Introduction
In the small village of Verul, just a short walk from the world-famous Ellora Caves, stands the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, the last of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Also known as Ghushmeshwar or Ghrishneshwar, this temple in Maharashtra is named after a woman whose devotion moved Shiva himself.
Built of beautiful red stone and covered with detailed carvings, Grishneshwar is often described as the smallest of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. Yet its story is one of the most touching: a tale of a mother's unshakeable faith, even in the face of the greatest loss.
For many devotees, Grishneshwar marks the completion of their 12 Jyotirlinga yatra, and there is a special joy in reaching the last of Mahadev's sacred shrines.
History of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, and in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram it is named as "Ghushmesham cha Shivalaye", Ghushmeshwar at Shivalaya.
The temple was damaged during the medieval period and rebuilt several times. In the 16th century, it was restored by Maloji Bhosale, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Its present form was rebuilt in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the same great devotee who restored many temples across India, including the Ahilyabai temple at Somnath and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
Mythological Significance of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
According to the Shiva Purana, a Brahmin named Sudharma lived here with his wife Sudeha. They had no children, so Sudeha asked her husband to marry her younger sister, Ghushma.
Ghushma was a deeply devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Every day, she made 101 Shivlings from clay, worshipped them, and immersed them in a nearby lake. By Shiva's grace, she was blessed with a son, and the family was filled with joy.
As time passed, Sudeha became jealous of her sister's happiness. One night, in a moment of envy, she killed Ghushma's young son and threw his body into the same lake where Ghushma immersed her Shivlings.
When the family discovered the tragedy, everyone wept. But Ghushma did not abandon her worship. With a heavy heart and complete faith, she continued making and worshipping her 101 Shivlings. As she immersed them in the lake, her son came walking out of the water, alive.
Lord Shiva then appeared before Ghushma, ready to punish Sudeha. But Ghushma, full of compassion, asked Shiva to forgive her sister. Moved by her devotion and forgiveness, Shiva remained here as a Jyotirlinga and took the name Ghushmeshwar, the Lord of Ghushma.
The lake associated with this story is called Shivalaya, and pilgrims visit it as part of their darshan.
Architecture of Grishneshwar Temple
The Grishneshwar temple is built of red basalt stone in a blend of South Indian and Maratha styles. It is famous for its five-tiered shikhar and its richly carved walls showing the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dashavatar), gods and goddesses, and scenes from mythology.
A large stone Nandi sits in the assembly hall, which is supported by many intricately carved pillars. The Jyotirlinga in the sanctum faces east, and unlike many temples, devotees are traditionally allowed to touch the linga during worship.
Following an old tradition, men are usually asked to remove their shirts and vests before entering the sanctum.
Religious Importance
As the twelfth Jyotirlinga, Grishneshwar is believed to complete the merit of the 12 Jyotirlinga yatra. Its story of Ghushma reminds devotees that Shiva answers faith that remains steady even in the darkest times, and that forgiveness is the highest form of devotion.
Along with Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar is one of three Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
Major Festivals
- Mahashivratri: The biggest festival, with night-long worship and a large gathering of devotees.
- Shravan Month: Shravan Mondays draw large crowds, and the green hills around Ellora make the visit especially beautiful.
- Kartik Purnima: Celebrated with lamps and special pujas.
Grishneshwar Temple Timings
| Activity | Timing |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening | Around 5:30 AM |
| General Darshan | Morning to night |
| Temple Closing | Around 9:30 PM |
Note: Timings are approximate and may change on Mondays, during Shravan, and on festivals. Please confirm before your visit.
Best Time to Visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
October to March
The cool, dry months are ideal for combining darshan with a visit to the Ellora and Ajanta caves.
Shravan Month
The monsoon brings green landscapes and waterfalls around Ellora. Shravan Mondays are especially crowded.
Maha Shivaratri
The most auspicious time, with special worship through the night. Expect long queues.
Summers (April to June) are very hot in this region, so plan for early morning darshan if you visit then.
How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
By Air
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) airport is about 35 km away and is connected to major Indian cities.
By Train
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station is about 30 km away, with trains to Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, and other cities.
By Road
Grishneshwar lies on the road to Ellora. State transport buses, taxis, and shared jeeps run regularly from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Local Transport
The temple is about 1 km from the Ellora Caves, so you can easily walk or take an auto-rickshaw between the two.
Things to Remember Before Visiting
- Men are usually required to remove their shirts and vests before entering the sanctum.
- Wear modest, traditional clothing.
- Mobile phones and leather items are generally not allowed inside. Use the cloak room.
- Note that the Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays, so plan your day accordingly.
- Carry water and sun protection, as the region can get very hot.
- Visit early in the morning on Mondays and in Shravan to avoid long queues.
- If you plan to wear a Rudraksha, choose a certified one. Read our guide on how to identify authentic Rudraksha.
Nearby Places to Visit
Ellora Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rock-cut caves. Cave 16, the magnificent Kailasa Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, was carved from a single rock.
Shivalaya Lake
The sacred lake associated with Ghushma's story, where she immersed her 101 Shivlings.
Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khuldabad
A rare temple where Lord Hanuman is worshipped in a reclining (sleeping) posture.
Daulatabad Fort
A massive hilltop fort with clever defences, located on the way between Ellora and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Ajanta Caves
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its ancient Buddhist paintings, about 100 km away.
Aundha Nagnath and Parli Vaijnath
Two revered Shiva temples in Maharashtra. Some traditions identify Aundha Nagnath as the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Parli Vaijnath as the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga.
Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar
Complete the Maharashtra circuit with Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Bhimashankar near Pune.
Interesting Facts About Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
- Grishneshwar is traditionally counted as the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga.
- It is often described as the smallest of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples.
- The temple is named after Ghushma, a devoted woman, rather than a king or sage.
- Ghushma worshipped 101 clay Shivlings every day.
- The present temple was rebuilt by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
- Its red stone walls are carved with the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.
- Devotees are traditionally allowed to touch the Jyotirlinga.
- The temple is only about 1 km from the Ellora Caves.
Carry Ghushma's Faith with You
Ghushma's daily worship shows the power of steady, sincere devotion. Many devotees keep that spirit alive with a daily practice of chanting on a Rudraksha mala:
- 5 Mukhi Rudraksha Mala: For chanting Om Namah Shivaya 108 times every day.
- 5 Mukhi Rudraksha: The most widely worn bead, considered suitable for everyone.
- 1 Mukhi Rudraksha: Revered as the direct form of Lord Shiva.
- Japa Mala collection: Choose a mala for your daily sadhana.
Explore our certified Rudraksha collection, or read our mukhi-wise Rudraksha guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga famous?
Grishneshwar is the twelfth Jyotirlinga, famous for the story of the devotee Ghushma, its red stone carvings, and its location next to the Ellora Caves.
2. Where is Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga located?
It is in Verul village, near the Ellora Caves, about 30 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) in Maharashtra.
3. Is Grishneshwar the last Jyotirlinga?
Yes. It is the last Jyotirlinga named in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram, so it is traditionally counted as the twelfth. See our complete 12 Jyotirlinga guide.
4. Why do men remove their shirts at Grishneshwar?
It is an old temple tradition that men enter the sanctum bare-chested as a mark of humility and purity before the deity.
5. Can I touch the Jyotirlinga at Grishneshwar?
Yes. Devotees are traditionally allowed to touch the linga and offer worship directly, following the temple's rules.
6. Can I visit Grishneshwar and Ellora on the same day?
Yes. The temple is about 1 km from the caves. Remember that Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
7. Which Jyotirlingas are near Grishneshwar?
Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar are the other two Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
8. What does "Grishneshwar" mean?
The name comes from Ghushmeshwar, meaning "the Lord of Ghushma," after the devotee whose faith brought Shiva here.
Conclusion
Grishneshwar may be the smallest of the Jyotirlinga temples, but its story is among the greatest. Ghushma's faith, which did not break even in the face of loss, and her forgiveness toward her own sister, show the true heart of devotion to Shiva.
Whether it is your first Jyotirlinga or the last stop of your 12 Jyotirlinga yatra, Grishneshwar fills every devotee with peace. Continue to Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Mahakaleshwar, or Omkareshwar.
Explore more sacred destinations in our Spiritual Places in India series.
Jai Grishneshwar! Har Har Mahadev! 🙏