Only now the journey will b completed!!!!!!!

"Camera mana hain, andar rakhiye usse" ranted the security guard with a glaring look. His cantankerous tone can raise anyone's hackles(for a moment I thought, he bawled for intruding in his private property).Disgruntled, I abided by his order. Luckily, the coated sky with pink and orange hues worked akin to memory charm-'Obliviate'.There I was- awestruck by the amidst settled, quaint, archaic  Grishneshwar temple, somewhere I was strolling leisurely in the trance state induced by the resonance of hymns and prayers.Simply enamoring, enchanting, enrapturing, fascinating. Euphoria!!!!  

    

Architecture:
This imposing 240 ft by 180 ft temple,one of he 12 enshrines of Jyotirlinga was built in  16th century by Maloji Bhonsale and later in 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar.The massive court hall is built on 24 pillars with Dashavataras carved on them. Quite conspicuous is Nandi, the mount of Shiva  in the Sabhamandap.The fabricated sculpted carvings with arcane details would bemuse even a maven.The warm golden light over red sandstone edifice,exquisite carvings and sculpture seemed like golden dust for me.

 

 Significance:

Being one of the twelve shrines of Jyotirlinga which is self-oriented embraces the belief that visit over here will shower you with wealth and pleasure.The journey to he Jyotirlingas is incomplete without the visit to this revered temple.

 

Mystery:

The origin of the flow of the water in the temple is still a mystery.

Unique factor:
Seeing men removing their clothes their clothes before entering the temple was all Greek to me!!!

History of the temple:
The legend speaks of a devout woman, Kusuma, the wife of the Brahmin Sudhama. She used to form and worship a lingam each day and then immerse it in the river. Sudeha, first wife of the Brahmin was jealous of her as she did not have any children of her own. In a fit of rage, she drowned Kusuma's only son. Though Kusuma was subdued in grief, she continued her prayers as usual. Shiva appeared in front of her and brought back her son to life. Therefore the temple is also acknowledged  by the name of Kusumeswara.

 Another legend speaks of Parvati, born as a tribal woman wooing the lord.and being united with him here. One day as she grounded vermillion and saffron with water to apply on the parting in her hair( a symbol of the married woman),Shiva in the form of light, appeared  in her palm in the form of light. This light turned into a lingam which she called "Grishneshwar" because it was formed by grishna(friction) between her finger and palm.

Antiques:

•  Shiva lingas which can be worshipped at home. 
• Rudraksha beads which have the power to cure emotional and physical disorders.
• Precious stones and religious gift items.

Other tourist attractions nearby:

•  Ellora Caves: Built by the Rashtrakutas dynasty is an archaeological site consisting of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain rock cut temples in 5th and 6th century.
• Bibi Ka Maqbara: Commisioned by sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 17th century in the memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum.
• Panchakki:The water mill displays the scientific thought process put in medieval Indian architecture.

Location and mode of transport:

27 kms from Aurangabad.

11 kms from Daulatabad, near Ellora caves.
By air: Aurangabad.
By train: Nearest railway station is Aurangabad which is connected to Mumbai and Pune railway station.
By road: Can travel through Mumbai Pune Express Highway.

If not anything, just get on a road trip here and have an exhilarating experience!!!!!!!!!!!