Grishneshwar Jyotirling Mandir or Grushneshwar Temple is one of Bhagwan Bholenath’s 12 Jyotirlinga Temples located in Verul village of Sambajinagar district, Maharashtra, India. This temple is located near the Ellora Caves. Grishneshwar means Lord of compassion. It is located in Ellora near Daulatabad in Maharashtra, India.

The Padma Purana and the Shiva Purana both make mention of this temple. The Islamic invading force damaged this temple during Invasions in India and vandalized this temple, which was later rebuilt. The indigenous Naga tribes are thought to have settled in this temple. The highly sacred Yelaganga River flows near this temple. The river is considered extremely sacred.

The story behind Grishneshwar Jyotirling

According to legend, there was a Brahmin named Brahmavetta Sudharm who lived in the Devagiri mountains with his wife Sudeha. Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband because the couple was childless. Ghushma would make lingas, worship them, and immerse them in the nearby lake on the advice of her sister. She was finally blessed with a son. Sudeha grew jealous of her sister and murdered her son, throwing him into the lake where her sister would immerse the lingas.

Despite the fact that Ghushma’s daughter-in-law informed her that Sudeha had a hand in her son’s murder, Ghushma continued her daily rituals with complete faith in the Lord’s mercy. And, true to her beliefs, she saw her son approaching her as she went to immerse the linga. Lord Shiva appeared in front of her and informed her of her sister’s heinous crime.

Ghushma begged God to forgive her sister. The Lord, pleased, granted her a boon. She asked him to remain in that location, which is why he manifested himself as Ghushmeshwar, a jyotirlinga. Shivalaya was the name of the lake in which Ghushma immersed the lingas.

History of Grishneshwar Jyotirling

The temple structure was destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th and 14th centuries. During the Mughal-Maratha conflict, the temple was rebuilt several times before being destroyed again. The temple was re-constructed by Maloji Bhosale of Verul, (grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in the 16th century. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, it was rebuilt in the 18th century under the guidance of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.

It is now an important and active Hindu pilgrimage site, attracting long lines of devotees on a daily basis. Anyone can enter the temple grounds and inner chambers, but men must enter the temple’s sanctum sanctorum core (Garbha-Griha) bare-chested, according to local Hindu tradition.

Architecture of Grishneshwar Jyotirling

The Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir is constructed of black stone on a 44,000 sq ft area and features numerous sculptures and fine designs on its interior and exterior walls. A Jyotirlinga murti can be found in the mandir’s Garbhgruh, and a large murti of Shivaji’s favourite Bhakt Nandi can be found in front of the main door. The temple was restored three times, the first time by Maloji Bhosale, Shivaji’s grandfather, in the 16th century. The current temple, which was built in 1730 by Malhar Rao Holkar’s wife Gautami Bai Holkar and later restored by Ahilyabai Holkar, was the last major restoration work completed.

The shikara, or spire, of the red rock temple has five levels. You can see the Dashavatars (ten symbols) of Lord Vishnu carved in red stone. On the 24 pillars of the court hall, you’ll find carvings of Lord Shiva from various stories and legends. The sanctum houses the east-facing linga. There is also a statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s mount, in the court hall.

Facts about Grishneshwar Jyotirling

• The Grishneshwar Jyotirling is a nationally protected site located one and a half kilometres from the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is 30 kilometres north-west of Sambhaji Nagar and 300 kilometres east-northeast of Mumbai.
• Grishneshwar Jyotirling is also called Ghushmeshwar and Kusumeshwar.
• Grushneshwar Jyotirling is one of the 12 Jyotirling Temples of the Hindu religion, It is mentioned in Shivapuran, Skandpuran, Ramayan and Mahabharata.
• It is believed that Lord Shiva himself visited these places and hence they have a special place in the hearts of devotees.
• The Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple was destroyed by the Mughal Invader in the 13th-14th centuries AD. In the 16th century AD, Maratha ruler Shivaji’s grandfather, Maloju Bhisale of Verul, reconstructed the temple.
• The sanctum sanctorum includes Lord Grishneshwar and his consort Grishneshwari.
• The temple is significant because pilgrims believe that by visiting the Grishneshwar temple, they can reap the benefits of worshipping all 12 Jyotirlingas. The Grishneshwar temple is also said to be a classic example of pre-historic architecture with beautiful carvings.
• Men are required to go bare-chested into the temple.
• In the temple murals and carvings, devotees can see the Lord and his consort’s marriage scene. The Grishneshwar temple also has a well from which holy water flows.

Famous Festivals In Grishneshwar Jyotirling

• Mahashivaratri: The Maha Shivaratri festival is a grand event at Grishneshwar temple, as it is at all important Shiva temples. It is the main festival in town. Every year, millions of devotees flock to this town to catch a glimpse of the Lord on this auspicious day, which falls in February/March.
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, this festival is celebrated in August / September
• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct) as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirling

You can go to this spiritual location at any time of the year, it’s best to go there in the winter, between October and March. During Mahashivratri, a devotee’s ultimate treat would be to visit this divine and ancient location!

By Air: Chhatrapati Sambhaji (Aurangabad) Airport is a nearby Airport and it is nearly 37 kilometres from Grishneshwar Jyotirling.

By Rail: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) Railway Station is near the Railway Station and is nearly 29 kilometres from Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple.

By Road: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) is well connected to most of the cities. Local transport is available in plenty.

Also Read –  Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

Shri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirling temples located in Trimbak, Trimbakeshwar tehsil, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India, 28 kilometres from Nashik and 40 kilometres from Nashik road. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is the only shivling of 12 that honours not only Lord Shiva but also Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, the other two gods who comprise the Holy Trinity.

Trimbakeshwar Town is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site and is the source of the Godavari River, the longest river in peninsular India. This Jyotirlinga is distinguished by its three faces, which represent Tridev – Lord Bramha, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. This shrine is surrounded by the hills of Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri.

The story behind Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

According to legend, Gautama the Rishi and his wife Ahalya resided atop the Brahmagiri hills. In the rishi’s ashram, there were plenty of food grains although there was hunger everywhere else on the planet. This happened as a result of the gods favouring him as a result of his unwavering dedication and consistent prayers. The other rishis sent a cow into his fields because they were jealous of him.

The cow died as a result of Gautama’s attempts to scare it away from his crops. Gautama worshipped Lord Shiva and asked him to let the Ganga River flow into his ashram to purify it for the sin of murdering a cow. When Lord Shiva saw his dedication, he released Ganga and instructed her to remain. The Godavari originates at the present-day Kushavarta or sacred pond. The Godavari is revered by worshippers as Ganga.

History of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

In the 18th century, the Maratha ruler Nana Saheb Peshwa built the current Trimbakeshwar temple. Later, Shreemant Rao Saheb improved the approach to the tank by extending the Trimbakeshwar temple around the Kushavarta Kund.

Devotees believe that after Lord Brahma lied to Lord Shiva about finding the end of Lord Shiva’s endless pillar of fire, Lord Shiva cursed Lord Brahma and cursed devotees not to worship him. This enraged Lord Brahma, who cursed Lord Shiva as a result. This drove Lord Shiva underground. As a result, Lord Shiva’s Linga in Trimbakeshwar is now beneath the ground.

Architecture of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

The temple is surrounded by three hills: Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri. Three lingas (an iconic form of Shiva) represent Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma in the temple. The temple tank is called Amritavarshini, and it measures 28 metres by 30 metres. Other bodies of water include Bilvatirtha, Viswanantirtha, and Mukundatirtha. Ganga, Jaleswara, Rameswara, Gautameswara, Kedarnatha, Rama, Krishna, Parashurama, and Lakshmi Narayana are among the deities depicted. There are also several monasteries and saints’ samadhis at the temple.

There are entry gates on all four sides, viz. East, West, South and North. As per spiritual conceptions the direction East denotes the beginning, the West denotes maturity, the South denotes fulfilment or completion and the North stands for revelation. The entire temple was built with black stone.

The three faces of the jyotirlinga, which depict the gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, are the temple’s defining features. They are all present in the hollow space of the Shivalinga. Trimbakeshwara (Three Lords) was born as a result. They wear a crown made of jewels that is said to have been made during the Pandavas’ reign.

Facts about Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

• Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is one of 12 jyotirlingas in India that honour not only Lord Shiva but also the other two gods of the Holy Trinity, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.
•  The Jyotirling are covered by a jewelled crown which is placed over the Gold Mask of Trideva (Brahma Vishnu Shiva).
• The crown is said to be from the Pandava era and is made of diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones. Every Monday from 4-5 p.m., the crown is on display.
• The entire black stone temple is known for its appealing architecture and sculpture and is located at the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain. The Brahmagiri mountain is the source of three Godavari rivers.
• This location is well-known for its numerous religious rituals (vidhis). Narayan Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, and Tripindi Vidhi have all been completed here. Trimbakeshwar is the only place where Narayan Nagbali puja is performed.
• The temple’s Shiva deity was made up of the world-famous Nassak Diamond. It was looted by the British during the Third Anglo-Maratha War and has since been owned by one of two people. The diamond is currently in the possession of Edward J. Hand, a trucking company executive from Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.
• Visiting this ancient and divine site during Mahashivratri would be the ultimate treat for any devotee!
• Devotees believe that a visit to this temple will wash away their sins.
• The famous pilgrimage festival, Kumbh Mela, occurs here once every 12 years.

Famous Festivals In Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

• Mahashivaratri: The Maha Shivaratri festival is a grand event at Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling, as it is at all important Shiva temples. It is the main festival in town. Every year, millions of devotees flock to this town to catch a glimpse of the Lord on this auspicious day, which falls in February/March.
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, this festival is celebrated in August / September
• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct) as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

While you are welcome to visit this spiritual site at any time of the year, it is recommended that you do so between the months of October and March.

By Air: The nearest airport is in Nasik which is 54 km from Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling. The Mumbai Airport is 200 Km from Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Temple. Regular taxi services run to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Temple.

By Rail: The nearest station is Nasik which is 29.5 km from the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Temple.

By Road: Bus and taxi services from Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune etc. are always available from these cities. You Can hardly Pay Rs 300 – Rs 1000 to reach from these cities.

Also Read –  Grishneshwar Jyotirling Mandir

Bhimashankar Jyotirling is an old holy place and is one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Lord Shiva’s most sacred shrines located on the Sahyadri slopes in Maharashtra. It is located in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri Mountains. Bhimashankar Jyotirling is among the twelve Jyotirlingas arranged all over India.

It is located 50 kilometres northwest of Khed taluka (also known as Rajgurunagar) in the village of Bhojgiri in Maharashtra, India. The river Bhima, which flows southeast and joins the Krishna near Raichur, originates in Bhmshankar as well.

The story behind Bhimashankar Jyotirling

According to legend, an asura (demon) named Bhima and his mother Karkati lived in the Dakini forests on the ranges of the Sahyadri Mountains. He was, in fact, the son of King Ravana’s younger brother, Kumbharkarna. He was furious when he discovered that Lord Vishnu had murdered his father while he was Rama. To appease Lord Brahma, he vowed vengeance and underwent severe penance.

In return, Brahma bestowed upon him tremendous strength, which he utilized to terrorize the entire world. He demanded that Kamrupeshwar, a fervent devotee of Lord Shiva, pray to him rather than Shiva when he imprisoned him. Bhima used his sword to kill the Shivalinga when Kamrupeshwar refused. That’s when Lord Shiva showed up in front of him and burned him to ashes. The Shivalinga is believed to be located where Lord Shiva manifested himself.

History of Bhimashankar Jyotirling

The old temple is said to have been constructed on a Swayambhu Lingam, also known as the self-emanating Shiva Lingam. Furthermore, the Lingam is clearly located in the centre of the temple’s Garbagriham (Sanctum sanctorum). The temple’s pillars and door frames are adorned with intricate sculptures of holy beings and people. These incredible carvings depict scenes from sacred textbooks.

The Bhimashankar Jyotirling is a showcase for the stone workers of Vishwakarma. It was constructed in the 13th century. The Maratha empire’s statesman Nana Phadnavis built structures like the shikhara, or spires, in the 18th century. It is also believed that the endowments of the Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, made it easier to worship here.

Architecture of Bhimashankar Jyotirling

Bhimashankar’s architectural style is distinguished by the use of the Nagara style, which is common in northern India. The architectural style is similar to the Hemadpanthi style, which is popular in the Deccan region. The old temple is said to have been built on a Swayambhu Shiva Linga.

Furthermore, the Ling can be seen to be precisely in the centre of the temple’s Garbhagriha (Sanctum sanctorum). The garbhagriha and antarala are built with indigenous stone in the Indo-Aryan architectural style, which is also found in Jain temples. The temple’s pillars and door frames are adorned with intricate carvings of deities and human figures.

The sanctum of the Bhimashankar Sanctuary is on a lower level and is comprised of both old and new Nagara-style structures. It exemplifies the extraordinary skill of the ancient Vishwakarma sculptors. The temple was built in the thirteenth century. The Sabha mandap was constructed by Nana Phadnavis in the 18th century. He also created and constructed the shikhara. This temple was funded by Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha king, to make religious ceremonies easier.

Facts about Bhimashankar Jyotirling

• The Bhimashankar Mandir is a Jyotirling Temple situated in Bhimashankar village, in the Pune district of Maharashtra.
• Other temples close to the main temple include Kamalaja mata, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi who aided Shiva in his battle against Tripurasur.
• Within the temple grounds, there is a minor shrine dedicated to Lord Shani. In front of the Bhimashankar Shiva Linga is a statue of Nandi.
• Mokshakund Tirtha is located behind the Bhimashankar temple. Before going to the temple, it is customary to take a bath in the kund.
• Bhimashankar has a wildlife sanctuary; it is a protected forest area with a variety of plants and animals because it is part of the Western Ghats.
• The Malabar Giant Squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra, is a rare animal found here.
• An enormous antique Portuguese church bell stands between the two pillars in front of the “Shani” shrine.
• There is a narrow path behind the temple that leads to the riverbanks. Outside the temple, there is a large area of forest that is occasionally broken up by forts on nearby mountains.
• You can visit it during the colder months, so August to February is a good time to go. It would be ideal to visit this holy site during Mahashivratri.

Famous Festivals In Bhimashankar Jyotirling

• Mahashivaratri: The Maha Shivaratri festival is a grand event at Bhimashankar Jyotirling, as it is at all important Shiva temples. It is the main festival in town. Every year, millions of devotees flock to this town to catch a glimpse of the Lord on this auspicious day, which falls in February/March.
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, this festival is celebrated in August / September
• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct) as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

How to Reach Bhimashankar Jyotirling

By Air: Pune (Lohgaon) is 125 km from the Bhimashankar Jyotirling Temple.

By Rail: As there is no direct train from Pune to Bhimashankar. The nearest railway station is Pune. From Pune one has to travel by bus to Bhimashankar

By Road: There are frequent buses available from Pune to Bhimashankar from the Shivajinagar bus stand. Someone can reach to Shivajinagar bus stand, and take the bus to Bhimashankar. Travel time is around 4 hours.

From the Bhimashankar bus stop, there are two options for getting to the temple: either via roadways or stairs. From the Bhimashankar bus stop, approximately 100 steps lead down to the Bhimashankar temple. Those who are unable to climb stairs can use a doli or palanquin.

Also Read – Rameshwaram Jyotirling