The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, Aurangabad,Maharashtra.

Good morning.

Grishneshwar Temple is the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirling. The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is located at Verul in Aurangabad district in Maharashtra.  Located close to Daulatabad (once known as Devagiri) is the popular tourist attractions Ajanta – Ellora caves.

The holy tree of this temple is Vilwa.The holy water of this temple is well water.The agamam or Pooja of this temple is called as Kameeyam.The temple is around 2000-3000 years old in this region.

The Grishneswar Temple was constructed by Ahilyabhai Holkar.
The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by several other names like Kusumeswar and Grushmeswar temples.

Stala Purana of  Grishneshwar temple:-

The Grishneshwar temple has its root in several legendary tales. As the legendary tale goes, a devotee by the name of Kusuma used to offer prayers to Lord Shiva by dipping the Shivalinga in a water tank. When her son was killed by her husband’s first wife out of jealousy, she continued her rituals and one day Lord Shiva appeared before her, answered her prayers by miraculously restoring her son’s life.

Legend:-

According to the Shiva Purana, on a mountain named Devagiri, a Brahmin called Brahmavetta Sudharma lived along with his wife Sudeha. The couple did not have a child  which upset Sudeha greatly. Sudeha prayed and tried all possible remedies but it was of no use. In the end, out of frustration, Sudeha married her sister Ghushma to her husband. On Sudeha’s saying, Ghushma used to regularly discharge 101 shiv linga in the nearby lake.

With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Ghushma gave birth to a baby boy. This made Sudeha jealous of her sister. Out of jealousy, one night she killed Ghushma’s son and threw his body in the lake.

Next morning, Ghushmas and Sudharma got involved in their daily prayers and didn’t notice anything amiss. Sudeha too, got up and started performing her daily chores. Ghusma’s daughter-in-law however saw her husband’s bed covered in blood. Horrified, she told Ghushma and Sudharma about everything. Such was Sudharma’s and Ghushma’s devotion to the Lord that they did not deter even for a second and kept calm. Ghushma said that the Lord had blessed her with her son and he would protect him. She even went down to the lake and saw her son walking towards her. Even then she did not express any emotion. At that time Lord Shiv appeared before her and told her that Sudeha had killed her son. Even then, Ghushma asked the Lord to forgive Sudeha and emancipate her. Impressed by her devotion and generosity, Lord Shiva granted her another boon. Ghushma wished that the Lord should reside in the village in the form of a jyotirlinga in order to protect the people and that he should be known by her name.

Katarmal Sun Temple, Almora, Uttarakhand.

Good morning.

Katarmal Sun Temple is at an altitude of 2116 meters above sea level, in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand, India. Sun temple in Katarmal built in the 9th century Katarmal near by Almora has the Second important Sun Temple in the country, the first Sun temple being the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.

Katarmal Sun Temple is Situated 7 Kms from Almora, Uttarakhand.

Katarmal Sun temple is around 70 kms away from Nainital.

Katarmal Sun temple was built

by KATARMALLA, a Katyuri Raja, in the 9th century. In the early medieval period, Kumaon was ruled by the Katyuri dynasty.




It is believed that when Pandavas were in exile, one of the conditions that were levied on them by the Kauravas, was “They must maintain their anonymity for fourteen years of their exile“. One breach of such a condition, they won’t get their kingdom back. It is said in the Mahabharata, Pandavas once built a magnificent Sun Temple in a single day as their hideout, but due to some reason they had to fled the temple, and the structure was left incomplete. Katarmal, temple of Almora, whose part of the roof is half- finished is assumed to be that temple. Even today, the partially complete roof of the temple is clearly visible.




About Katarmal Sun Temple :-




The Katarmal Sun Temple is a monument of historical importance and also is an example of intricate sculpturing. The first rays of the sun falls straight on this Sun Temple.




The main deity of the Sun temple in Katarmal is called Burhadita or Vraddhaditya (the old Sun God). The idols of Shiva-Parvati and Lakshmi-Narayana are also found in this temple.




However, the intricately carved doors and panels have been removed to the National Museum in Delhi after the 10th-century idol of the presiding deity was stolen.




The Katarmal Sun temple, noted for its magnificent architecture, artistically made stone and metallic sculptures and beautifully carved pillars and wooden doors, the image of Surya in the temple dates back to 12th century.




The Katarmal Sun temple is now protected and preserved by the Archeological Survey of India and the government is also constructing road and can be easily accessed by foot as a small beautiful trek among the thick deodars leads you to the Sun Katarmal Temple.