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Maharashtra
State of
Incredible India
Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12
jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is
considered to be the main jyotirlinga.
RELIGIONS
& SPIRITUALITY IN MAHARASHTRA
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SHRINES
Trimbakeshwar
The
village of Trimbak, 36 kms from Nashik, is famous for
the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the
Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12
jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is
considered to be the main jyotirlinga.
Legend
has it that Guatam Rishi performed a rigorous ritual of
prayer and penance or tapasya to Shiva on Brahmagiri
Hill which rises above the present-day temple. Pleased
with this devotion, Shiva is said to have blessed him
and brought down to earth from heaven the sacred rivers
of Ganga, Gautami and Godavari.
At the Kushavarta
Teertha, devotees usually dip themselves into the waters
and purify themselves of all sins before entering the
temple. To this day, Hindus offer shraad prayers
(prayers for the souls of the departed) here. It is also
believed that bathing in the waters of the Godavari will
bring moksha or salvation.
Mondays
are considered particularly holy and the priests carry
the idol of Trimbakeshwar in a palanquin on their
shoulders around the temple. The annual festival of
Shivratri is also celebrated with great pomp and gaiety
and attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over. It is
easily accessible by road from Nashik.
The
Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela (Sinhastha) is held once
every 12 years when Jupiter moves into the house of Leo.
It is generally acknowledged to be one of the most
sacred of all festivals.
Several thousands of people
from all over the country and abroad throng this pious
site or tirthakshetra to take a dip in the holy waters
of the Ganga.There are various pujas and events held
around Trimbakeshwar and Nashik during the days of the
festival.
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