Grishneshwar is one of the most important among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. The name of the temple is derived from the word Giri which means mountain and shneshwar which means lord shiva. It is dedicated to the god Shiva, who is the main god of all Hindus. In this temple one shivling is present. However, this temple is important from a religious aspect.
All the 12 Jyotirlingas are very auspicious and powerful but Grishneshwar is special and is situated at a very holy place. The temple is located at a distance of 5km from the Ellora caves. This is the only Jyotirlinga temple where Lord Shiva has appeared twice out of all the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Grishneshwar is the 12th Jyotirling among the total 12 Dwadasha Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The other 11 Jyotirlingas are  Omkareshwar, Somnath, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Viswanath, and Triambakeshwar(Nageshwar), Vaidyanath, Kashi Vishwanath, Rameshwaram, Tirthankar, Nandikeshwar, and Aadinath. Grishneshwar Temple is one of the oldest jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. Each god has his or her own story or significance.
Every year on the occasion of Mahashivratri, the puja is held grandly. The puja is also held wonderfully in the months of Kartik and Magha. The temple also conducts a yearly fair on the last day of the Shravan month.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is located in the town of Verul, which is about 30 kilometers from Aurangabad city in Maharashtra, India. There are several ways to reach the temple:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Aurangabad Airport, which is about 30 kilometers away from the temple. You can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to reach the temple.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Aurangabad Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the temple.
- By Road: The temple is well-connected by road. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Aurangabad city to reach the temple.
- Local Transportation: Auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available from Aurangabad city to reach the temple. You can also take a bus from Aurangabad Central Bus Stand to Verul. From there, you can take an auto-rickshaw to the temple.
It is advisable to plan your visit during non-peak hours as the temple is crowded during weekends and holidays. Also, keep in mind the current COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines while planning your travel.
Development of the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple:
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The temple is believed to have been built in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, the ruler of the Malwa kingdom.
The temple is built in a traditional South Indian architectural style and is made of red sandstone. The main shrine of the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple complex also includes several other smaller shrines dedicated to various deities.
The temple has undergone several renovations and reconstructions over the years, with the most recent renovation taking place in 1975. The temple complex is spread over an area of about 5 acres and includes several other structures like the Nandikeshwara Temple, the Devi Temple, and the Hanuman Temple.
The construction of the temple is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and architectural prowess of India. The intricate carvings and sculptures on the temple walls are a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans of the time. The temple is a significant religious and cultural landmark in the region and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year.
Other visiting places near Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple
Koneru:
Koneru is a surname commonly found in South India, particularly in the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is also found in other parts of India, but to a lesser extent.
The word “Koneru” in Telugu means “pond” or “lake”. It is believed that the surname originated from people who lived near or owned a pond or lake in their village. Over time, they adopted the name “Koneru” as their surname.
The Koneru community is known for their traditional occupation of agriculture, and many members of the community continue to work in agriculture to this day. Some members of the community have also made significant contributions in the fields of education, business, and politics.
In recent years, many members of the Koneru community have also migrated to other parts of the world, particularly to the United States and Canada, where they have established successful businesses and made contributions in various fields.
As per the religious beliefs, there are mainly three Jyotirlingas in India – The Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat, The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh, and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in the Aurangabad. Koneru is the name of the place where the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located. It is situated at a distance of 79 km from Nashik and just 26 km away from Trimbakeshwar, the famous Jyotirlinga in the Nashik. Koneru or Surabhi or Sowmya are names of the cow, which according to Hindu mythology is considered sacred. This cow is supposed to have emerged from the ear of Lord Krishna. It is believed that the cow was the manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. This cow was unable to feed itself and hence Lord Krishna asked the local milkman to take care of this divine cow. From then on, the cow is believed to have blessed the family with prosperity and well-being.
Ellora Caves are located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. The Ellora caves are one of India’s most iconic and historic Hindu religious sites. Ajanta and Kailasa claves, Aurangjeb Tomb, Bibi ka Makbara, Panchaki, and Mini Taj-Mahal are the more important in this list. These caves are a total of 34 caves which are very famous for the art they show on the entire walls and are made between the 6th and 10th centuries. Being one of India’s most historic Hindu caves, Ellora cave temples are the important religious sites for Jains and Hindus. It is also the place where Buddhist and Shaivite monks got the opportunity to work jointly. They are the most spectacular of all the caves in India. They are carved in the presence of Hinduism, Jain, and Buddhism. These caves are located in Aurangabad of Maharashtra. Ellora caves are one of the biggest attractions of Maharashtra. They are big, unique, and have a great history behind them. It is must visit a place in Maharashtra.
Festivals celebrated at Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple
There are some festivals celebrated at Grishneshwar Temple:
- Mahashivaratri Festival: The Maha Shivaratri Festival is celebrated on the 13th night & 14th day of the new moon in Phalgun month as per the traditional Hindu calendar followed in Maharashtra. Around 10 crore pilgrims & tourists visit Grishneshwar along with the devotees of the world to pay homage & hear the ghatika namaskar to Lord Shiva & bless the Lord to grant all their wishes.
- Ganesh Chaturthi Festival: Ganesh Chaturthi festival is a very popular festival in India. This festival falls in August or September. People celebrate this festival with a lot of pomp and gaiety.
- Navratrior Durga Puja: Navratri is the festival of victory and is celebrated across India. It is celebrated for nine days and starts from the first nine days of the Hindu calendar. The celebrations are marked with different rituals and the end of the nine-day celebration is marked by the Dussera festival. The whole story is about the victory of good over evil and the Durga Puja festival is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Durga.
Conclusion:
The Grishneshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. Every year, the temple is visited by a large number of devotees. Mahashivaratri and Ganesh Chaturthi are the main festivals celebrated at the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main idol of the temple is made of black stone. The temple is at a distance of around 8 kilometers from Ellora Caves. The temple is at a distance of around 45 kilometers from Aurangabad.