GujaratSomnath Jyotirlinga
Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath, Gujarat
The first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan and rebuilt several times through history.
Best: Oct – Mar
Verul (Ellora), Maharashtra
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, at Verul near the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, is traditionally counted as the last of the twelve Jyotirlingas, completing the pilgrimage cycle for devotees who visit all twelve.
About the Temple
The current red-stone temple was rebuilt in the 18th century under Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who also rebuilt several other Jyotirlinga temples across India, including at Kashi and Somnath. Its five-tiered shikhara is a distinctive feature of the site.
Spiritual Significance
Grishneshwar's proximity to the Ellora Caves — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments — means many pilgrims combine spiritual darshan with a visit to one of India's most significant historical sites in a single day.
Presented as religious and cultural tradition. See our spiritual & astrology disclaimer.
Important Traditions
- Daily aarti ceremonies performed by temple priests in the traditional Maharashtrian style
- Shivratri here is observed with special decoration, drawing pilgrims from across Maharashtra
- Many pilgrims treat a Grishneshwar visit as the completion of a personal twelve-Jyotirlinga sankalp (vow)
What Pilgrims Can Experience
- Darshan of the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
- A same-day visit to the Ellora Caves, a short distance away
- Daulatabad Fort, an imposing hilltop fortress en route from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- The temple's distinctive red-stone architecture and five-tiered shikhara
How to Reach
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport is the nearest airport, about 30 km away; Aurangabad railway station is the closest major rail link, and Grishneshwar is a short drive from Aurangabad via Daulatabad.
Best Time to Visit
October to March for comfortable sightseeing weather at both the temple and the Ellora Caves.
Practical Travel Notes
- • Best combined with a visit to the Ellora Caves, which are a short walk or drive from the temple
- • As the traditional twelfth and final Jyotirlinga, some pilgrims plan this as the closing stop of a longer Jyotirlinga journey
- • Aurangabad also offers access to the Ajanta Caves for travellers extending their trip
Nearby Sacred Places
- Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Daulatabad Fort
- Bhadra Maruti Temple
Bharat Yatra Planning Assistance
Bharat Yatra Tour & Travels can help plan your journey to Grishneshwar — route planning, transport, accommodation coordination and local travel support, tailored to your dates and group size. A dedicated tour package for this destination has not yet been published; contact us to discuss what's currently possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the temple is a short distance from the Ellora Caves, and most pilgrims visit both on the same day.
Related Destinations
Gujarat
Andhra PradeshMallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Srisailam, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
Set on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river, Srisailam is one of the few sites where a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth are believed to stand together.
Best: Oct – Mar
Madhya PradeshMahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
One of the few Jyotirlingas facing south, famed for its pre-dawn Bhasma Aarti and its place at the heart of Ujjain's pilgrimage circuit.
Best: Oct – Mar