Grishneshwar Temple

Grishneshwar Temple (the 18th century red basalt stone temple celebrated across India as the 12th and final sacred Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva) in the ancient village of Verul near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, stands as Maharashtra's supreme Shaivite pilgrimage landmark.

Situated less than 1 km from the UNESCO World Heritage rock cut caverns of Ellora, this revered sanctuary was rebuilt in the 18th century by the great queen Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, preserving centuries of devotional heritage connected to the pious devotee Ghushma.

It's the home of the east facing sacred Jyotirlinga consecrated within a subterranean stone sanctum, a five tiered shikhara carved with intricate figures of Hindu deities, the holy Shivalaya Teerth water tank, a grand polished stone Nandi bull presiding over the Sabha Mandap, and an intensely reverent, deeply spiritual temple ambiance filled with the resonant chanting of Om Namah Shivaya, the chiming of brass bells, and the fragrance of fresh bilva leaves, sandalwood paste, and sacred vibhuti.

It represents a rich Maharashtra Maratha Holkar temple architecture heritage apex, ancient Jyotirlinga pilgrimage traditions, and cultural heritage where carved basalt shikharas, Ellora rock cut wonders, Khuldabad Sufi hills, and Devgiri fort citadels unite in Grishneshwar Temple.

Located in Verul village, it sits 30 km northwest of Aurangabad Central Railway Station, 35 km from Aurangabad Airport (IXU), 3 km from Khuldabad, and 330 km from Pune via NH 52, easily reached by state transport bus, private taxi, or auto rickshaw.

The 18th Century Ahilyabai Holkar Architecture & Ghushma Legend

Constructed from local red basalt stone, the temple showcases exquisite Hemadpanthi carving traditions featuring a 5 tier shikhara rising gracefully above the square sanctum.

According to the Shiva Purana, a pious woman named Ghushma made 101 clay Shiva lingams daily and immersed them in the adjoining pond; when her envious sister murdered her son, Lord Shiva appeared pleased with her devotion, resurrecting the boy and manifesting eternally as Ghushmeshwar.

Truth is, offering morning bilva leaves and jal abhishek at the cool underground sanctum of this final Jyotirlinga brings a sense of deep spiritual fulfillment that words cannot capture.

Shivalaya Teerth, Ellora Caves & Devgiri Fort

The Sacred Shivalaya Kund: The expansive stone stepwell tank adjacent to the temple is where pilgrims take a holy dip before entering the sanctum for morning rituals.

Ellora Caves & Devgiri Fort: Located just 1 km east stand the monolithic rock cut cave temples of Ellora, while the medieval fortress of Devgiri sits 14 km south.

Grishneshwar Temple & Heritage Pilgrim Day Plan

The 12th Jyotirlinga & Rock Cut Wonder Circuit: Early morning drive from Aurangabad along NH 52 to Verul village (6:30 AM to 7:15 AM) -> participate in the sacred morning Jal Abhishek and darshan at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple (7:30 AM to 9:30 AM) -> breakfast of hot poha, sabudana khichdi, and tea at a village eatery (9:45 AM to 10:30 AM) -> walk 1 km to Ellora Caves to tour the world famous monolithic Kailash Temple and Buddhist caves (10:45 AM to 2:00 PM) -> authentic Maharashtrian lunch in Khuldabad -> explore the Sufi shrines of Khuldabad and the simple tomb of Emperor Aurangzeb (3:15 PM to 4:45 PM) -> visit Devgiri Fort to view the sunset against the stone bastions (5:15 PM to 6:30 PM) -> return to Aurangabad for dinner.

Visiting Code & Conduct: Male devotees entering the inner sanctum for personal abhishek must remove their upper clothing (shirts/vests) and wear traditional dhotis; leather items including belts and wallets must be deposited at the temple locker counters; peak queues occur on Mondays and during Mahashivratri.

After seeking blessings at Grishneshwar Temple, explore Ellora Caves, tour Devgiri Fort, or visit Khuldabad.