Jyotirlinga

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

Parli Vaijnath Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Vaijnath (Lord Shiva)
Location	Parli, Maharashtra
Significance	Jyotirlinga
Tours	5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour
Darshan Timings	5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Poojas	Rudrabhisek
Entry Fee	General Darshan – Free VIP Darshan – Rs. 150/- per person
Best Time to Visit	June to August
Festivals	Shravan Maas, Mahashivratri
Nearest Airport	Nanded
Nearest Railway Station	Parli
Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra	Sri Aundha Nagnath, Sri Trimbakeshwar, Sri Grishneshwar, Sri Bhimashankar

https://youtu.be/S0gU60I5V7w

Parli Vaijnath Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are:

• Sri Nageshwar (in Aundha)
• Trimbakeshwar (near Nasik)
• Sri Grishneshwar (near Aurangabad)
• Bhimashankar Temple (near Pune)

What are the timings of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Parli Vaijnath temple opens at 5:00 AM in the morning and closes at 9:00 PM in the evening. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals such as aarti and poojas.

The timings of the Parli Vaijnath Temple are as follows:

Rituals	Timings
Darshan	5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Abhishek	5:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Afternoon Pooja	1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Bhasma Pooja	3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

What is the significance of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

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

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 is absolutely no discrimination. According to Puranas, Lord Vaidhyanath blessed sage Markandeya and he became immortal.

Rani Ahilyabai brought in special stones from the Trishul Devi mountain range for the Parli Vaijnath renovation. A minaret outside the Parli Vaijnath has special Gwakshas (windows). When the sun’s rays pass through the windows, they fall directly on the Shiva Linga. at this time, the priests offer special prayers and poojas to the Sun God.

What is the history of Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The history of Parli Vaijnath Temple is that it was built in the 1700s. It was renovated by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom at that time. Two very popular legends are associated with this temple. One legend 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 Devas successfully received the Amrit, the village became popular 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 are the sevas and poojas performed at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

The sevas and poojas that take place at Parli Vaijnath Temple are:

Pooja	Timings
Somvar Pooja	Every Monday
Shadopachar	5:00 AM
Shringar Pooja	6:00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath Temple?

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

Some of the festivals celebrated at Parli Vaijnath are:

• Shravan month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August. During the Shravan Maas, the chanting of the Rudra Mantra echoes in the entire village of Parli.
• Mahashivratri: It is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It usually occurs in late February to early March.
• Vijayadashami: Also known as Dussehra, this festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated after the nine days of Navratri.

How to Reach Parli Vaijnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Parli Vaijnath:

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

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 travelers can eat. Restaurants can be found at the Parli Vaijnath temple area. Travelers usually choose to eat in Ambajogai area, which is 20 km away from the Parli Vaijnath, as one can find more restaurant options in this area.

What are some temples nearby?

Some temples near Parli Vaijnath are:

1. 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.
2. 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 the Parli Vaidhyanath temple.  Yudhishtra, the eldest of the Pandava brothers built the temple during their exile. It is a part of the well known 5 Jyotirlinga tour in Maharashtra.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Parli Vaijnath Temple

Trimbakeshwar Temple is located in Nasik, Maharashtra. It is a part of the holy Jyotirlinga pilgrimage. It is also one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. Trimbakeshwar Temple is dedicated to a form of Lord Shiva and like all the Jyotirlingas, it is worshipped as Swayambhu. The temple is also the source of the holy river Godavari. Our guide explains Trimbakeshwar Darshan Timings, Importance, Poojas, History, How to Reach Trimbakeshwar and Best Time to Visit.

Trimbakeshwar Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Trimbakeshwar (Lord Shiva)
Location	Nasik, Maharashtra
Tour	5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
Significance	Jyotirlinga
Poojas	Maharudrabhishek, Narayan Nagbali
Best Time to Visit	June to August
Festivals	Shravan Maas, Mahashivratri

https://youtu.be/DjBv-Ua8L10

The Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are:

• Parli Vaidyanath Temple (in Parli)
• Grishneshwar Temple (in Aurangabad)
• Aundha Nagnath Temple (in Hingoli)
• Bhimashankar Temple (near Pune)

What are the timings of Trimbakeshwar Temple?

Trimbakeshwar temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 9:00 PM. Rudrabhishek timings are from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM. General darshan is allowed from a distance of 5 meters. Only men who perform special poojas are permitted to enter the inner sanctum.

The timings are as follows:

Darshan Timings	5:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Rudrabhisek Timings	7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Special Pooja Timings	7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:30 PM
Afternoon Pooja	1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Shiva Golden Crown	4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

On every Monday of the month, a procession is carried out in a Palki, which carries the silver Panch Mukhi Mukhota from the Trimbakeshwar temple to the Kushavarta tank and back.

What are the Poojas and Rituals at Trimbakeshwar Temple?

Here’s the list of poojas and sevas at Trimbakeshwar temple:

1. Kaalsarpa Pooja: The pooja is performed for people facing planetary disturbances in their life. The devotee should first take a bath in the holy Kushavarta and ask forgiveness for any sin that he committed knowingly or unknowingly. Donations like sesame, ghee, butter, milk, cow, gold and other such items are made to God. Devotees also worship Naag (cobra) in this pooja. Therefore, performing this pooja on the day of Naag Panchami is highly auspicious.
2. Narayan Nagbali Pooja: This pooja removes the ancestral curses on the family also known as the Pitru-Dosh. It also calms down souls who had unfinished desires before they departed. The Nagbali Pooja further seeks forgiveness for killing a Naag (cobra). The priest creates an artificial body of wheat flour on which he performs all the rites for the dead. He then chants mantras that free the souls from the Earth. The pooja is unique to the Trimbakeshwar temple and lasts for three days. Pitru Paksha is a good time to perform this pooja.
3. The Tripindi Shraddha Pooja: This pooja is for the departed, angry souls angry. It is also for problems like hurdles in childbirth, bad luck, ancestral Moksha, and for removing Gau Hatya dosha.
4. Mahamrityunjaya Pooja: The Mahamritunjay Jaap is for long and healthy life and to get rid of prolonged sickness. This pooja is one of the most powerful methods of worshipping Lord Shiva.
5. Rudrabhishek: This abhishek is performed with Panchamrit (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Curd, and Sugar) amongst the recital of several mantras and shlokas.

Poojas like the Ganga Pooja, Ganga Bhet, and Tarpan Shraddha are also performed at the Trimbakeshwar temple so that the souls of the ancestors can rest in peace.

What is the significance of Trimbakeshwar Temple?

The Linga present here is called as Trimbaka or Trayambaka. It is named so because it contains three Lingas (small thumb-sized) representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Some people also believe that it is because Lord Shiva has three eyes.

The Trimbakeshwar temple is the only Jyotirlinga where the actual Linga is present in a depression or a cavity.

Devotees also believe that the eyes of the three Lingas are representations of Sun, Moon, and Fire each facing in different directions. It is said that the one who worships this Linga, worships all the three Gods at once and attains salvation.

The three Lingas of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are usually covered with a silver crown depicting their faces. However, on special occasions like Mahashivaratri, Karthik Purnima and Dussehra, a golden crown studded with diamonds and rubies is kept over the three Lingas. It is believed that the Peshwas donated the crown to the temple and that the crown actually belonged to the Pandavas.

Other significant mentions:

The famous saint Sri Nivruttinath, who initiated the Nath community attained his Samadhi here at Trimbakeshwar. A temple dedicated to his mass knowledge of Shastras can be visited here.

As per the Skanda Puran, Padma Puran and the Dharma Sindhu, the unique ceremony of Narayan Nagbali (to remove Pitru Dosh) can only be performed at the Trimbakeshwar temple in India.

The beautiful and popular Nassak Diamond often counted among the 24 great diamonds in world history has its origin in the temple of Trimbakeshwar. The British East India Company captured the diamond and sold it to jewelers in Britain. It has changed hands since and is currently a property of Edward J. Hand from Connecticut.

A dip in the Kushavarta pond, the source of River Godavari is believed to wipe off sins from human’s life. The pond is the starting point for Kumbh Mela, which takes place every twelve years. The venue of Kumbh Mela rotates among the four holy cities of Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain. In Nasik, the Kumbh Mela is called the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

According to the legend, Nasik is one of the places where Lord Vishnu dropped four drops of Amrit that he was carrying in a Kumbh (pot). Hence, taking a dip in these places is considered extremely sacred and spiritual.

What is the history of Trimbakeshwar Temple?

The history of the Trimbakeshwar temple relates to a legend of Rishi Gautam. According to beliefs, the land was a Tapobhoomi in the Satya Yuga, when many Rishis and Munis (Sages) lived here, including Gautam Rishi.  He lived at Trimbak with his wife Ahilya.

Once, there was a massive drought and the world was suffering from the lack of water. Gautam Rishi offered prayers to God Varuna (God of water). God Varuna accepted his prayers and offered him a tank that provided a never-ending supply of water. Using this water, the Rishi grew agricultural crops like rice, wheat, and other vegetables. Then he fed them to the other Rishis residing there.

After a period of time, some of the other Rishis grew jealous and wanted to interrupt Gautam Rishi. So, they prayed to Lord Ganesha asking him to send a cow to the Rishi’s field which would later die. However, Lord Ganesha warned the Rishis that this will not end well for them. But he still sent a cow into the field. Gautam Rishi saw it and then threw the Darbha grass to frighten it. But the cow died on the field.

Gautam Rishi and his wife Ahilya did penance to Lord Shiva. Shiva, happy with their devotion, ordered Ganga to come down to the Earth.

The River Ganga flowed down on Earth from the Brahmagiri hill and Gautam Rishi trapped it in a Kund (pond) called Kushavarta in the present day. He took a bath in it for purification. The River was Dakshin Ganga and is now famous as Godavari and Gauthami.

Then Gautam Rishi along with other Gods and the Godavari requested Lord Shiva to take abode here. Lord Shiva acknowledged them and turned into a Linga to stay there.

The Maratha ruler Nana Saheb Peshwa constructed the current Trimbakeshwar temple in the 18th century. Later, Shreemant Rao Saheb extended the Trimbakeshwar temple around the Kushavarta Kund and improved the approach to the tank.

Lingodbhava Formation

Devotees believe that after Lord Brahma lied to Lord Shiva on finding the end of the endless pillar of fire emanating from Lord Shiva, He cursed Lord Brahma that devotees will not worship him. This angered Lord Brahma and in turn, he cursed Lord Shiva. This pushed Lord Shiva under the ground. As a result, Lord Shiva’s Linga in Trimbakeshwar is under the ground level.

What are the festivals celebrated at Trimbakehswar Temple?

How to reach Trimbakeshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Trimbakeshwar Temple:

• Road: Buses are connecting from Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and other nearby cities of Maharashtra.
• Rail: The nearest stations Nasik is 29.5 km from the temple.
• Air: The nearest airport is in Nasik which is 54 km from Trimbakeshwar.

Where to stay nearby?

The Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Holiday Resort offers a variety of rooms ranging from standard, AC, and Non AC. The town is host to a variety of small private hotels and lodges — also, Nasik city, is just 25 km away from the Trimbakeshwar Temple. One can stay there too.

Where to eat near the temple?

A few small vegetarian restaurants serve good quality food at reasonable rates. One must not consume alcohol near the Trimbakeshwar temple premises. The town does not serve non-vegetarian food. The cuisine mainly includes traditional Maharashtrian as well as North Indian and South Indian dishes.

What are some temples nearby?

Some temples near Trimbakeshwar temple are:

• Kedareshwar Temple: The temple is on the South-East corner of the Kushavarta pond. The presiding deity is Sri Kedareshwar, a form of Lord Shiva who appeared as Kedarbhatta and forgave the sins of Saint Gauthama. People believe that dead human bones disappear from the Temple.
• Nivruttinath Temple: The Sage Nivruttinath, who started the Nath community and had immense knowledge of the Shastras, took Samadhi here. The temple is dedicated to him and is near Gangadwar.
• Kushavarta: The holy pond is just 5 minutes from the Trimbakeshwar temple. This is the place where River Dakshin Ganga (Godavari) collects and distributes itself to the rest of India. The pond is the starting point for Kumbh Mela that occurs every twelve years. As per the Government rules, the Sadhus who follow Vaishnavism take a bath in the Godavari at Ram Kund and those who follow Shaivism take a dip in this pond.
• Shri Nilambika Temple /Dattatreya Temple: The temple is at the top of the Neel Parbat peak on the eastern side of the Brahmagiri hill. Devotees believe that all the three Goddesses Parvati, Renuka (Lakshmi) and Manananba (Saraswati) came to visit during his penance. After the penance, he requested them to stay at the place.
• Anjaneri Temple: The temple is for Lord Anjaneya or Lord Hanuman. According to beliefs, the hill is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.

Besides these temples, there are several holy places of importance near the Trimbakeshwar temple. Some of them are:

• The Brahmagiri Hill: The hill is the origin of River Godavari, which flows from the hill on three sides. The east-flowing stream is the Godavari. The one to the south is Vaitarna and the one facing west is Ganga. One has to climb 500 steps to reach the peak. The five peaks of this mountain are Sadyo-Jata, Vamdev, Aghora, Ishana, and Tat-Purusha.
• The Indra Teertha: This teertha is in the east of the Kushavarta Kund. Devotees believe that Lord Indra took bath in this tank to wipe off the curse given by Rishi Gautam for misbehaving with the Rishi’s wife, Ahilya. A temple for Lord Indra depicts Indra sitting on an Airavat, the elephant.
• Ahilya Sangam Teertha: Legend says that during the deep penance performed by Rishi Gautam, a friend of Ganga. by the name of Jatila, took the form of Ahilya, his wife. But Rishi Gautam recognized the imposter and cursed her that she will turn into a river. However, Jatila begged for forgiveness. Then Saint Gautam said that the curse will lift only when she joins the River Godavari. The Ahilya Sangam Teertha is the place where the river of Jatila joins the River Godavari.

Some other famous temples in Maharashtra are:

• Shani Shingnapur Temple
• Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Frequently Asked Questions about Trimbakeshwar Temple