Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple of Shiva in Verul village of Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga mandirs. The mandir is a national protected site, one and a half kilometers away from the Ellora Caves, 30 kilometres north-west of the city Aurangabad, and 300 kilometres east-northeast from Mumbai. Grushneshwar is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, the Skanda Purana, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The word Ghrneshwara means “lord of compassion”. As per the Shiv Puran, the Grishneshwar is the 12th Jyotirling. The temple is said to be of 3000 years old.

Jyotirlingas are believed to be the most divine manifestations of Shiva’s energy and are among the holiest pilgrimage destinations for devotees. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a fiery column of light at each of these sites.

History

The temple structure was destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate in 13th and 14th centuries. The temple went through several rounds of rebuilding followed by re-destruction during the Mughal-Maratha conflict. Maloji Bhosale (grandfather of Shivaji) first restored it in the 16th century and was rebuilt it to its current form in the year 1729, under the sponsorship of queen Gautama Bai Holkar of Indore, after the fall of the Mughal Empire. Rani Ahilyabai Holker, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, renovated the temple in the 18^th century. A stone inscription still lies in the temple where the names of Maloji and Ekoji Bhosale are engraved.

Architecture

The Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir is built with black stone on an area spanning 44,000 sq ft. It has various sculptures and fine designs on its interior and exterior walls. A Jyotirlinga murti is situated in the Garbhgruh of the mandir and a large murti of lord Shiva’s divine vehicle and the chief of Shiva s Ganas  Bhakt Nandi is present in front of the main door. The Linga faces east. The sanctum sanctorum includes Lord Grishneshwar and his consort Grishneshwari.

The temple is facing southwards (normally the temples face east) and this is a rare phenomenon. It is said that the base of the temple dates to the Yadava period (12th century). The temple structure is made up of red stone which is procured locally. The tower of the temple is made of stucco plaster. The temple’s tower is unique. It neither resembles the huge towers we find in North Bharat nor like the large ones in South Bharat. The tower of the temple also has sculptures of characters from (epics) Ramayana and Mahabharata, like Ram, Laxman, Bharat, Draupadi, Bhim, Arjun along with reincarnations of Lord Vishnu. The temple also comprises beautifully carved pillars at its assembly hall. The carvings depict hunting, and a single face connected to the bodies of a fish, an elephant and an ox.

The marriage scene of the Lord and his consort are depicted in the temple murals and carvings. The Grishneshwar temple also houses a well that springs holy water. The Grishneshwar Temple is carved out of red stone and is a treat for lovers of ancient architecture. History lovers would find the temple engrossing as several rock carvings of Maratha heroes are preserved beautifully in the temple. The visiting pilgrims find the brilliant five-tiered Shikhara (temple tower) amazing. The Shikara also includes intricate carvings of the Dasavathar, which appear resplendent in the red volcanic rock. Devotees also marvel at the statue of Nandikeshwara that adorns the court hall.

Temple Legend

Grishneshwar Deosthan, also known as Ghushmeshwar Mahadev, is associated with the deep devotion of a woman named Ghusma, who worshipped Lord Shiva daily by immersing 101 Shivalingas in a pond. Her co-sister Sudeha, driven by jealousy, killed Ghusma’s son and threw his body into the same pond. Despite the tragedy, Ghusma remained calm and continued her worship. Moved by her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva not only revived her son but also appeared before her, granting her a boon. At her request, he forgave Sudeha and agreed to reside at that sacred site in the form of a Linga, thus making it a revered pilgrimage destination.

Legend of Shivalay

The legend of Shivalay states that during his hunting expeditions, the king of Verul killed animals living in the hermitage of Rishis. This angered the Rishis who cursed the king and the king got insects swarmed over his body. The king was wandering in the forest and came across a hole with water flowing from it. The moment he started drinking the water, the insects miraculously vanished from his body. The overwhelmed king did severe penance in that place. Pleased with the penance, Lord Brahma blessed the king and created a lake that came to be known as Shivalay.

Legend of Kumkumeshwar

Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi were once residing in the Sahyadri range, near Shivalay. One day, when the Goddess was about to apply vermilion, she mixed it with the Shivalay water. The vermilion then transformed into a Linga, emitting a radiant ray of light. Since the Linga emerged from the vermilion, this Jyotirlinga was initially called Kumkumeshwar. But the Goddess named it Grishneshwar since she believed the Linga came from the rubbing action, (word Grish means friction).

Some of the festivals celebrated at Grishneshwar Temple are:

• Mahashivaratri: Like all important Shiva temples, the Maha Shivaratri festival is a grand event at Grishneshwar temple. It is the main festival here. Lakhs of devotees make a trip to this town to catch a glimpse of the Lord on this auspicious day that falls in February/March every year.
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, this festival is celebrated in August / September.
• Navratri or Durga Puja: It is a famous festival, celebrated as a symbol of victory of good over evil. As per legend, Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura to save the world and restore Dharma. Navratri is celebrated across Bharat for nine days. Celebrations in the temple include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism.

How to reach Grishneshwar Temple?

• Air: The nearest airport is in Aurangabad (36 KMs), and there are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru.
• Train: Aurangabad is the nearest railway station (29KMs). Manmad is also closer (100 KMs) and better connected.
• Road: From Pune: 256 km/4.5 hours. From Nasik: 187 km/3 hours. From Shirdi: 122 km/2.5 hours.