As the holy month of Sawan (Shravan) begins, millions of devotees of Lord Shiva are preparing for spiritual journeys to the country's revered 12 Jyotirlingas. Considered the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva, these ancient temples witness an overwhelming surge of pilgrims during the auspicious month.

With heavy monsoon rains and increased footfall expected across major pilgrimage destinations, travellers are advised to plan their journeys in advance. Whether travelling by air, rail, or road, here is a guide to reaching some of India's most visited Jyotirlinga shrines during Sawan.

Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar Pradesh

Located in the heart of Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of Hinduism's most revered shrines. Pilgrims can arrive via Varanasi Junction Railway Station or Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. From there, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available to Godowlia Chowk, followed by a mandatory 10 to 15-minute walk through the temple's security corridor.

Somnath, Gujarat

Situated at Prabhas Patan near Veraval, the Somnath Temple is regarded as the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple is well connected through Veraval Railway Station, about 7 km away, while Diu Airport, located around 65 km from the shrine, serves as the nearest airport.

Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Perched at an altitude of 3,580 metres in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is the highest of the Panch Kedar temples. Pilgrims generally travel by road to Sonprayag via Haridwar or Rishikesh, take a shuttle service to Gaurikund, and then undertake a challenging 16 to 18-km trek to reach the temple.

Mallikarjuna, Andhra Pradesh

Known as the "Kailash of the South," the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located in Srisailam. Devotees can fly to Hyderabad, travel by train to Markapur Road Railway Station, or drive through the scenic hill routes leading to the temple town.

Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra

Located near Nashik, Trimbakeshwar is unique for housing a sacred stone symbolising Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together. The temple can be reached through Nashik Road Railway Station, Ozar Airport, or via National Highway 160.

Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Built on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River—naturally shaped like the sacred "Om" symbol—Omkareshwar attracts thousands of devotees during Sawan. Indore serves as the nearest major city, while Khandwa Railway Station is the closest important railhead.

Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

Nestled in the Sahyadri hills, Bhimashankar is accessible through Pune or Mumbai by air, rail, or road. However, pilgrims are advised to prepare for foggy roads and slower travel due to heavy monsoon conditions.

Nageshwar, Gujarat

Located near Dwarka, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga can be reached by train to Dwarka or by air through Jamnagar Airport. From either location, taxis and auto-rickshaws provide onward connectivity to the temple.

Ramanathaswamy, Tamil Nadu

One of India's most iconic pilgrimage centres, the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is accessible via Madurai Airport, Rameswaram Railway Station, or by road across the historic Pamban Bridge.

Grishneshwar, Maharashtra

Situated close to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Temple is best reached through Aurangabad by air, rail, or road. During Sawan, temple authorities generally extend darshan timings from 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. to accommodate the large number of pilgrims.

Mahakaleshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Located in the holy city of Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is among the busiest Shiva temples during Sawan. The shrine is easily accessible by rail and road, while Indore Airport, about 55 km away, is the nearest airport. Devotees are encouraged to arrive early, particularly for the famous Bhasma Aarti, as large crowds gather throughout the holy month.