Shirdi, the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and the Ellora Caves make a natural pilgrimage circuit. Ellora and Grishneshwar lie within a couple of kilometres of each other, and both are roughly 95 to 110 km from Shirdi by road, about two to two and a half hours' drive depending on the route and traffic. With two or three days, you can move between them without rushing, and add Khuldabad and Daulatabad on the way.
How the circuit fits together
Shirdi is known across India as the home of Sai Baba, and for many families it is the starting point of the trip. Grishneshwar, near the village of Verul, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Ellora, right next to it, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples stand side by side. Between them lie Khuldabad, with its Sufi shrines and the reclining Hanuman of Bhadra Maruti, and the great hill fort of Daulatabad.
The simplest plan is Shirdi first, then a drive east to the Ellora area for one or two nights, before flying or taking a train home from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. You can also do it in reverse, arriving at Aurangabad airport (IXU) and finishing at Shirdi.
Route options
- Samruddhi Expressway: the Mumbai–Nagpur expressway has an interchange near Shirdi and an exit about 5 km from Daulatabad. It is usually the smoothest and most predictable way to cover the distance, and particularly good if you are staying on the Ellora side.
- The older state roads via Vaijapur: slower and busier through towns, but useful if you want to stop along the way.
Whichever you choose, the drive takes roughly two hours or a little more. Leave Shirdi after your morning darshan and aarti, and you will be in the Ellora area by lunchtime.
A suggested three-day plan
Day 1: Shirdi. Arrive, check in, attend darshan and the evening aarti at the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir. Visit Dwarkamai and Chavadi nearby. Shirdi is busy on Thursdays, weekends and festivals such as Ram Navami and Guru Purnima, so plan darshan timings accordingly.
Day 2: Drive to the Ellora area. Leave Shirdi in the morning and head for Grishneshwar. Temple darshan in the afternoon is usually manageable on weekdays. Later, stop at the Bhadra Maruti temple in Khuldabad, a few minutes up the hill, and spend the evening quietly by the lake.
Day 3: Ellora and Daulatabad. Reach Ellora at opening time, see the Kailasa temple and a selection of Buddhist and Jain caves, then climb Daulatabad Fort in the afternoon. Fly or take a train home that evening, or add another night.
If you have only two days, combine Grishneshwar and Ellora on the same day, as they are practically neighbours.
Darshan and temple tips
- Grishneshwar: men are traditionally asked to remove their shirts before entering the inner sanctum. Carry a small towel or shawl. Mondays, the month of Shravan and Mahashivratri draw very large crowds.
- Ellora is closed on Tuesdays. If Tuesday falls in your plan, use it for Grishneshwar, Khuldabad and Daulatabad instead.
- Dress modestly at all shrines, and keep footwear, phones and bags to a minimum where lockers are limited.
- Carry drinking water and a hat for Ellora, where you will walk a fair amount in the open.
- For elderly pilgrims, plan fewer stops per day and use afternoons for rest.
Where to stay
Many pilgrims stay one night in Shirdi, where there is a wide range of hotels and trust accommodation, and then move to the Ellora side. Staying near Ellora rather than in the city saves you around an hour of driving each way and lets you reach the caves and Grishneshwar early, before the crowds and heat.
Hiranya is on the banks of Mombatta Lake at Daulatabad, about 15 minutes from Ellora and Grishneshwar and roughly 5 km from the Samruddhi Expressway exit. It has deluxe rooms, glamping cottages and tents for families of different sizes, with breakfast included, and a restaurant that cooks fresh to order, including Jain food on request.
Getting there and back
- By air: Shirdi has its own airport with limited flights, while Aurangabad airport (IXU) has direct flights from several major cities.
- By rail: Sainagar Shirdi station serves Shirdi, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station serves the Ellora side, with trains to Mumbai and beyond.
- By road: Mumbai and Pune are both well connected to Shirdi and to the Ellora area, and a hired car with a driver for the whole circuit is often the most relaxed choice.
A pilgrimage should leave you feeling lighter, not exhausted. If you would like to include Grishneshwar in your journey, our team at Hiranya can arrange VIP darshan on prior request and help you plan the drive from Shirdi around your darshan timings.
