Trimbakeshwar Temple , Nashik
Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Located in Trimbak, 28 kilometres from Nashik city, this Shaiva temple is found at the foot of Brahmagiri Hills. Established by the Maratha ruler, Peshwa Nana Saheb in the 18th century, the temple is mentioned in the powerful Mrityunjaya Mantra that bestows immortality and longevity.
Designed in classic architecture, the temple premises also cites the Kusavarta or Kunda which is said to be the source of river Godavari. The fascinating feature of the Jyotirlinga is its three faces symbolizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra. Only male devotees are allowed in the core area or ‘garbhgriha’ of the temple. It is mandatory to wear a sovala or a silk dhoti here. Devotees need to book pandits if they wish to participate in the Abhishekam.
Temple History
There are different legends associated with the history of this revered temple.
The Legend of Gautam Rishi and Lord Shiva
Believed to be the land of mystics or rishis, Trimbak is also said to have been the residence of Gautam Rishi and his wife, Ahilya. When the place was struck with a massive drought, the mystic prayed to the God of the waters; Lord Varuna to have mercy and provide the land with its water resources. Upon answered prayers, Lord Varuna blessed Trimbak with abundant water.
This incident caused many other mystics to envy Gautam Rishi, and thus the former prayed to Lord Ganesha to send a cow to destroy Gautam Rishi’s field which was rich with crops, which inexplicably died. Worrying the death of the innocent cow was on his hands, Gautam Rishi pleaded to Lord Shiva to forgive him.
Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva ordered river Ganga to come down on earth, which flowed down from the Brahmagiri Hill. Gautam Rishi saved some of Ganga’s precious waters in a vessel known as the Kushavarta Kund, which is now recognised as a sacred bath. In return, Gautam Rishi requested Lord Shiva to reside amongst them. Accepting his request, Lord Shiva manifested himself as a Linga to live there.
The Quest to Find the End of the Infinite Pillar of Light
According to another story, a prolonged quest set up by Lord Shiva for Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find the other end of the pillar of light set up by Shiva. Brahma lied to have found it, which was rather an infinite column of fire, where Shiva waited on the other side. Upon grasping Brahma’s lie, Lord Shiva cursed Brahma to never be worshipped or revered which further infuriated the latter, thus slamming Lord Shiva with another curse. To defend himself, Shiva hid beneath the ground, where a lingam is now found at Trimbakeshwar.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Architecture
Built in the18th century, the Nagara-styled Trimbakeshwar Temple is constructed in black stone. Housing a spacious courtyard, the temple also has an elevated platform known as the Shikhara which has a stone plate carved in the form of a lotus. Within the walls of the temple lies a sacred section which guards the temple deity; the garbhagriha. It is the innermost part of any temple.
The garbagriha has a hall also known as mandap in front of it. This hall has three entrances. The pillars of the temple are engraved with designs of flowers, Hindu deities, humans and animals. Although simple, the architecture of the Trimbakeshwar Temple is quite intricate and well-put-together. The temple also has a mirror is placed at a height in the alter, through which devotees can view the deity’s reflection.
How To Reach the Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbak is a small town, it has no railway station or an airport. However, reaching the temple would be a combination of modes of transport.
Via Flights
The nearest airport to Trimbak is Nashik Airport also known as Ozar Airport. It is approximately 30 kms from the Trimbakeshwar Temple, which can be covered via bus or taxi.
Via Trains
The closest railway station to the Temple is in Nashik as well; the Nashik Road Railway Station. The station is approximately 36 kms from the temple. There are quite a few trains plying to the Nashik railway station. Travellers can board trains from junctions such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Pune.
Visitors can either take an auto or a taxi from the Nashik Railway station to the temple, which would cost about INR 700
Via Road
Trimbak has well-connected roadways with Mumbai. You could either take a 2.5-hour-long drive down to Trimbakeshwar Temple from Mumbai or even board a public bus from Nashik. Taxis are also available from Mumbai to Trimbak. A bus journey to Trimbak from the Mahim Bus Station in Mumbai would be approximately 7 hours.
