Jyotirling

Jyotirling

                  Shiva is Shakti (power), Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names - Mahadeo, Mahesh, Maheshwar, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraj, Bhairav, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath - Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognise this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities.

Shiva As a Phallic Symbol

Shiva, in temples is usually found as a linga (phallic symbol), which represents the energies necessary for life on both the microcosmic and the macrocosmic levels, that is, the world in which we live and the world which constitutes the whole of the universe. In a Shaivite (a sect) temple, the linga is placed in the centre underneath the spire, where it symbolises the naval of the earth.

The Image of Shiva

The actual image of Shiva is also distinct from other deities: his hair piled high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges tumbling from his hairs. Around his neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini or the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand in which is bound the damroo (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears the Rudraksha beads and his whole body is smeared with ash. The Nandi (bull) is his mode of transport, and he is sometimes depicted riding one.

The Destructive Force

Shiva is believed to be at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe, since he is responsible for death and destruction. Unlike the godhead Brahma the Creator, Shiva is the dissolving force in life. But Shiva dissolves in order to create, since death is the medium for rebirth into a new life. So the opposites of life and death and creation and destruction both reside in his character.

The God Who's Always on a High!

Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty destructive power, to numb his negative potentials he is fed with opium and is also termed as Bhole Shankar, one who is oblivious of the world. Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees, especially the men folk, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

The twelve most important temples of the Lord Mahadev are called Jyotirlinga, five of which are in Maharashtra.

1.Tryambakeshwar

The Jyotirling at Tryambakeshwar, Nashik district is unique in that the linga has an image of the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh. The temple is at the foot of the Brahmagiri hill, and is famous for its excellent sculpture and architecture.

There are records of this temple being built by Peshwa BalajiBajirao in the year 1755. The famous Kumbha Mela (fair) is held in Nashik, and every 12th year, this Mela is held at the Shiva temple at Tryambakeshwar too. Along with these, there are other famous well attended fairs (Yatra) held at the temple, NivruttiNath yatra, Ratha (chariot)Yatra being two of these. TheTripindi Narayan NagBali, a specific ritual, is only held here in the entire country. The Brahmagiri hill which is in the vicinity of the temple has the source of the River Godavari, the most important rivers of Maharashtra. There are other important holy places close to this temple like Kushavarta Teerth, GangaDwar and Muktai temple, the Samadhi temple of Saint NivruttiNath, the elder brother of Saint Dnyaneshwar.

There are excellent lodging and boarding facilities here. The natural surroundings here are breathtaking. Devotees visiting this place can therefore also add tourism to their itinerary.

This temple is just 28 km from Nashik city.

2. Aundha Nagnath

Aundha Nagnath is considered the first among the 12 Jyotirling. the It is said that DharmaRajYudhisthir, the eldest of the five Pandava brothers (of the Mahabharata), built the Aundha Nagnath temple during their 14 years of exile.

The temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style and is spread across a massive 60,000 sq ft. There is excellent sculpture and architecture to be found here. It has large corridors and an expansive court hall with eight pillars.

This temple is also unique in that unlike other temples, the idol of Nandi isn’t at the entrance to the temple, but instead is ensconced in a separate smaller temple beside the main one. Another fascinating part of the Aundha Nagnath temple is that snakes flanking the Shiva linga with their hoods are often seen here. The temple premise also has 12 small temples for the 12 Jyotirlinga, 108 temples and 68 shrines (Pinda) of Mahadeo. Besides, there are idols and temples of VedavyasaLinga, Bhandareshwar, Nilakanteshwar, Ganapati, Dattatreya, Muralimanohar, Dasavatar.

Saint Vithoba Khechar hails from here. Saint Namdev’s village Narsi is also close by. It is believed that when Saint Namdev was involved in a Kirtan, a miraculous phenomena occurred , and the temple turned to face him.

Ancient beautiful and artistic idols have been found in the archaeological excavations in Rajapur village, which is next to Aundha NagNath. Siddheshwar and Yeldari, the famous dams and tourist spots, are close to this place.

It is located in Hingoli district. Aundha NagNath is 40-45 minutes drive from Parbhani. Nearest railway station is at Chondi, 21 km from Aundha Nagnath. By road Aundha Nagnath is 579 km from Mumbai, 359 km from Nagpur, 210 km from Aurangabad, 65 km from Nande city. State transport buses are frequently available.

3. Ghrushneshwar

This is a very popular temple of Lord Shiva, with immense devotees of the lord thronging the place. PunyaShlok AhilyaBai Holkar got the temple built between 1765 to 1795. There are intricate carvings on the temple.

The temple is located in Aurangabad district, very close to Verul. Devotees make it a point to include the famous Verul caves in their itinerary when they visit the Ghrushneshwar temple.

Close to the temple is the LakshaVinayak temple, one of the 21 foremost powerful places of Lord Ganapati. The remains of MalojiRaje’s (the grandfather of King Shivaji) ancient house is also close to the temple.

The temple is just 30 km from Aurangabad city.

4. Bhimashankar

Bhimashankar is one of the important temples among the 12 Jyotirlinga, located at the source of the River Bhima. It is said that Nana Phadnis got this temple built in the 18th century. It is built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture. There are excellent carvings and sculpture on the façade of the temple.

Bhimashankar is located in a cool place and the natural surroundings are breathtaking with dense forests, hill and dales and the Bhima River. This forest has been declared a reserved forest. Close by are KonkanKada and Nagphani, two important ridges. The breathtaking view of Konkan can be seen from the KonkanKada.

Bhimashankar is a mere 95 km from Rajgurunagar, and 128 km from Pune via the Manchar route. Bhimashankar is bifurcated between the Ambegaon and Khed taluka. The source of the Bhima River falls in the Khed taluka, whereas the village located at the foothill of the temple falls in Ambegaon taluka.

Maximum devotees throng this place in the Shravan month of the Hindu almanac.

5. Parli Vaijanath

Among the 12 Jyotirling, the Parli Vaijanath temple is Jagrut. PunyaShlok Rani AhilyaBai Holkar got this temple restored. The temple is humongous, built using large stones with mortarless style. The long steps leading up and a grand entrance are striking. The court hall and the inner sanctum are at the same level, allowing the view of the linga from the court hall (usually, thelinga are built at a lower level than the court hall, and one has to step down into the inner sanctum). Unlike any other temple, everyone is allowed to touch the linga while paying obeisance at the Parli Vaijanath temple. There are three large Kunda in the premises of the temple.

Parli Vaijanath falls in the Beed district. The Someshwar temple located on the banks of the River Brahma at a height of 300 feet, is close by. The Yogeshwari temple of the Ambejogai deity is also at a mere distance of 5 km. Parli Vaijanath is located 61 km from Parbhani. There is a regular transport service from Parbhani to Parli Vaijanath. The Tarapur Atomic Power Project is close by.