Trimbakeshwar is a renowned holy place in Maharashtra. Situated at the
foothills of Brahmagiri in a small town called Trimbak in Nasik, it is
the origin of the Godavari River. It is most famous for the
Trimbakeshwar temple. Monsoon is the best time to visit Trimbakeshwar
The Trimbakeshwar temple is an ancient Hindu temple believed to
be over 500 years old. The present structure is the result of it being
reconstructed in the 18th century. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and
is home to one of the 12 jyotirlingas. What is unique to this temple
is that the linga here has three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva. The temple has a hollow which consists of three lingas
representing each god. It is called the Tryambaka. Built in the
Nagara style of architecture, the entire temple is made of black
stone. The temple is enclosed in a spacious compound which is
surrounded by an enormous wall. There is a big statue of a bull on the
pathway that leads to the temple. Just at the entrance of the temple
one can see a marble idol of the Nandi, lord Shivas vehicle. The
temple has a square sanctum sanctorum which houses the tryambaka. This
linga is placed in a depression on the floor of the sanctum and water
constantly oozes out of the lingam. The Shiva lingam is generally
adorned with a silver mask. The sanctum is crowned with a beautiful
tower which effuses grace and elegance. The tower is adorned with a
giant amalaka and a golden kalasha. The mandap, which is in front of
the Garba Griha (the innermost shrine within the sanctum where the
idol resides), is enclosed with doors on all four sides. Three of the
doors are covered with porches and the openings of the porches are
embellished with arches and carvings.
The entire structure displays exotic scroll work, designs, sculptures
of gods and various other important figures, humans and animals.
The Nasik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela which is held once in every 12
years when Jupiter moves into the house of Leo is considered to be one
of the most sacred festivals in the Hindu community. There are a lot
of festivities that are planned around this time and thousand of
devotees world over visit Nasik during this time.
Several other religious festivals take place in Trimbakeshwar.
In fact it is famous for various religious rituals like
Narayan-Nagbali , Kalsarpa Shanti etc.
Godavari day is celebrated for the first 12 days after full moon in
the month of February. Mahashivratri is also celebrated with great
vigor and grandeur in Trimbakeshwar.
Legend goes that a sage name Gautam Muni resided on the Brahmagiri
hill with his wife Ahilya. By virtue of his devotion, the sage
received from Varuna, a bottomless pit from which he received an
inexhaustible supply of grains and food. The other rishis, jealous of
his fortune, arranged for a cow to enter his granary and caused it to
die as Gowtam Rishi attempted to ward it off with a bunch of Darbha
grass.
Gautam Rishi, therefore, worshipped Lord Shiva to bring the Ganga down
to his hermitage to purify the premises. Pleased with devotion, Shiva
requested Ganga to flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. After that
Ganga flowed down. Lord Shiva told Ganga to stay there eternally for
the good of everyone. All the Gods started singing the praises of
Gautam Rishi, Ganga and Lord Shiva. On the request of all the Gods,
Lord Shiva resided by the river Gautami by the name Trimbakeshwar (one
of the Jyotirlingas). Hindus believe that Trimbak Jyotirlinga is one,
which fulfills desires of everyone. It emancipates all from their sins
and miseries.
Another popular legend behind Trimbakeshwar Temple is the legend of
Lingodbhava manifestation of Shiva. It says once Brahma and Vishnu
searched in vain to discover the origin of Shiva who manifested
himself as a cosmic column of fire. Brahma lied that he had seen the
top of the column of fire and was hence cursed that he would not be
worshipped on earth. In turn Brahma cursed Shiva that he would be
pushed underground. Accordingly, Shiva came down under the Brahmagiri
hill in the form of Tryambakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar Temple is the only
place where Shivlinga is not out but it is inside the floor.
Some scholars say that Goddess Parvati also came down along Lord Shiva
and Ganga. The place is therefore called Tryambakeshwa (three lords).
Others believe that the place is so called because of the presence of
three Shivlinga of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Shivlinga of Lord
Mahesh has always-flowing water among the three Shivlingas.