Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nashik: Source of the GodavariTrimbak, Nashik district, Maharashtra

About this guide

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, in the town of Trimbak near Nashik in Maharashtra, stands at the foot of the Brahmagiri hill where the Godavari river begins. Its lingam is unique among the twelve Jyotirlingas: a small hollow holding three tiny lingams for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

This is YatriSutra's devotee guide to Trimbakeshwar: the legend of Gautama Rishi and the Godavari, the history and architecture of the temple, how darshan works, the special rituals performed here, the sacred calendar and practical advice for your visit. It is written from the temple trust, government and scriptural sources listed at the end of the page.

The divine story of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

According to the Shiva Purana, the sage Gautama lived on Brahmagiri with his wife Ahalya. Jealous sages tricked him into causing the death of a cow, a grave sin. To purify himself, Gautama prayed to Shiva to bring the Ganga to Brahmagiri.

Pleased, Shiva released the Ganga here as the Godavari, also called the Gautami Ganga, and agreed to stay as Trimbakeshwar, the three-eyed Lord. The three small lingams in the sanctum are worshipped as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together.

YatriSutra devotee tip: visit the Kushavarta kund in town, believed to be where the Godavari first reappears after flowing underground from Brahmagiri.

Why devotees visit Trimbakeshwar

Trimbakeshwar is the only Jyotirlinga where Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together in the lingam. Devotees also come because it is the source of the Godavari, the Ganga of the south, and because Trimbak is one of the four places that host the Kumbh Mela.

Trimbakeshwar is also known for rituals performed for ancestors and to remove doshas, such as Narayan Nagbali, Tripindi Shraddha and Kaal Sarp puja, which families travel from across India to perform here.

History and architecture of Trimbakeshwar Temple

The present temple was built in the 18th century by the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb Peshwa), replacing an older shrine. It is built of black basalt in the Nagara style and is surrounded by a high stone wall. Its features include:

• A tall carved shikhara with a golden kalash.
• Detailed stone carvings of deities, animals and flowers on the walls.
• The jewelled crown of the deity, said to date from the Pandava period, shown to devotees on certain days.

Inside the temple

The sanctum is set lower than the hall, and the lingam is a small hollow with three thumb-sized lingams, usually covered with a silver mask and often with water seeping in. Devotees view it from the hall during general darshan. A large Nandi faces the sanctum, and the Amritkunda water tank lies within the complex.

Trimbakeshwar darshan guide: timings and queues

The temple usually opens early in the morning and closes in the night after the last aarti. Darshan types include:

• General darshan, free, from the main queue.
• Paid quick darshan run by the temple trust for a shorter queue.
• Garbhagriha entry for abhishek, allowed only at set times with a traditional dress code for men.

Queues are very long on weekends, Mondays and in Shravan, so check with the temple trust before you go.

Your darshan, step by step

• Bathe at Kushavarta or wash your hands and feet.
• Leave footwear and bags at the counter and join the queue.
• Have darshan of the three-faced lingam from the hall or the sanctum.
• Offer your prayer at the Nandi and visit the Amritkunda.
• Collect prasad before leaving.

Aarti, puja and rituals at Trimbakeshwar

The day includes morning abhishek, midday puja and the evening aarti. Families come here to perform Narayan Nagbali, Tripindi Shraddha and Kaal Sarp puja with the help of the traditional priests (purohits) of Trimbak. Agree on the details and dakshina in advance, and book through recognised priests only.

Sacred calendar: Mahashivratri, Shravan and Kumbh

• Mahashivratri: night-long worship with very large crowds.
• Shravan Mondays: devotees walk the Brahmagiri parikrama in the monsoon.
• Kumbh Mela: every twelve years Nashik and Trimbakeshwar host the Simhastha Kumbh, with the next expected in 2027.
• Mukut darshan: the deity's crown is shown to devotees on Mondays and on festival days.

Devotee etiquette

• Dress traditionally, especially if you plan abhishek in the sanctum.
• Leave phones and leather items in the lockers.
• Do not photograph inside the temple.
• Respect the priests' rules for rituals and queues.

Darshan for elderly and differently-abled devotees

The temple is on level ground, but queues can be very long and the sanctum is lower than the hall. Elderly devotees should visit early on a weekday and ask at the trust office about any separate arrangements. The Brahmagiri climb to the Godavari's source involves many steps and is not suitable for everyone.

Tips for pilgrims visiting Trimbakeshwar Temple

• Go early on a weekday for the shortest queue.
• Plan rituals in advance if you want to perform Narayan Nagbali or Kaal Sarp puja.
• Climb Brahmagiri only in good weather and with enough water.
• Combine with Nashik, with Panchavati and Ramkund on the Godavari.

YatriSutra devotee tip: look for the jewelled crown on a Monday evening; seeing the mukut darshan is considered especially auspicious.

Connected sacred places

• Kushavarta Kund in Trimbak, the sacred tank of the Godavari.
• Brahmagiri hill, the source of the Godavari, with shrines on the climb.
• Gangadwar on Brahmagiri.
• Panchavati and Ramkund in Nashik, linked with Lord Rama.
• Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar, the other Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra.