Gujarat And Madhya Pradesh – Char Jyotirlinga Tour

• Early Morning Aarti: Start your day with the early morning Aarti at the Dwarkadhish Temple. This divine experience offers a peaceful and spiritually uplifting start to your day. Witness the morning prayers, the ringing of bells, and the chanting of hymns as the temple comes alive with devotion.
• Breakfast: After the Aarti, enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: Excursion to Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

• Bet Dwarka:
  • Travel to Bet Dwarka: Head to Bet Dwarka, which is located 5 kilometers off the coast of Okha Junction. The journey to Bet Dwarka involves a short boat ride from Okha, which is about 30 kilometers from Dwarka.
  • Historical Significance: Bet Dwarka is believed to be the residence of Lord Krishna during his reign. This site is also known for the legend where Vishnu defeated the demon Shankhasura. Explore the Krishna Temple and soak in the historical and spiritual atmosphere of the island.
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga:
  • Visit Nageshwar: Proceed to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered sacred and holds great significance in Hindu worship. It is believed to be the location where Lord Shiva manifested as a column of light.

Afternoon: Visit Rukmani Temple

• Rukmani Temple:
  • Visit Rukmani Temple: After visiting Nageshwar, head to the Rukmani Temple, dedicated to Rukmani, the wife of Lord Krishna. The temple is a testament to the devotion and love between Lord Krishna and Rukmani.

Evening: Return to Dwarka

• Return to Hotel: After your visits, return to Dwarka and relax at your hotel.

Overnight Stay

• Overnight at Hotel in Dwarka: Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure. Reflect on the day's spiritual journey and rest comfortably at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Dwarka

Morning: Departure for Porbandar

• Travel to Porbandar: After breakfast, depart for Porbandar from Dwarka. The drive is approximately 100 kilometers and takes around 2 hours.

In Porbandar:

• Kirti Mandir:

  • Visit Kirti Mandir: Explore Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. This historical site is significant as it is where Gandhi was born and spent his early years. The Mandir includes:
    • Gandhi’s Study Room: View the study room where Mahatma Gandhi spent his formative years.
    • House of Kasturba: Visit the area where Kasturba Gandhi, Gandhi’s wife, lived.

• Sudama Temple:

  • Visit Sudama Temple: Proceed to Sudama Temple, dedicated to Sudama, a friend of Lord Krishna. The temple is historically significant and reflects the legendary friendship between Krishna and Sudama.

Afternoon: Continue to Somnath

• Travel to Somnath: After visiting Porbandar, drive to Somnath, which is about 130 kilometers away and takes roughly 3 hours.

In Somnath:

• Somnath Temple:

  • Evening Aarti Darshan: Arrive in Somnath and visit the Somnath Temple. Participate in the Evening Aarti, a spiritual experience where the temple comes alive with hymns, rituals, and devotion. This Jyotirlinga temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most revered in India and is believed to have been originally constructed by the Moon God.

  • Light and Sound Show: Enjoy the Light and Sound Show at the Somnath Temple, which narrates the temple's history and significance in a captivating manner.

Evening: Overnight in Somnath

• Overnight Stay: Check into your hotel in Somnath for an overnight stay. Enjoy a restful night after a day filled with spiritual and historical exploration.

Overnight at Hotel in Somnath

Morning: Drive to Ujjain

• Depart for Ujjain: After breakfast, begin your journey to Ujjain. The drive from Ahmedabad to Ujjain covers approximately 300 kilometers and takes about 6 to 7 hours.

In Ujjain:

• Mahakaleshwar Temple:

  • Visit Mahakaleshwar Temple: Upon arrival in Ujjain, head directly to the Mahakaleshwar Temple. This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.

    • Key Highlights:
      • Jyotirlinga Significance: The Mahakaleshwar Temple houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, with the lingam believed to be swayambhu (self-manifested) rather than established by rituals.
      • Architecture: The temple exhibits intricate carvings and classical architecture, reflecting its historical and religious significance.
      • Shakti: The lingam here is considered to derive its power directly from within, which makes it a revered and powerful shrine.

• Local Exploration: After visiting the temple, you might have some time to explore the local area or enjoy the ambiance of this historic city.

Evening: Relax and Overnight Stay

• Evening at Leisure: Spend the evening relaxing or exploring nearby attractions in Ujjain.

• Accommodation: Check into your hotel for an overnight stay in Ujjain. Enjoy the local cuisine and rest after your visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Notes:

• Temple Visit: Ensure that you dress appropriately and follow the temple’s guidelines for a respectful visit.
• Travel Time: Plan your journey and temple visit so that you arrive in Ujjain with enough time to explore and enjoy the temple experience.

Overnight at Hotel in Ujjain

Morning: Visit Kalbhairav Temple

• Breakfast and Check-out: After breakfast at your hotel, prepare for your visit to the Kalbhairav Temple.

• Kalbhairav Temple:

  • Historical Significance: The Kalbhairav Temple in Ujjain is an ancient shrine dedicated to Kalbhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The current temple structure was constructed over an older temple believed to have been founded by King Bhadrasen.
  • Architectural Features: The temple is notable for its Maratha architectural influence, reflecting restoration work done after the Third Battle of Panipat by Maratha general Mahadaji Shinde. The walls, once adorned with Malwa paintings, now show only remnants of these historic artworks.
  • Cultural Context: The temple holds a significant place in local tradition, with its history intertwined with the restoration of Maratha power in North India.

• Local Exploration: Spend some time exploring the temple and its surroundings, soaking in the historical and cultural atmosphere.

Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Drive to Indore

• Depart for Indore: After visiting the Kalbhairav Temple, embark on your journey to Indore. The drive from Ujjain to Indore covers approximately 55 kilometers and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Afternoon: Arrival and Relaxation

• Arrival in Indore: Check into your hotel upon arrival in Indore.

• Lunch: Enjoy lunch at your hotel or at a local restaurant, sampling some of Indore’s famous street food or local cuisine.

Evening: Explore Indore

• Indore Overview:

  • Local Attractions: Depending on your time, you might explore local attractions such as Sarafa Bazar (famous for street food), Rajwada (a historical palace), or the Kanch Mandir (a Jain temple with intricate glasswork).

• Relax and Dinner: After exploring, you can relax at your hotel or dine at a local restaurant. Indore is known for its vibrant food scene, so you might want to try some local specialties.

Overnight Stay

• Accommodation: Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel in Indore, preparing for the next day’s journey or activities.

Notes:

• Travel Time: Ensure that your travel and exploration time is well-planned to make the most of your visit to both Ujjain and Indore.
• Local Cuisine: Indore is renowned for its diverse food offerings; don’t miss the chance to try local dishes.

Overnight at Hotel in Indore

Morning: Drive to Omkareshwar

• Breakfast and Check-out: Start your day with breakfast at your hotel in Indore. Prepare for a day of exploration and travel.

• Depart for Omkareshwar: Drive to Omkareshwar, which is approximately 80 kilometers from Indore. The drive takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Mid-Morning: Visit Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

• Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple:
  • Significance: Omkareshwar is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River, which is believed to be shaped like the Hindu symbol "OM."
  • Temple Features: Explore the temple complex, admire its architecture, and experience the spiritual ambiance of this sacred site.
  • Island Exploration: The island itself is a serene place with natural beauty and religious significance. Enjoy the views of the Narmada River and the surrounding landscape.

Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Travel to Maheshwar

• Drive to Maheshwar: After visiting Omkareshwar, proceed to Maheshwar, which is about 60 kilometers away from Omkareshwar. The drive takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Afternoon: Explore Maheshwar

• Maheshwar:

  • Historical and Cultural Significance: Maheshwar is known for its ancient temples, including the magnificent Maheshwar Fort and several historic temples.
  • Key Attractions:
    • Maheshwar Fort: Explore the fort that was built by the Holkar dynasty and offers great views of the Narmada River.
    • Temples: Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other significant temples in the area.
    • Local Handicrafts: Maheshwar is famous for its beautiful handwoven Maheshwari sarees. You can visit local weavers and purchase these traditional textiles.

• Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Maheshwar or have a packed meal during your visit.

Evening: Return to Indore

• Drive Back: After exploring Maheshwar, return to Indore. The drive back takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Evening: Relax and Dinner

• Arrival in Indore: Check back into your hotel in Indore.

• Relax and Dinner: After a day of travel and exploration, you can relax at your hotel. Consider dining at a local restaurant or enjoying a meal at your hotel.

Overnight Stay

• Accommodation: Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel in Indore, reflecting on the day’s experiences and preparing for the next day's activities or departure.

Notes:

• Travel Time: Ensure to manage your time efficiently for each destination to make the most of your visit.
• Local Cuisine: Indore is known for its street food; you might want to try some local specialties during your stay.

Overnight at Hotel in Indore