About Trimbakeshwar

About Trimbakeshwar
Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple in the town of Trimbak, in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, (India) 28 km from the city of Nashik. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingaas. it is regarded as the main Jyotirlinga, amongst the 12 Jyotirlingas situated in India

Trimbakeshwar, which is 28 kms (18 miles) away from Nashik. It is a religious center having one of the twelve JYOTIRLINGA of the world. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is that it has three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Mahesh(Shiva). All other JYOTIRLINGA have Shiva as the main deity. The temple is known for its appealing architecture and sculpture and is at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri. Godavari River originates on Bramhagiri mountain and meets to the sea near Raj Mahendri, AP. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and serves as the venue of the main pujas (worship rituals) done in India, namely Narayan Nagbali, Tripindi and Kalsarpa etc.


Its religious significance
Sinhastha Mahatmya speaks of Lord Rama having made the Yatra at Trimbakeshwar. A shraddha on the river Godavari gives great satisfaction to the forefathers. If it is not done in this place, it is considered as a religious sin. So Ganga Pujan, Ganga Bhet, Deh Shuddhi Prayaschitta. Tarpan Shradha, Vayan, Dasha Dana, Gopradan etc. Rituals are done in Trimbakeshwar. Mundana and Tirtha Shraddha are also performed here.

Kushavarta is called as Teertharaj, since it has six corners. After finishing the tirtha-yatra at Kushavarta, a pilgrim should proceed by the northern bank of Godavari and visit Nilsangameshwar, Vivah Vinayak, Satya Narayan, Dhaneshwar Mahadev, Tarangeshwar, Setupaleshwar etc.

The Lord Shiva at Trimbakeshwar is worshipped by recitations of Rudra, Rudri, Laghu Rudra, Maha Rudra or Ati Rudra puja. Actually Rudrashak is a religious fruit which is said to be found in lord Shiva's neck in the form of Rudra garland. Some of the trees of Rudrashak is also found in Trimbakeshwar. For more details read Rudraksha Mahima

Trimbakeshwar Temple serves as the venue of the Triyambak Kumbhamela, which takes place every twelve years for Shaivites (people who worship Lord Shiva). The Jyotirlinga at Trimbak has a very unique feature, unlike that of the eleven other Jyotirlingas. It comprises of three faces, representing the Hindu Trinity of Gods - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh (Shiva). Situated near the mandir is the Gangasagar bathing tank, a dip in which is supposed to wash away all the sins of a person.



Trimbakeshwar Temple
It has been built as per the Indo Aryan style and has been beautifully adorned with idols and sculptures, comprising the figures of humans, animals as well as yakshas. Encircling the Trimbakeshwar Temple is a colossal wall, made out of stone. In the path that leads to the temple is a large statue of a bull and one enters the sanctum sanctorum, the marble idol of Nandi Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, comes into view. The Jyotirlingam is situated right in the center of the garbagriha and from here, River Ganges trickles constantly throughout the year.

It is believed that Trimbakeshwar is the holiest place of Hindu mythology. River Godavari originates from here and anyone is believed to have acquired salvation, once he or she visits to Trimbakeshwar. The construction of Trimbakeshwar was started in 1755 by Balaji Bajirao. The magnificent work of architecture was completed in 31 years.

The work of constructing the present temple of Trimbakeshwar was begun by Shrimant Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasahib Peshawe in 1755 in the first half of the Margashirsha month (around December) and was completed in 1786. It took 31 years to construct the temple and the cost of 16 lacs then. There are three “Linga” of the size of a thumb and they are called as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh - the creator, the organizer and the destroyer. These lingas are natural (emerged naturally) Water of Ganges flows over the Linga of Shiva. The grant of Rs. 1000.00 per month was given for performing puja and offerings etc. The deity is worshipped here thrice a day and an additional worship with flowers at pradosha time.



How to go
By road from Nashik it is 35 KM. Nasik is well connected by train also. The journey from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar is through forest. People can stay here for one whole day and have to reach back Nashik for staying.
From Mumbai it is 210 KM. Nashik is 185Kms from Mumbai.
The nearest airport is Oghur. This place is 16 Kms from Nashik. Nearest railway station is Nasik Road. Metropolitan airport - Mumbai.

By Air: Nearest airport is Nashik 39 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Nashik Road 44 kms on Central Railway.
By Road: Bombay - Trimbakeshwar 180 kms.
State Transport buses run between Nashik - Trimbakeshwar frequently.


Places to visit around Trimbakeshwar

Kushavarta
The place from where river Godavari takes its course. A dip in this sacred river wipes off the sins, is the belief of people. The sage Gautam committed a sin of murdering a cow and by taking bath in this river, wiped off his sin.
Location of Trimbakeshwar.


Brahmagiri
Original Ganges and Trimbak Tirtha are on Brahmagiri mountain adjacent to Trimbakeshwar temple. Brahmagiri is considered as a huge form of Lord Shiva and hence the mountain climbing was considered as a sin. However in 1908 Seth Lalchand Jashodanand Bhambhani of Karachi and Seth Ganeshdas built 500 steps of stone at a cost of Rs. 40,000 then. This has facilitated easy access to Brahmagiri. Godavari is flowing in three directions on the mountain. The one flowing towards east is called Godavari, one flowing towards the south is called Vaitarna and the one flowing towards the west is called the west-flowing Ganga and meets Godavari near Chakra Tirth. River Ahilya meets Godavari in front of the Trimbakeshwar temple. Childless families worship at the Ahilya sangam and it is believed that they do get a child

The first peak of Sahyadri is called Brahmadri. The story associated with this is that Shankar was pleased with Brahmadev and said “ I shall be known by your name”. Hence it is called as Brahmagiri. The mountain is 1800 feet high . Its height from sea level is 4248 feet. Five peaks of this mountain are called Sadyo-Jata, Vamdev, Aghora, Ishana and Tat-Purusha and are considered as five mouths of the Lord Shiva and they are worshipped.


Gangadwar
GangadwarGangadwar is half way to Brahmagiri mountain. There is a temple of Ganga, now known as Godavari River. Ganga appears first time here, after it vanishes from Brahmagiri Mountain. Godavari comes to Gangadwar from Brahmadri. There are 750 steps to Gangadwar. These were built by Karamsi Ranamull of Village Maska. The work was commenced on 1st of Chaitra in Samwat 1907 and was coMmpleted on 5th of Chaitra Samwat 1918 by Seth Hansraj Karamsi. Gangadwar is one of the five tirthas. There is an idol of Ganga and near her feet is a stone of the shape of cow’s head through which Ganga water is flowing drop by drop.


Bilwa Tirtha
Bilwa Tirtha is to the north of Nila mountain. It is one of the five tirthas. There is a temple of Bilvakeshwar Mahadev built by Naro Vinayak Gogte in 1738 at a cost of Rs. 25,000.00


Gautam Tirtha
Gautam Tirtha is to the south of the Ganges and the Trimbakeshwar temple. Varun being pleased with Gautam gave this tirtha as a permanent source of water. To the north is Gautameshwar and to the south is Rameshwar Mahadev. This tank is 600 x 400 ft and is built by Shrimant Pandit Zashivale at a cost of Rs. 50,000.00


Indra Tirtha
Indra Tirtha is to the east and near Kushavarta. This is known as Shakra-Kupa for Indra wiped off his curse given by sage Gautam for enjoying Ahilya, by a bath in this tirtha. This is built with cut stone in octagonal form by Vishnu Mahadeo Gadre at a cost of Rs. 22000 in 1778. On the bank of the tirtha is a beautiful temple of Indreshwar Mahadev with an idol of Indra seated on an Airavata elephant.

Besides this there are Vishwanath tirtha, Nilambar tirtha or Moti-tank, Mukund tirtha, Prayag tirtha and Veni-Madhav and other Mahadev temples on the bank of Prayag tirtha. Here is a matha of Nirvana Sampradaya (sect) Nilganga tirtha and nilsangameshwar Mahadev temple are on the north bank of Godavati.


Ahilya Sangam tirtha
To force Gautam to give up his penance, a friend of Ganga named Jatila took the form of Ahilya, Gautam’s wife. Gautam could make it out and cursed her to be transformed into a river. Then she begged his pardon. Gautam granted her pardon and said that she will be freed of her curse on her joining with Godavari river. This is the Ahilya-Sangam tirtha where Ganga and Godavari join. There is a temple of Sangmeshwar Mahadev.


Ashta tirtha yatra and pancha tirtha yatra
Two yatras (pilgrimage) are performed here.
A) Ashta tirtha yatra including Ballal tirtha, the sacred place of Gunesh Ganapati, Varansi tirtha, Manakarnika tirtha, Ganga sagar, Rama-Laxman tirtha, Shali tirtha, Kanchan tirtha and Ahilya-Sangam tirtha.
B) Pancha tirtha yatra includes Gangadwar, Kushavarta, Bilwaka, Nilparavata and Kanakhala tirtha. It is believed that one who takes a bath in the above is never reborn.


Nil Parvat (Mountain)
Shreemant Seth Kapol has built about 200 steps. On the summit is the temple of Nilamba Matamba Devi, further on is an ancient temple of Nilkantheshwar Mahadev and an idol of Parashuram. There is an old akhada or matha of the Gosavi sect and an ancient temple of Sadguru Dattatreya.




Contact
Pandit Mayur Girijashankar Thete
Home no.291, Behind Kusharvart tirth,
Next to ‘Mule Wada’,
Trimbakeshwar,
Dist- Nashik – 422 212
Maharashtra State
INDIA

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