Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

• PlaceVerul (Ellora), Khuldabad Taluka, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) District, Maharashtra
• Presiding deityShiv

Traveller Note: The Ellora Caves are generally closed on Tuesdays; plan Jyotirlinga darshan and the cave visit accordingly.

Scriptural and Historical Significance

• Puranic Reference: According to the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita), the Shiva devotee Ghushma would daily fashion 101 parthiva Shivalingas and immerse them in a lake; out of jealousy, her sister Sudeha killed Ghushma's son, but pleased by Ghushma's unwavering devotion, Shiva restored the son to life and, at her prayer, abides here in the form of "Ghushmeshwar".
• Shivalaya: The stotra's phrase "घुश्मेशं च शिवालये" (Ghushmesham cha Shivalaye) refers to the "Shivalaya" lake of this region.
• History: The temple was damaged under the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th–14th centuries and later during the Mughal period. In the 16th century Malojiraje Bhosale, grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, restored it, and in the 18th century Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt it in its present form.
• Cultural Setting: The temple lies near the World Heritage Ellora Caves, which include rock-cut caves of the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, among them the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16).

Key Features, Architecture, Rituals and Aarti

• Style: A temple of red basalt stone blending South Indian and Maratha styles, with a five-tiered shikhara; the walls bear carved figures of the Dashavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu) and other deities.
• Garbhagriha: An east-facing swayambhu linga; the sabhamandapa has 24 carved pillars, and Nandi is seated facing the garbhagriha.
• Tradition: Male devotees entering the garbhagriha must remove their upper garment (shirt/vest); devotees may themselves touch the linga and offer water.
• Size: Among the temples of the twelve Jyotirlingas, this is considered the smallest in size.

Best Time to Visit, Timings and Festivals

• Best Season: October to March; the Ellora region is lush and green from June to September.
• Daily Darshan: Approx. 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM; hours are extended on Shravan Mondays (Timings are subject to change; please confirm with the temple trust before travelling.)
• Major Festivals: Mahashivratri, Shravan month (especially the Monday palkhi, palanquin procession) and Kartik Purnima.

How to Reach

• By Air: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Chikalthana) Airport — approx. 35 km.
• By Rail: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Station — approx. 30 km.
• By Road: Regular state transport buses and taxis from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the Ellora road; approx. 110 km from Shirdi.

Nearby Spiritual and Other Places

• Ellora Caves (Kailasa Temple, Cave 16): UNESCO World Heritage Site — approx. 1 km (generally closed on Tuesdays).
• Shivalaya Tirtha Sarovar: Associated with the legend of Ghushma — approx. 0.5 km.
• Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khuldabad: Hanuman in a reclining posture — approx. 4 km.
• Devagiri (Daulatabad) Fort: A Yadava-era fort — approx. 14 km.
• Shirdi Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir: Approx. 110 km.

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Sources 1

• Major Temples, Tirthas & Dhams of India (Avyani project reference, EN + HI editions, Sep 2026)

Where a tradition is told differently from region to region or from one sampradaya to another, the tellings are given side by side.

Darshan timings, portal dates, registration rules and distances are approximate and change from time to time; please confirm with the official notices of the temple trust or administration before travelling.