Nestled in the beautiful town of Nashik lies this divine Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Temple which is a sacred abode of Lord Shiva. This guide to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Mandir takes you on a spiritual journey to India’s most revered pilgrimage sites.
Being a devout follower of Lord Shiva I visited Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling temple in Nashik and I must say it was a surreal and spiritually uplifting experience for me.
Throughout my visit, I tried to learn as much information as I can. Trimbakeshwar in Nashik is rich in history, culture, and spiritual Significance. I have tried my best to present all of this information to help you plan your visit to this holy place.
Jyotirling Temples and their significance
There are 12 Jyotirling temples spread across India, and Trimbakeshwar is one of them!
A Jyotirling refers to a divine representation of the great Lord Shiva in temples. It is said that originally there were 64 Jyotirlings out of which 12 are considered the most auspicious ones!
According to Hindu Mythology, it is believed that whoever visits all of these 12 Holy Jyotirlings will be released from the cycle of life and death!
Maharashtra is the state with the highest number of Jyotirlingas situated in different cities.
The list of 12 Jyotirlingas
- Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gir, Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
- Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
- Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nasik, Maharashtra
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
- Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
The mythological history of the temple
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling temple was constructed in the 17th Century by Shri Nana Saheb Peshwa. It is built of Blackstone and the architecture features Nagara style which has a spacious Courtyard and a square structure that beautifully features an internal sanctum that has the presiding deity called Lord Shiva.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling is at the foothill of mountain Bramhagiri. The holy river Godavari originates from this mountain. According to mythological stories, Lord Brahmadeva did penance on the mountain Brahmagiri to please Lord Shiva. Saint Gautama had his ashram on the same mountain where he used to perform penance too to please Lord Shiva to erase his sin of killing a cow earlier.
Lord Shiva was pleased and asked Saint Gautama what he wants to which he said that he wanted to take a bath in Monther Ganga’s (Gange’s) water to get rid of his sin. Lord Shiva accepted Saint Gautama’s wish and sent Ganga maata’s water to Brahmagiri mountain, but it disappeared for several times.
It is believed that Ganga maata wanted Lord Shiva to be there at Trimbakeshwar and that’s when he accepted her request and then originate on the land of Trimbak in the form of Jyotirlinga, which is known as Sri Kshetra Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir.
Trimbakeshwar means three faces and its believed from stories that the three supreme gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv exist in this one Shivling which makes this place more unique and auspicious for all!
Structure & Design Of The Temple
The entire structure of the temple is ornamented. The moment you pay attention to the details, the intricate sculpture in the stonework which features various intricate patterns and figures of Gods, humans, animals, and little flowers is beyond magic!
The sanctum is crowned with a huge tower that is embellished with a giant Amalaka and a golden kalash.
The Shivling is present in the floor depression of the sanctum. It is crowned and studded with precious stones like emeralds and diamonds which are said to be from the age of the Pandavas.
according to Hindu mythology and beliefs.
How to reach the temple
Jyotirling Temple is located around 30 km from the city of Nashik, Maharashtra on the banks of river Godavari and on the foothills of Brahmagiri mountains.
This temple is popularly known as Trimbak and every year thousands of people from Mumbai and Pune visit it.
By Train
There is no train station in Trimbakeshwar. But the nearest railway station is Nashik Railway Station which is about 42 km away. You can hire a taxi or take a public bus that takes around 50 minutes approximately to reach Trimbakeshwar.
Taxi from Nashik Railway station to Trimbakeshwar costs: 1400 INR
The MSRTC bus fare costs: 60 INR per person, approximately.
By Air
The nearest airport to this temple is Nashik Gandhinagar Airport, which is 30 km away. From Nashik Airport, you can reach Trimbakeshwar by hiring a taxi or auto-rickshaw, as it’s the most convenient route for local people, visitors, and tourists.
Ola cabs cost 1500 from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar temple.
By Road
The Trimbakeshwar temple is well-connected by roads. You can reach here easily by any public or private bus.
Details about the temple, the queue, and the darshan
There are two gates to enter the temple along with a lot of boards about VIP Darshan, lockers, and fees for keeping your belongings outside the gate.
There are two ways that are two queues to worship here. The first one is a Free queue and the second is a paid VIP queue for darshan for which you have to buy tickets for it.
I have been here and the most tiring part of the visit is the huge queue for the people opting for free darshan! I would say, this queue easily takes 4 to 5 hours to reach the sanctum. More than that if it’s a Sunday!
The VIP Darshan takes around 1.5 hours approximately once you buy the tickets and also offers a small donation for the temple and its management.
Festivals & Celebrations at the temple
Although Kumbh Mela attracts devotees from all over India every 12 years and is considered the most significant festival where millions of pilgrims come to bathe in the River Godavari with a belief that it’ll wash all their sins, there are many other important festivals that take place here in Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling temple. Those are The grand Mahashivratri, Tripuri Purnima, and Rath Purnima!
Believe me, this time of the year is the greatest opportunity for every devotee of Shiva to religiously pray, learn more about the glorious history of Shiva, experience serenity, and feel the power of spirituality within.
The Kaal Sarp Pooja
This pooja has worked well for me and helped me to have a new and positive approach toward life! Kaal Sarp Pooja is a remedy for the Kaal Sarp Dosh. This dosh is a problem where all asteroids, and stars of wealth get captured in a circle.
According to the beliefs and stories, it’s said that this might make the affected planets dormant and keep a person away from specific energy and the effects can last a lifetime depending on the planetary positions!
I performed this pooja after discussing the traditions, the rituals, and the mythological reasons with a priest at the temple. The cost for the Kaal Sarp Pooja keeps varying here; hence, you have to check it with management there.
The Kushawrat Kund
Kushawrat is a pond near the Trimbakeshwar Temple and the experience here is phenomenal!
The pond has a huge holy significance in the Hindu religion. Its located near the Trimbakeshwar Mandir where the holy Godavari river emerged after disappearing from Brahmagiri Parvat.
It’s believed that taking a holy dip in this pond wipes all your sins! So, do not forget to visit this special place after offering your prayers to the Trimbak Raja!
Trimbakeshwar temple visit timings
The Trimbakeshwar temple opens its gate for the devotees at 5.30 am and closes at 9 pm.
Affordable accommodation options
You have several options to stay in Trimbakeshwar, right from guesthouses to luxury hotels! According to me, Nashik has more accommodation options than Trimbakeshwar. Some of the recommendations I’d like to make are listed below!
Express Inn
Express Inn is a luxurious 5-star residence that offers its guests a premium hospitality experience. If you are looking for spacious and well-appointed rooms then this is the place for you!
You also have access to the amenities here which include a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and multiple dining options that serve a variety of cuisine.
This is an ideal accommodation choice if you want to explore the city’s famous temple and natural attractions along with a relaxing stay in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik. Know more.
Three Leaves
Hotel Three Leaves is a super charming 3-star accommodation choice that offers a comfortable and affordable stay for guests if you are looking to explore the city and other fun activities at budget-friendly prices!
This hotel is well-maintained and has good rooms with modern amenities that include air conditioning, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Know more.
Sai Yatri
Sai Yatri is the best accommodation option if you are looking for a good and pocket-friendly option. This place is known as The Popular and most rated choice for all tourists that visit Trimbakeshwar frequently.
This hotel is a decent option for accommodation and is located right exactly opposite the Trimbakeshwar Temple!
The windows of Sai Yatri Hotel feature a beautiful view of the mountains, the stream, and white clouds along with a priceless view of the temple and its proceedings too! Know more
Some things to note down before visiting the temple
- Women are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum
- Only men can enter the sanctum sanctorum along with a pandit of the temple for performing a ritual called Rudra Abhishek.
- Mobile phones have to be switched off while entering the sanctum premises and photography is strictly prohibited.
- The best time to visit this temple is early morning. Monthwise, the best time to visit here is October to March as the weather is pleasant and you can bear standing in long queues under the sun!
- Please respect the structures built in the temple.
- Do not enter the places which are closed off and follow the directions given by the temple security
Conclusion
Visiting the Trimbakeshwar Temple is a spiritual and cultural experience that should not be missed.
Apart from its religious significance, this place is home to stunning temple architecture and designs, intricate carvings, and serene surroundings.
You can perform rituals, aartis, take a dip in the Godavari river, and perform various abhisheka with the pandits there.
Trimbakeshwar Temple is worth visiting for every devotee of Shiva. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with the cultural and spiritual roots of India and experience the tranquillity of this sacred place!
