GRISHNESHWAR JYOTIRIINGA HISTORY
The word Grishneshwar literally means the lord of compassion. Grishneshwar temple, sometimes referred to as the Ghrneshwar Jyotirlinga or Dhushmeshwar temple. Grishneshwar or Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga is considered as the last among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.
It is located in the village of Verul, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by several other names Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara, Kusumeswara, and Grishneswara.
GRISHNESHWAR TEMPLE:
The Temple is located at a village called verul, which is at a distance of 11kms from Daulatabad (Devagiri) and 30kms from Aurangabad. This lies near to Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The temple is built of red rocks.
The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the Hindu-Muslim(Maratha-Mughal) conflicts. The temple`s current form is because of Rani Ahilya Bhai of Indore. Anyone can enter the temple premises but the local custom demands men to be bare-chested to enter the sanctum sanctorum.
According to a legend, a couple named Sudeha and Sudharm used to stay in this region. They were childless. So Sudharm married Ghushma, the sister of Sudeha. They were blessed with a son. This son made Ghushma happy and Sudeha jealous. Out of jealousy, Sudeha threw the child into a lake where Ghushma discharged 101 lingams.
Responding to the prayers of Ghushma, Shiva gave the child back to her and told her about her sister. Ghushma was kind enough to excuse her sister. Pleased by the generosity, Shiva manifested himself as a linga in that region and thereafter came to be known as Ghushmehwar or Ghushneshwar jyotirlinga.
This temple is situated in the picturesque location, near Ellora caves, a UNESCO world heritage site.
