Trimbakeshwar Temple

Trimbakeshwar Temple:

The extraordinary feature of the Trayambakeshwara Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is that it has three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva whereas all other Jyotirlingas have Lord Shiva as the main deity. It is also known as the source of the river Godavari. This great Jyotirlinga has a unique form and in this temple’s Grabhagriha is not worshipped with abhisheka with water (Jalahari) like others. There is just a bottom part of the pounding stone (Ukhali), instead, like a hole. In the hole there are three lingas shaped like the human thumb. Hence, the name Tryambakesh-wara. The linga of Lord Mahesha has a constant shower of water from an orifice above. It is a natural source of water coming down as abhisheka for the Lord. According to the legend Ahilya’s husband, rishi Gautama was doing tapas or penance on the Dakshina mountain. It did not rain there for 100 years and the land was drying up and life forms disappearing. Seeing these conditions of drought, the residents, the saints, and all the birds and animals fled from there. Rishi Gautama did great Mangalik tapas through pranayama for six long months. Varuna, the deva of water, was pleased and appeared before Gautama, who in turn asked for water. At the behest of Varuna, rishi Gautama dug a hole on his land. Varuna said, "Due to the power of your penance, this hole would be an unending source of water "Akshya". It will become famous by your name. It will augment all holy rituals like Yagna, Dana, Tapa, Homa Shraadha, and worship of Gods. Once when the disciples of Gautama went to fetch some water, from that waterhole, just then some of the tribal women were also there for the same purpose. They insisted on taking water first. The disciples of Gautama called Gautama’s wife. She intervened and allowed her husband’s disciples to fetch water. The tribal women felt insulted at this and complained to the other rishis and while doing so they added a few lies here and there. The great rishis at once started the worship of Lord Ganesha. When Lord Ganesha appeared before them and granted some boons, they asked for the power of being able to insult and chase away rishi Gautama, as an undesirable person from there. Lord Ganesha who knew that rishi Gautama was very helpful by nature, tried to persuade the rishis against getting their way. He knew that, but for rishi Gautama’s efforts, the rishis would have been craving for even a drop of water. But the rishis would have none of it. Reluctantly, Ganesha had to consent to the request of the adamant rishis, but warned them to be ready to face the consequences of angering a great rishi like Gautama. One day, when Gautama went to get some "Breehi", he saw a thin, starving cow there. Just when he lifted a little twig to shoo away the cow, the cow fell dead. (It was Lord Ganesha in the form of a cow) The other rishis used it as an excuse to accuse him of gohatya (slaying of a cow). They insulted him and said that he must leave that place immediately in order to save it from the aftermath of gohatya. Rishi Gautama became very sad and left feeling greatly depressed. To absolve himself of the sin of gohatya, he again resorted to tapa. He began the difficult task of bringing Ganga water with the power of his tapa, bathe in it, and chant Lord Shiva’s mantras a crore time. Lord Shiva was pleased and told him that he was indeed a pure soul and a great Mahatma and granted him a boon. The rishi asked for Gangaji, which would be of great help to humanity. Lord Shiva gave Gangaji to him in the form of Tatwarupa Avishishta Jal. After taking the water, Gautama requested Lord Shiva to absolve him of the sin of cow slaughter too. Lord Shiva purified him. Then he requested Lord Shiva to remain on the Earth till the end of kalyuga. Gangaji also prayed to him and requested him to stay here along with his consort Mata Parvati. For the welfare of the world, Lord Shiva granted Gangaji her wish. Gangaji then wanted to know from Lord Shiva, how people will know about her greatness. The other rishis said that till Brihaspati stays on the Simha Rashi (Leo), they will stay on its banks and will take a holy dip in Her waters thrice a day before going for Lord Shiva’s Darshan. Only by doing so, would they be able to wipe out their sins. On hearing this Lord Shiva and Gangaji stayed there. Ganga has also come to be known as Gautami and the linga came to be known as Trayambaka. Trayambakeshwar finds reference in the Padma Purana. Marathi saints have also written about the Bhramagiri hill in Trayambakesh-war in their literature. This shrine also had the patronage of the Peshwa rulers.

Trayambakeshwar is located about 30 km from Nasik (Maharashtra). This temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture, is enclosed in a spacious courtyard. The sanctum internally a square and externally a stellar structure, houses a small Shivlinga - Trayambaka . The sanctum is crowned with a graceful tower, crowned with a giant amalaka and a golden kalasha. Usually, the Shivlinga is covered with a silver mask, and on festive occasions with a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown. The silver mask is equivalent to the processional images seen in South Indian temples. Worship services : Three worship services are carried out each day. During the nightly worship service ‘sheja-aarti’ is carried out and the silver mask is placed in a bed in the hall of mirrors. Each monday, the silver mask of Trayambaka is placed in a palanquin and taken in procession to Kushavarta tirath and given an abhisheka there. This procession with the special golden mask happens also on Shivratri, full moon day in the month of Kartika and during other festive occasions. Simhasta Parvani which occurs once in 12 years, when Jupiter enters the zodiac sign of Leo, is a time of great festivity when it is believed that all sacred waters gather in the Kushavarta tirath. The Ganga avatarana festival is celebrated in the month of Magha .