Grishneshwar Temple is a holy temple of Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga places in India. The temple sits in the small village of Verul. This is near the famous Ellora Caves in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. Many pilgrims come here to pray to Grishneshwar Mahadev. The temple is old and loved by many people. The main god here is Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlinga. People feel peace when they visit. The temple has a small pond (sarovar) near it. Pilgrims do ritual baths and then go for darshan. The site is calm and close to the rock-cut caves at Ellora, so visitors like to see both places in one trip.
History + Architecture of the Grishneshwar Temple
The story of Grishneshwar Temple is simple and kind. Long ago, a woman named Ghushma loved Lord Shiva. She made many small lingas and put them in a pond. Because of her pure heart, Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga here. Over time the place became famous. The temple we see today was rebuilt many times after damage in old wars. Maratha leaders and a few queens helped restore it.
The temple style is a mix of old Maharashtrian and North-Indian shapes. It has a tall tower (shikhara). The walls show carved gods and scenes. Look at the base and you will see neat, deep carvings in red stone. The courtyard has small shrines and a clean water tank. The design is made so devotees can walk around and sit in quiet. The building is strong and made to last.
A few points that stand out:
Rituals and Daily Puja Schedule of Temple
Time | Puja / Ritual | What happens |
04:00 – 05:30 AM | Mangal / Kakad Aarti (Morning Aarti) | First aarti of the day. Cleaning, chanting and bhajans. |
05:30 – 11:00 AM | Morning Darshan / Abhishek | General darshan. Pilgrims can watch or do small abhisheks (offerings like water, milk) at Grishneshwar Temple. |
07:00 – 11:00 AM | Rudrabhishek / Panchamrit Abhishek | Special abhisheks (water, milk, honey or Panchamrit). These often require booking. |
12:00 PM (Noon) | Maha Puja / Midday Bhog | Midday offering and prasad at Grishneshwar Temple. |
01:00 – 04:00 PM | Afternoon Darshan | Temple open for visitors in afternoon session. |
04:30 – 07:30 PM | Sandhya / Evening Aarti | Evening aarti and prayers. Time may vary by source. |
08:30 – 10:30 PM | Shayan / Shej Aarti (Night Aarti) | Last aarti before the temple closes for night. |
Closing (estimate) | 9:00 – 10:30 PM | Exact closing time can change on special days. |
How to Reach Grishneshwar Temple
By Air
- Nearest airport: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport (Aurangabad Airport). From the airport, take a taxi to Ellora / Verul. The drive is about 30 km to the Grishneshwar Temple.
By Train
- Nearest big railhead: Aurangabad Railway Station (AWB). From the station, hire a taxi or take a bus to Ellora and then to Verul (Grishneshwar). The temple is about 30 km from Aurangabad city.
By Road
- From Aurangabad city: Take the road toward Ellora. The temple is near the Ellora Caves (1–2 km from the caves).
- From Mumbai / Pune: Good highways link to Aurangabad. Drive times: Mumbai ~6–7 hours; Pune ~5–6 hours, depending on traffic.
Quick tip: Many visitors combine Ellora Caves and Grishneshwar Temple on the same day since they are so close. Local taxis and auto-rickshaws run between the two spots.
Best Time to Visit Grishneshwar Temple
Season | Months | Why this time? |
Winter | Oct – Feb | Weather is cool. Easy to walk and see both Ellora and the Grishneshwar Temple. Good for pilgrims and family trips. |
Monsoon | Jun – Sep | Green view. But heavy rain can slow travel. Roads may be slippery. |
Summer (hot) | Mar – May | Very hot in Aurangabad. Not the best for long walks. |
Short note: If you want fewer crowds, avoid major festival days like Mahashivratri and large fair days unless you want to join the crowd and the prayer at Grishneshwar Temple.
Grishneshwar Temple Nearby Attractions
- Ellora Caves
The world-famous rock-cut Ellora Caves sit very near Grishneshwar. They are a set of temples carved from rock long ago. The carvings and halls are huge. People come to both places in one day. It is a UNESCO site and a must-see. - Daulatabad Fort (Devgiri)
A strong old fort on a hill. It is about 11–15 km from Grishneshwar Temple. The fort has high walls and steep steps. It is great for a short history walk and good photos. - Bibi Ka Maqbara
A pretty tomb in Aurangabad city. It is often called the “Taj of the Deccan.” The gardens and the main building are neat and calm. It is on the way if you head back to the city from Grishneshwar Temple. - Aurangabad Caves
Small rock-cut caves near the city with Buddha carvings and old sculptures. They are calm and less crowded. Good for quiet walks after temple visits. - Panchakki (The Water Mill)
An old, cool water mill with gardens. It shows old waterwork systems and has shade and peace. Good place to rest after a hot day.
Do’s & Don’ts at Grishneshwar Temple
Do’s
- Do remove shoes before entering the main sanctum.
- Do wear clean, modest clothes. Cover shoulders and knees.
- Do keep your mobile on silent in the prayer area.
- Do carry water and a small umbrella in hot months.
- Do check puja timing before you go. Book special puja online if you need a slot.
Don’ts
- Don’t touch the priest’s items or the main Jyotirlinga at Grishneshwar Temple unless told.
- Don’t litter. Use the dustbins.
- Don’t wear shoes in the inner prayer area.
- Don’t take photos where it is not allowed. Ask first.
- Don’t bring non-veg food into temple area. Keep prasad separate.
Tips for Pilgrims visiting Grishneshwar Temple
Conclusion
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is a calm, sacred, and easy-to-visit temple near Ellora. It is a top place for people who love Lord Shiva and for those who want peace. The temple gives strong faith and quiet time. Use the timing info above and the travel tips. Book your puja if you want a special darshan at Grishneshwar Temple. Walk slowly around the grounds. See the carvings and feel calm. Visit in winter for the best comfort. Plan well, respect the place, and you will have a blessed trip.