Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Twelfth Jyotirlinga — the last of the twelve, near the Ellora caves.

दर्शन महत्व: Pair with Ellora–Ajanta heritage circuit; completes the full Jyotirlinga yatra for many families.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Oct–Mar

History

Grishneshwar (also Ghushmeshwar) near Verul in Maharashtra is the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga, a short walk from the Ellora caves. Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the red-stone temple in the 18th century. Completing darshan here is how many families close a pan-India Jyotirlinga yatra.

Legends

• The Shiva Purana recounts the devotee Ghushma (or Kusuma) who made 101 lingams daily; when her jealous co-wife killed her son, Shiva restored the child and manifested as Grishneshwar.
• Another tradition names the site after Parvati’s intense devotion (ghrina / ghrishna — ardent love) at this kshetra.