Parli Vaijnath Temple Timings, History and Poojas

Parli Vaijnath Temple or Parli Vaidyanath Temple, is located in the state of Maharashtra and belongs to the celebrated list of 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva. Vaijnath Temple Linga is also popular as Dhanavantari and Amriteshwari. The Linga consists of the Saligram stone and has a very smooth surface.

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Parli Vaijnath Temple
Temple Timings	5:00 am to 9:00 pm
Location	Parli, Maharashtra
Poojas	Rudrabhishek, Aarti
Specialty	Jyotirlinga

Parli Vaijnath Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are – Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, Sri Nageshwar in Aundha, Sri Grishneshwar near Aurangabad and Bhimashankar Temple near Pune.

What are the timings of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Here are the timings of Parli Vaijnath Temple:

Ritual	Timings
Darshan	5:00 am to 9:00 pm
Bhasma Pooja	3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Afternoon Pooja	1:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Abhishek	5:00 am to 7:00 am

What is the history of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The History of Parli Vaijnath Temple says that Rani Ahilyabhai renovated the Vaijnath Temple in the 1700s. Two very popular legends are associated with this temple. One of the legends talks about the Amrit and the other talks about the demon King Ravana and his quest to own Shiva.

Legend of the Amrit

When the Gods and Demons were churning the ocean and competing for the Divine Nectar or Amrit, fourteen gems emerged from the process. It included Dhanavantari and Amrit.

Just as the demons were about to pounce on the Amrit, Lord Vishnu grabbed both Dhanwantri and Amrit and hid them inside a Shiva Linga. The angered demons tried to break the Linga, but when they touched it bright light emanated. This scared the demons and they fled from the place.

Since this is the place where the Gods or the Devas successfully received the Amrit, the village became popular as as Vaijayanthi and therefore the temple as Parli Vaijnath.

Legend of Ravana and Shiva Linga

The demon King Ravana did severe penance and even cut off his heads to please Lord Shiva. Moved by his sacrifice, Lord Shiva offered several boons, and Ravana requested that Lord Shiva come to Lanka. The Lord accepted and instructed Ravana to carry his Shiva Linga and warned him not to keep it down anywhere till he reached his destination.

During the journey, Ravana wanted to take a break and instructed a shepherd to carry the Linga for a while. Unaware of the Lord’s instruction, the shepherd put the heavy Linga down for a brief moment. The Lord thus stayed there at the place and became popular as Vaidhyanath.

What is the significance of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Significance of Parli Vaijnath is that people believe that since Lord Vishnu hid both Amrit and Dhanavantari in the Linga,  anyone who touches the Linga can receive the power of Amrit. Parli is also a meeting place of HariHara. Festivals of both Hari (Vishnu) and Hara Shiva) are celebrated.

Devotees are allowed to touch the Parli Vaijnath Linga during worshipping and this helps in healing and reaping various health benefits. In fact, devotees themselves perform the abhisheka here and they use the Bilva leaves purchased outside the Parli Vaijnath Temple precincts.

Devotees from all walks of life, castes and religion are welcome to visit this sacred Parli Vaijnath Temple. There are absolutely no discrimination. According to Puranas, Lord Vaidhyanath blessed sage Markandeya andh he became immortal.

Rani Ahilyabhai brought in special stones from the Trishul Devi mountain range during the Parli Vaijnath renovation. A minaret outside the Parli Vaijnath has Gwakshas or windows. When the sun’s rays pass through the windows and fall directly on the Shiva Linga, the priests offer special prayers and poojas to the Sun God.

The waters of the nearby Harihara Teerth is brought to the Parli Vaijnath daily for the Linga Pooja.

What are the sevas and poojas performed at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Sevas and Poojas that take place at Parli Vaijnath Temple are:

Timings	From
Somvar Pooja	On Mondays
Shadopachar	5 AM
Shringar Pooja	6 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath are:

Maha Shivarathri, Vaikunth Chaturdashi, Tripuri Pournima, Vijayadashami and Chaitra Padva are important festivals. There is a unique practice during these – priests present Bilva leaves to Lord Vishnu, that are usually an offering to Shiva. Similarly, they offer the Tulsi leaves to Lord Shiva, that are usually an offering to Vishnu.

During the Shravan months, the chanting of the Rudra Mantra echoes in the entire village of Parli.

How to Reach Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Parli Vaijnath Temple:

• Road: Several buses connect from Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other nearby cities.
• Train: Nearest station is Parli and is 2 km from the Parli Vaijnath. Direct trains operate from Secunderabad, Kakinada, Manmad, Vishakapatnam and Bangalore.
• Air: Nearest airport is in Nanded, 105 km from the Parli Vaijnath.

Where to stay near Parli?

There are a number of budget accommodations available at Parli where one can stay. You can also find accommodation in the state-run MTDC cottages.

Where to eat nearby?

Most of the hotels that offer accommodation also have in-house restaurants where the travellers can eat. Travellers usually choose to eat in Ambajogai area, which is 20 km away from the Parli Vaijnath temple, as one can find more restaurant options in this area.

What are some temples nearby?

Some temples near Parli Vaijnath are:

Yogeshwari Temple, Ambajogai: The Yogeshwari Temple is for Goddess Yogeshwari who married Parli Vaijnath. Puranas say that by the time the wedding party arrived at Parli, the auspicious time had passed and the entire party turned into stone. The Yogeshwari temple is 25 km from Ambajogai.

Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga Temple: The Aundha Nagnath Temple in the village of Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra is the first of the Jyotirlingas. The temple is 118 km from Parli Vaidhyanath temple.  Yudhishtra, the eldest of the Pandava brothers built the Temple during their exile. It is a part of the well know 5 jyotirlinga tour in Maharashtra.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is near Pune and is 387 km from Parli Vaijnath. The Linga here is self-manifested and is one of the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.

Grisheshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: Temple is located in Verul, Beed District, Maharashtra. This temple is the last of the Jyotirlingas and for devotees who undertake the Jyotirlingas pilgrimage, a visit to this temple completes their journey. Grishneshwar temple is 246 km from Parli.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The temple is 397 km from Vaijnath Temple. The Linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.