Early modern · Hindu · India

Grishneshwar Temple

Verul (Ellora), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra · 20.0245°, 75.1697°

Shiva (Grishneshwar)Maratha (Holkar)Nagara (red stone)Jyotirlinga
Sacred since
1550 CE
Earlier rebuild by Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Shivaji
Standing structure
rebuilt 1729 (Gautamibai Holkar), renewed by Ahilyabai
patron: Gautamibai & Ahilyabai Holkar

History & significance

The twelfth and last Jyotirlinga, a five-tiered red sandstone shrine standing a kilometre from the Ellora caves — closing the circuit of light a short walk from the Kailasa monolith. Rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar, the great 18th-century restorer of India's sacred landscape (Kashi, Gaya, Somnath repairs, and here).

Sthala katha — the legend

The devout Ghushma bore a son through Shiva's grace; her jealous co-wife slew the boy and threw him in the tank where Ghushma daily immersed 101 lingas — unbroken in faith, she continued her worship, and Shiva restored her son and stayed by her name: Ghushmeshwar.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Maratha (Holkar)