Quick answer: Grishneshwar (Ghrishneshwar) is the 12th and final Jyotirlinga, in Verul village near the Ellora Caves, about 30 km north-west of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra. Darshan is generally open through the day, free for ordinary darshan, with paid special darshan available at the counter on busy days. As per long-standing temple tradition, men remove their shirt and upper garment before entering the inner sanctum. Sri Vyasa Pooja is an information guide — we do not sell darshan tickets.
Key Information at a Glance
| Deity | Lord Shiva (Grishneshwar / Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga — the 12th Jyotirlinga) |
| Location | Verul village, near Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra |
| Distance from Ellora Caves | About 1.5 km |
| Distance from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) | About 30 km (north-west) |
| Darshan timings (indicative) | Roughly 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM; extended hours on Mahashivratri & Shravan |
| Ordinary darshan | Free |
| Dress note for men | Shirt / upper garment removed before entering the inner sanctum (sanctum tradition) |
| Best known for | Last of the 12 Jyotirlingas; Hemadpanthi black-stone architecture; proximity to Ellora |
About Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar, also written Ghrishneshwar or Ghushmeshwar, is revered as the 12th and last of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple stands in Verul village, a short walk from the world-famous Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For many pilgrims, the two visits go together — the rock-cut caves in the morning and the Jyotirlinga darshan alongside.
The present temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style from red-tinged black stone, with detailed carvings of deities across its walls. It was rebuilt in the 18th century under the patronage of the Holkar rulers of Indore, after earlier structures on the site were damaged over the centuries. The result is a compact but richly carved shrine that has drawn devotees for generations. Because the linga is housed deep in a low-ceilinged sanctum, darshan here feels close and personal rather than grand.
Darshan Timings & Special Darshan
Ordinary darshan at Grishneshwar is free and open to all. The temple generally opens early in the morning and stays open until late evening, with a possible mid-day pause. On major occasions such as Mahashivratri and the holy month of Shravan, hours are usually extended and the temple can stay open much later to handle large crowds. The timings below are indicative and can change at short notice.
| Activity | Indicative time |
| Temple opening | Around 5:30 AM |
| General darshan | Through the day (a mid-day break may apply) |
| Evening aarti | Evening (timing varies by season) |
| Temple closing | Around 9:30 PM (later on festival days) |
| Special / quick darshan | Indicatively in the ₹150–₹500 range, booked at the counter on busy days |
On crowded days a paid special darshan line may be available at the temple counter for faster entry. Reported amounts vary, so treat any figure as indicative only. We have not found a reliable official online booking facility for Grishneshwar, so be cautious of third-party sites claiming to sell tickets. Please confirm current timings, any mid-day break, aarti times and special-darshan charges at the temple before you travel.
Dress Code & the Ellora Caves Nearby
Modest, traditional clothing is expected at the temple. A widely followed tradition here is that men remove their shirt, vest and other upper garments before entering the inner sanctum (garbhagriha) for the linga darshan; the temple premises and outer areas can be visited normally. Women usually wear a saree, salwar kameez or other modest attire. Shorts, mini-skirts and revealing clothing are best avoided. Customs like this can be enforced strictly on busy days, so please confirm the current rule with staff at the entrance.
Since the temple sits barely 1.5 km from the Ellora Caves, most visitors combine both in one trip. The caves are a separate, ticketed monument managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, with their own timings (commonly closed on one weekday). If you plan to see the caves, allow a few hours and check their schedule separately, as it is independent of the temple.
How to Reach Grishneshwar
By air: The nearest airport is at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), roughly 30–36 km away, with flights to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Hyderabad. Taxis and buses run from the city towards Verul and Ellora.
By train: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) railway station is the main railhead, well connected to several major cities. From there it is about an hour by road to the temple.
By road: State-transport buses, shared vehicles and taxis run from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar towards Ellora and Verul. The temple is close to the Ellora Caves stop, so the same route serves both. Road conditions and bus frequency are good in season; confirm the last return service if you are visiting late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book a ticket online for Grishneshwar darshan?
Ordinary darshan is free and does not require a ticket. On busy days a paid special darshan line may be offered at the temple counter. We have not found a reliable official online booking system, so be careful with third-party ticket sites. Sri Vyasa Pooja is an information guide and does not sell darshan tickets.
Do men really have to remove their shirt at Grishneshwar?
Yes, by long-standing temple tradition men remove their shirt and upper garment before entering the inner sanctum for the linga darshan. The outer temple areas can be visited normally. As customs can be enforced strictly on busy days, please confirm the current rule with staff at the entrance.
How far is Grishneshwar from the Ellora Caves?
The temple is only about 1.5 km from the Ellora Caves, so most visitors see both on the same trip. The caves are a separate ticketed monument with their own timings, so check those separately.
What are the Grishneshwar darshan timings?
Darshan is generally available from around 5:30 AM to about 9:30 PM, with a possible mid-day break and extended hours on Mahashivratri and during Shravan. These timings are indicative, so please confirm at the temple before you travel.
