Grishneshwar Temple- The 12th Jyotirlinga among 12

 Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. It is located in the town of Verul, near Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple is also known as Ghrishneswar Temple or Ghushmeshwar Mandir.

History:

The temple is said to have been built during the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. However, the original temple is said to have been built by Raja Mayurasharma of the Rashtrakuta dynasty in the 8th century.

Legends:

Legend has it that there was a wealthy woman named Kusuma who lived in Verul. She was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and used to offer him flowers and milk every day. Her sister-in-law, who was jealous of her devotion, killed Kusuma's son and threw him into the lake near the temple. Kusuma was devastated and stopped worshipping Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and asked her why she had stopped worshipping him. When Kusuma told him about her son's death, Lord Shiva told her to take a dip in the lake and pray to him. Kusuma did as she was told, and to her surprise, her son came back to life. Since then, the temple has been known as Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, which means "Lord of compassion".

Architecture:

The temple is built in the South Indian Dravidian style of architecture and is made of red rocks. The temple has a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum, which houses the Jyotirlinga. The sanctum sanctorum is surrounded by a corridor that has several small shrines dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses.

The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlinga is said to be a self-manifested lingam, which means it was not installed by anyone but appeared on its own. The Jyotirlinga is about 5 feet tall and is made of stone.

The temple is also home to a beautiful Nandi statue, which is said to be made of a single stone. The statue is about 7 feet tall and is situated outside the sanctum sanctorum.

Significance:

The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is believed to have immense spiritual and religious significance. According to Hindu mythology, those who visit the Jyotirlinga and offer their prayers with a pure heart are blessed with health, wealth, and prosperity. It is also said that those who offer water to the Shiva Linga are blessed with knowledge and wisdom.

Apart from its religious significance, the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is also a popular tourist destination. The temple attracts thousands of visitors every year, who come to marvel at its unique architecture and soak in the spiritual atmosphere.

Festival:

The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year, especially during the festival of Maha Shivratri. The festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most important Hindu festivals.

Tourist Attractions:

There are several other interesting places to visit near the Grishneshwar Temple. The Ellora Caves, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located nearby. The caves are a complex of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples and are known for their exquisite rock-cut architecture.

Another interesting place to visit is the Daulatabad Fort, which is located about 16 kilometers from the temple. The fort was built in the 12th century by the Yadava dynasty and is known for its unique architecture and history.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is a very important temple for Hindus, especially for devotees of Lord Shiva. The temple is not only known for its religious significance but also for its beautiful architecture and historical significance. If you are planning a trip to Maharashtra, then Grishneshwar Temple should definitely be on your list of places to visit.