Grishneshwar Temple devoted to Lord Shiva is one of the holiest Hindu temples in India. Located about 35 km down from the megacity of Aurangabad and about 2 km down from the UNESCO- listed Ellora Caves, it’s home to the 12th and the last Jyotirlinga on earth. It’s an ancient sanctum that finds citation in the Shiva Purana, one of the sacred Holy Writs in Hinduism. Currently, the temple serves not just as a religious point but also as a crucial attraction in Maharashtra tourism, especially for trippers visiting the Ellora Caves.
Grishneshwar Temple History
Grishneshwar Temple Story is that it is believed that the temple had been built before the 13th century. The temple had been again and again destruction during the rule of the Delhi Sultanate. It was rebuilt in the 16th century by Maloji Bhosle during the time of ancestor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple suffered attacks indeed after this. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the present temple structure was rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar, the queen of Indore in the 18th century.
Grishneshwar Temple Architecture
The temple had been built in a traditional South Indian temple architectural style, The Grishneshwar Mandir displays a designed five-tiered shikhara. The temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum, which is a square room with an approximately 289 square base, and an inner chamber.
The size of this temple made of red stones is 240 aadhar x 185 aadhar, which makes it the lowest among all the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Adorning the Temple complex is a court hall and a form of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull. Idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu can also be seen in the temple. The sanctum houses the deified Shiva Linga that faces eastward.
Grishneshwar Temple Today
Currently, the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is a major destination for excursionists visiting Aurangabad and a passage point for Shiva addicts. While anyone can enter the inner chambers of the temple to seek blessings from the deity, tradition requires men to enter the sanctum sanctorum bare-chested. Every time, the Temple celebrates the festivals of Mahashivratri in honor of Lord Shiva, during which it substantiations a heavy footfall. The Grishneshwar Temple timings are 5:30 AM to 9 PM every day.
Attractive things to watch in the Grishneshwar Temple Complex
The Temple complex has several lodestones that draw the attention of callers. These include
- The elaborate Grishneshwar Temple Aurangabad structure with its intricately designed five-tier shikhara.
- The Grishneshwar Shivaling, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
- The court hall is supported by 24 pillars, each of which is sculpted with images from mythological stories associated with Lord Shiva.
- Dashavataras or the ten Avatars of Vishnu are depicted on red stones.
- Puppets and busts of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses adorning the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple complex.
Lesser known Data about Grishneshwar Temple
- Ghrishneshwar means lord of compassion(Shiva). Shiva is worshipped then as the Lord of Compassion who’s believed to take down all the mournings of his addicts.
- Addicts of Lord Shiva believe that the act of worshipping this Jyotirlinga equals worshipping all other Jyotirlingas.
- According to the Skand Puran, formerly Lord Shiva came to this Temple after getting worried about Devi Parvati. So, she too came to this Temple in the form of an ethical girl to worship the Lord.
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Aurangabad is one of those veritably many sanctuaries in India where the Shiva Linga faces the east.
- Addicts regard Shivalay Sarovar, a lake located near the Temple, as a holy water body.
- No yajnas or ritual offerings are performed in this Temple since it represents Agni Tattva, one of the five abecedarian forces of nature as per Hinduism.
- Besides the Grishneshwar Temple, there are two further Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, videlicet Bhimashankar( near Pune) and Trimbakeshwar( Nashik).
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- Where is Grishneshwar Temple located?
Grishneshwar Temple is located in the vill of Verul, near Ellora Caves, in the state of Maharashtra, India.
2. Who’s the presiding deity of Grishneshwar Temple?
Lord Shiva is the main deity of Grishneshwar Temple. He’s worshipped then in the form of a Jyotirlinga, which is a representation of Lord Shiva as a radiant lingam( symbol of godly energy).
3. What’s the significance of the Grishneshwar Temple?
Grishneshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be sacred residences of Lord Shiva. It holds immense religious significance for Hindus, and addicts from all over the country visit the Temple to seek blessings and offer prayers.
4. How can I reach Grishneshwar Temple?
Grishneshwar Temple is well-connected by road and can be reached from major metropolises in Maharashtra. The nearest field is Aurangabad Airport, and the nearest road station is Aurangabad Railway Station. Original transportation options like autos and taxis are available to reach the temple from these points.
5. What’s the best time to visit Grishneshwar Temple?
The temple can be visited throughout the time, but the months of November to February are generally considered more affable due to cooler weather.
