Information of Grishneshwar Temple, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

The Grishneshwar Temple better known as the Jyotirlinga of Grishneshwar is a shrine of the Lord Shiva. It is one of twelve Jyotirlingas present in India. The temple can be witnessed at a small village near Daulatabad named as Verul. The village is just 30 kilometres away from the city of Aurangabad of Maharashtra. The ancient Ellora caves are placed at a very short distance from this religious temple. Kusumeswarar, Grishneswara and Ghushmeswara are some of the names given to this temple by its devotees.

Grishneshwar Temple Religious Significance

Lord Shiva was believed as the god of supreme power. That is the reason why people in uncountable numbers visit here everyday to pay homage to the Lord. Shivaratri is the main festival, which is observed here. That day the temple becomes one of the busiest places of Maharashtra. Not only the local citizens but people from all over the world came here to witness a glimpse of the great idol of Lord Shiva. Tons of flowers and sweets are offered as contributions to the Lord. A person in search of peace and salvation also visits here and worship Lord Shiva with great admiration. It was also believed that a devotee, who open-heartedly worships Lord Shiva, will never return home empty handed.

Grishneshwar Temple Mythology & History

There is an interesting story behind the occurrence of this temple and the Jyotirlinga. Once in the mountain of Devagiri there lived a Brahmin named as Brahmavetta Sudharm. He lived there with his wife Sudeha. Though the couple was married for many years but they didn't had a child. Frustrated and disheartened with this fact, Sudeha decided to married her younger sister Ghushma with her husband. Inside one year Ghushma gave birth to a baby boy. Both Sudharm and Ghushma were happy with their baby but Sudeha got jealous and planned to kill that boy. Many years gone and the boy grows up and married a young girl.

One day when Sudharm and Ghushma were busy with their worshipping to Lord Shiva. Sudeha entered into Sudharm's room and secretly killed that boy and drown into the river. Seeing blood stains and parts of dead body of her husband, the daughter-in-law of Ghushma feared of his husband's death. So, without wasting any time she rushed to her parents-in-law and describes the whole matter. However, her parents-in-law remain unmoved and busy in worshipping Lord Shiva after hearing their son's death. Soon Ghushma's son became alive and returned to her. Still Ghushma was strictly worshipping Shiva by immersing the Shivalingas in the pond. Finally, Lord Shiva appeared before her after being impressed from her worshipping. She awarded her a boon and also declared that her sister was the murderer of her son. Instead of punishing she advised Lord Shiva to forgive her sister. She also recommends Lord Shiva to reside near the pond endlessly in the form of Jyotirlinga and it should be named after her. This is how the Grishneshwar temple was formed.

Grishneshwar Temple Architectural Significance

The temple of Grishneshwar represents a beautiful piece of ancient Indian style of architecture. The temple stands at a massive elevation of 240 ft x 185 ft. Beautiful carved out structures, a court room standing on 24 pillars, structures of different paintings on that pillars are some of the architectural features of this court. The main Lingamurti measured 17 ft x 17 ft is placed at the centre of the court room. A beautifully crafted Nadikeshwara can also be witnessed around this room.