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