Jyotirlinga · Near Ellora
Grishneshwar Temple, Ellora — Jyotirlinga Guide
Grishneshwar, in Verul village beside the Ellora Caves, is traditionally regarded as the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga. Its proximity to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves makes it one of the easiest to combine with sightseeing.
About Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar (also Ghrishneshwar) is often called the smallest of the Jyotirlinga temples, yet it is rich in detail — a red/black-stone Hemadpanti structure with fine Dashavatara carvings. It was rebuilt in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar, after an earlier restoration by Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
A note for visitors: at the inner sanctum, men are traditionally required to enter bare-chested, and mobile phones and cameras are usually not permitted inside.
How to reach Grishneshwar
The temple is about 30 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road, and just 1–2 km from the Ellora Caves — the two are almost always visited together. The nearest airport and major railhead are both in Chh. Sambhajinagar.
Darshan timings & best time to visit
The temple is generally open from about 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with extended hours during Shravan and Mahashivratri. Confirm current timings with the temple before travelling. Winter (November–February) is the best season and pairs well with a morning at the Ellora Caves.
See Grishneshwar with Ajanta & Ellora
Grishneshwar pairs perfectly with the Ajanta–Ellora caves and features on our Jyotirlinga circuits.
From ₹14,999 pp
FAQ
Grishneshwar Temple — FAQs
Grishneshwar is only about 1–2 km from the Ellora Caves, so the two are almost always visited on the same trip.