Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
ఘృష్ణేశ్వర్
Lord Shiva as Grishneshwar · Verul, near Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva as a self-manifest pillar of light (jyoti-linga). Located in Verul, near Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.
Significance
The 12th and final Jyotirlinga. Located near the famous Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage). Built in early-medieval Hemadpanthi style.
Mythological Origin
A devotee named Sudeha (with no children) prayed to Shiva. When she succeeded in becoming a mother through her co-wife Sudharma's son, jealousy led to tragedy — but Sudharma's devotion brought Shiva to manifest at Grishneshwar, restoring all.
About the 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest Shiva pilgrimage sites in India. Per the Shiva Mahapurana, when devotees compete to claim Lord Shiva's primacy, he manifested as an infinite pillar of light (jyoti-stambha) at 12 sacred locations. Devotees visiting all 12 in a single lifetime is one of the highest pilgrimages (Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Yatra). Reciting the 12-line Jyotirlinga Stotra ("Saurashtre Somanatham...") daily is said to grant the merit of physical pilgrimage to all 12.
Grishneshwar at a glance
| Form of Shiva worshipped here | Lord Shiva as Grishneshwar |
|---|---|
| Telugu name of the shrine | ఘృష్ణేశ్వర్ |
| Where | Verul, near Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Order in the traditional list | 12 of 12 |
Grishneshwar — frequently asked questions
Why is Grishneshwar counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
A devotee named Sudeha (with no children) prayed to Shiva. When she succeeded in becoming a mother through her co-wife Sudharma's son, jealousy led to tragedy — but Sudharma's devotion brought Shiva to manifest at Grishneshwar, restoring all. Grishneshwar stands twelfth in the traditional order this site follows, and the form worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Grishneshwar.
Where is Grishneshwar and what should you know before travelling?
Verul, near Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra. The shrine is written ఘృష్ణేశ్వర్ in Telugu. Darshan timings, the aarti schedule, the queue and road access all change through the year and this site does not publish them — confirm those with the temple itself before you travel.
Which days are kept for Shiva at Grishneshwar?
Monday is Shiva's day of the week, and the pradosha window on the trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, the month of Shravana and Maha Shivaratri are kept at every Jyotirlinga. None of that is particular to Grishneshwar — the days to look for at this shrine are the ones the panchangam already marks for Shiva.
We do not publish darshan timings, ticket prices or queue lengths for Grishneshwar — those change week to week and we have no way to verify them from here. What this site can settle is when: see the 12 Jyotirlinga circuit for the auspicious days ahead, Maha Shivaratri for the principal Shiva night of the year, or the daily panchangam for the tithi and Rahu Kalam on the date you are travelling.