Grishneshwar temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage and venerated as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of omnipotent Shiva as mentioned in the Shiva Purana. This sacred temple is located at Verul village which is positioned at a distance of 11km from Daulatabad a.k.a Devagiri and a little away from Aurangabad (approximately 30 km) in Maharashtra. To be found near the enigmatic Ellora caves that feature with intricate rock-cut architectures and cave paintings dates back to 1st millennium and Ajanta period ,the Grishneshwar temple is often flock down by enormous visitors and worshippers to offer prayer in front of the idol of Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
The construction and design of the temple reflects the unique blend of pre-historic temple traditions and pre-historic architectural style. The court hall of the temple supported by 24 substantial pillars and each pillar is embellished with delicate images .The 240ft x 185ft structure was constructed with red rocks and encompassing a five tier shikara. Originally the temple was erected under the supervision of Maloji Bhosle in the 16th century and later Queen Ahilyabai Holkar done the restoration of the temple during the 18th century. Inside the temple visitors can find delicate sculptures of Indian deities. Various inscriptions carved on the temple often flabbergasted the travelers. Unfortunately, photography inside the premises of the temple is strictly prohibited and tourist should be little careful about it.
The Grishneshwar temple possessed a legendary myth. According to some ancient manuscripts (read Shivapuran) once there lived a Brahmin named Brahmavetta along with his wife Sudeha on Devagiri Mountain. The couple didn’t happy as they were childless. Sad about that Sudeha did everything to conceive a child but all went it vain. She decide to let Brahmavetta marry her own sister Ghushma and advise her to make 101 lingas and worship them every day. Finally Ghushma was blessed by Lord Shiva and gave birth a baby boy. But Sudeha felt jealous and one night she threw Ghushma’s son into the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas. In the very next day it was Ghushma’s daughter-in-law who discovered the blood stains on her husband’s bed and recited everything to her mother-in-law Ghushma. She again started praying lord Shiva until he appeared before her. She begged her son’s life and beseeched the lord to reside eternally in form of a Jyotirling. On her request omnipotent Shiva transformed himself into the form of Jyotirling and renamed as Ghushmeshwar.
The temple is well connected and can be accessed easily. Aurangabad is the nearest airport which is just 29 km away from the location and from there one can easily pick available public transports like Buses, Auto-rickshaws. Though Aurangabad is the nearest Railway station but it’s not the main route. Manmad is the major station that lies 143 km from the destination. Apart from Railways visitors can also board in Buses from Mumbai city and disembark at the place.