Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Monday, April 21, 2014

This was our first pit stop on our Rs.600 bucks tour in and outside the city of Aurangabad.

It took us around 45 minutes to reach the temple. The temple is located at a place named Verul. The road is good and approachable, though it is a narrow road with no dividers. So drive safely.

A small temple in its premises

The driver told us that this Temple was one of the oldest pilgrim destinations. It is located very close to Ellora Caves and a bit away from Daulatabad. He told us that Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. He told us that this temple was built by Ahalyabhai Holkar. He didn’t give the year as he himself no idea about it L It is known by other names such as Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara and Grishneswara.

He told us that many people come to visit this temple and that it is flocked by people from all over Maharashtra apart from a few tourists. Most people come here to offer prayers. There are many shops outside the temple selling articles of worship. The temple premises had a lot of devotees around. Some of them had even shaved their hair. I guess it was a tribute to the Gods.

“Photo kadnayat manaye ahe” meaning Photography is banned in temple premises is what he told me.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The temple enclosed in a wall made of chire, a type of brick colored red. I immediately recollected and told Namrata, that many houses in Goa were built with the same red colored brick. I am talking about the houses that were built around 40 to 50 years ago. I could see the hood of the temple from ouside and it was beautifully carved. The statues and the carvings reminded me of Meenakshi Temple down south. The design was similar in nature.

One had to keep shoes on an old rickety stand outside the Temple Entrance. This place is not manned and so be careful; you might not find your expensive footwear when you return L

We skipped the plan of visiting the Temple, as both of us were wearing shorts. We had a feeling that we might not be allowed in the premises due to inappropriate clothing. Lesson learnt, need to check what places we are visiting on a day trip so that we dress accordingly.

Ancient structure near its premises

There is also an ancient structure near the temple, though there is no signboard depicting it's name. The structure was beautifully carved. It also had a small door to it, which was locked. We couldn't go close to it as it was surrounded by garbage from all sides.  God alone knows when, people will learn to preserve history.

We then headed of the see Ellora Caves the next pit stop.