Grishneshwar Temple – Complete Travel Guide to the 12th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva
Tucked away near the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Temple is revered as the 12th and last Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Located in the state of Maharashtra, this ancient temple stands as a symbol of deep devotion, architectural brilliance, and cultural heritage. For devotees of Lord Shiva and history enthusiasts alike, a visit to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is a divine and enriching experience.
📍 Where is Grishneshwar Temple Located?
- Location: Verul village, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India
- Nearest City: Aurangabad (30 km away)
- Famous Nearby Site: Ellora Caves (just 1 km away)
🕉 Significance of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar is considered the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is deeply associated with the story of a pious woman named Ghushma (or Kusuma), who was an ardent devotee of Shiva. After her son was killed by her envious sister-in-law, she continued her daily rituals of making 101 Shiva Lingams and immersing them in a pond. Pleased with her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva resurrected her son and manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga here, taking the name Grishneshwar, meaning ‘Lord of Compassion’.
🏛 Architecture of Grishneshwar Temple
- Architectural Style: South Indian Hemadpanthi style.
- Constructed using red basalt stone with intricate carvings.
- Shikhara adorned with figures of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures.
- Large Nandi bull statue at the entrance.
- Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the self-manifested Shiva Linga.
- Male devotees must enter bare-chested as a temple tradition.
🗓 Best Time to Visit Grishneshwar Temple
- October to March – Pleasant weather for darshan and sightseeing.
- Mahashivratri – Special celebrations with night-long bhajans and rituals.
- Shravan Month (July-August) – Heavy inflow of devotees, especially on Mondays.
🕰 Grishneshwar Temple Timings
- Temple Opening Time: 5:30 AM
- Morning Darshan: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening Darshan: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Special Aarti & Abhishek: Daily in morning and evening.
🛕 How to Reach Grishneshwar Temple
By Air:
- Aurangabad Airport: 29 km away.
- Flights available from Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad.
By Train:
- Aurangabad Railway Station: 30 km away.
- Connected to major cities across India.
By Road:
- Accessible via NH-52 and state highways.
- Buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws available from Aurangabad.
🏨 Accommodation Options near Grishneshwar Temple
- Budget: MTDC Resorts, Ellora Yatri Niwas.
- Mid-range: Hotel Kailas, VITS Aurangabad.
- Luxury: WelcomHotel Rama International, The Fern Residency.
🍛 Food & Amenities
- Simple vegetarian eateries near temple.
- Aurangabad has more dining options with local and multi-cuisine restaurants.
- Basic amenities like drinking water and restrooms are available at the temple.
🏞 Nearby Attractions
- Ellora Caves (1 km)
- Daulatabad Fort
- Bibi Ka Maqbara
- Aurangabad Caves
- Khuldabad – Tomb of Aurangzeb
🙏 Important Travel Tips
- Photography is not allowed inside the temple sanctum.
- Men are required to remove shirts before entering Garbhagriha.
- Visit early morning to avoid heavy crowds.
- Combine with Ellora Caves for a holistic spiritual-historical tour.
- Local guides available for combined temple and cave tours.
📝 Conclusion
A visit to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a serene and spiritually enriching experience. The temple may be modest in size but its divine aura, mythological importance, and proximity to Ellora's architectural wonders make it a must-visit destination. Whether you're a spiritual seeker or a heritage traveler, Grishneshwar promises an unforgettable journey of devotion and history.
