Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in the town of Trimbak, about 28 km from Nashik in Maharashtra, India. The word Tryambakeshwar means the abode of the three eyed one, that is, Lord Shiva and the temple is the eighth one among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Surrounded by mountains, Trimbakeshwar is the meeting point of two rivers named as Ahilya and Godavari. Tryambakeshwar Temple is located at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri from which the river Godavari flows. The unique feature of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is that it has three faces, symbolizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva whereas all other Jyotirlingas have Shiva as the main deity.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Architecture
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, built inside a courtyard, is made of black basalt stone in the Nagara style of architecture. It is said that it took thirty-one years to complete the construction. The temple comprises three Ardha Mandapas, one Gudha Mandapa, Antarala and sanctum. The Ardha Mandapas located at the three sides serve as three entrances to the Gudh Mandapa. The entrances of the ardhamandapas have fine carvings. In the Gudhmandapa are found six beautifully carved pillars. Rectangular antarala is found just before the square sanctum. The sanctum is internally a square and externally a planetary structure and houses a small self-emanated Shiva Lingam, the Tryambaka.
The Shivalingam is seen in a hole on the floor of the sanctum and water continuously comes out from its top. The Shivling is covered with a silver mask. On festive times, it is covered with a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown. The exterior walls and the whole structure of the temple are adorned with sculptural work of running scrolls, floral designs, and figures of gods and goddesses, yakshas, humans and animals. There are quite a few thirthas associated with this temple. They are Gangadwar, Bilwa Tirtha, Gautam Tirtha, Indra Tirtha, Ahilya Sangam Tirtha, Varaha Tirtha, Mukund Tirtha, Prayag Tirtha, Rama Kund and Lakshmana Kund.
Worship Services
Three worship services are carried out daily at Trimbakeshwar Mahadeva Temple. Snana, Abhisheka and Aarati are performed in the morning. In the afternoon an Aarati is performed, followed by a Mahanaivedya to the deity. At night, Shej Aarati is performed to the deity, and then the silver mask of the Linga is kept on the bed.
The silver mask of Tryambaka is placed in a palanquin and taken in procession to Kushavarta Tirtha on every Monday. The procession with golden mask is performed on Shivratris, full moon day in the month of Kartika and during other festive times. Pilgrims carry out two yatras (pilgrimage) here, namely, the Ashta Tirtha Yatra and Pancha Tirtha Yatra.
Trimbakeshwar Temple of Shiva is also renowned for certain religious observances such as Narayan-Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti and Tripindi Vidhi.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Festivals
Mahashivaratri Festival is celebrated on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha of the month Magha.
Godavari day is celebrated in the month of Magha (February) - the first twelve days of bright moon.
Nivrutti Natha Festival is a three-day festival held during the month of Pausha (in January).
Rathayatra of Trimbakeshwar is carried out on the full moon day of the month Kartika, called Tripuri Paurnima (November).
Sinhastha Kumbha Mela is held once in twelve years when Bruhaspati or Jupiter is in Sinha Rashi (zodiac sign Leo).
How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Temple
Nearest domestic airport is Nashik, 30 km away. Nearest international airport is at Mumbai, which is about 185 km from Nashik.
Nashik Road Railway Station, 44 km away, is the nearest railhead.
Regular buses ply from Nashik to Trambakeshwar.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Architecture
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, built inside a courtyard, is made of black basalt stone in the Nagara style of architecture. It is said that it took thirty-one years to complete the construction. The temple comprises three Ardha Mandapas, one Gudha Mandapa, Antarala and sanctum. The Ardha Mandapas located at the three sides serve as three entrances to the Gudh Mandapa. The entrances of the ardhamandapas have fine carvings. In the Gudhmandapa are found six beautifully carved pillars. Rectangular antarala is found just before the square sanctum. The sanctum is internally a square and externally a planetary structure and houses a small self-emanated Shiva Lingam, the Tryambaka.
The Shivalingam is seen in a hole on the floor of the sanctum and water continuously comes out from its top. The Shivling is covered with a silver mask. On festive times, it is covered with a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown. The exterior walls and the whole structure of the temple are adorned with sculptural work of running scrolls, floral designs, and figures of gods and goddesses, yakshas, humans and animals. There are quite a few thirthas associated with this temple. They are Gangadwar, Bilwa Tirtha, Gautam Tirtha, Indra Tirtha, Ahilya Sangam Tirtha, Varaha Tirtha, Mukund Tirtha, Prayag Tirtha, Rama Kund and Lakshmana Kund.
Worship Services
Three worship services are carried out daily at Trimbakeshwar Mahadeva Temple. Snana, Abhisheka and Aarati are performed in the morning. In the afternoon an Aarati is performed, followed by a Mahanaivedya to the deity. At night, Shej Aarati is performed to the deity, and then the silver mask of the Linga is kept on the bed.
The silver mask of Tryambaka is placed in a palanquin and taken in procession to Kushavarta Tirtha on every Monday. The procession with golden mask is performed on Shivratris, full moon day in the month of Kartika and during other festive times. Pilgrims carry out two yatras (pilgrimage) here, namely, the Ashta Tirtha Yatra and Pancha Tirtha Yatra.
Trimbakeshwar Temple of Shiva is also renowned for certain religious observances such as Narayan-Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti and Tripindi Vidhi.
Trimbakeshwar Temple Festivals
Mahashivaratri Festival is celebrated on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha of the month Magha.
Godavari day is celebrated in the month of Magha (February) - the first twelve days of bright moon.
Nivrutti Natha Festival is a three-day festival held during the month of Pausha (in January).
Rathayatra of Trimbakeshwar is carried out on the full moon day of the month Kartika, called Tripuri Paurnima (November).
Sinhastha Kumbha Mela is held once in twelve years when Bruhaspati or Jupiter is in Sinha Rashi (zodiac sign Leo).
How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Temple
Nearest domestic airport is Nashik, 30 km away. Nearest international airport is at Mumbai, which is about 185 km from Nashik.
Nashik Road Railway Station, 44 km away, is the nearest railhead.
Regular buses ply from Nashik to Trambakeshwar.
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