A Jyotirlinga is the manifestation of Shiva as a luminous column of sunshine, with no starting and an finish. A strong centre of religious power, a Jyotirlinga temple has a transformative influence on visiting pilgrims. The state of Maharashtra is a blessed land that’s dwelling to 5 Jyotirlinga shrines, three amongst these are counted within the checklist of the 12 preeminent Jyotirlingas which have been drawing pilgrims since centuries. A street journey of greater than 1500 kms throughout the hinterlands of Maharashtra, crisscrossing cities and villages, was each a elegant and exhilarating expertise as I visited all of the 5 Jyotirlingas. From Bhimashankar to Parli Vaidyanath to Aundha Nagnath to Grishneshwar to Trimbakeshwar – I didn’t simply have distinctive experiences at every Jyotirling, but additionally profound learnings that has modified my life-perspective. The seven-day journey was really life reworking and spiritually enriching.
Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar, which is at a distance of roughly 222 kms from Mumbai, takes about 5 hours to achieve. The traditional temple is nestled amidst hills and picturesque forests. It’s believed that surrounding hills and forests are dwelling to many supernatural/ celestial beings. The 240 steps to the temple is likely to be a problem for the aged, so palquins can be found for Rs 1500 (inclusive of VIP darshan payment). You may also go for bike rides for much less quantity. The strains right here might be serpentine and it’d take 3-4 hours of wait, so VIP darshan is advisable for many who don’t need to wait within the queue, however are snug taking the steps. You would want to barter the speed in fact.
I opted to stroll after paying the VIP payment, the steps weren’t too traumatic, as they have been massive and one needed to descend to method the temple. Vibrant stalls of sweets, and pooja supplies lined each the perimeters of the steps. The temple got here into view, rising majestically throughout the encompassing areas. The doorway was not too crowded and I used to be swiftly ushered in direction of the sanctum sanctorum. I used to be astonished to see the gorgeous and easy panchmukhi linga (5 confronted linga) of Shiva, as I used to be capable of contact and search blessings, the simplicity touched my coronary heart. Even at the moment, months after I’ve returned from Bhimashankar, every time I memory the temple, what I really feel that’s irrespective of how grand a temple is likely to be, the true essence of God is simplicity, and (as my Guru all the time says), that’s the solely approach we will attain Him – with a easy coronary heart. For me, this was the good studying that I skilled at Bhimashankar.
Parli Vaidyanath
The city of Ambajogai is understood for being the house of the presiding deity Yogeshwari Devi. The Shaktipeeth attracts pilgrims from far and close to, and people visiting all the time go to hope at Parli Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga additionally, which is a brief distance away in Beed district. Surrounded by excessive partitions, there are totally different entrances and the placing function was a mammoth Shivling atop the temple. The huge interior courtyard and temple advanced was unusually crowd-free once we reached there early within the night. The doorways to the sanctum sanctorum had nonetheless not opened, and as I sat there ready, together with my fellow pilgrims, I used to be grateful for the blessed alternative to meditate for someday. The expertise was surreal for me and tears flowed from my eyes in gratitude.
The story goes that in the middle of Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), the demons wished to pay money for Amrit kalash (nectar) and Dhanvantri (God of medicines) who had emerged from the churning. So Lord Vishnu hid each the Amrit and Dhanvantri within the Shivlinga. Consequently, it’s believed that the Shivlinga right here has the powers to present healings, therefore the identify Vaidyanath. Folks from all walks of life, regardless of caste or standing, come right here to the touch the Shivlinga and search blessings.
Aundha Nagnath
From Ambajogai, enroute to Aurangabad, is the Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga in Hingoli district of Maharashtra. It’s believed that Yudhistir, the eldest of the Pandavas had obtained the temple constructed, and regardless of the efforts made by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to destroy it, Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga continues to enthrall all guests with its lovely carvings and sculptures.
The traditional temple advanced was crowded with village of us, and it took greater than an hour to achieve from the doorway to the sanctum sanctorum. The fascinating reality is that the sanctum sanctorum is subterranean and everybody has to go down a slender entrance to enter. There are folks serving to all pilgrims go down and climb up by way of the precarious few steps. A priest kindly defined that snakes stay beneath the bottom therefore the Shivlinga is subterranean. I remembered my earlier go to to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, the place Shiva is worshipped because the Lord of snakes.
It was a surreal expertise providing pooja in shut proximity to the Jyotirlinga, touching it with our fingers as we made the choices of milk, ghee, water, sandalwood. There are clergymen giving personalised consideration and finishing the pooja, for a minimal quantity.
Grishneshwar
About 284 kms away, at a brief distance from the UNESCO World Heritage Website of Ellora is the traditional Jyotirlinga of Grishneshwar. Strolling by way of slender lanes lined with outlets promoting pooja gadgets, flowers and sweets one reaches the gates … on any given day, the throng of crowd appears endless, however there are glorious preparations made by the temple authorities for doing abhishek throughout the sanctum sanctorum for particular person households and teams. There’s a costume code for male devotees, they need to enter the temple naked chested. It has been an age-old custom that’s nonetheless strictly adopted.
Our group of pilgrims felt lucky to have been assigned a panditji who patiently and with a lot care helped us in finishing the abhishek. It was a blessed expertise to sit down within the sanctum sanctorum for nearly 20 minutes doing the rituals and chanting mantras. The entire setting of the sanctum sanctorum and the rituals made me really feel linked to the core of my being, and the world round me. I felt pure, mild, with a deep sense of belonging to the Universe.
Close by, the Kailasa Temple is a should go to in Ellora. The attractive temple isn’t just a powerful architectural legacy of our wealthy heritage, but additionally stands as a testomony to the everlasting resilience of our civilisation.
Trimbakeshwar
It was an extended drive of about 217 kms from Aurangabad to Shri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga. I had been right here virtually a decade in the past and had darshan throughout night hours when the temple was virtually empty. However this time it was totally different. There was an extended queue of devotees, ready to catch a glimpse of the distinctive three-faced linga right here, depicting the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are various mystical legends related to Trimbakeshwar, together with the well-known one which the waters of the underground stream beneath the temple, flows over the linga and merges with river Godavari. It’s believed that the river waters are sanctified by Trimbakeshwar. Situated near Nasik, the place Kumbh Mela has been held down the ages, thousands and thousands of devotees take bathtub within the waters of the river, which they consider to be sacred.
Situated on the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountains, the black stone temple has a placing structure, and one can palpably really feel the sturdy energetic vibrations of the place. Whereas one shouldn’t be allowed to do any rituals throughout the sanctum sanctorum or contact the Shivalinga, these may carry out sacred rituals throughout the neighborhood. Pandits can be found to assist out with the method. Right here too, it is strongly recommended to go for VIP cross, if one needs to scale back the ready occasions of the serpentine queues.
Most individuals who come to Trimbakeshwar, additionally go to Sai Baba’s shrine in Shirdi, which is simply two and a half hours drive away.
It’s believed that individuals who have a better state of religious consciousness are capable of truly see the pillar of sunshine at every Jyotirlinga website, whereas I’m nonetheless far-off from that stage of religious evolution, the power of every place has left a long-lasting impression on me. After the journey, I really feel cleaner, extra centered and strongly linked to the Common power. This one-ness of being has been probably the most profound expertise for me.
Tips on how to attain
By street: Mumbai – Bhimashankar (193 kms); Bhimashankar – Ahmednagar (164 kms); Ahmednagar – Parli Vaidyanath (224 kms); Parli Vaidyanath to Ambajogai (25 kms); Ambajogai – Aundh Nagnath (142 kms); Aundha Nagnath – Aurangabad (295 kms); Aurangabad – Grishneshwar (42 kms); Aurangabad – Trimbakeshwar (217 kms); Trimbakeshwar – Mumbai (178 kms)
Lodging
Iris Premiere (Ahmednagar); Lodge Piyush Inn (Ambajogai); Spree Lodge (Aurangabad); Lodge Temple Tree (Shirdi)
(Sudipta is an power healer and mystical storyteller. Her assortment of brief tales ‘Invoking Our Internal Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’ and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Movement Of Life’ can be found worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)
