The two southern Jyotirlingas — Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in the Nallamala hills and Ramanathaswamy at Rameshwaram across the Pamban bridge — with Madurai between them.
Two of the twelve Jyotirlingas stand in southern India, and they are about 900 km apart. Mallikarjuna sits at Srisailam, on a hill above the Krishna river inside the Nallamala forest in Andhra Pradesh. Ramanathaswamy stands on Rameshwaram island in Tamil Nadu, reached over the Pamban bridge.
Rather than drive the gap, we take one internal flight between Hyderabad and Madurai, which turns two long days in a car into a morning. That leaves a full unhurried day at each temple, and an evening at Madurai's Meenakshi Amman temple on the way back — which most itineraries skip, and which almost nobody regrets seeing.
Not sure which circuit suits your time? Compare all seven Jyotirlinga circuits — days, hotel bases and driving, side by side — or read our guide to the twelve Jyotirlingas and where they are.
Distances and drive times below are approximate and confirmed on your final itinerary. Temple timings are checked with each temple for your dates rather than copied from a page.
We meet you at Hyderabad airport and set off south. The road runs out of the city and then into the Nallamala hills.
The last stretch climbs through reserve forest. We drive it in daylight, which is why we do not take a late flight into Hyderabad on day one.
Arrive at Srisailam and settle in above the Krishna.
Darshan at the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. The same complex holds the Bhramaramba shrine, one of the Shakti Peethas, which is why pilgrims give Srisailam a full day.
The Srisailam dam and the Patala Ganga steps down to the Krishna.
A quiet evening. There is very little here beyond the temple and the river, which is rather the point.
An early start back through the forest to Hyderabad.
Fly Hyderabad to Madurai. This flight is what saves you two days in a car.
Arrive Madurai and rest.
Drive east through the Tamil plain towards the coast.
Across the Pamban bridge onto Rameshwaram island — the sea on both sides, and the old rail bridge alongside.
Settle in, and the first sight of the Ramanathaswamy gopurams.
Darshan at the Ramanathaswamy temple, whose outer corridor is the longest of any temple in India.
The twenty-two theerthams inside the temple, for those performing the ritual bathing. We explain what it involves beforehand so nobody is taken by surprise.
Out to Dhanushkodi at the end of the sandspit, where the land runs out.
A final darshan if you wish, then back across the bridge.
Arrive Madurai and rest through the heat of the day.
The Meenakshi Amman temple, and its evening ceremony.
A relaxed morning, or an early transfer if your flight demands one.
Transfer to Madurai airport or railway station.
Onward.
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Two of the twelve: Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, and Ramanathaswamy at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. They are roughly 900 km apart, which is why this itinerary uses an internal flight rather than pretending the drive is reasonable.
By road from Hyderabad. Srisailam has no airport of its own. Route planners put the distance from Hyderabad airport at around 200 km, and the last stretch runs through reserve forest, so we drive it in daylight.
By road from Madurai, roughly 170 km, crossing onto the island over the Pamban bridge. Madurai has the nearest airport. Rameshwaram also has its own railway station.
Because the alternative is about 900 km of driving across two states, which would cost you two full days and give you nothing. The Hyderabad to Madurai flight turns that into a morning. We quote the flight separately so you can see exactly what it costs.
Seven is comfortable, with a full day at each temple and Madurai on the way back. It can be done in five if you are prepared to move quickly, and we will tell you what you would be giving up.
They vary by season and by festival and they change. We confirm current timings with each temple for your travel dates and plan the day around them, rather than printing numbers that may be out of date.
Largely yes — the driving is on good roads and the pace is gentle. The Ramanathaswamy corridor involves a good deal of walking, and the theertham ritual involves steps and water. Tell us the ages in your group and we will plan around them.
Twenty-two wells inside the Ramanathaswamy temple complex. Pilgrims are doused with water from each in turn as part of the ritual. You will be thoroughly wet afterwards, so bring a change of clothes. It is entirely optional.
Yes. Tirupati fits naturally before or after the Srisailam leg, and Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Chettinad all extend the Tamil Nadu end. We have a separate Tirupati darshan guide on this site.
No. Every trip is private and built around your dates, group size and hotel tier, so we quote once we know those. The quote is itemised, has no hidden charges and comes with a proper GST invoice.
Tell us your dates and how you love to travel. Your personal designer will send a tailored itinerary and quote within one working day — no obligation, no hidden charges.