5 Jyotiling in Maharashtra

In the Trimbak town of Nashik, surrounded by Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri hills, awaits the first jyotiling of our list, Trimbakeshwar. The reason we insist you start your trip with this jyotirlinga is that it is among the 12 most important jyotirlingas of India (out of the total 64). And also because the idol here is quite unique. The black stone jyotirlinga residing in the temple built in Hemadpanti style, is basically a three-faced one, resembling Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The legends of this temple also add to its popularity as it narrates the origin of the river Ganga!

The legend goes something like this! Maharishi Gautama was tricked by Lord Indra to perform a sin. The only way for the Maharishi to atone was a holy dip in the Ganga river. But at that point, Ganga resided in the jata of lord Shiva. As Maharishi requested, Lord Shiva asked Ganga to step on the earth. Although she was not ready to do so, she did enter earth as it was Lord Shiva’s order. And that is why she decided to take revenge on the Maharishi. She started flowing through the earth but kept disappearing multiple times to make sure that the Maharishi didn’t find her. Ultimately, the Maharishi found Ganga at Kushavarta, which is inside the Trimbakeshwar temple. With such a legend, such natural beauty (thanks to the surrounding hills) and such an aura of devotion, this temple is a must-visit!

Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha, three demon brothers tried for thousands of years to please Lord Brahma. When the Lord appeared in front of them, they desired Tripuri, the magical three cities to be placed in heaven, sky and earth respectively. Only the person who could destroy the three cities with a single arrow could kill the three demon brothers. The trick in this was that the three cities aligned once in a thousand years and that too for a second. Lord Shiva did the impossible and destroyed Tripuri in one go with his Pashupataastra. And later he killed the three demon brothers. After all this, Lord Shiva sat on a mountain to take some rest. That is the same spot (in Pune) where the Bhimashankar Temple now resides. And this is the celebrated legend behind this temple!

As much as we would love to listen to the enchanting story, again and again, it is time to pay a visit to the jyotilinga. The jyotirlinga here is actually a Swayambhu Lingam as it emanated from the earth’s surface. This temple is quite famous among the pilgrims and welcomes many pilgrims every day. It also draws nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts, thanks to the natural beauty and thrilling trails around the temple. And the Nagara style of architecture displayed on the temple construction is impressive too!

Land in the Latur airport, make your way to the Beed district from there and you will find the Parli Vaijnath temple resting on a hilltop. Inside the temple resides a Shiva Lingam, in the form of Vaidyanath. The healer of all diseases is called Vaidyanath. Actually, the temple has many medicinal herbs in its surrounding forests. Hence the name. Offer your prayers in front of Vaidyanth and then go explore the temple! While you do so, you will see touches of the Hemandpanti style of architecture everywhere. What else are you looking for? Oh, the legend behind this temple. Here you go!

After thousand years of penance, Ravana succeeded in pleasing Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared in front of Ravana, he asked Lord Shiva to take the form of a jyotirlinga and go to Lanka with him. Lord Shiva agreed but with a condition. Only Ravana had to carry the jyotirlinga and nobody else. The demigods feared that if Ravan took jyotirlinga to Lanka, he would become invincible. So, they sent a boy to the same path Ravana had taken to reach Lanka. Ravana was getting very tired as he carried the jyotirlinga for a long time. On seeing the boy, Ravana asked him to hold the jyotirlinga for a few moments and went to a lake nearby to take a rest. But the jyotirlinga grew heavier and heavier to the point when the boy couldn’t hold it any longer. The boy kept the jyotirlinga on the ground and it got stuck there. Yes, you guessed it right, it is the same spot where Parli Vaijnath Temple now stands.

Mythology states that the Aundha Nagnath Temple was built around the 13th century. The eldest of the Pandava brothers, Yudhishtir constructed this temple during their 14 years of exile. However, this is not the only story about this temple. Legends say that this jyotirlinga is the very first one to appear on earth. And that it was closely associated with saint Sant Namdev. One day, the saint was singing bhajan at the temple. But the priest removed the saint from the temple. The saint’s fault? He belonged to the lower cast. He left the temple and continued singing on the backside. And at the same point, the temple rotated itself so that the saint was on the front!

The address of the temple is a town of the same name, in the district of Hingoli. Although the temple is kind of an off-beat jyoti ling in Maharashtra, it should be on your list. Because the religious significance it holds, the natural charm its surrounding forests add and the fine example of Hemadpanti architecture its showcases are simply too good to be missed! So, book a flight to the Nanded airport and then take the roads towards Hingoli.

Remember earlier we started the list with one of the 12 most important jyotirlingas, Trimbakeshwar Temple? We will also be concluding the list with one jyotiling in India from the group of the 12 most important jyotirlingas, Grishneshwar Temple! The temple is located in the Verul area of Aurangabad. Inside the temple, you will see an east-facing jyotirlinga and also a statue of Nandi. What else will catch your eyes in the Hemadpanti style temple are the rock bed the temple stands on and the 24 majestic pillars in the court! The legend linked to the temple is quite enticing too!

A couple named Brahmavetta Sudharm and Sudeha had immense faith in Lord Shiva. They prayed for a child but they remained childless. Feeling hopeless, Sudeha asked her sister Ghushma to marry Sudharm. After the wedding, Ghushma used to make 101 jyotirlingas every day and immerse them in a lake nearby in the hope of a child. Finally, Lord Shiva blessed the couple with a son. Unfortunately, Sudeha got jealous of her sister and murdered the newborn. But, surprisingly, Ghushma didn’t react and started making and immersing 101 jyotirlingas in the lake again. Lord Shiva, pleased with her devotion, gave her son’s life back. But Ghushma had something more in her mind. She asked Lord Shiva to stay there and bless everyone. Lord Shiva granted her wish and took the form of Ghushmeshwar, or as now the temple is known to be Grishneshwar!

We have said all there was to say. Now is time for you to go on a holy journey to the 5 must-visit jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.