Grishneshwar Temple: Timings, Pooja, And History

Grishneshwar Temple is the home and one of the 12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, the holiest of holy shrines of Lord Shiva. Grishneshwarmandir, located at a distance of 11km from Daulatabad and 35 kms away from Aurangabad is about 2 km away from the UNESCO-listed Ellora Cave in Maharashtra. Daulatabad was earlier known as Devagiri.

Ahilyabhai Holkar built the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, who also built the Kasi Viswanatha temple at Banaras and the Vishnu Paada temple at Gaya. Grishneshwar is otherwise known as Ghushmeswara. The Lord takes many names in different regions; Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, etc. Built in the traditional South Indian temple architectural style, the Grishneshwar Temple features a very beautifully designed five-tier shikhara.

History of Grishneshwar Temple

The temple complex comprises a sanctum sanctorum, that is to say, a square room of approximately 289 square feet together with inner chambers. Sculptures and carvings of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses embellished this temple complex. The Dashavataras, or ten forms of Vishnu, red stones have been used.

In the sacred pilgrimage of JyotirLingas of Lord Shankara, the last one-with out which the pilgrimage will not be considered as complete-is the twelfth JyotirLinga, of Grishneshwar.

Verul is a village thirty kilometers to the west of Aurangabad. In this village is located a pilgrimage site by the name of Shivalay wherein the great Holy Trilinga of Ghrishneshwar abides. Stories about Verul, Shivalay and Ghrishneswar go like this:

This was originally a settlement of the Naga tribes. The place of the Nagas is Bambi, which is known as “Varul” in Marathi “Varul” gradually changed into “Verul” and is known by this name only. River Yelaganga flows here. The name “Verul” is derived from Yelaganga, on whose banks the village is located. There was a king by the name “Yela” here. The capital of his kingdom was Yelapar, or Yelur or Verul.

Shiva legend about the emergence of 12 Jyotirlingas

The Shiva legend has it that in order to prove who amongst Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the sustainer and; Shiva, the destructor is most powerful, Lord Shiva pierced through the three worlds with his huge and infinite Stambha(the pillar, Jyotirlinga).

Brahma and Vishnu went up and down the pillar. Varaha was Vishnu’s form, Hansa(Swan) was Brahma’s. Brahma lied, bringing the Ketaki flower as proof; It was admitted by Vishnu that he could not find either the beginning or the end of the light from where it started out of the Stambha, Pillar.

Shiva cursed Brahma, saying he wouldn’t be worshiped, while Vishnu, he declared, would be worshiped forever

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Location

As for Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Location or the place where the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Verul Maharashtra is situated, the holy Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga/Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga exists in the village Verul near Ellora, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra. The new name of Aurangabad is now Sambhaji Nagar after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale of Maratha empire.

Distance of Grishneshwar Temple to Ellora caves is only 1.1km. Pilgrims and tourists travel on foot for Grishneshwar Temple to Ellora caves distance.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is also known by various other distinct names like Grishneshwar Mandir, Ghushmeshwar Mahadev Jyotirling, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Verul Maharashtra, Grishneshwar, Ghushmeshwar Mahadev, Ghushmeshwar Mandir, Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga, Ghushmeshwar Jyotirling, Grishneshwar Jyotirling or Shri Grishneshwar Mandir or only Ghushmeshwar

Aurangabad to Grishneshwar distance is 32 km. Maharashtra State Transport Buses also ply this route and take around 30-35 minutes.
Taxis are also taken by pilgrims to cover Aurangabad to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Distance. Aurangabad Central Bus Stations is 29 kms from Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga nearest railway station is the Aurangabad Railway Station which is very well connected to the major cities in India. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga nearest railway station is Aurangabad.
The distance of Aurangabad railway station to Grishneshwar temple is about 30 km. The distance of Aurangabad railway station to Grishneshwar temple can easily be covered through public transport.
Approximately, 140 km distance from Grishneshwar temple or the Grishneshwar Mahadev to Manmad Railway station.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga distance:

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga distance is only about 300 km. Stations on the road include Grishneshwar, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Shirur, Rajuruanagar, Wada, and Bhimashanker.

Manchar route from Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga distance on Manchar route is shorter than those via Wada. Total: about 315 km

While Jyotirlinga to Jyotirlinga distance by train is slightly more than direct road travel

Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra near Ellora

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga / Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga, or the Grishneshwar temple has been built in South Indian style architecture with idols and sculptures delicately carved out of red volcanic rocks. The main court hall stands on strong 24 pillars.

Paintings and sculptures at Grishneshwar Mandir or the Grishneshwar Mahadev come from mesmerizing art that attracts visitors from miles away. The construction style of the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga / Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga temple takes after what is known as the Shikara style; this structure bears carvings within intricate detail.

The holy temple’s Garbhagriha houses Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga / Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga. It is one among 12 Jyotirlingas in India.

Before the main entrance of the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga / Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple or Ghushmeshwar Mahadev Jyotirling sits the idol of Nandi Bull.

On the way to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga / Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, 10 incarnations (Dasavatara) of Lord Vishnu carved on red rocks are mesmerizing enchanting.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Story:

According to the Puran, the story of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga takes us to Devagiri mountain, where there lived a guy named Sudharma with his wife, Sudeha. They were pretty happy together but had no children, which was a big deal for them. Ghushma was a really devoted woman. She loved Lord Shiva a lot and made it a point to worship 101 Shiva Lingas every single day. Things were good between her and Sudharma. Thanks to Lord Shiva’s blessings, she eventually had a baby boy, and all three of them—Sudharma, Sudeha, and Ghushma—were super happy and living well. Over time, though, Sudeha started feeling a bit left out and frustrated. She couldn’t shake off this feeling of being overshadowed by her sister Ghushma and her new nephew.

Conclusion

Pilgrims foster a wish to go to all the 12 Jyotirlingas, at least once in their lives sitting by Lord Shiva. The 12 Jyotirlinga Grishneshwar worship does not only cover an individual’s wellbeing but also covers the good of society as a whole. A steady flow of pilgrims at all the twelve Jyotirlingas, which includes the Grishneshwaar Jyotirlinga Aurangabad, deeply reflects the religious and spiritual fervor round the year.