a hot spot for nature loving tourists apart from Hindu pilgrims.

Religious Significance of Trimbakeshwar in Hinduism
The Hindu belief is that those who visit Trimbakeshwar get salvation (Moksha). Trimbakeshwar is considered as the most sacred town India. There are many reasons for this belief. Godavari originates from the Brahmagiri hills in this town and it is believed that it is the birth place of Lord Ganesha, known as place of Tri-Sandhya Gayatri.

History of Godavari River Lord Shiva

Brahmadev worshipped God Trivikram when he came to Satya Loka (earth) with the same holy water of the Ganges, to get the river Ganges held up by God Shankar on his head, to flow. River Ganges in the form of a woman was enjoying with Lord Shiva, which was noted by Parvati who is wife of Lord Shiva. She planned to drive Ganges away from her husband. Parvati and her son Ganesh came to live in Gautama's Ashram with Parvati's friend Jaya. There was a famine of 24 years and people were affected by the pangs of hunger. However, Varun pleased with Sage Gautama arranged rains every day in Gautama's Ashram (dwelling place) which was in Trimbakeshwar. Gautama used to sow rice in the surrounding fields of his Ashram in the morning, reap the crop in the afternoon and with it fed a large group of Rishis, who took shelter in his Ashram on account of the famine. The blessings of Rishis increased the merit (Punya) of Gautama. Lord Indra's position became shaky because of his increased merit. So Indra ordered clouds to rain all over Trimbakeshwar, so that the famine will be over and Rishis will go back and the increasing merits of Gautama will be damaged. Although the famine was over, Gautama urged the Rishis to stay back and kept on feeding them and gaining merit. Once he saw a cow grazing in the paddy field and he drove her away by throwing Darbha (sharp, pointed grass). Gautama requested Rishis to show a way out of this sin. He was counsel to approach Lord Shiva and request him to release Ganges and a bath in the Ganges would set him free of his sins.

Gautama then practiced apology by going to the peak of Brahmagiri. Lord Shankara was pleased by his worships and gave him the Ganges. However, Ganges was not prepared to part with Lord Shiva, which irritated him. He made Tandav Nrutya (dance) on the peak of Brahmagiri and dashed his Jata there. Frightened by this action, Ganges appeared on Brahmagiri. Later on Ganges appeared in the Trimbak Tirtha at Trimbakeshwar. Gautama praised her but she off and on appeared on the mountain at various places and disappeared in anger. Gautama could not bathe in her waters. Ganges then appeared in Gangadwar, Varaha-tirtha, Rama-Laxman tirtha, Ganga Sagar tirtha. The Gautama surrounded the river with enchanted grass and put a vow to her. The flow stopped there and the tirtha thus came to be called Kushavarta. It is from this Kushavarta that the river Godavari flows up to the sea. The sin of killing a cow by Gautama was wiped off here.

Pujas Performed at TrimbakeshwarTrimbakeshwar is famous for lots of religious rituals (vidhis). Narayan Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, Tripindi vidhi etc. are done at this holy place. Narayan Nagbali puja is performed at Trimbakeshwar only. This puja is performed on special dates (Muhurt) only. Some days in the year are not suitable to perform this puja. People perfume several religious puja at Trimbakeshwar to have a peaceful & happy life to them and their family.

Trimbakeshwar Temple ( Timing of Temple 5.30Am - 9 P.M )
Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the holiest and sacred place for Hindu pilgrims and is revered as a one of the 12 Jyotirlingaas shrines of Lord Shiva. The temple lies in the foothill of mountain Bramhagiri which is the origin of river Ganga (called here by name Godavari).

The most attractive part of this temple is presence of 3 linga's each representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. All three resides in a hallow space within the Shiva lingam.

This temple is built by Shri Nana Saheb Peshawa in 1755-1786 AD .Its is built with black stone and the Shivlingam is said to be emerged naturally. The temple is bordered with around 20-25 stone feet wall in height.

Temple is just 10 min walk from the bus stand and thus no need for auto's. Entrance gate will lead us to the queue which has logical separation of around 6-7 lines. The queue to the main temple passes through Nandi temple which is built in front of the Shiva temple, Nandi facing Shivlingam (as we know Shiva temple always has Nandi Idol where Nandi always faces Shiva lingam .Nandi Idol is sitting on a platform which is a foot or two in height and is carved out of white marble. Crossing this Nandi temple we step in to the Shiva temple .Then we enter a big hall whose roof is in dome shape from inside. The sanctum is not big and houses the main Shivlingam and three lings residing in hollow structure.

Outside the temple just in-front of entrance gate, one can see few cows self feeding the grass.