Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: A Complete Guide for Pilgrims

We are Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, Trimbakeshwar, and our Bhakta Niwas is about 900 m from the temple. This guide brings together what pilgrims ask us most: what makes the temple special, its history, darshan and pujas, the Kumbh, and how to plan your visit.

Why Trimbakeshwar is special among the 12 Jyotirlingas

At all twelve Jyotirlingas, the main image is a linga of Shiva. At Trimbakeshwar, the linga has three faces, embodying Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, which Wikipedia describes as the temple's extraordinary feature. The name Trimbakeshwar itself refers to Shiva as the three-eyed Lord.

Centuries of water offerings have worn the linga down. Wikipedia notes that this erosion is said to symbolise the eroding nature of human society.

On Monday evenings the linga is covered with a golden crown. This crown is said to date from the time of the Pandavas and is set with diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones.

The story of Trimbakeshwar and the Godavari

The temple's story is tied to the Godavari river. During a long drought, Sage Gautama and his wife Ahalya prayed for relief, and Gautama did penance on Brahmagiri hill. Lord Shiva agreed to bring the Ganga down to the region, and it flowed through the Trimbak hills as the Godavari.

Gautama is said to have bathed in the river to be free of the sin of unintentionally killing a cow. The sacred kund in town, Kushavarta, is linked to the river. Read its story in our Kushavarta Kund guide.

History of the temple

The present temple was built by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, also known as Nanasaheb Peshwa, on the site of an older temple. The temple trust records that it opened on Mahashivratri, Friday 16 February 1756. It is built of black basalt stone and is known for its carving.

• The Nassak Diamond: According to Wikipedia, the famous Nassak Diamond once adorned the linga. It was taken by the British during the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• The temple tank: The temple has a historic water tank. In July 2026, the Archaeological Survey of India found a stone Shivling while desilting it, during conservation work ahead of the Kumbh.
• The trust: The temple is managed by the Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust. It was registered as a public trust in 1954, and since 1995 it has been run by a board of trustees chaired by a judge appointed by the District Judge.

Trimbakeshwar is also known for its pandits, who keep family genealogy registers for many Hindu families.

Darshan timings and types of darshan

General darshan is free and runs through the opening hours. A donation (VIP) darshan pass is also available, online on the temple trust's website or at its counters, for devotees who want to skip the longer queue. Our temple timings guide explains every puja and how the pass works, step by step.

Mobile phones and bags have to be deposited outside before you enter the temple. The trust notes that timings may change on festival days.

The Monday golden crown and palkhi

Every Monday, a palkhi procession of Lord Trimbakeshwar leaves the temple's north gate at around 3:30 PM and reaches Kushavarta Tirth at around 4:00 PM, where the Goda snan, panchamrit puja and aarti are performed. It is back at the temple by about 6:00 PM. In Shravan, it starts about an hour earlier because of the crowds. On Monday evenings, the golden crown is placed on the linga around 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

If you want to see the crown, plan for a Monday. Keep in mind that Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days for darshan.

Pujas at Trimbakeshwar

Trimbakeshwar is known for rituals such as Narayan Nagbali, Kaal Sarp Shanti and Tripindi Shraddha. These are performed by the local purohits of Trimbakeshwar, mostly at Kushavarta. The temple trust's website also offers online booking for Rudrabhishek and Laghurudra puja.

Our Sansthan does not perform or arrange pujas; we provide the stay and meals for pilgrims who come for them. Read our puja guide, and the detailed guides to Kaal Sarp Dosh puja and Narayan Nagbali puja.

Trimbakeshwar and the Simhastha Kumbh 2027

Trimbakeshwar is one of the two sites of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh. The Shaiva akhadas, including the Naga sadhus, take the Amrit Snan at Kushavarta. The Kumbh begins with the flag hoisting on 31 October 2026, and the Amrit Snans fall on 2 August, 31 August and 12 September 2027.

As currently planned, VIP darshan passes will be suspended on the main Amrit Snan days. Read our complete Simhastha Kumbh 2027 guide and the Kumbh 2027 dates and Amrit Snan schedule.

Mistakes first-time visitors make

1. Coming on a Monday or weekend without expecting crowds. Tuesday to Thursday, early in the morning, has the shortest queues.
2. Reaching the gate with a phone or bag. These have to be deposited outside.
3. Not checking festival dates. On Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays and Kartik Purnima, queues can take 4 to 8 hours.
4. Forgetting ID for a donation pass. The pass is checked with your ID proof at the gate.
5. Planning a puja on a festival day. The ghats and priests are busiest then.

Our guide to the best time to visit Trimbakeshwar has the 2026–27 festival dates.

How to reach Trimbakeshwar

Read how to reach Trimbakeshwar for trains and buses. If you are combining Jyotirlingas or shrines, see Trimbakeshwar to Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar to Shirdi and Pune to Trimbakeshwar.

Places to see near the temple

Kushavarta Kund, Brahmagiri hill and Gangadwar, Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi, the Swami Samarth Gurupeeth and Anjaneri are all close by. Read our guide to places to visit near Trimbakeshwar and our Swami Samarth Gurupeeth guide.

Where to stay near the temple

Our Bhakta Niwas is on Jawahar Road, next to the New Bus Stand, about 900 m from the temple, a 10–15 minute walk. We run a free temple shuttle for guests, and check-in is open 24 hours, so you can arrive the night before and reach the temple early. All 3 satvik meals are included.

See our rooms, read where to stay in Trimbakeshwar, and follow how to book. Bookings are only by phone call or WhatsApp on +91 90311 67563.

Frequently asked questions

More Trimbakeshwar guides

• Trimbakeshwar Temple Timings: Darshan, Puja & VIP Pass GuideDarshan hours, daily puja and aarti times, Monday golden crown darshan, and how the online and offline VIP darshan pass works.
• Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 Trimbakeshwar: Complete GuideEverything about the 2027 Kumbh at Trimbakeshwar in one place: dates, flag hoisting, Amrit Snan, travel rules and where to stay.
• Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027 Dates: Amrit Snan ScheduleEvery key date of the 2026-28 Kumbh in one table: flag hoisting, Nagar Pradakshina, the three Amrit Snans and the closing day.
• Kumbh Mela 2027 Flag Hoisting on 31 October at TrimbakeshwarWhat happens at the Dhwajarohan on 31 October 2026 at Kushavarta and Ramkund, and how to plan your visit that day.
• Kumbh Mela 2027 Latest Updates: Nashik & TrimbakeshwarDated news on Kumbh works, temple plans, parking, traffic and pilgrim facilities, newest first.
• Pujas at Trimbakeshwar: Kaal Sarp, Narayan Nagbali, TripindiWhich pujas are done at Trimbakeshwar, what each is for, who performs them and how many days to plan.

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