Trip to Grishneshwar Temple Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad

We halted at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple just 1.6 km from Ellora Caves on our return trip from Ellora to Aurangabad. This route is dotted with many sightseeing places. I have this small Grishneshwar city guide covering details about Grishneshwara Jyotirlinga Temple, its history, architecture, timings and dress code. Read on to know the famous places around Grishneshwar within 100 km.

Jyotirlinga Temples in Maharashtra

Of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples  5 are in Maharashtra. Grishneshwar is 30 km from Aurangabad, one reason why we included it in itinerary of Aurangabad vacation. Grushneshwar Mandir is the smallest Jyotirlinga Temple of Bhagwan Shivji.

The other 4 Jyotirlinga Temples in Maharashtra are: Aundha Nagnath, Bhimashankar, Parali Vajinath, and Trimbakeshwar.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Aurangabad

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is famous as the abode for one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Bhagwan Shiva. Jyotirling means Lord in flaming form.

History of Grishneshwar Temple

This temple is a very important pilgrimage center for the Hindus. There are many stories related to the origin of the temple. One inscription there read as renovated by Shri Maloji Raje Bhosale grandfather of Shri Shivaji Maharaj. That was around 16th century.

Later sometime in 18th century Punyaslok Ahilyabai Holkar revived this temple.

Visit to Grishneshwar Temple

By the time we reached at Jyotirlanga Temple it was past 3 PM. Luckily for us the temple doors were open. So we could spend more time inside the sanctum. There was no rush of devotees, and I guess in the afternoon hours there are hardly any visitors to the temple.

Photography inside the sanctum was a strict NO. We watched the Puja going on there for some time. Pujaris covered the Jyotirling with offerings of flowers, incense, fruits, notes and coins. The hymns and chanting soothed our tired sensory nerves.

Dashavatara carved on red stone temple facade.

Grushneshwar Temple Architecture 

The temple has a typical south Indian style of temple architecture. It has a tall 5 layered shikahara (tower) infused with rich carvings. The red stone walls tell stories of Lord Shiva and the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. The temple faces east and has a small statue of Nandi at the entrance. Garbha griha (sanctum) has the Shiv Ling facing east.

Grishneshwar Mandir Dress Code

Women can wear Indian dresses like sari and shalwar kameez. Even jeans is allowed, but no revealing clothes. No bare shoulders and short skirts or shorts.

Male members have to remove their upper garments to be let inside. Outside, the temple walls were sculpted and were of brownish red color stones, same as in Ellora caves. We spent around 20 minutes there.

Grishneshwar Temple (Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga) Legend

The story is based on generosity, kindness and jealousy of 2 sisters Sudeha and Ghushma.

Sudeha, the elder of the two was married to Brahmavetta Sudharm. They were childless for long. Frustrated she got her younger sister Ghushma married to her husband.

Ghushma used to make 101 lingas, worship them and discharge them in the nearby lake. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, she gave birth to a baby boy. However jealousy overpowered Sudeha’s affection for the boy. She killed him and threw his body in the same lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas.

On hearing the news of the death of her son from her daughter in law, she did not react. Instead her reply was: He who has given me this child shall protect him and started chanting Shiv Shiv!

After her regular prayers she saw her son walking out of the lake alive. Pleased with Ghushma’s devotion Lord Shiva asked her a boon. She asked forgiveness for her sister.

Pleased with her kindness He asked her another boon. To which Ghushma said: He should reside here eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in the form of a Jyotirling and He be known by her name. 

And then on it is believed Shiva is worshiped in the form of a Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga here.”

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Aurangabad

Baby tossing – Based on this legend the ritual of baby tossing from temple roofs was practised by devotees in the hope of curing their babies of incurable ailments. This practice is 700 years old, however it has been put to stop by a law that protects child rights.

Prayer at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya: (This roughly translates to: One who daily recites the names of these Twelve Jyotirlinga in the morning and evening, his sins of seven births gets absolved.)

“सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् ।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोकांरममलेश्वरम् ।
परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशंकरम् ।
सेतुबंधे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारूकावने ।
वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्रयंम्बकं गौतमीतटे ।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये ।
ऐतानि ज्योतिर्लिंगानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः ।
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति ।”

‘Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha Sree Saile Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam Omkaare Mamaleswaram
Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram
Setubandhe Ramesham Naagesam Daarukaavane
Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam Trayambakam Gowtameethate
Himalaye to Kedaram Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye’

Places to Visit in Grishneshwar

Once you are done with the visit and darshan of Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga in Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple you can visit some of the beautiful places in and around Grishneshwar.

• Ellora Caves (1.6 km)
• Sri Bhadra Maruti Temple Khuldabad (5.1 km)
• Shirdi (101 km)
• Shani Shinganapur (102 km)
• Ajanta Caves (104 km)

Open timings of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The temple is open from 5.30 am to 9.30 pm daily. However, during the lunar month of Shraavana (Jul to Aug), open timings are from 3 am to 11 pm. The entry into the temple is free.

How to reach Grishneshwara Mandir

The temple is located 29 km from Aurangabad Central Bus Station. It is 1.6 km from Ellora Caves. You can hire state transport buses or private vehicles to reach the temple.

Luxury Hotel near Grishneshwar Temple Aurangabad

Taj Residency Aurangabad is a good luxury hotel near the temple. We stayed there for 5 days during our vacations in Aurangabad. They help to arrange vehicles to travel around the various picnic spots in Aurangabad.

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(This post was first published in Jan 19th 2008.)

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