Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Verul (near Ellora), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra

Jyotirlinga 12/12
12 Jyotirlingas

About

Grishneshwar, also called Ghushmeshwar, is the twelfth and last jyotirlinga named in the stotra. It is in the village of Verul in Maharashtra, about one and a half kilometres from the famous Ellora Caves and about 30 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). It is a protected monument, with fine carvings on its stone walls and a large Nandi in front of the sanctum. Earlier, Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had restored it, and in the 18th century Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore rebuilt it in its present form.

The story

Near the Devgiri mountain lived a learned Brahmin named Sudharma with his wife Sudeha. They had no child, so Sudeha asked her husband to marry her younger sister, Ghushma. Ghushma was humble and a deep devotee of Shiv. Every day she made 101 small Shivlings of clay, worshipped them and then placed them in a nearby lake. By Shiv's grace she had a son, and joy filled the home.

Slowly, jealousy grew in Sudeha's heart. One night she harmed Ghushma's grown-up son and left him in that same lake. The house was filled with grief, but Ghushma calmly went on with her daily worship. When she went to the lake to place the lingas in the water, she saw her son walking out of it, alive.

Shiv appeared and wished to punish Sudeha. Ghushma folded her hands and prayed that he forgive her sister, and that he stay there for the good of all. Shiv granted both wishes and stayed here as Ghushmeshwar. The story is remembered as a lesson in forgiveness.

Visiting

October to March is pleasant. By temple custom, men take off their shirts before entering the sanctum. The Ellora Caves are right next door, and Daulatabad is about 11 km away.

Festivals

Maha Shivratri

12 Jyotirlingas

Sources