Live Darshan of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and temple
precincts – A VIDEO:
It
is always in our thoughts to visit the many Hindu sacred places spread all over
our country, but it is possible to visit just one or two in a year, and there
are countless left. When an opportunity arises for a pilgrimage to a holy place
we choose one from several options available, based on time available for the
trip, weather, convenience of travel and so on. Looking at the final choice and
outcome of a pilgrimage, I think God plays a role in our decision, guides us,
blesses us, takes us around safely and brings us back happily to our
house. This time it was to Trimbakeshwar,
to the ‘Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple’, and the origin of the sacred
Godavari river, for two days, 3rd to 4th June 2022 and then to Nashik which has
strong links to Ramayana, for the next two days.
The
ancient Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, 30 km from Nashik City
in Maharashtra State. The temple is of Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas,
the most important and auspicious places of worship and pilgrimage. The
Jyotirlinga shrines are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light,
after a row with Lord Brahma. The Linga at Trimbakeshwar is different from
other Shiva Lingas. Here it is in the form of three Swayambhu Lingas
representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They do not rise above the ground but
lie in a lower-level aperture as you can see in the attached pictures and the
video. The Lingas are covered by a jewelled crown which is placed over the Gold
Mask of Tridev. The crown is said to be from the age of Pandavas and consists
of diamonds, emeralds, and many precious stones. The crown is displayed every
Monday and on special occasions.
The
current temple was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao after it was destroyed by the
Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The entire black stone temple is known for its
appealing architecture and sculpture and is at the foothills of the mountain
called Brahmagiri. Three sources of the Godavari originate from the Brahmagiri Mountain. The Godavari River also merges into the ‘Kushavarta Tirtha/Kund’– a
large sacred pond, close to the main temple. Bathing in this pond or sprinkling
the water on oneself is believed to bless one with Moksha. You can also see
photographs and a video of this Tirtha here.
Pilgrimage
to Trimbakeshwar is very famous for obtaining divine grace and peace and for many
religious rituals to overcome hurdles and for ceremonies to the departed. Details
of special worship and the performing of these rituals by the Brahmins of the
temple can be found and also reserved at the following temple website:
https://www.trimbakeshwar.org/
