Grishneshwar/Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana Grishneshwar is believed as the Last or 12th Jyotirlinga on the earth. This pilgrimage site is located at a village called Verul which lies at a distance of 11 km from Daulatabad and 30 km fromAurangabad. It lies in a close proximity to the Ellora caves.
Shrine’s History
The very devout Shiva devotee, Bhosale once found a treasure hidden in the snake pit (ant hill) by the grace of Lord Grishneshwar. He spent that money to renovate the temple and built a lake in Shikharshinganapur.
Later on, Goutamibal (Bayajabai) and Ahilyadevi Holkar renovated the Grishneshwar temple. This 240ft x 185 ft temples is still there strong and beautiful as ever. Halfway up the temple, Dashavataras are carved in red stone. These are beautiful to look at. There are also other beautiful statues carved out. A court hall is built on 24 pillars. On these pillars, there are wonderful carvings. The scenes and paintings are beautiful. The Garbhagriha measures 17ft x 17 ft. The Linga Murty faces eastward. There is a gorgeous Nandikeshwara in the court hall.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
According to Shivapuran, in the southern direction, on a mountain named Devagiri lived a Brahmin called Brahmavetta Sudharm along with his wife Sudeha. The couple did not have a child because of which Sudeha was sad. Sudeha prayed and tried all possible remedies but in vain. Frustrated with being childless, Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband.
On the advice of her sister, Ghushma used to make 101 lingas, worship them and discharge them in the nearby lake. With the blessings of Lord Shiv, Ghushma gave birth to a baby boy. Because of this, Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. Out of jealously, one night she killed Ghushmas son and threw him in the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas. Next morning, Ghushmas and Sudharm got involved in daily prayers and ablutions. Sudeha too got up and started performing her daily choirs. Ghushmas daughter-in-law, however, saw stains of blood on her husbands bed and parts of the body drenched in blood. Horrified, she narrated everything to mother-in-law Ghushma who was absorbed in worshipping Shiv. Ghushma did not deter. Even her husband Sudharma did not move an inch.
Even when Ghushma saw the bed drenched in blood she did not break down and said he who has given me this child shall protect him and started reciting Shiv-Shiv. Later, when she went to discharge the Shivalingas after prayers she saw her son coming. Seeing her son Ghushma was neither happy nor sad. At that time Lord Shiv appeared before her and said – I am pleased with your devotion. Your sister had killed your son. Ghushma told Lord to forgive Sudeha and emancipate her. Pleased with her generosity, Lord Shiv asked her another boon.
Ghushma said that if he was really happy with her devotion then he should reside here eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in the form of a Jyotirling and may you be known by my name. On her request, Lord Shiv manifested himself in the form of a Jyotirling and assumed the name Ghushmeshwar and the lake was named as Shivalaya thereafter.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Well-connected by road with Ahmedabad 623 Km, Bangalore 1004 Km,Khajuraho 1026 Km, Pune 233 Km, Mumbai 392 Km,Nashik 204 Km, Nanded 277 Km,Jaipur 1013 Km, Shirdi 121 Km,Delhi 1371 Km., Aurangabad makes the access direct to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.
By Rail
Connected by rail with Bhopal, Gwalior, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, etc., Aurangabad having the nearest railway station is Manmad at adistance of 140 kms. to reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.
By Air
Aurangabad as the nearest airport to reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga comes well-connected by various airlines going to Delhi and Mumbai.
Shrine Timings
5 A.M-8 P.M
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Maha Shivaratri