Ghrishneshwar in Aurangabad
· Summer: March-May (20°C - 43°C)
· Winter: November-February (10°C - 32°C)
· Monsoon: June-September
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 05:30 a.m.
Closing Time: 10:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday:
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: N/A
Children:
N/A
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
N/A
Children:
N/A
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
Great religious significance is associated with Ghrishneshwar Temple, it being one of the 12 extremely revered Jyotirlings dedicated to Lord Shiva. An interesting mythological legend states that an ardent devotee of Shiva named Kusuma would daily worship the lord by immersing Shiva Lingam in a water tank. She continued with the practice even after losing her son and this pleased Shiva who appeared in front of Kusuma. Not only did he turn her son alive, but also decided to exist at the place as a Jyotirling. The temple is therefore also known as Kusumeswarar.
The most enthralling feature of the temple is its soaring 5-storey shikhara, carved majestically and decorated with impressive motifs. Originally the temple was built using pre-historic and other traditional construction styles. The present day temple was built in the 18th century by a local queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Apart from the sanctum sanctorum housing the divine Shiva Lingam, the temple has an antechamber and a pillared hall. The inner walls are embellished with inscriptions and paintings, promising beautiful sights.
Monday being an auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva draws flocks of devotees to the temple. The fair organized on Mahashivaratri is worth attending.
Connectivites
Road:
About 30 km. from the city of Aurangabad and about 13 km. from the historic town of Daulatabad, the temple is located near to the internationally acclaimed Ellora Caves. The rural settings and protected forest covers enhancing the mysticism of this holy place keep the road travellers amused. Taxis and local buses arrange the road journeys to the temple.
Railway:
Railway Stations of Daulatabad and Aurangabad are respectively about 18 and 30 km. from the temple. From each of these points, the temple can be accessed in taxis and auto-rickshaws.
Airway:
The airport at Aurangabad is about 36 km. from the temple. You can easily hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw for airport transfer to reach Ghrishneswar.