History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, Verul - Ellora, Maharashtra, India
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, also known as Ghrneshwara or Dhushmeshwar or Ghushmeshwar or Kusumeshwar temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Jyotirlinga shrine of Maharashtra located near village Verul or Ellora of Aurangabad district and just two km away from the Ellora Caves – UNESCO World Heritage site. The details of this highly sacred sanctums dedicated to Lord Shiva cab be found in many holy text of Sanatan Dharma like Shiv Puran. The meaning of word Ghrneshwara is ‘Lord of compassion’ who is believed to take away all the sufferings of devotees. In Sanatan Dharma and specifically in Shaiva tradition, this temple is one of the most important pilgrimage as it is the last and 12th Jyotirlinga.
The exact dates of construction are not found but it is said that the temple exists here from more than thousands year. The temple was destroyed couple of times and rebuilt or renovated several times, in 13th and 14th century Delhi Sultanate attacked on this Temple then it was rebuilt by Maloji Bhosale -the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 16th century. Again temple was attacked by Mughals during their conflicts with Maratha rule. The present structure of temple was built in 18th century by the Rani Ahilyabai Holkar the queen of Indore who had also built Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Somnath Temple. From the ancient time this sacred shrine is witness of thousands of pilgrims around the year and specifically during Maha Shivratri and Sravan month.
Anyone can enter the temples in a chamber and premises but as the local Hindu tradition dictated that men must go bare chested (shirtless) to enter the sanctum Core (Garbha ghrya) of the temple.
After this the Queen Ahilyabai Holkar is credited to reconstruct some another major Hindu temples as like Vishnu Temple in Gaya and a Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and most important Somnath Temple which is the first Shiva Jyotirlinga.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is built in Dravidian Architecture style with south facing – Dakshinabhimukh where 240 x 185 feet tall cubicle-shaped shrine, five tier Shikhara built of red volcanic rock. This is one of the small Jyotirlinga temple in overall area and size but it is a fine example of architecture with beautiful carvings, attractive frescos and sculptures of several Gods and Goddess. The temple comprise of the Garbhagriha and Sabha mandapa. A golden kalasha placed on tops of the temple and holy water which flows inside the temple are other key attraction of temple.
There are several interesting legend behind the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, few well known tales mentioned here
Grishneshwar Temple is also known as ghushmeshwar Temple and it has extremely absorbing folk tale. It is said that once upon a time there was extremely devout woman named Kusuma lived here. She was used to worship Lord Shiva with true devotion. As a part of daily prayer she was used to submerge shivalinga in the tank.
.Her husband had a subsequent wife and she got jealous of Kusuma as she was getting esteem from the society because of her devotion towards the Lord Shiva. She killed Kusuma’s son in connection of Fury and indignation. When Kusuma came to know that her son had been killed, she became extremely miserable. Though she continued to do adoration of Lord Shiva and it is said that when she submerged the Linga into the tank. Her son supernaturally came back to life again. And it is also said that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the Kusuma and stayed here on the request of Kusuma In the form of the Jyotirlinga ghushmeshwar. In the consequence of that, this temple is highly reward by the people and many devotees come far from the world.
As per the another legend, Brahmavetta Sudharm and his wife Sudeha were lived in the Devagiri mountains. Even after the long time of their marriage, the couple was childless, thus Sudeha requested her husband to get merry with her sister Ghushma. Sudeha advise her sister Ghushma to worshiped lord Shiva and prepared lingas, worship them, and immerse them in the lake nearby. Lord Shiva pleased with her devotion and Ghushma blessed with a baby boy. Over the period, Sudeha had jealous of her sister and killed her son and threw into the lake where her sister had immerse the lingas. This lake is now popular as Shivalaya Sarovar.
Ghushma came to know about the murder by her sister but she continue worshiping Lord Shiva with true devotion with belief in kindness of Lord Shiva. Once she went to immerse the linga, she saw her son walking towards her with blessing of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was requested to forgive her sister by Ghushma and stay at this place. Thus Lord Shiva has manifested himself as a jyotirlinga called Ghushmeshwar – Ishwar of Ghusma.
Instruction to be followed during the Visit of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Mobile phone, Camera, Belt and food items are restricted.
Men must go bare chested (shirtless) to enter the sanctum Core (Garbha gruh) of the temple.
How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Verul or Ellora, Maharashtra, India
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple of Lord Shiva is located in Verul and Ellora Caves are just 2 km from village where thousands of people reach. Thus it is very well connected with all major cities of Maharashtra via road, rail and air network. Verul – Ellora is located just at just 31 km from Aurangabad, 310 km from Mumbai, 175 km from Nashik, 250 km from Pune, 105 km from Ajanta Caves, 101 km from Shirdi, 205 km from Trimbak, 135 km from Ahmednagar. From Ellora, the nearest airport is in Aurangabad, at a distance of around 36 km and nearest railway station is in Aurangabad which is approximately 29 Kms away. So you can easily reach by train and flight.
