Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

History & Manyata

Trimbakeshwar at the foot of Brahmagiri hills near Nashik is unique among the twelve Jyotirlingas — the sanctum holds three tiny lingams (Trimbak = three-eyed lord) representing Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh in a small depression filled with water that is the very source of the Godavari river. The present Nagara-style black-basalt temple was built between 1755 and 1786 by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (Nana Saheb) over an older shrine built by the Satavahanas; the sanctum's crown holds the Nassak Diamond, later looted to the British Crown. Trimbakeshwar is the ONLY place in India where the elaborate Narayan-Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti and Tripindi Shradh rituals are performed, believed to release ancestors from preta-loka and to neutralise serpent doshas in the horoscope. The Kushavarta Kund on the temple premises, dug by Gautama Rishi, is the official spiritual source of the Godavari — actual geographical source is on Brahmagiri at 1,295 m, a 750-step climb from the temple. Once every 12 years the Simhastha Kumbh Mela is held here when Jupiter enters Leo; the 2027–28 Simhastha is expected to draw over 8 crore pilgrims. The temple opens its inner sanctum to non-Hindus only on viewing distance, but every devotee can perform abhishek by entering through the special Trimbak Raja seva.

Aarti Timings

• Kakad Aarti05:30 AM
• Madhyan Aarti01:30 PM
• Sandhya Aarti07:30 PM

Festivals not to miss

Suggested Itinerary

1. 1Kakad Aarti
2. 2Kushavarta Kund snan
3. 3Trek part of Brahmagiri
4. 4Sandhya Aarti

Local Attractions

• Kushavarta Kund
• Anjaneri (birthplace of Hanuman)
• Brahmagiri Hills