Maharashtra, As the name indicates, Maha means great, and Rakshtrika means Ratta, the tribe/dynasty of pretty chiefs. It is the second-largest state in India. Because of the fantastic natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and over 1000 years old temples, Maharashtra is a famous state in India.

It is also known for caves, rock-cut architecture in Ajanta Ellora Caves- One of the UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

Maharashtra is an industrialized state of India. Maharashtra’s prime cities include Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Shirdi, and Kolhapur.

Maharashtra is blessed with so many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, called Jyotirlingas. Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath. These five jyotirlingas together are also called Pancha Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra.

More about 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra

1. Trimbakeshwar, Nashik

Trimbakeshwar is the holiest place in Maharashtra, and it is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. The unique feature of this jyotirlinga is Linga has three faces of three Gods, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. It is believed that those who visit the Trimbakeshwar get salvation, and Every 12 years across the globe, devotees came here for Mahakumbh. It is 28 km from Nashik, situated near Bhrhamgiri, from which River Godavari flows. Trimbakeshwar temple is built by the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740 – 1760).

Trimbakeshwar is the home of Lord Shiva and famous for rituals like Narayan Nagbali Puja, Kaal Sarp Dosh Puja, Tripindi Shardha, Rudhra Abhishek, Mahamrityunjay Jaap, and Kumbh Vivah. Performing puja at Trimbakeshar is more effective than performing in any other place. Purohit Sangh Trimbakeshwar performs all these pujas. These are all authorized Panditji and have legal Birthright given by Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa to perform puja called “TAMRAPATRADHARI PUROHITS.” Online Puja booking is also available.

For more details, please visit, www.trimbakeshwar.org

• Temple Opening Hours: Everyday 5:30 am to 9 pm
• Entry Fee: Entry is free. VIP darshan pass is also available. (Cost Rs. 200)
• Best time to visit Trimbakeshwar is from November to February, as the weather is pleasant and the temperature is between 7 and 32 degrees Celsius.

2. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Pune

Bhimashankar Temple is located in Khed Taluka, 127 km from Pune in Maharashtra. Bhimashankar is famous for being home to one of the twelve jyotirlingas and situated near the popular trekking destination of Karjat. Lord Shiva is known as “Ardhanareeshwara” in this temple. There is approximately 230 step, and you should budget 1 to 2 hours for Darshan. River Bhima originates from Bhimashankar. Pooja like Abhishek, Rudrabhishek, Mahapuja- MahaNaidya, Laghurudra-Bhrahman Bhojan are perfomed by Bhimashankar Guruji. Abhishek and other Puja timing is 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm.

For more details, please visit, https://bhimashankar.co.in/

• Temple Opening Hours: Every day, 4:30 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 9:30 pm.
• Entry Fee: Entry is Free.
• Best time to visit Bhimashankar is from June to August.

In addition to this, you can also visit the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is opened any time of the day but should not visit after dark. It might not be safe to visit a wildlife sanctuary at night time.

3. Grishneshwar, Aurangabad

Grishneshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located just near to Ellora caves about 35km away from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The temple, which has been built in the 13th century, was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during the period of the Mughals, and the temple was rebuilt in the 18th century. Today, the temple famous not just as a jyotirlinga but also as a key attraction in Maharashtra tourism, especially for travelers visiting the Ellora Caves. If you want to perform Abhishek in the temple, It is compulsory to wear Dhoti for Men and Saree for Women.

Jyotirlinga means “Pillar of Light” or “Column” The pilar or Stambha indicates that there is no beginning or end. Grishneshwar means ‘Lord of compassion. When Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma had an argument about who was the Supreme God, Lord Shiva emerged as a column of light and asked each one to find the ends. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could do it. It is believed that the places where these columns of light fell are where the jyotirlingas are located.

If you are planning to Visit Grishneshwar jyotirlinga, then you will definitely have a great trip. With the Grineshwar temple, visit “Ellora caves” too, which are just 2km from this temple, and don’t forget to visit “Daulatabad Fort,” which is 17.5km (Only 28min by Car) from Grishneshwar temple. It will be worth visiting Daulatabad Fort.

Want to know more, please visit, https://grishneshwar.org/

• Temple Opening Hours: every day, 5:30 am to 9:30 pm
• Entry Fee: Entry is Free
• Best time to visit Grishneshwar temple is June to September.

4. Parali Vaijanath, Beed

Parli Vaijanath jyotirlinga is located Beed district of Maharashtra, primarily known for the temple. The temple is approximately at the height of 75-80 feet from the ground. It is believed that the Vaijanath temple is built out of one stone on a small hill. Temple on a small hill attracts a large number of devotees all over the year. Parali is also famous for a Thermal power station.

Parali city is blessed with a healing atmosphere. Because of the healing atmosphere, Parali Jyotirlinga is called Vaidhyanath. Devotees are allowed to touch the Shiva Lingas, and this helps in healing various health benefits.

As Parali is a meeting point of Hari Hara, along with Lord Shaankaras, Lord Krishnas festivals are also celebrated in Parali Vaijanath. Puja like Abishek, Pindaan, kaal Sarp Puja are performs by Guruji. While performing Abhishekam, Male devotees are not allowed to wear clothes above the waist.

For more details: https://www.vaijnathjyotirling.com/

• Temple Opening Hours: 5 am to 3.30 and 6 pm to 9 pm.
• Entry Fee: Entry is Free.
• Best time to visit Vaijanath Jyotirlinga is February to April.

5. Aundha Nagnath Temple, Hingoli

Aundha Nagnath is the 5th jyotirlinga in Maharashtra. Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga is an ancient Shiva temple situated at Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli district, Maharashtra. This temple is built by Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, while 14years of exile.

Temple is Beautifully designed with Hemadpanthi architecture is situated is about 60,000sq. Ft area. On Shivratri and Vijayadashmi, a large number of devotees visit this temple.

It is believed that Devotees who are praying at this temple can safeguard themselves against all poisons.

• Temple Opening Hours: 4 am to 9 pm.
• Entry Fee: Entry is Free.
• Best time to visit Aundha Nagnath Temple is any time of the year. Please avoid the summer season as heat can get unbearable.

This is all about 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. To visit all these 5 Jyotirlingas, you need 3 Night 4 Days.

(Note: This is guest post written by Prachi Dongre)