Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple | History, Timings & Travel Guide

Grishneshwar Jyotirling, prominently revered as India's 12th and final Jyotirlinga, is located in Verul, Sambhaji Nagar (previously known as Aurangabad), Maharashtra. The temple is recognised as the oldest temple in Sambhaji Nagar. It is devoted to the supreme god Shiva, also known as Mahadev, Bholenath, Shiv, Sahankar, Shambhu, and Pashupati. Being a nationally protected site in India increases its importance for worshipers. Annually, plenty of devotees go to the temple seeking solace and blessings from the deity. A grand celebration occurs in the Grishneshwar Jyotirling temple on special occasions like Shivratri. The temple has huge spiritual significance for believers in the god Shiva. If you are one of them and want to tick off all 12 Jyotirlingas in India, you should get the information about the Grishneshwar Jyotirling. In this post, we have broken down all the necessary details about the Grishneshwar Jyotirling to reduce the search time. 

History of the Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple

It is not evident when the temple was originally constructed, but information exists about Ahilyabai Holkar's reconstruction in the 18th century. The locals believe that the temple is the result of the unwavering devotion of the devotee Ghushma. Ghusma's son was killed by her sister, but Lord Shiva blessed her son with life again. Ghusma requested that Shiva reside in that place forever, which remains in the Grishneshwar Jyotirling.

Architecture of the Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple

Balck stones were used to make the temple. The temple is spread across an area of around 44000 sq ft. If you see the outer walls, you will realise that it has God and Goddess crafted and scripted. As you enter from the south gate of the temple, on the top of the temple, you can see the carvings of God Shiva, Goddess Parvati, God Ganesha, and Kartikeya sitting on Nandi with Goddess Mother Ganga on God Shiva's forehead. This amazing thing is one of its kind among the 12 Jyotirling in India, adding more significance to it. The temple consists of 24 pillars that have sculptures of the Yakshas horizontally. This depicts that the Yakshas' shoulders bear the total weight of the temple and back. Additionally, you might get attracted by an elephant and a Nandi sculpture carved on one of those pillars.

See also: Mallikarjuna Temple

Timings of Grishneshwar Jyotirling

The prime timings of Grishneshwar Jyotirling are given here:

• Tuesday to Friday: 6:00 to 10:30 and 13:30 to 19:00.
• Saturday, Sunday & Monday: 6:00 to 9:00 and 14:00 to 19:00.

NOTE: If you visit the temple on Mahashivratri, it is open 24 hours a day so that worshipers can pray to the god. However, the timings might vary from the aforementioned, especially on days like Sahravan Somvar and other festivals. So, kindly look for the temple's timings to avoid any inconvenience.

See also: Somnath Temple

Puja offered at the Grishneshwar Jyotirling

In the Grishneshwar Jyotirling, Hindu priests perform several pujas, each with its own value. Follow the information to get the appropriate knowledge about the same:

• Rudrabhishek Puja: The puja is called Rudrabhishek because Rudra is one of Lord Shiva's names. The main purpose of the Puja is to remove negative energies and receive Lord Shiva's blessings. The temple priests chant specific Rudrabhishek Puja mantras during the puja. During the puja, Lord Shiva offers different ingredients to the Shivalinga. The main ingredients are sugar, ghee, curd, sacred Ganga water, and honey.
• Jalabhishek Puja: As the name suggests, abhishek is performed during the Jalabhishek Puja using sacred water. This puja can not be performed anytime because there is a dedicated muhurt called the Jalabhishek muhurt. It can be performed by women, men, and children of any age. In this puja, water is offered to Lord Shiva, and holy mantras are chanted simultaneously.
• Panchamrut Abhishek Puja: Panchamrut is a combination of the five holy ingredients: sugar, ghee, honey, curd, and milk. These five ingredients hold extraordinary value in the Hindu scriptures. All five ingredients represent nourishment, devotion, and purity toward God. Panchamrut is dear to Lord Shiva, which is why devotees offer it to the god. Abhishek is done seeking blessings from Lord Shiva.
• Laghurudra Abhishek Puja: This puja is done for the peace, spiritual growth, and prosperity. A mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee is offered at the Shivlinga. After that, water is poured on the Shivlinga. While offering the five ingredients and water, the priests chant the Rudra mantras.
• Mahamritunjay Japp: This japp is performed at the temple to strengthen the spirit, mind, and body. The mantras of the Mahamritunjay have supreme power and are also revered as mantras of immortality. Usually, the mantras should be chanted while sitting in the Gayatri Mudra and at least 108 times.

See also: Top 10 Famous Temples in Delhi

Best Time to Visit Grishneshwar Jyotirling

Nestled in Maharashtra, Grishneswar Jyotirling is within the reach of devotees planning to explore the Jyotirling. The weather in Maharashtra is predominantly cheerful and pleasant, giving you the time to choose as per your needs. If you love to travel in the winter, October to March is the appropriate time to travel to Grishneshwar Jyotirling. At this time, the temperature lies between 12 and 34 degrees Celsius. Try to wear proper clothes to save yourself from getting cold.

From April to June, the sun can scorch your head. The temperature might fluctuate from 22 to 42 degrees Celsius. Due to the high heat, fewer people travelled to the temple during this time, which resulted in low prices at hotels and other places. You can bow down to the lord in a less crowded place and perform any specific puja swiftly.

July to September is the monsoon season, and Maharashtra's monsoon brings smiles to the faces of the devotees. Most rainfall takes place in July and August. The rainfalls make nature alive, offering a cheerful ambience to the devotees.

The best time to travel to Grishneshwar Jyotirling might vary depending on the devotees' preferences. However, October, November, December, January, February, and March offer delightful weather, making them perfect getaways.

See also: 10 Famous Temples in Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirling

Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple is easily accessible from different parts of India. As the temple is located in Shambhaji Nagar, nearby cities can get to the temple through a plethora of transportation options. For a better understanding of the mode of transportation that will work wonders for you, read the lines below:

By Air

The best mode of transportation to reach Grishneshwar Jyotirling is by flight. The nearest airport is Auragabad Airport, which is around 47.2 km away and takes 1 hour and 12 minutes to arrive. The Airport is well-equipped with facilities, and you can find flights comfortably. Another nearest airport to the Grishneshwar Jyotirling is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. If you take a flight from this airport, you will arrive at Shambhaji Nagar in around ten hours. You can hire a private cab or taxi to reach the Grishneshwar Temple. 

By Train

The nearest railway station is the Auragabad Railway Station, which is convenient for people who like to travel by train. The railway station runs trains to major cities in India. Therefore, you can check the trains travelling towards the Grishneshwar Jyotirling from your city or state. The distance between the Aurangabad Railway Station and the Grishneshwar Jyotirling is approximately 57 minutes. You can find the auto-rickshaw or taxi at the exit point of the railway station, which will drop you off at the temple. 

By Bus

Shimbhaji Nagar has a bus stand, which is the central bus stand managing the buses from nearby cities. Those who live in Jalna, Ahmadnagar, Dhule, Nasik, Akola, Latur, and Malegaon can easily hop on the buses. The buses run regularly to these places, resulting in worry-free travelling to the Grishneshwar Jyotirling temple. Search for bus times and pick the one that is feasible for you.

Grishneshwar Jyotirling's Nearby Attractions

There is much to explore near the Grishneshwar Jyotirling that will make your journey memorable. In the following lines, the Grishneshwar Jyotirling nearby attractions have been mentioned; follow along: 

• Shivalay Tirth
• Ellora Caves
• Bhadra Maruti
• Kailasha Temple
• Bibi Ka Maqbara
• Tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
• Mughal Silk Bazaar
• Daulatabad Fort

See also: 10 Most Iconic Temples in Maharashtra

FAQs

1. What are the festivals celebrated at the Grishneshwar Jyotirling?

At Grishneshwar, plenty of Hindu festivals are celebrated, including Jyotirling, Mahashivratri, Shravan, Kartik Purnima, and Ganesh Chaturthi.

2. What is the best time to visit Grishneshwar Jyotirling?

The best time of the day to visit Grishneshwar Jyotirling is early morning. During this time, you can do the darshan without any difficulty. If you are going during the day, you might be stuck in the crowd and unable to do the puja comfortably.

3. Are the Ellora Caves near Grishneshwar Jyotirling?

Yes, the Ellora Caves are located near the Grishneshwar Jyotirling. You can easily reach the Ellora Caves from the temple, as the distance between them is 0.5 and 1.0 km.

4. Does the Rudrabhishek Puja take place at the Grishneshwar Jyotirling Temple?

Yes, Rudrabhishek Puja is performed at the Grishneshwar Jyotirling temple. The scholar priests chant the Rudrabhishek Puja Vedic mantras.

5. Can I book an online puja at the Grishnewshwar Jyotirling Temples?

Yes, the temple authority offers the online puja booking option to devotees who can not pay a visit to Lord Shiva. To book the puja, you have to fill out the puja booking form through www.grisneshwartemple.com. One of the priests will be assigned to you for the puja.