In the village of Trimbak, in the Nashik district of
Mahrashtra, is the ancient temple of Trimbakeswar. Located 28 km. from the city
of Nashik, Trimbakeswar is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. While this
temple is dedicated to Shiva, the presiding Deity here is Trimurti-linga,
unlike the remaining eleven Jyotirlingas which all have Shiva as their
predominant deity.
The Trimbakeswar Jyotirlinga is extraordinary in several
ways. It embodies all three of the Trimurti together: Visnu, Brahma and Siva.
The lingam is comprised of three small, thumb-like linga, each a member of the
Trimurti. They are swayambhua, or self-manifesting. The three lingam are
covered with a mask, usually of silver, which bears the faces of the Trimurti.
On special occasions a gold mask is worn, and upon this a jeweled crown is
placed. The crown, covered in precious gems, is from the age of the Pandavas.
Trimbakeshwar is the only Jyotirlinga where the lingam sits
in a depression on the floor, rather than projecting upwards, above it.
Consequently, the trilingam in the sanctum is not worshipped with abhisheka in
the usual way. Here, there is just the bottom part of the pounding stone
(ukhali), which is a depression in which the three lingams sit. The Linga of
Mahesha has a constant stream of natural water flowing over it. It is said that
flames sometimes issue forth from the lingam depression, as well as a rumbling
sound.
Sri Trimbakeswar is worshipped here with several offerings a
day. During the evening puja, the Deity's mask is removed and placed on a bed,
in the hall of mirrors. Every Monday the silver mask is taken to the Kusavarta
tank and given holy bath. A similar ritual takes place with the golden mask at
each Shivratri, and on the full moon day in the month of Kartik.
Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbakeshwar (Tryambakeshwar, Trambakeshwar) takes its name
from 'Trimbaka', which means The Lord Who has Three Eyes. This is a place of
Tri-Sandhya Gayatri, the birthplace of Lord Ganesha, and the site of the first
Nath of the Nath Sampradaya. Sinhastha Mahatmya mentions that Lord
Rama made the yatra at Trimbakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar is also considered to be
one of the holiest places to perform Shraddha. The Nirnaya Sindhumentions
Trimbakeshwar as the place where Sahyadri Mountain and Godavari River exist, purifying
the entire earth planet.
Trimbakeswar Temple, which is constructed of black stone, is
an imposing architectural monument. It is set against a backdrop of the
Brahmagiri, a sacred hill from which three separate sources of the Godavari
River emerge, flowing in three directions. The stream flowing east is called
Godavari, the one flowing south is Vaitarna, and the third is called the
west-flowing Ganga, which meets the Godavari near Chakra Tirth. The River
Ahilya also meets the Godavari in front of the Trimbakeshwar Temple.
The sage Gautama had his ashrama in Trimbakeshwar, and
during a 24-year period of drought, his pious credits caused Varuna to make the
rains fall here. Indra became envious of the boon being enjoyed by Gautama, and
caused even more rain to fall. Later, Gautama engaged in the episode of
accidentally killing a cow, and in penance he performed austerities on the peak
of the Brahmagiri. His prayers to Shiva resulted in the Ganges manifesting
here, at Trimbak Tirth. Taking bath in this Kusavarta, Gautama was able to rid
himself of the sin of cow killing. Kusavarta kund is considered to be the
symbolic origin of the Godavari.
Kushavarta kund is a large area. The tank was built up with
stone pavement and verandahs on all sides. There are temples at the four
corners of the kund. On the southeast corner is the temple of Kedareshwar
Mahadev, who in disguise of Kedarbhatta made Gautam bathe in the waters and
gave him prayaschitta for the sin of killing a cow. To the southwest is Sakshi
Vinayak, who is a witness to the yatra-vidhi of all pilgrims. To the northwest
is Kusheshwar Mahadev, and to the northeast is the temple of Godavari.
The work of constructing the present main temple of
Trimbakeshwar, built with black basalt, was begun by Shrimant Balaji Bajirao,
the Nanasahib Peshawe, in 1755 and was completed in 1786, at a cost of 16 lacs.
The Shiva deity installed in the temple at that time was decorated with a world
famous gem – the Nassak diamond. The stone was appropriated by the British during
the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war, and is currently in the hands of a U.S. businessman.
Trimbakeshwar Temple was built in the Nagara style. It is
surrounded by a massive stone wall. A large Nandi sits in front of the temple,
while a second beautiful marble Nandi is found inside. The garbhagriha is
square internally, but is star-shaped externally. The porches have pillars and
arches. The structure is replete with intricate sculptural work of scrolls,
floral ornaments, and figures of various transcendental personalities and
scenes.
The Triambaka-lingam is housed in the sanctum, crowned with
a graceful tower, a large amalaka and a golden kalasha. In front of the
garbagriha and the antarala there is a mandap with doors on four sides, three
of which are covered with porches. The roof of the mandapam is a curvilinear
slab, rising in steps.
Outside the temple is another area with linga and yoni
installed, and separate pujas are done here. To the rear of the temple's
Gangamandir is a large caravansary, where Rama and Karpureshwar Mahadev
are enthroned. There is also a separate temple of Ashwini Kumar in front of
Gangamandir, temples of Jwareshwar Mahadev and Kanchaneshwar, and murtis of the
Dasavatar and thirty-three other divine personalities. It is said that by Lord
Shiva's order, all the deities stay here in person during the period of
Sinhastha Parva, coming to purify themselves.
Temple Locale and Events
There are two pradakshina routes around Trimbakeswar
Kshetra. One circumambulates Brahmagiri, while the other goes around
Hariharagiri.
There are a great many temples, shrines and theertham all in
close proximity to the Trimbakeshwar Temple complex. Seven km. away is Anjaneri
mountain, the birthplace of Hanuman. The town has a large population of Brahmin
households, so there are many gurukuls and learning centers. The place is also
famous for the opulent religious rituals (vidhis) performed by brahmans, who
have specialized in them. Narayan-Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, Tripindi vidhi are
done here. Narayan-Nagbalipuja is performed at Trimbakeshwar only, on certain
days.
While popularly known as the Nashik Mela, Trimbakeshwar is
actually the location of the Kumbha Mela. Held once every 12 years during
Simhasta Parvani, when Jupiter enters Leo, all the sacred waters gather together
here in the Kusavarta kunda. Over 3.5 million devotees throng to Trimbakeshwar
for this great Mela. Mahashivaratri and Rathayatra are also held here.
