to the Himalayan heights of Kedarnath, each shrine offers a different journey. And with Sawan 2026 drawing large crowds, knowing how to reach these revered temples by air, rail or road can help pilgrims plan their journey with fewer hassles. Here is a travel guide to reaching all 12 Jyotirlingas.

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Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi

Located in the old city of Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath can be reached through Varanasi Junction or Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. From there, travellers can take a cab or auto to Godowlia Chowk. The final stretch to the temple involves a 10 to 15-minute walk through the security lanes.

Somnath, Gujarat

Somnath Temple at Prabhas Patan is regarded as the first and most ancient among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Veraval Railway Station, around 7 km away, is the nearest major rail point, while Diu Airport is approximately 65 km from the temple.

Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar stands on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. The temple is about 2 km from Ujjain Junction, making the final journey possible by auto, taxi or on foot.

Baidyanath, Deoghar

Devotees heading to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga can use Deoghar Airport or Jasidih Junction. Pilgrims also undertake the traditional Kanwar Yatra from Sultanganj to reach the shrine.

Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

At an altitude of 3,580 metres, Kedarnath requires considerably more travel planning. The usual route involves reaching Sonprayag from Haridwar or Rishikesh, taking a shuttle to Gaurikund and completing the 16 to 18 km trek to the temple.

Other Jyotirlingas To Visit

Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, is known as the ‘Kailash of the South’. Hyderabad, Markapur Road and road routes through the hills are among the options for reaching it.
For Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, travellers can use Nashik Road Railway Station, Ozar Airport or road routes via NH 160.

Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh is located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada, with Indore and Khandwa serving as key travel hubs.
Bhimashankar can be accessed from Pune or Mumbai, although monsoon conditions may make the Sahyadri routes slower. For Nageshwar, travellers generally reach Dwarka first and continue by local transport.

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Then in Tamil Nadu, Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram can be reached through Madurai Airport, Rameswaram Railway Station or by road across Pamban Bridge.
Finally, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga near Ellora can be accessed through Aurangabad by air, rail or road. During Sawan, the temple witnesses extended darshan hours and heavy crowds.