Sambhajinagar to Parli Vaijnath — Route & Travel Time (2026)

Parli Vaijnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, lies roughly 206 km southeast of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (once called Aurangabad) via NH52. Road takes about 4 to 4.5 hours, while the train loops wider at nearly 7 hours.

This guide compares road, rail and bus so you can pick what actually fits your schedule.

🛣️ By Road: The NH52 Highway Route

The most direct way to Parli Vaijnath is by road via NH52 through Beed, covering roughly 206 km in about 4 to 4.5 hours by private car or taxi. The highway is a decent two-to-four-lane stretch for most of the way, with a few slower patches near Beed town.

Beed makes a natural halfway stop for tea, food or fuel, roughly two hours in either direction. Past Beed, the road narrows slightly as it approaches Parli, so budget a little extra time on the final stretch, especially after dark.

🚆 By Train: Parli Vaijnath's Own Railway Station

Parli Vaijnath has its own railway station, PRLI, on the Parbhani–Parli branch line of South Central Railway, so a train yatri steps off close to the temple town itself. Only one direct service links it to Aurangabad, though.

That train is the Aurangabad–Guntur Express (17254), which leaves Aurangabad in the afternoon and reaches Parli Vaijnath nearly 7 hours later after looping via Parbhani and Latur.

Most rail travellers actually connect through Nanded or Parbhani, both of which have far more frequent trains to Parli Vaijnath than Sambhajinagar does directly. Because the rail distance and timing are longer than the road, treat the train as a backup plan rather than the first choice for this particular journey.

🚕 By Bus and Taxi

MSRTC runs direct state buses from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Central Bus Stand to Parli, covering the same ~206 km route in about 4.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on the bus type and number of stops. It's the cheapest way to travel and runs several times a day.

A private taxi covers the identical NH52 route faster, in roughly 4 to 4.5 hours, and lets you stop wherever you like along the way. Buses cost far less but stick to fixed timings and can get crowded on Mondays and around Shivratri, so book ahead if you're set on a bus seat that day.

✅ Which Should You Choose?

Different yatris need different plans:

• Elders or families with young children: book a private taxi door to door — it skips the bus queue and the long, roundabout train journey entirely.

• Budget yatris: the MSRTC bus is by far the cheapest option, at a small fraction of a taxi fare.

• Tight one-day schedule: only attempt this by taxi, and start by 5:30–6 am. Avoid a same-day plan if leaving Sambhajinagar after 8 am — you'll be driving back well past midnight.

• Relaxed devotees: plan one overnight halt near the temple so morning and evening pooja aren't rushed.

🌅 Best Time to Start Your Journey

Leave Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar between 5 and 6 am to beat highway traffic near Beed and reach Parli Vaijnath by late morning, ahead of the midday crowd. An afternoon start only makes sense if you're staying overnight, since driving back after dark on NH52 isn't ideal.

Early starts also help in summer, when the last stretch into Parli gets uncomfortably hot by noon. Carrying water and snacks for the Beed halfway stop is a good habit either way.

🗺️ What You'll Pass Along the Way

The NH52 route runs through Beed town, which has its own temples and reliable food stops roughly midway. Past Beed, the highway narrows through smaller villages before joining the approach road into Parli town.

Fuel and food options thin out on the last stretch, so top up in Beed rather than waiting until the final few kilometres.

🛏️ Where to Stay (For an Overnight Halt)

Parli Vaijnath town has modest lodging close to the temple, ranging from dharamshalas run by the temple trust to small private hotels a short walk from the sanctum. Rooms are simple but sufficient for a single night's stay before or after pooja.

Booking ahead matters on Mondays, through Shravan, and especially around Mahashivratri, when rooms fill up fast. For most yatris, one night is enough to cover both an evening visit and the next morning's pooja before heading back to Sambhajinagar.

However you choose to travel, Parli Vaijnath rewards the journey with a peaceful pooja away from the bigger jyotirlinga crowds. Har Har Mahadev.