Grishneshwar Temple, Ellora: the 12th Jyotirlinga Guide
श्री घृष्णेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंगWhere a mother's unbroken faith — and her forgiveness — kept Shiva in Verul.
Grishneshwar (also spelt Ghrishneshwar or Ghushmeshwar) stands in Verul village, about 1.5 km from the Ellora Caves in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra. Ghushma’s story from the Shiva Purana, darshan hours and temple customs, the development works under way since September 2026, how to reach from the city, and how to pair it with Ellora.
- 12th and last Jyotirlinga in the traditional list
- ~1.5 km from the Ellora Caves
- ~30 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- 18th c. red-stone temple rebuilt by the Holkars
Where is Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and is it open now?
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is in Verul village near Ellora, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra — about 30 km from the city and 1.5 km from the Ellora Caves. It is traditionally the twelfth of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Development works began around the temple in September 2026; the district administration has said it will not close for six months, but check local news before you travel.
Grishneshwar — घृष्णेश्वर, also written Ghrishneshwar, Ghushmeshwar or, locally, Ghushneshwar — is the Shiva temple of Verul, the village that gives the Ellora Caves their name. The twelve-name stotra ends with “घुश्मेशं च शिवालये”, Ghushmesha at Shivalaya, which is why the temple is traditionally counted as the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga. The Shivalaya Teerth tank lies beside it.
The temple of red basalt, carved with deities and stories, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It was restored in the 16th century by Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji, and the present structure was rebuilt by the Holkars in the 18th century. With Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar, it is one of Maharashtra’s three Jyotirlingas in the Sahyadri country.
The legend of Grishneshwar
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) tells the story of Ghushma, whose faith did not break. This is how it is told.
- Two sistersThe Brahmin Sudharma and his wife Sudeha had no children, so Sudeha asked him to marry her younger sister, Ghushma, a devoted worshipper of Shiva.
- 101 clay lingasEvery day Ghushma shaped 101 small lingas of clay, worshipped them and let them dissolve in a nearby pond. In time she had a son, and Sudeha’s jealousy grew.
- Faith unbrokenSudeha took the young man’s life and left him in the pond. Ghushma did not stop her worship — and by Shiva’s grace her son came back to her alive.
- ForgivenessShiva wished to punish Sudeha, but Ghushma asked him to forgive her sister and to stay there for everyone’s good. He remained as Ghushmeshwar.
This is a story of faith, told as tradition rather than history. For many devotees, Grishneshwar is the temple of compassion: the last Jyotirlinga of the list, remembered for a mother who chose forgiveness over revenge.
Grishneshwar temple timings and darshan
| Daily hours | About 5:30 am to 9:30 pm (Incredible India) |
| Aarti times | Listed as 5:30 am, 12 noon, 7 pm and Shayan aarti at 9:30 pm — sources differ, so confirm locally |
| Sanctum custom | Men enter the garbhagriha bare-chested (shirts and vests off); devotees may touch the linga |
| Phones | Phones and cameras were banned in the premises on Mahashivratri 2026 — be ready to leave them in the car or at a locker |
| Ticket | General darshan is free. We found no official online or VIP darshan booking — avoid sites selling one |
| Busiest days | Mondays, Shravan Mondays, Mahashivratri and Kartik Purnima. On peak days darshan may be given from outside the sanctum |
We found no official temple website. Timings are from Incredible India (Government of India); private guides print slightly different hours, so confirm locally. The temple is managed by the Shri Grishneshwar Devasthan Trust.
Festivals and the 2026–27 works
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Mahashivratri 2027 | 6 Mar 2027 | Drik Panchang; heaviest crowds of the year |
| Shravan 2027 | Not announced yet | Maharashtra follows the Amanta Shravan, usually late July to August |
| Development works | Since Sep 2026 | Underpass, covered queue, parking — temple not to close for six months (District Collector, Oct 2026) |
A six-month closure “from 1 November” was reported in October 2026, but the district collector told villagers and traders the temple will not shut for six months and any closure will be kept short. No final schedule has been published — check the latest local news before you travel. Buses and cars may be stopped short of the temple during the works, so expect to walk 1–2 km.
How to reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
By air
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport is about 30–37 km from the temple.
By rail
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station is about 30 km from the temple by road.
By road
About 30 km north-west of the city via Daulatabad and Khuldabad. MSRTC buses and taxis run to Ellora and Verul; check timings locally.
At the temple
Level village approach — but during the 2026–27 works vehicles may be stopped 1–2 km short, and part of the queue is in the open.
Sample Grishneshwar and Ellora trip
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Day 1Arrive Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Arrive by air or rail. Afternoon at Bibi ka Maqbara in the city, or drive straight on to Verul (about 30 km) and stay near Ellora.
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Day 2Grishneshwar → Ellora
Early-morning darshan at Grishneshwar, then the Ellora Caves next door. Evening stop at Daulatabad Fort or Bhadra Maruti, Khuldabad.
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Day 3On to the next Jyotirlinga
Drive about 200 km to Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, or take a day trip to Ajanta (about 100 km) before flying home.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Check the worksLook up the latest local news on closures and traffic before you leave — the works around the temple run into 2027.
- Dress for the sanctumMen should wear something easy to take off above the waist; everyone should dress modestly.
- EldersThe ground is flat, but walking distances have grown during the works. Avoid Mondays in Shravan and Mahashivratri, and carry water.
- Pick your seasonJuly to March is the most comfortable — green after the monsoon, pleasant in winter. April to June is hot.
Grishneshwar and the Ellora Caves
The temple is about 1.5 km from the Ellora Caves, the UNESCO World Heritage rock-cut caves — so most visitors see both on the same day. Grishneshwar is not inside the caves: the great Kailasa temple of Cave 16 is a different monument.
Go for darshan early, then spend the rest of the day at Ellora (check the caves’ weekly closing day before you go). Nearby are the Bhadra Maruti temple at Khuldabad (about 4 km) and Daulatabad (Devagiri) Fort (about 15 km); Ajanta is about 100 km away.
Plan your Grishneshwar and Ellora yatra with Suzu
We plan Grishneshwar–Ellora trips from Mumbai, Pune or your city, add Trimbakeshwar and Bhimashankar for the three Maharashtra Jyotirlingas, or fit Grishneshwar into the full 12 Jyotirlinga journey — cars, stays and darshan timed around the crowds and the current works, with elders in mind.
Questions pilgrims ask
What are Grishneshwar temple timings?
About 5:30 am to 9:30 pm according to Incredible India. Aarti times vary between sources, so confirm them locally.
Is Grishneshwar temple closed in November 2026?
A six-month closure was reported, but the district collector has said the temple will not close for six months. Development works are on, so check local news before you go.
Why do men remove their shirts at Grishneshwar?
By temple custom men enter the sanctum bare-chested. Devotees are also allowed to touch the linga.
Which is the 12th Jyotirlinga?
Grishneshwar near Ellora is traditionally listed as the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga.
How far is Grishneshwar from the Ellora Caves?
About 1.5 km — most visitors see the temple and the caves on the same day. The temple is not inside the caves.
How far is Grishneshwar from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)?
About 30 km by road via Daulatabad and Khuldabad. The airport is roughly 30–37 km away.
What is the story of Grishneshwar?
The Shiva Purana tells of Ghushma, whose faith brought her son back to life and who asked Shiva to forgive her jealous sister. Shiva stayed there as Ghushmeshwar.
Can I carry a phone inside Grishneshwar temple?
Phones and cameras were banned in the premises on Mahashivratri 2026, and rules on other days are not published. Be ready to leave them outside.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Seasonal yatras
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Incredible India — Grishneshwar Temple (Govt of India)
- Sakal — Collector: temple won't close for six months (2 Oct 2026)
- Sakal — underpass work and darshan queue plan (24 Sep 2026)
- ETV Bharat — Grishneshwar cluster development (3 Oct 2026)
- ETV Bharat Marathi — Mahashivratri 2026 arrangements (4 Feb 2026)
- Shiva Mahapurana, Koti Rudra Samhita (Sanskrit)
- Wikipedia — Ghrishneshwar Temple
- Drik Panchang — Maha Shivaratri 2027
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
