Grishneshwar Temple, located in Ellora and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas found in India. This sacred Aurangabad shrine is devoted to Lord Shiva and stands as an essential pilgrimage spot for devotees. Grishneshwar is unique amongst its peers; it holds the title of smallest amongst all twelve Jyotirlinga temples and touts itself as being the last stop on this divine journey across India’s spiritual planes.
Everyone is welcome to enter the Grishneshwar Temple, however men must remove their shirts if they wish to access the Garbhagriha (main sanctum). This temple is one of only a few Jyotirlingas in India that allows devotees to touch the Shiva Linga with their bare hands.
The Grishneshwar Temple in Aurangabad is widely respected as one of the holiest places on Earth, boasting a stunning five-tiered shikhara constructed to replicate classic South Indian temple architecture. Rebuilt multiple times over its long history, the present form of this venerated shrine was established by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
Although the precise date of its construction is unclear, historians believe Grishneshwar Temple was created before the 13th Century. Unfortunately, when Mughal rulers gained control over Velur (now known as Ellora), Hindu-Muslim conflicts followed and ultimately led to destruction of this temple between the 13th and 14th centuries.
Maloji Bhosale, grandparent to the esteemed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and leader of Verul, was a crucial figure in reconstructing the temple during 16th century. Accordingto legends, Maloji discovered an undisclosed fortune which he invested into restoring the ancient monument as well as creating an artificial lake at Shanishingnapur.
Throughout the 16th Century and beyond, Grishneshwar Temple endured numerous attacks by the Mughals. During their subsequent skirmishes with Marathas between 1680-1707, it had to be reconstructed multiple times until its eventual renovation in 18th century when the Marathas vanquished Mughal Empire. This reformation was sponsored by Rani Ahalyabai from Indore and is still visible today!
Tourists can easily journey to Grishneshwar Temple from Aurangabad by road. The temple is just 31.5 kilometres away, with Maharashtra State Transport buses offering regular services connecting the two cities. Plus, Aurangabad Central Bus Station is a mere 29 kilometers away and it has frequent buses heading to Ellora each day!
For those who wish to have a more personal experience and adventure, self-driving or hiring a cab from Aurangabad is the next best option. The route one should take would be via SH 60 – NH 52. However, if you are opting for bus rides then disembark at Grishneshwar Temple Road and finish your journey towards the temple on foot!
