Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga A Divine Place Near Ellora Caves

If you want a spiritual and cultural experience in Maharashtra, visit the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Grishneshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, near the Ellora caves. It is also known as Ghrneshwar or Ghushmeshwar temple, and Grishneshwar means 'Lord of compassion'.

The temple's main attraction is the Shiva lingam, which faces eastward and is believed to be self-manifested. Devotees can offer prayers and offerings to the lingam, such as holy water, flowers, milk, etc. The temple also has a Nandi bull statue in the courtyard, considered to be Lord Shiva's vehicle.

Also Read: Mystery of Kedarnath Temple Shivlinga

History and Architecture

The temple has been mentioned in the ancient scriptures of Shiva Purana and Padma Purana. The Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire destroyed and rebuilt it several times during the medieval period. The current structure was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in the 18th century, a great patron of Hindu temples.

The temple is an example of Maratha architecture, built of red rocks. It has a five-tier spire or shikhara, the smallest among the jyotirlinga temples. The temple has a courtyard with 24 pillars adorned with carvings of various stories of Lord Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum houses the east-facing Linga, decorated with flowers and jewels. The temple also has a statue of Nandi, the bull, who is Lord Shiva's mount.

Also Read: The story of Pandavas and Lord Rama related with Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

Legends 1

There are two popular legends associated with the origin of the Grishneshwar jyotirlinga. One legend says that a devout woman named Kusuma would worship Lord Shiva every day by making and immersing Lingas in a nearby tank. Her husband's first wife was jealous of her devotion and killed her son. Kusuma, however, did not lose her faith and continued her worship. Lord Shiva was pleased with her and brought her son back to life. He also manifested himself as a jyotirlinga here.

Also Read: The Temple On Om shaped Island - ” Omkareshwar Temple ”

Legend 2

Another legend says that a Brahmin couple named Sudharm and Sudeha lived in the Devagiri mountains. They were childless, so Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband. Ghushma would make Lingas, worship them, and immerse them in a nearby lake on her sister's advice. She was blessed with a son, but Sudeha became jealous and killed him. She threw his body into the same lake where Ghushma would immerse the Lingas. Ghushma did not blame her sister and continued her worship. Lord Shiva was impressed by her devotion and restored her son's life. He also appeared as a jyotirlinga here.

The Grishneshwar temple is considered very auspicious and powerful by the devotees of Lord Shiva. Visiting this temple is believed to fulfil one's desires and grant salvation. The temple is also known for its Mahashivaratri festival, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.

Best Time To Visit

If you are planning a visit to the Grishneshwar temple, March is the ideal month to go. The weather is pleasant at this time, and the Ellora Festival of Classical Dance and Music takes place, making the trip all the more enchanting. Alternatively, you may want to consider visiting the temple between January and March or from October to December, as these months are also popular among visitors.

Also Read: Mystical Temple of Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga

Grishneshwar Temple Timing

The Grishneshwar temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 9:30 PM. During the month of Shravan, this temple is especially popular with tourists, so this temple is open for tourists and devotees from three in the morning to eleven in the evening.

Ellora Festival

Ellora Festival is a festival of classical dance and music held in the splendid surroundings of the world-heritage listed cave temple of Ellora, about 30 km from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. This festival showcases the best talents from across the country in the field of classical music and dance, with the caves forming a splendid backdrop. It is organized by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

Things To Do

Grishneshwar Temple is a sacred and ancient temple that attracts many devotees and tourists. Here are some of the things you can do in and around the temple:

1. Rituals and Pooja

Participate in the rituals and poojas at the temple, such as Mangal Aarti, Jalhari Sanghan, Maha Prashad, etc. You can also witness the grand celebration of the Mahashivaratri festival at the temple.

2. Ellora Caves

Visit the Ellora Caves, a complex of 34 rock-cut temples and monasteries from the 6th to the 10th century AD. They are just 2 minutes away from the temple.

3.Tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb

Explore the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Khuldabad, 1.5 miles from the temple. It is a simple and modest tomb that contrasts with the lavish mausoleums of other Mughal rulers.

4. Jain Temple in Ellora caves

See the Jain Temple in Ellora caves, a beautiful and serene temple dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. It is 5.5 miles from the temple.

5. H2O Water Park

Have fun at the H2O Water Park, a popular amusement park near Daulatabad Fort. It has various water slides, pools, and rides for all ages. It is 5.3 miles from the temple.

Besides these places, you can also visit other major tourist attractions in and around Aurangabad city, such as Bibi Ka Maqbara, Soneri Mahal, Aurangabad Caves, Himayat Bagh, etc.

Hotels Near Grishneshwar Temple

Here are some hotels near Grishneshwar temple:

1. Ellora Heritage Resort

This 3-star resort is located near Ellora Caves, just 1 km from Grishneshwar temple. It offers free private parking, a restaurant, a kids play area and a garden. The rooms are spacious and clean, with air conditioning, TV and private bathrooms.

2. Hotel Kailas

This hotel is situated next to Ellora Caves, only 0.5 km from Grishneshwar temple. It has a restaurant, a bar, a kids play area and a terrace with views of the caves. The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, with air conditioning, TV, minibar and private bathrooms.

3. Hiranya Resorts

This resort is located on Ellora Road, 8.5 km from Grishneshwar temple. It has a swimming pool, a restaurant, a spa, a gym and a games room. The rooms are modern and cozy, with air conditioning, TV, tea/coffee maker and private bathrooms.

4. Apple Hotel Aurangabad

This hotel is located in Rauza Baugh, 21.6 km from Grishneshwar temple. It has a restaurant, a coffee shop, a business center and a banquet hall. The rooms are stylish and elegant, with air conditioning, TV, safe and private bathrooms.

5. Hotel J P International

This hotel is located in Naralibag Road, 21.5 km from Grishneshwar temple. It has a restaurant, a bar, a conference hall and a travel desk. The rooms are spacious and neat, with air conditioning, TV, fridge and private bathrooms.

How to Reach

To reach Grishneshwar Temple, located in Maharashtra, India, you can follow these general directions:

1. By air

The nearest airport to Grishneshwar Temple is Aurangabad Airport, which is approximately 30 kilometers away. To reach the Grishneshwar temple from the airport, you have the option of hiring a taxi or utilizing public transportation. It takes about an hour to travel by road from the airport to the temple.

2. By train

The nearest railway station to Grishneshwar Temple is Aurangabad Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From the railway station, you can either catch a bus or hire a taxi to get to the Grishneshwar temple.
The distance between Aurangabad Railway Station and Grishneshwar Temple is around 30 kilometers, and the journey takes about an hour by road.

3. By road

Grishneshwar Temple is located near Verul Village, which is about 11 kilometers from Daulatabad and around 30 kilometers from Aurangabad. You can reach Aurangabad by road from major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nasik, as it is well-connected by highways. From Aurangabad, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple. There are also state transport buses available from Aurangabad that ply to Verul Village, where the temple is located.

Once you reach the vicinity of Grishneshwar Temple, you can follow the local signs or ask the locals for directions to the temple. The temple is easily accessible and well-known among devotees and tourists.