Trimbakeshwar: An Unforgettable Journey to Trimbakeshwar Temple

Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in the city of Trimbak, about 28 km from Nashik in Maharashtra, India. The word Trimbakeshwar means the residence of the three-eyed one, that is, Lord Shiva and the temple is the eighth bone among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva Surrounded by mountains, Trimbakeshwar is the meeting point of two rivers named Ahilya and Godavari.

Trimbakeshwar Temple is located at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri from which the Godavari river flows. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga has three faces which are the sign of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva, While Lord Shiva is the main God in all Jyotirlinga.

Trimbakeshwar Temple History

Regarding the history of Trimbakeshwar Temple, it is believed that Gautam Rishi lived in the Brahmagiri Hills with his wife Ahilya. There was a shortage of 24 years; people were affected by the stings of hunger. Daily in the morning, Gautama Rishi sows rice in the girding fields of his Ashram. Lord Varun, pleased with the savant of Gautama, arranged the rain far and wide in Gautama’s Ashram, which was in Trimbakeshwar.

Because of Gautam Rishi’s steadfast devotion and regular prayer, the Lord blessed him with abundant food. In the afternoon, he reaped the harvest and fed it to a group of sages who had taken refuge in Gautama’s hermitage. Because of all these Sages’ blessings, Gautam Rishi Punya got increased. Even Lord Indra becomes jealous of Gautam Rishi’s high position.

Lord Indra ordered the clouds to rain on Trimbakeshwar so that the femininity would vanish, the sages would go back and the grace of Gautama sage would be weakened. Gautama requested all the sages to stay there and keep feeding them. The other Rishi also felt jealous of him and transferred a cow to Gautam Rishi’s field. When Gautam Rishi tried to scarify the Cow down from his fields, Cow failed. It was Goddess Parvati’s friend Jaya, who took the form of a cow.

Gautama worshiped Lord Shiva, requesting him to release the river Ganges and that a bath in the river Ganges would absolve him of his sins. Lord Shiva asked Ganga to stay there. Kushawart pond which is now present in Godavari river, people worship Godavari as Ganga. All Rishi requested Lord Shiva to remain there, which Lord Shiva did in the form of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.

Trimbakeshwar Temple Architecture

Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, erected inside a yard, is made of black basalt stone in the Nagara style. It’s said that it took thirty- one times to complete the construction. The temple comprises three Ardha Mandapas, one Gudha Mandapa, Antarala, and a sanctum. The Ardha Mandapas located on the three sides serve as three entrances to the Gudh Mandapa. The entrances of the ardhamandapas have fine busts. In the Gudhmandapa are set up six beautifully sculpted pillars. Blockish Antarala is set up just before the square sanctum. The sanctum is internally a square and externally a planetary structure and houses a small tone-radiated Shiva Lingam, the Tryambaka.

The Shivalingam is seen in a hole on the bottom of the sanctum and water continuously comes out from its top. The Shivling is covered with a tableware mask. On gleeful times, it’s covered with a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown. The surface walls of the Trimbakeshwar Mandir and the entire structure are decorated with moving scrolls, floral designs, and sculptures of many gods and goddesses, yakshas, humans, and animals. There are relatively many Mandir associated with this temple. They’re Gangadwar, Bilwa Tirtha, Gautam Tirtha, Indra Tirtha, Ahilya Sangam Tirtha, Varaha Tirtha, Mukund Tirtha, Prayag Tirtha, Rama Kund and LakshmanaKund.The Trimbakeshwar Temple timings are 5:30 AM to 9 PM. 

Significance of Trimbakeshwar Temple 

Three deification services are performed daily at Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple. Snana, Abhisheka, and Aarti are performed in the morning. Aarti is performed in the afternoon, followed by the offering of Mahanaivedya to the Lord. At night, Shej Aarati is performed to the deity, and also the tableware mask of the Linga is kept on the bed. 

The tableware mask of Trimbak is placed in a palanquin and taken in a procession to the Kushavarta temple every Monday. The parade with the golden mask is performed on Shivratris, the full moon day in the month of Kartika, and during other gleeful times. Pilgrims carry out two yantras ( passage) then, videlicet, the Ashta Tirtha Yatra and Pancha Tirtha Yatra. 

Shiva’s Trimbakeshwar Temple Nasik is also famous for specific religious rituals like Narayan-Nagbali, Kalsarp Shanti, and Tripindi Vidhi.

How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Temple 

The nearest domestic Airport is Nashik to Reach Trimbakeshwar is Nashik, 30 km down. 

Nashik Road Railway Station, 44 km down, is the nearest railway station. 

Regular Buses ply from Nashik to Trambakeshwar. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the Trimbakeshwar Temple? 

 The Trimbakeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Trimbak, Maharashtra, India. It’s devoted to Lord Shiva and is known for its association with the source of the Godavari River. 

Why is Trimbakeshwar Temple important? 

The temple is significant because it’s believed to be the origin of the Godavari River, one of the sacred gutters in Hinduism. It has literal, religious, and mythological significance.

Is the Trimbakeshwar Temple a Jyotirlinga?

Yes, the Trimbakeshwar Temple is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are sacred sanctuaries devoted to Lord Shiva. It’s specifically appertained to as the” Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.” 

How do I reach Trimbakeshwar Temple? 

Trimbakeshwar is well-connected by road. The nearest major megacity is Nashik. It’s roughly a 30- 40 Km drive from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar. Buses, Taxis, and private vehicles are common modes of transportation.

What’s Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing? 

 The Temple timings are 5:30 Am to 9 PM every day.