Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple sits around 28 km away from Nashik. Trimbakeshwar temple counts as one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the holiest among holy sites of Lord Shiva. What makes the Jyotirlinga here special is its three faces representing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra. Because a lot of water has been used, the linga has begun to wear away. People say that this wearing down shows the eroding nature of human society.
The Lingas at Trimbakeshwar are not in any other form of Jyotirlinga but they are covered by a jeweled crown supposed to be from the age of Pandavs placed over the Gold Mask of Tridev (Brahma Vishnu Mahesh). The crown has diamonds, emeralds, and many precious stones. This crown is displayed on every Monday from 4-5 pm (Shiva). All other Jyotirlingas have Shiva as the main deity. The entire black stone temple is very attractive in architecture and sculpture and it is located at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri. Three sources of godavari originate from brahmagiri mountain.
History of Trimbakeshwar Temple
The Trimbakeshwar temple was constructed by Peshwas. Historians said the temple had one ‘Kiritamukuta karotu’ – a crown linga composed of gold, silver, and jewels embedded in it valued at about $7billion-dollars. The crown was gifted by the ‘Pandavas’ in Mahabharata. When the British conquered Nasik, they took away with them the magnificent ‘Nassak diamond’ or ‘Neelmani’ that was studded on the forehead of Shiva.
Even the Godavari River has got a history during the period of Sage Gautama. Long, long ago, famine struck that place very badly, and all people were in a Panic state except Sage Gautama and his wife. Now as he said a man of much Fortune in life- that service to a poor Brahmin all his lifetime brought him this fortune in life.
About Trimbakeshwar Temple Visit
Brihmagiri Mountain 18 K.M. Nasik City Nasik district one parts Sahyadri Vallies. Trimbakeshwar city located bottom mountain. This nice natural place quite cold as it stands 3000 ft. above sea level. Two different routes can properly reach there. Nasik to Trimbakeshwar is only 18 K.M This route built with the help of Shri Kashi Nath Dhate in A.D. 871. One may get amode of transport from here every hour.
Other easy route is Igatpuri – Trimbakeshwar rute. This road is 28 K.M. long as opposed to Nasik –Trimbakeshwar road. Only certain particular kind of pre-planned and pre-determined mode transport is available here. Legend Of Trimbakeshwar Temple – Two legends are related to this place. One concerning the place’s origin as an abode of Shiva and the other related to the origin of the river Godavari at the place.
Tryambaka – abode of the Lord Shiva. The story is more or less identical to what is mentioned about the Lingodbhava murti of Shiva. Brahma and Vishnu were contending to be the highest among the Gods. That auspicious pillar manifested itself before them. Both decided that either side they reach at the end of the pillar would establish their supremacy. And so Brahma in the figure of a swan searched for the upper end of the pillar and Vishnu in boar aspect for the bottom end.
Brahma got back just halfway and lied that he had reached the bottom of the pillar. When Vishnu returned empty-handed, Lord Shiva cursed Brahma in the form of a Linga, or a pillar, for his lie that henceforth, no on would worship him in any temple. Brahma gave Shiva a counter curse that he would be pushed in the earth in the linga form and he has to remain in that form at Sahyadri Mountain. Thus the three-eyed one, in the linga form, appeared at the eastern spur of Sahyadri ranges and made Tryambakeshvar his abode.
It is available in Padma Purana. It says that at Brahmagiri, beyond Tryambakeshvar, there lived sage Gautama. He possessed a wife called Ahalya. She had an earthern pot which never became empty. So there was every grain and food came out of it preserved by the pious couple for feeding the needy and the hungry. This did not last for long because other sages decided to lessen the merit of Gautama out of jealousy.
They put a cow into his pasture and caused it to die there as Gautama tried to shoo it out with the Darbha grass. Repenting of this Gautama began to worship shiva. Shiva finding cheerfuledness in his penance, appeared before him and gave him a boon. He asked Him to flow on earth Ganga at the place Gangadwar on Brahmagiri to cleanse him of the sin of the attempted killing of the cow. He did it and the river Godavari surfaced from the place called Gangadwar at Brahmagiri. This story has penetrated so thoroughly among the people that they usually apply the name Ganga to the Godavari river.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Timings
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Monday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Tuesday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Wednesday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Thursday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Friday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Saturday 5am–9pm
- Trimbakeshwar Temple Timing Sunday 5am–9pm
What are Jyotirlinga and their significance?
Jyotirlinga is an auspicious representation of Lord Shiva. It is believed that there were 64 jyotirlingas, but the ones people mostly pray to are just 12. Out of these, every one of the twelve jyotirlingas is a different manifestation of Shiva and is supposed to be the holiest among other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Festivals and Celebrations at the Temple
Though Kumbh Mela is the most major and devoted festival with attendance from people all over India, other festivals also take place and are of importance. Kumbh Mela happens to be held once every 12 years, thus marking one of the largest religious gatherings across the globe. Here millions of pilgrims flock from far and wide to take a dip in River Godavari.
Preservation and Contemporary Relevance
Many conservation efforts have taken place at the shrine over recent years so as to maintain its cultural heritage besides coping with increasing numbers of pilgrims. The Archaeological Survey of India works hand in hand with some local trusts in safeguarding the structures as a new development project has opened up access.
The survival of Trimbakeshwar largely rests on the faith of millions of pilgrims. It sustains itself as a living religious edifice, drawing from India’s deep spiritual reserves at this very instant, not relegated to some past era but as part of now. By linking mystics and scholars and ordinary tourists, the temple inspires reverence and reflection and spiritual submission.
Hi there, I’m Sunita Sukla content writer at TempleAll and a passionate traveller by heart. I am thrilled to create content that inspires travellers around India. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wander around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.