The story of Ghrishneshwar Shivlinga near Verul Cave of Aurangabad is very interesting. It is said that Lord Shankar miraculously brought a mother back to life with her dead son and Shiva Shankar stayed at this place in Ling form. This temple is located in Aurangabad district and is 45 km from Aurangabad and 15 km from Daulatabad station. Ghrishneshwar Temple is the 12th and the last Jyotirlinga temple in India. The temple is situated on the banks of river Elganga and adjacent to the temple is a lake named Shivkund. This place is called Ghrineshwar as Shankar settled here after the prayer of Ghrishna. Shri Ghrishneshwar is mentioned in Skandapurana, Shivapurana, Ramayana and Mahabharata. This temple was built around 1500 years ago by King Krishna Raja of Rashtrakut dynasty. After entering through a small gate, we reach the temple courtyard. ... At the top of the temple is a golden kalash. This temple is a masterpiece of sculpture and its sculptural glory is as unique as Kailas. The carving on the pillar is rare. The original stone porch is six thousand eight hundred and four square feet and half of the temple is made of red stone and half of it walls plastered by lime. There is a beautiful statue of Nandi in the temple and symbols of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Dasavatara etc. are drawn on the pillar. There is a Shivlinga in the center and a marble idol of Parvati. The original name of the temple was Kumkumeshwar as it was kunkumvarnia inside. Here is an inscription stating that Shivaji Raja's grandfather Malojiraje Bhosale first renovated this temple. In 1730 AD Gautamibai Mahadev Holkar restored the temple and in 1791 AD Ahilyabai Holkar built a Shivalay Tirtha in a garden of 1 acre. A big pilgrimage is held here on Mahashivratri.
© Suresh Nimbalkar