Grishneshwar Jyothirlingam Temple

Introduction to Sri Grishneshwar Temple:

Sri Grishneshwar Temple is one of the Jyothirlingams and is located in Aurangabad District, Maharashtra. This temple is adjacent to the Ellora Caves. Grishneshwar means Lord of compassion. This temple was also a victim of Islamic invasion and was vandalized but reconstructed later. This temple is considered to be a settlement of the Naga tribes, who are the indigenous people. The river Yelaganga, which is highly sacred, flows near this temple. The river is considered highly sacred.

History and Legend of Sri Grishneshwar Temple:

This is one of the shrines of Lord Shiva, which is considered highly mystical. There are several legends connected to this temple. This temple was destroyed completely by Islamic Invasions in the 13th century. King Shivaji’s minister found a treasure near the snake-pit, which helped the king to renovate the temple. It was only with the help of the Maratha Kings that this temple, along with many other temples in India, was rebuilt. King Maloji Bhosale of Verul, the grandfather of King Shivaji, initiated the construction of this temple in the 13th century. This temple was later reconstructed in the 16th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. She was instrumental in renovating some of the other major Hindu shrines in India, like the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. The temples located in Gaya for Lord Vishnu and the Somnath temple for Lord Shiva were also built by the queen.

There is an interesting legend about the temple. The devotion of a woman, Kusuma, was boundless. Every day she used to pray in the temple with great devotion. Her husband’s second wife was jealous of her and murdered the son of Kusuma. It is believed that her devotion made Lord Shiva bring her son back. She then requested Lord Shiva to stay in the temple and bless the devotees.

The Architecture of Sri Grishneshwar Temple:

The Grishneswar temple has a close resemblance to the South Indian architectural style and structure. The temple is a five-layered one and is built using red-colored bricks. This is also regarded as the smallest Jyothirlingam temple. The temple has beautiful carvings on the wall and the roof. Beautiful carvings of the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu are etched on the red stone.

There is a lovely courtyard that has 24 pillars. The hall and the pillars have intricate carvings. Several legends and mythologies of Shiva have been carved on the walls of the shrine. The Lingam of Lord Shiva is facing eastward, and outside the sanctum sanctorum, there is a Nandi, the animal-mount of Lord Shiva.

Festivals Related to Sri Grishneshwar Temple:

There are many festivals celebrated in this temple. Among them, Shiva Ratri and Navaratri are highly celebrated, where all the ten days are filled with a lot of celebrations. Deepavali and Holi are also important festivals of this shrine.

Benefits of Sri Grishneshwar Temple:

Lord Shiva bestows peace and tranquillity to his devotees. He blesses them to have a composed life and reach a higher level of spirituality. Many people who come to this temple believe that it is with the mercy of Lord Shiva that they are able to reunite with the family. Many people with problems in their life pray to Lord Shiva to have a positive life.