Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik: Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the 5 jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. This shiva temple is at the base of the Brahmagiri Hills in Trimbak, 28 kilometres from Nashik city. Peshwa Nana Saheb, a Maratha ruler, built the temple in the 18th century. It is mentioned in the powerful Mrityunjaya Mantra, which helps people live longer lives.
The temple grounds mention the Kusavarta or Kunda, which is said to be where the river Godavari begins. The most interesting thing about the Jyotirlinga is that it has three faces that represent Lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra. Only male devotees are allowed in the “garbhgriha,” which is the centre of the temple. Wearing a sovala or a silk dhoti is required here. If devotees want to take part in the Abhishekam, they need to schedule pandits.
Read more: Famous Temples of Maharashtra
The history of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
A story about Rishi Gautam is tied to the history of the Trimbakeshwar temple. People believe that the land was a Tapobhoomi in the Satya Yuga, when many Rishis and Munis (Sages), such as Gautam Rishi, lived there. He and his wife Ahilya lived at Trimbak.
Once, there was a huge drought, and people all over the world were in trouble because there wasn’t enough water. Gautam Rishi spoke to God Varuna in prayer (God of water). God Varuna heard his prayers and gave him a tank with water that would never run out. The Rishi used this water to grow rice, wheat, and other grains and vegetables. After that, he gave them to the other Rishis who lived there.
After a while, some of the other Rishis got jealous of Gautam Rishi and tried to stop him. So, they prayed to Lord Ganesha and asked him to send a cow that would later die to the Rishi’s field. But Lord Ganesha told the Rishis that things won’t go well for them if they do this. Still, he sent the cow out into the field. When Gautam Rishi saw it, he threw the Darbha grass at it to scare it away. The cow, though, died in the field.
Gautam Rishi and his wife Ahilya did penance to please Lord Shiva. Shiva was happy with how much they cared, so he told Ganga to come to Earth.
Gautam Rishi stopped the Ganga from flowing out of the Brahmagiri hill and into what is now called the Kushavarta Kund. He bathed in it to clean himself. The river used to be called Dakshin Ganga, but now people know it as Godavari or Gauthami.
Then Gautam Rishi, along with other Gods and the Godavari, asked Lord Shiva to live here. Lord Shiva saw them and became a Linga to stay with them.
In the 1800s, the ruler of the Marathas, Nana Saheb Peshwa, built the current temple. Shreemant Rao Saheb added to the Trimbakeshwar temple around the Kushavarta Kund and made it easier to get to the tank later on.
Interesting facts about Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple
- This temple is also known as Lord Trimbakeshwar Mandir.
- The distance between Bhimashankar Temple & This temple is about 242 KM.
- This is the only place where both Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are honoured.
- Once every 12 years, the famous pilgrimage festival Kumbh Mela takes place here.
- People who go to this temple believe that it will wash away their sins.
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple Architecture
The black stone is used to build the whole temple. The most important thing about the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is that the jyotirlinga has three faces that represent Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. All of them live in the empty space inside the Shivalinga. This is why it’s called Trimbakeshwara (Three Lords). They are covered by a crown with jewels that are thought to have been made during the time of the Pandavas.
There are also pictures of Rama, Krishna, Ganga, Parasurama, and Kedarnath. This temple also has monasteries where saints live.
Amritavarshini is the name of a well in the temple. It also has a Kushavarta, or sacred pond, which people think is where the Godavari river starts.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Darshan & Pooja Timing
Trimbakeshwar temple timings are as follows.
| Activity | Timing |
| Temple Timing / Darshan | 5.30 AM to 9.00 PM |
| Rudrabhisek | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM |
| Special Pooja | 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:30 PM |
| Afternoon Pooja | 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Shiva Golden Crown | 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM |
Festivals celebrated at Trimbakehswar Temple in Nashik
The Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Once every 12 years, this festival brings together millions of pilgrims who come to take a holy dip in the Godavari. The most recent Kumbh Mela was in 2015.
Mahashivaratri
Mahashivratri is a special day that takes place in February or March. Devotees believe that it was on this night that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made a holy marriage vow. Even today, followers keep up the tradition by fasting and singing praises all day and night.
Tripuri Purnima
Tripuri Purnima is also known as Karthika Purnima. It is celebrated in November or December, which Hindus consider being the season of Karthika. It’s also known as the Festival of Lights of the Gods. The story behind this celebration is that Lord Shiva beat the demon Tripurasura and his three cities.
Rath Poornima Rath
During the Rath Poornima festival, which is held in January and February, the five-faced Panchamukhi Idol of Lord ShivaTrimbakeshwar is pulled through the town on a chariot. This chariot is called a “rath” by the locals.
Best Time To Visit the Temple
The best time to go to the Trimbakeshwar Temple is from October to March. Since this is also a busy time, prices will probably go up and the temple will be full. But from July to September, when it rains, is the best time for travellers on a budget.
It’s best to go to the temple before 10 AM since it gets crowded after that. Every Monday from 4 to 5 p.m., the procession of the gods takes place.
List of poojas at Trimbakeshwar temple
Kaalsarpa Pooja: The pooja is done for people who are having trouble with the planets. The devotee should first wash in the holy Kushavarta and ask for forgiveness for any sins he has done, whether he did them on purpose or not. God gets gifts like sesame, ghee, butter, milk, a cow, gold, and other things. Devotees also worship Naag in this pooja. So, doing this pooja on the day of Naag Panchami is a very lucky thing to do.
Narayan Nagbali Pooja: This pooja gets rid of the Pitru-Dosh, which is a curse put on a family by its ancestors. It also calms down souls that didn’t get what they wanted before they died. This ceremony also asks for forgiveness for killing a Naag. The priest makes a fake body out of wheat flour and does all the rituals for the dead on it. Then he chants the mantras that free the souls from the Earth. The puja is only done at this temple, and it lasts for three days. This pooja is a good one to do during Pitru Paksha.
The Tripindi Shraddha Pooja: This ceremony is for angry souls who have died. It can also help with problems like trouble giving birth, bad luck, getting ancestral Moksha, and getting rid of the Gau Hatya dosha.
Mahamrityunjaya Pooja: The Mahamritunjay Jaap is for a long, healthy life and to get rid of long-term illness. One of the most powerful ways to worship Lord Shiva is through this pooja.
Rudrabhishek: This Abhishek is done with Panchamrit (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Curd, and Sugar) while a number of mantras and shlokas are recited.
At this temple, prayers like the Ganga Pooja, Ganga Bhet, and Tarpan Shraddha are done so that the souls of the dead can rest in peace.
How To Reach Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbak is a small town with no airport or train station. However, there would be more than one way to get to the temple.
Flights
Nasik Airport, which is also called Ozar Airport, is the airport closest to Trimbak. It is about 30 km from the Trimbakeshwar Shiv Temple. You can take a bus or a taxi to get there.
Trains
Nasik Road Railway Station, which is the closest train station to the Temple and city of Nashik. About 36 km separate the station and the temple. The Nasik railway station is served by quite a few trains. Trains can pick up passengers in places like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Pune.
From the Nashik Road Railway Station, visitors can take an auto or taxi to the temple for about INR 700.
Road
Trimbak is connected to Mumbai in a good way. You could drive 2.5 hours from Mumbai to get to Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, or you could take a bus from Nashik. From Mumbai to Trimbak, you can also take a taxi. From the Mahim Bus Station in Mumbai, it would take about 7 hours to get to Trimbak by bus.
Contact Details
Address: Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Mandir, Trimbak, Maharashtra 422212
Official Website: trimbakeshwartrust.com
Phone Number: +91-2594-233215 / +91-2594-234251
Are frequent buses available from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar?
There are only about 30 kilometres (about an hour) between Nashik and Trambakeshwar. From the mela bus stop (the old CBS) to trambakeshwar, there are state-run buses. The next bus leaves for Trambakeshwar almost immediately (5–10 minutes).
In the vicinity of the major bus stop, you can alternatively choose a cab, which will run you about Rs. 100.
Can I get accommodation near the Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik?
Yes, Swamisamarth Temple is about five minutes before Trimbakshewar, and it offers well-equipped accommodations at a low price with a lovely ambience and setting.