Jain Pilgrimage Circuit from Varanasi — Singhpur, Chandrapuri, Parasnath

4 to 7 days₹5,000 onwards / personBest: October to March; Mahavir Jayanti (April) is the most spiritually significant

Jain pilgrimage from Varanasi covering five Tirthankara birthplaces (panch-kalyanak kshetras) in the region — Singhpur, Chandrapuri, Bhadarpur, Pawapuri, Parasnath. 4–7 days.

Varanasi sits at the centre of the eastern Jain heritage zone. Three of the 24 Tirthankaras — Suparshvanath (7th), Chandraprabha (8th), and Shreyansanath (11th) — were born in villages within 50 km of Varanasi: Bhadarpur (Suparshvanath), Chandrapuri (Chandraprabha), and Singhpur (Shreyansanath). Add Pawapuri (where Mahavira attained moksha) and Parasnath Hill / Shikharji (where 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras achieved nirvana) and you have one of the most concentrated Jain pilgrimage circuits in India. Varanasi On Wheels has run this circuit for Shvetambara and Digambara groups from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Mumbai, and Karnataka. Drivers are briefed on Jain dietary restrictions (no onion, garlic, root vegetables, after-sunset food) and we can arrange Jain-thali catering at every halt.

Tour Highlights

Singhpur — birthplace of Shreyansanath (11th Tirthankara)
Chandrapuri — birthplace of Chandraprabha (8th Tirthankara)
Bhadarpur — birthplace of Suparshvanath (7th Tirthankara)
Pawapuri Jal Mandir — Lord Mahavira's moksha sthal
Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) — moksha sthal of 20 Tirthankaras
Kundalpur Jain Temple
Sarnath optional add-on

Places Covered

SinghpurChandrapuriBhadarpurPawapuriParasnath HillKundalpurVaranasi

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1
Varanasi → Singhpur → Chandrapuri → Bhadarpur → Varanasi (~80 km loop)
Morning departure to Singhpur (32 km from Varanasi) — birthplace of Shreyansanath. Continue to Chandrapuri (Chandraprabha birthplace) and Bhadarpur (Suparshvanath birthplace). Return to Varanasi by evening for darshan at Bhelupur Jain Mandir (birthplace of Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara).
SinghpurChandrapuriBhadarpurBhelupur Jain Mandir
2
Varanasi → Pawapuri (200 km, 5 hrs)
Drive to Pawapuri via Patna. Visit Jal Mandir (the lake temple at the moksha site of Lord Mahavira). Overnight Pawapuri or Rajgir.
Pawapuri Jal Mandir
3
Pawapuri → Kundalpur → Parasnath (130 km)
Morning at Kundalpur Jain temple. Continue to Parasnath / Madhuban (base of Shikharji). Evening rest. Overnight Madhuban.
KundalpurMadhuban
4
Shikharji (Parasnath Hill) parikrama — full day
Early morning start (4:30 AM). 27-km parikrama on foot or by doli (palanquin) — visit all 20 tonk (shrines) along the hill, each commemorating a Tirthankara's moksha. Allow 8–12 hours. Return to Madhuban by evening.
ShikharjiParasnath Hill
5
Parasnath → Varanasi (350 km, 8 hrs)
Long drive back. Lunch en route. Arrive Varanasi by evening.
Varanasi

What's Included

Vehicle rental for the entire tour duration
Experienced Varanasi-based driver familiar with all pilgrimage sites
Fuel and standard maintenance
All vehicle-related taxes and standard permits
Air-conditioning during travel
Bottled water for first day
24×7 support from the Varanasi On Wheels office
Jain-dietary briefing for the driver (no onion/garlic, no after-sunset meals)
Recommendations for shvetambara / digambara dharamshalas at each halt

What's Excluded

Toll taxes and inter-state permits (charged at actuals)
Driver night allowance for multi-day trips
Personal expenses, tips, and shopping
Temple darshan / VIP-darshan tickets
Hotel / dharamshala accommodation (we can arrange on request)
Meals at restaurants (we can recommend halal / pure-veg / Jain-friendly options)
Boat ride charges at Ganga ghats
5% GST on the total invoice
Doli (palanquin) charges for elderly pilgrims at Shikharji (₹3,500–₹5,500 per person)
Donations and arghya at temples

Pricing by Vehicle

Vehicle	Capacity	Price From
Innova Crysta	1–6 pax	₹8,500 / person (5-day)
Tempo Traveller 12-seater	6–12 pax	₹6,500 / person (5-day)
Tempo Traveller 17-seater	12–17 pax	₹5,000 / person (5-day)
Maharaja Urbania (luxury)	1–9 pax	₹14,000 / person (5-day)

* All prices exclude driver allowance, tolls, parking, and 5% GST. Minimum 250 km/day for outstation trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the drivers Jain-diet aware?

Yes. Every driver on this circuit is briefed on Jain dietary restrictions — no onion, garlic, or root vegetables; no eating after sunset on relevant days. They know which roadside dhabas serve Jain-friendly thalis and which ones to avoid. Pure-Jain catering can be pre-arranged at every halt for ₹450–₹650 per person per meal.

How physically demanding is the Shikharji parikrama?

The full parikrama is 27 km on foot through forest paths and stone steps — typically 8–12 hours. For elderly pilgrims or those with mobility constraints, doli (palanquin) is available for ₹3,500–₹5,500 per person. Start at 4:30 AM to finish before afternoon heat.

Is accommodation available at the pilgrimage sites?

Yes — every site has a Shvetambara dharamshala and a Digambara dharamshala (₹300–₹1,500 per room per night). Madhuban (base of Shikharji) has 100+ dharamshalas and a few mid-range hotels. We can pre-book based on your sect (Shvetambara / Digambara) and family size.

Can I add Lumbini or Bodhgaya to this circuit?

Yes — Bodhgaya and Pawapuri are only 80 km apart, so a combined Jain + Buddhist circuit makes sense (Jain visit takes 4 days, Buddhist takes 7 — combined 9–10 days). Lumbini in Nepal is also accessible via Sunauli border, adding 2 days to the loop.

When is Mahavir Jayanti?

Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the bright half of Chaitra month — Tuesday, 31 March 2026 in 2026. Visiting any of the sites on this date is especially auspicious, but accommodation should be booked 8–10 weeks in advance.

Starting From

₹5,000 onwards / person

per person · transport only · excl. GST

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Free quote · No booking fees · 24×7 support

Duration4 to 7 days

Best TimeOctober to March

Stops7 destinations

Ideal For

Jain pilgrimsShvetambara groupsDigambara groups

Why Book With Us

Since 1993 — 33 years of experience
50+ AC vehicles in fleet
Drivers know every temple route
Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
24×7 emergency support

Tour Highlights

Singhpur — birthplace of Shreyansanath (11th Tirthankara)

Chandrapuri — birthplace of Chandraprabha (8th Tirthankara)

Bhadarpur — birthplace of Suparshvanath (7th Tirthankara)

Pawapuri Jal Mandir — Lord Mahavira's moksha sthal

Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) — moksha sthal of 20 Tirthankaras

Kundalpur Jain Temple

Sarnath optional add-on

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Varanasi → Singhpur → Chandrapuri → Bhadarpur → Varanasi (~80 km loop)

Morning departure to Singhpur (32 km from Varanasi) — birthplace of Shreyansanath. Continue to Chandrapuri (Chandraprabha birthplace) and Bhadarpur (Suparshvanath birthplace). Return to Varanasi by evening for darshan at Bhelupur Jain Mandir (birthplace of Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara).

SinghpurChandrapuriBhadarpurBhelupur Jain Mandir

Varanasi → Pawapuri (200 km, 5 hrs)

Drive to Pawapuri via Patna. Visit Jal Mandir (the lake temple at the moksha site of Lord Mahavira). Overnight Pawapuri or Rajgir.

Pawapuri Jal Mandir

Pawapuri → Kundalpur → Parasnath (130 km)

Morning at Kundalpur Jain temple. Continue to Parasnath / Madhuban (base of Shikharji). Evening rest. Overnight Madhuban.

KundalpurMadhuban

Shikharji (Parasnath Hill) parikrama — full day

Early morning start (4:30 AM). 27-km parikrama on foot or by doli (palanquin) — visit all 20 tonk (shrines) along the hill, each commemorating a Tirthankara's moksha. Allow 8–12 hours. Return to Madhuban by evening.

ShikharjiParasnath Hill

Parasnath → Varanasi (350 km, 8 hrs)

Long drive back. Lunch en route. Arrive Varanasi by evening.

Varanasi

What's Included

Vehicle rental for the entire tour duration

Experienced Varanasi-based driver familiar with all pilgrimage sites

Fuel and standard maintenance

All vehicle-related taxes and standard permits

Air-conditioning during travel

Bottled water for first day

24×7 support from the Varanasi On Wheels office

Jain-dietary briefing for the driver (no onion/garlic, no after-sunset meals)

Recommendations for shvetambara / digambara dharamshalas at each halt

What's Excluded

Toll taxes and inter-state permits (charged at actuals)

Driver night allowance for multi-day trips

Personal expenses, tips, and shopping

Temple darshan / VIP-darshan tickets

Hotel / dharamshala accommodation (we can arrange on request)

Meals at restaurants (we can recommend halal / pure-veg / Jain-friendly options)

Boat ride charges at Ganga ghats

5% GST on the total invoice

Doli (palanquin) charges for elderly pilgrims at Shikharji (₹3,500–₹5,500 per person)

Donations and arghya at temples