Trimbakeshwar Temple - One of the 12 Jyotirlings of India

16-Dec-22 | Trimbakeshwar temple

After the daunting Harihar Fort Trek (Blog) we freshened up, we walked towards the temple and near the temple’s parking area we found a lot of restaurants. We chose to enter a Rajasthani restaurant since it was less crowded. We were served vegetarian thali here and the food was good.



With a satisfying meal we started walking towards the temple now. 



When we reached the temple entrance, we were told by security guards that the general darshan queue is very long and might take 1.5 hours minimum wait time. If we need quick darshan then we were advised to take a Special darshan ticket of Rs. 200. There is also a footwear stand where you can leave your footwear by paying a fee of Rs.5.


We bought special darshan tickets, showed it to security and we were allowed to enter the temple premises. In fact we were given direct entry into the main sanctum. 





Some Facts : Trimbakeshwar temple is the most religious place considered as abode of Lord Shiva where he lived in the form of Jyotirlinga. This is one amongst the 12 Jyotirling’s of India. Present temple was built by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao on an earlier existing humble shrine and thereafter renovated by Ahilyabai Holkar. It is located at the source of Godavari River. The Godavari River, which is considered sacred within Hinduism, originates from Brahmagiri mountains (our trek plan next day - blog).


We had a soul satisfying darshan of Shivlinga here in the main garbhagudi. When we came out, we were amazed with the architecture of this temple. The level of detailing done on the intricate carvings is a testimony of the hard work put in by the craftsmen.






There are benches in the temple premises for people to relax. We sat there admiring the view in front of us with an artistically built temple and mountains in the backdrop. This was a much-needed relaxation after the daunting Harihar fort trek.




After a good 1 hour of relaxation, we started walking along the temple street. We passed by some sweet shops, restaurants, souvenir shops and some temples too.






We then thought it's better to explore the route to Brahmagiri to know the path that we need to take tomorrow morning. 

As we walked ahead along the narrow lanes of the temple, we saw a Kalyani. And I was just thinking how a pilgrimage center cannot have Kalyani. Area around Kalyani was pretty unclean but the view with mountains in the backdrop was worth a stop for photography.




Again it was disheartening to see the premises littered with plastic waste. 


We then followed signboards and continued walking towards the starting point of Brahmagiri peak.






Finally we reached the point from where our trek would begin early in the morning the next day. Here we took a pit stop for tea break and inquired about the trail and timings with the shop owner. We were advised to take trekking poles as well since the trail has a lot of monkeys.





After this relaxed tea break, we returned to the temple street and decided to explore other by-lanes of temple street. 






As we walked, we came to a chowk and noticed that there were a lot of visitors heading towards one place. 




We walked towards that place and noticed Ganga Godavari temple followed by a sacred pond.



Tirtharaj Kushavarta

This is a sacred pond and is said to be the place from where sacred river Godavari remerges after disappearing at Brahmagiri hills. This place is also considered as a place from where river Ganga takes route to the rest of India.


I washed my legs here and took a tour of the temple along the pond. Water was so cold that it served as a food massage for us after the daunting morning Harihar fort trek.


The walls inside all along the temple have various inscriptions and you will find small temples at all corners of this place.





People lit diya’s as offerings to Ganga. 


We sat there absorbing the serenity of this place and finally decided to head back to the hotel since we had to wake up early in the morning for our last trek of the tour – Brahmagiri Peak. 



These are special sweets made out of milk. You must try these and also take home few boxes as local delicacies.


Enroute we stopped at the same place for dinner since we really liked what we had for lunch. 


Signing off now by thanking Lord Trimbakeshwar for helping us complete one thrilling adventurous  trek successfully and also letting us soak into divinity in his peaceful abode😊. 

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