If you’re looking to visit Bhimashankar along with the other Jyotirlingas (the sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva), a cab would be a comfortable and flexible way to explore these important pilgrimage destinations.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for visiting Shirdi to Bhimashankar, and then covering all the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Since covering all 12 Jyotirlingas would involve long-distance travel across India, the plan will be a combination of local trips and a general route for the Jyotirlingas.

1. Shirdi to Bhimashankar:

• Distance: About 180 km (roughly 4-5 hours by road).

• Best Route: You can hire a cab from Shirdi to Bhimashankar, which would give you flexibility. Bhimashankar is famous for its Bhimashankar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

  • Visit: Bhimashankar Temple is located amidst the Sahyadri Hills and is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings.

2. Suggested Jyotirlinga Tour (By Cab):

After Bhimashankar, if you are looking to visit the remaining Jyotirlingas, here is the general route to follow for visiting all 12 of them:

1. Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)

• Location: 180 km from Shirdi.

• About: The Bhimashankar Temple is located in the Sahyadri range, and it’s known for its scenic beauty. The temple is surrounded by a dense forest, adding to its serene atmosphere.

2. Trimbakeshwar (Nashik, Maharashtra)

• Distance from Bhimashankar: Around 80 km (2-3 hours by road).

• About: Trimbakeshwar Temple is another prominent Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located near the Brahmagiri hills.

3. Grishneshwar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)

• Distance from Trimbakeshwar: Around 190 km (4-5 hours by road).

• About: Grishneshwar Temple is near Ellora Caves and is an important Jyotirlinga, known for its beautiful architecture.

4. Somnath (Gujarat)

• Distance from Grishneshwar: 450-500 km (8-10 hours by road).

• About: Somnath Temple is a famous pilgrimage site located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is known for its magnificent sea view.

5. Nageshwar (Dwarka, Gujarat)

• Distance from Somnath: Around 250 km (5-6 hours by road).

• About: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most prominent ones located in Dwarka, Gujarat, near the Arabian Sea.

6. Dwarkadhish (Dwarka, Gujarat)

• Distance from Nageshwar: 30 km (1 hour by road).

• About: The Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka is dedicated to Lord Krishna but is also home to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

7. Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)

• Distance from Dwarka: Around 450 km (8-9 hours by road).

• About: Mahakaleshwar Temple is located on the banks of the Shipra River. It is one of the most revered Jyotirlingas.

8. Omkareshwar (Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh)

• Distance from Ujjain: 150 km (3-4 hours by road).

• About: Omkareshwar Temple is located on an island in the Narmada River, and its architecture and spiritual significance make it a popular Jyotirlinga.

9. Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)

• Distance from Omkareshwar: Around 1000 km (15-16 hours by road, but it is recommended to take a train or flight).

• About: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the most famous temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

10. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)

• Distance from Varanasi: Around 800-900 km (16-18 hours by road).

• About: Kedarnath is one of the most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Himalayas. It is accessible via a trek, but the journey is deeply spiritual.

11. Baidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand)

• Distance from Kedarnath: Around 500 km (10-12 hours by road).

• About: Baidyanath Temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. The temple is famous for its spiritual importance in the region.

12. Rameswar (Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu)

• Distance from Baidyanath: 1500-1600 km (24-26 hours by road, but a flight is recommended for long distances).

• About: Rameswaram is located in Tamil Nadu and is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites. The Rameswaram Temple is a significant Jyotirlinga, and the temple is located near the Palk Strait.

Suggested Itinerary for Local Trips (Shirdi to Bhimashankar):

If you want to start with just Shirdi to Bhimashankar for a more focused trip, here’s a one-day plan for Shirdi to Bhimashankar:

• Morning:

  • Depart from Shirdi early in the morning (around 7 AM).

  • Arrive at Bhimashankar by around 12 PM.

  • Visit Bhimashankar Temple and explore the surroundings.

  • Have lunch at a local restaurant near the temple.

• Afternoon:

  • After darshan and exploring the temple, relax and take in the beautiful nature around the Sahyadri hills.

  • If time permits, take a short walk through the nearby forest or visit other local attractions.

• Evening:

  • Return to Shirdi by evening, or if you prefer, stay overnight in Bhimashankar to continue exploring nearby places.

Cab Booking:

To book a cab for the journey, you can:

1. Contact Laxmi Travel in Shirdi for a package deal or arrange a cab for a custom itinerary.

2. Ask for a round-trip deal if you plan to visit multiple Jyotirlingas or even Bhimashankar.