Grishneshwar Temple is located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It belongs to the celebrated list of 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. This temple is nearly 3000 years old and the Linga faces east. The sanctum sanctorum includes Lord Grishneshwar and his consort Grishneshwari.
Grishneshwar Temple – Facts
| Deity | Lord Grishneshwar (Lord Shiva) |
| Location | Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
| Significance | Jyotirlinga |
| Tours | 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour |
| Darshan Timings | 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM |
| Poojas | Rudrabhishek |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Dress Code | Men: Dhoti, No shirt; Women: Saree, Churidar |
| Best Time to Visit | June to August |
| Festivals | Shravan Maas, Mahashivratri |
| Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra | Sri Vaidyanath, Sri Trimbakeshwar, Sri Aundha Nagnath, Sri Bhimashankar |
The Grishneshwar Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are:
- Parli Vaidyanath Temple (in Parli)
- Trimbakeshwar Temple (near Nasik)
- Aundha Nagnath Temple (in Hingoli)
- Bhimashankar Temple (near Pune)
Grishneshwar Temple Timings
Grishneshwar temple opens at 05:30 am in the morning and closes at 09:30 pm in the evening. During the month of Shravan, the temple remains open between 03:00 am to 11:00 pm. The time required for Darshan: 1 to 2 hours depending on the crowd.
The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals such as the afternoon and evening aarti.
The timings of Grishneshwar Temple are as follows:
| Rituals | Timings |
| Darshan | 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Darshan during Shravan Maas | 3:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Afternoon Pooja | 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Evening Pooja | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
What are the sevas and poojas at Grishneshwar Temple?
The sevas and poojas at Grishneshwar temple are:
| Timings | From |
|---|---|
| Mangal Arati | 4 AM |
| Jalhari Sanghan | 8 AM |
| Maha Prashad | 12 PM |
| Jalhari Sagan | 4 PM |
| Evening Aarti | 7:30 PM |
| Night Aarti | 10 PM |
What is the significance of Grishneshwar Temple?
The significance of the temple is that the pilgrims believe that by paying a visit to the Grishneshwar temple, one can reap the benefits of worshiping all the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is also said that the Grishneshwar temple is a classic example of the pre-historic style of architecture and has beautiful carvings.
Devotees can see the marriage scene of the Lord and his consort in the temple murals and carving. The Grishneshwar temple also houses a well that springs holy water.
What is the history of Grishneshwar Temple?
The history of Grishneshwar temple speaks of Maloji Bhosle, an ardent devotee and chief of the Verul village. He built the temple in the 16th century after he found a treasure hidden inside an anthill. Rani Ahilyabai Holker, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, renovated the temple in the 17th century.
According to the Shiva Purana, several legends are associated with this ancient place of worship:
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 insects swarmed over his body. The king wandered 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 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, and the word Grish means friction.
Legend of Ghushmeswar
A great Brahmin scholar, Brahmavetta Sudharm and his wife, Sudeha, lived in the southern mountain of Devagiri (later known as Daulatabad). They were childless, and an agonized Sudeha persuaded her sister Ghushma to marry Sudharm so that they could have a child together.
Eventually, Ghushma and Sudharm had a son much to the envy of Sudeha. The boy grew up to be a handsome young man and eventually got married. Unable to cope with jealous feelings, Sudeha killed the boy when he was asleep and threw the body into a lake.
A deeply grieving Gushma continued with her routine. During her morning ritual of visiting the lake where she usually made and worshipped a hundred Lingas, she saw her son emerging from the lake. Then Lord Shiva appeared before her and said that Sudeha had killed her son.
Pleased with Gushma’s devotion, he gave back her son and also granted her a boon. Then Ghushma requested the Lord to forgive her sister and also to remain in the place. The Lord accepted her request and continued to reside there in the form of a Jyotirlinga. Hence, he took the name Ghushmeswar in Gushma’s honor.
What is the architecture of Grishneshwar Temple like?
History lovers would find the temple engrossing as several rock carvings of Maratha heroes are preserved beautifully in the temple. Devotees and visitors 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.
What are the festivals celebrated at Grishneshwar Temple?
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. Crores 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 India 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?
Here’s how to reach Grishneshwar Temple:
- Air: The nearest airport is in Aurangabad, and there are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Udaipur.
- Train: Aurangabad is the nearest railway station. Manmad is also closer and better connected.
- Road: From Pune: 256 km/4.5 hours. From Nasik: 187 km/3 hours. From Shirdi: 122 km/2.5 hours.
Where to stay nearby?
Grishneshwar Temple is situated in a small village called Verul and there aren’t many accommodation options available nearby. Devotees usually stay either in Daulatabad or Aurangabad, with the latter offering more choices of accommodation. You can expect mostly budget accommodations in Daulatabad.
Where to eat in Grishneshwar?
Several devotees partake the free lunch provided at the temple. There are not many restaurant options in Verul. However, one can find several good standalone restaurants in Aurangabad.
What are some temples near Grishneshwar Temple?
Some of the temples near Grishneshwar are:
- Ellora Caves: The Ellora Caves is a collection of Hindu caves, Buddhist caves, and Jain caves and is an excellent example of religious harmony during the ancient period. The Ellora Caves are within a 1 km distance from Grishneshwar Temple.
- Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khuldabad: This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god. The Bhadra Maruti Temple also enjoys the reputation of being the only Hanuman temple with the deity in reclining or sleeping position. The temple is just 6 km away from the Grishneswar Temple.
- Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga Temple: The Aundha Nagnath Temple in the village of Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra, is the first of the Jyotirlinga temples. The temple is 227 km from the Grishneshwar temple. According to beliefs, Yudhishtra, the eldest of the Pandava brothers built the Temple during their exile.
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is near Pune and is 201 km from Grishneshwar Temple. The Linga here is one of the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
- Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Temple: Vaijnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in Parli, Beed District, Maharashtra. The temple is 246 km from the Grishneshwar Temple. Moreover, devotees believe that health conditions improve by praying at this temple.
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The temple is 214 km from Grishneshwar Temple. The Linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grishneshwar Temple
Yes, the Grishneshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
The entry to the Grishneshwar Temple is free of cost.
No. There is no facility for online darshan available.
Yes. There is are palki services available for the specially-abled and senior citizens.
June to August are the months when the monsoon starts in Maharashtra. The weather is pleasant, making it an ideal time to visit the temple.
The summers at Maharashtra start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 36 º C.
In Maharashtra, winters start in November and continue until January. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 30 º C.
Leela says
How many total steps are there. Want to come in middle April. We are still citizen.
ritesh says
Black shirt or jeans is prohibited to enter grishneshwar temple ??
Diwakar Sharma says
It is possible to puja rudra abhishek inghushmeshwer mandir
RV says
How to get rudrabhishekam pooja done? Is it to be scheduled online
KRISHNA KUMAR GUPTA says
Please advise as to how many devotees visit Ghrisneshwar temple on MahashivRatri every year.
Santosh Sharma says
What if devotee wants to perform Rudrabhishek? Any Charges?
Vivek Dubey says
Please provide the contact number for the person with whom we can communicate with regard to required information, prior arrival at the temple.
M Ghosh says
What’s the procedure of Rudra abhishek on 24th ? Cost of puja?
Prakash says
Hi,
Can i do Rudra Abhishek and what time is good, any cost for Abhishek
Sudhansusekhar Som says
I wont to Know Jalabishek / Ruddrabishek System and Rate
Suvir says
Would it be too much crowd during Haryali teej (31st July 2022) and what would be expected time for darshan..??
Ruchi says
Please confirm if we can attend Mangla Aarti at 4.a.m and if there is any procedure or advance booking.
Sasidhar Darla says
there is no advance booking
V V Gopala Krishna says
Can we book online sevas . What are different costs for different sevas? Is there any preference for senior citizens Darshan?
V V Gopala Krishna says
Hi This is V V Gopala Krishna . My self and my wife V .Vimala would like to book Darshan at 4.00 PM and evening Aarti at 7.30 PM at Ghrishneswar Temple on 16 th July . We both are senior citizens with mobility problem . We can’t stand in long Lines for Darshan at Ghrishneswar Temple. Can any body help to book us Jalhari Sagan at 4 PM and Evening Aarti at 7.30 PM on 16 th July
Shivu says
I want to see Grishneshwar Jyothirlingam without any covering or decoration. I like to see lingams without flower and metal (like silver) covering. What time should I visit the temple to see original lingam?
K V S N Murthy says
is there frequent buses from Grishneswar to Manmad? How long does it took?
ARISHAM RAJAMOULI says
AWRANGABAD NUNDI VERUL ENTHA DOORAM ELA CHERUKOVALI
Bulbul Mitra says
Is there any special Puja system like rudrabhisake!! What is our doing to take part in special Puja?
Yogenddra sharma says
Garv grah m rudrabhishek Pooja kar sakta hu kya
Uttam Roy says
Grishneshwar temple is open or close now?
Veeresh says
Is Grishneshwar temple closed now due to pandemic
o sai baba says
Resecpted Sir,
Whether temple is opened for devotees after lockdown. We would like to visit in the month of October’2021.
Amit Choubey says
Hi, is the temple open for public currently?
I want to visit on Oct. 1st 2021, kindly let me know if darshan would be allowed during that time.
Thank you.
Khushi Sutariya says
Is the temple open in this month i.e September 2021
PRADEEP DAS says
I am planning to go Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, Verul, Aurangabad on this month September 2021. Can you please let me know during this month temple is open or not? Coz I am coming with my family members from Mumbai which is a long route. Kindly suggest me or leave a reply.
Rakesh M Patel says
I want to visit grisneswar timple on 25August is it oppen for public or not.
REKHA D BHATIA says
I am from vadodara gujarat, I want to visit for darshan last week of October 2021
at ghushmeshwar as well as Srisailam, please tell me wheather temple is open now after covid. kindly guide Me as to how should I reach both the jyotirlinga.
Please let me know wheather temple I now open after civid
Ram Niwas Parasher says
Om Namah Shivay ! Greetings, Sir. I intend to have Pooja or Aarti or Abhishekam in Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple during this savan month ending on 22.8.2021 (Sunday). Could you please arrange for me. If yes, how much amount and how to send. Please inform. Thank and regards.
Abhishek mishra says
Dear sir. I would like to visit grishneshwar temple between 1 sept. To 5 sept. I want to know that temple is open for darashan of mahadev. Please guide us.
Somesh Jaiswal says
I want to visit grishneshwar temple on 26 july is it open for public or not.
Preeti Srivastava says
Is it open now days, we want to visit in a week.
Bajranglal says
Covid ke wajah se mandir band h ya chalu h pls reply
Ramakant says
7 AUGUST ko mandir ke darshan khule hai kya
Rakesh m patel says
I want to visit grisneswar timple on August is it oppen for public or not please inform me.
D. Anil Babu says
Sir,
We want Holy Beads Rudraksha kavacha in our Three Lingeswara Swamy Temple in Dharmavaram, Anantapuramu Dist. A.P. If any maker is in your temple please send his cell phone number for contact. Please sent to this mail. Thanks you very much Sir.
Kumar Sivaramakrishnan says
Om Namah Shivay. Is the temple open on December 25, 2020 and is there any restrictions on entry due to COVID-19 if the pilgrim is coming from New Delhi
kushal mehta says
har har Mahadev
if I wear a pitambar can I perform Rudra Abhishek by myself in Temple?
DHANSUKHBHAI BRAHMBHATT says
How can I donate to temple bank account number and IFSC code for donations
Shrikant A. Pahurkar says
Please give me the grushneshwar temple account number & contact no for dakhana transper
Srinivasarao says
Shivararati dharsnam how much time
avr kRISHNA RAO says
WHAT IS THE HEIGHT OF THE TEMPLE? WHAT TIME DOES IT TAKE FOR DARSHAN IN SEPTEMBER MONTH
Sasidhar Darla says
There are not many stairs to reach the temple. It’s very easy. It takes around 1 hour for darshan.
K S R K Sastry says
Can I take part in the daily Abhishek and at what time. What is the amount to be paid? Can I get some shelter in the night Preceeding the Abhishek day?
Manoj Kumar says
Is there any facility for abhishek in the temple and if yes then please tell me the procedure.
DHANSUKHBHAI BRAHMBHATT says
How can I donate to temple bank account number and IFSC code for donations
Radhakrishnan Pottayil says
Just let me know the ideal time for worshipping Grishneswhar temple. Is it so rush during shrawan month. Your response will be highly appreciated
Akash Bhardwaj says
Dear Friend.
in Maharashtra there are 3 Jyotirlingas only. these are
1. Triyambakeshwar
2. Bhima Shankar
3. Grishneshwar
but i dont know why you are showing 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra which is wrong. may be you have a dough. plz clear it my dear.
THE ALL 12 JYOTIRLINGAS ARE MENTIONED IN DWADASH JYOTIRLINGAS STROTRAM:
1. Somnath (Gujrat)
2. Nageshwar ( Daruka Van, Gujrat not in Maharastra
3. Kedarnath (Utttarakhand)
4. Vishwnath (U.P)
5. Mahakaleshwar (M.P)
6. Omkareshwar (M.P)
7. Bhima Shankar (Maharashtra)
8. Triyambkeshwar (Maharashtra)
9. Grishneshwar (Maharashtra)
10. Mallikarujna (Andhra Pradesh)
11. Vaidhnath (Deoghar, Jharkhand not in Maharashtra)
12. Rameshwaram ( Tamilnadu)
you can also google about this.
take care dear
Sasidhar Darla says
Dear Akash, There are 5 jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. Grishneshwar, Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath. The last 2 (Aundha and Parli) are debated. They are compared with the ones Vaidhyanath in Deogarh and Nagheshwar in Gujarat. There is no definite proof to determine which are the actual ones. We make our devotees aware of this before they take our pilgrimage tours. It is based on their beliefs and devotion that they decide to take the tours. It’s better to visit them all to make sure that one has covered all the jyotirlingas.
Akash Bhardwaj says
My Dear Friend..
that is nice. good wishes for your travel business.
Sasidhar Darla says
Thank you sir.
Vishal says
Dear all,
This is debatable that Aundha Nagnath Mahadev Temple is jyotirling or not but according to Dwadash Jyotirling Mantra by Adi Guru Shankaracharya Parali Baidyanath Mahadev temple us included in Dwadash Jyotirlings.