Godavari river originates in this place, its a place of Tri-Sandhya Gayatri, the birth place

of Lord Ganesha, a place of the first Nath of Nath Sampradaya consisting of Gorakhnath
and others, a place where Nivrittinath was made to imbibe the holy knowledge by his
Guru Gahininath, a place where Nivrittinath made his brothers and sister attain the self
by his preaching. This is the holiest place to perform Shraddha ceremony. Nirnaya
Sindhu – a religious book of Hindus, mentions that this place, where Sahyadri mountain
and Godavari river exist is very purifying on the whole earth and is therefore very
important for performing Shraddha ceremony.
The two significant places
a) Shri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling and
b) Kushavarta – the place from where river Godavari takes its course. A dip in this
sacred river wipes off the sins, is the belief of people. The sage Gautam committed a sin
of murdering a cow and by taking bath in this river, wiped off his sin.
Story associated with Trimbakeshwar
At the time of the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati, all the Devarshis gathered
together. Brahmadev, the creator of the Universe, seeing the beauty of Parvati, had a
discharge of semen. Lord Shiva observing this, offered him water of Ganges, the purest
water and said, “You will wipe off your sin by this water”. Brahmadev kept the holy water
in his kamandalu (a particular container made out of dried fruit carried by Sadhus) and
was purified by its bath.
Brahmadev worshipped God Trivikram when he came to Satya Loka (on 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 God Shankar,
which was noticed by Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati. She planned to drive Ganges away from
her husband. Parvati and her shri ganeshson Ganesh came to live in Gautama’s
Ashrama with Parvati’s friend Jaya. There was a famine of 24 years and people were
affected by the pangs of hunger. However, Varun – the God of Rains, pleased with Sage
Gautama arranged rains every day in Gautam’s Ashrama (dwelling place) which was in
Trimbakeshwar. Gautama used to sow rice in the surrounding fields of his Ashrama in
the morning, reap the crop in the afternoon and with it fed a large group of rishis, who
took shelter in his Ashrama on account of the famine. The blessings of the group of
rishis increased the merit (Punya) of Gautam. 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
Gautam will be weakened. Although the famine was over, Gautam 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). The
slender cow died by this. It was Jaya – Parvati’s friend, who had taken the form of a cow.
This news upset the Rishis and they refused to luncheon at his Ashram.
Gautam requested Rishis to show a way out of this sin. He was advised to approach
Lord Shiva and request him to release Ganges and a bath in the Ganges would set him
free of his sins. Gautam then practiced penance 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. Gautam 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. Still
Gautama could not bathe in her waters. 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.
Its religious significance
Sinhastha Mahatmya speaks of Lord Rama having made the Yatra at Trimbakeshwar. A
shraddha on the river Godavari gives great satisfaction to the forefathers. If it is not done
in this place, it is considered as a religious sin. So Ganga Pujan, Ganga Bhet, Deh
Shuddhi Prayaschitta. Tarpan Shradha, Vayan, Dasha Dana, Gopradan etc. Rituals are
done in Trimbakeshwar. Mundana and Tirtha Shraddha are also performed here.
Kushavarta is called as Teertharaj, since it has six corners. After finishing the tirtha-yatra
at Kushavarta, a pilgrim should proceed by the northern bank of Godavari and visit
Nilsangameshwar, Vivah Vinayak, Satya Narayan, Dhaneshwar Mahadev,
Tarangeshwar, Setupaleshwar etc.
The Lord Shiva at Trimbakeshwar is worshipped by recitations of Rudra, Rudri, Laghu
Rudra, Maha Rudra or Ati Rudra puja. Actually Rudrashak is a religious fruit which is
said to be found in lord Shiva’s neck in the form of Rudra garland. Some of the trees of
Rudrashak is also found in Trimbakeshwar. For more details read Rudraksha Mahima

When was the temple built and by whom ?

Kushavarta was a large area. Shreemant Rao Sahib Parnekar has built up the banks
with stone pavement and with verandahs on all sides. Near Kushavarta is Kanchan and
Kankhala tirtha where , the it is said , that dead human bones disappear. The flow of
Godavari runs from this place. There are temples at the four corners of Kushavarta. On
the south east conrner is the temple of Kedareshwar Mahadev, who in disguise of
Kedarbhatta made Gautam to bathe in the waters and gave him prayaschitta
(repentance) for the sin of killing a cow. To the south-west is Sakshi Vinayak , who is a
witness to the yatra -vidhi of all pilgrims. To the north-west is Kusheshwar Mahadev and
to the north-east is the temple of Godavari. It is said in Trimbak Mahatmya that Godavari
was pleased with Gautam and gave him her “Darshana” – appearance in person . At this
place the Godavari temple is built.
To the rear of the temple Gangamandir, Shrimant Peshawa has built a big caravansary
where Rama and Karpureshwar Mahadev are enthroned. There is a separate temple of
Ashwini Kumar in front of Gangamandir. There is a big Ashwattha Narayan tree in front
of Kushavarta tirtha. In addition, there are temples of Jwareshwar Mahadev and
Kanchaneshwar and statues of Dash Avatar and of thirty-three kinds of deities. The old
holy books say that by the order of Lord Shiv, all deities stay here in person, during the
period of Sinhastha Parva, to wipe off their sins and to get themselves purified.
The work of constructing the present temple of Trimbakeshwar was begun by Shrimant
Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasahib Peshawe in 1755 in the first half of the Margashirsha
month (around December) and was completed in 1786. It took 31 years to construct the
temple and the cost of 16 lacs then. There are three “Linga” of the size of a thumb and
they are called as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh – the creator, the organizer and the
destroyer. These lingas are natural ( emerged naturally )Water of Ganges flows over the
Linga of Shiva. The grant of Rs.1000.00 per month was given for performing puja and
offerings etc. The deity is worshipped here thrice a day and an additional worship with
flowers at pradosha time.
Brahmagiri
Original Ganges and Trimbak Tirtha are on Brahmagiri mountain adjacent to
Trimbakeshwar temple. Brahmagiri is considered as a huge form of Lord Shiva and
hence the mountain climbing was considered as a sin. However in 1908 Seth Lalchand
Jashodanand Bhambhani of Karachi and Seth Ganeshdas built 500 steps of stone at a
cost of Rs. 40,000 then. This has facilitated easy access to Brahmagiri. Godavari is
flowing in three directions on the mountain. The one flowing towards east is called
Godavari, one flowing towards the south is called Vaitarna and the one flowing towards
the west is called the west-flowing Ganga and meets Godavari near Chakra Tirth. River
Ahilya meets Godavari in front of the Trimbakeshwar temple. Childless families worship
at the Ahilya sangam and it is believed that they do get a child.
The first peak of Sahyadri is called Brahmadri. The story associated with this is that
Shankar was pleased with Brahmadev and said “I shall be known by your name”. Hence
it is called as Brahmagiri. The mountain is 1800 feet high . Its height from sea level is
4248 feet. Five peaks of this mountain are called Sadyo-Jata, Vamdev, Aghora, Ishana
and Tat-Purusha and are considered as five mouths of the Lord Shiva and they are
worshipped.
Gangadwar
Gangadwar is half way to Brahmagiri mountain. There is a temple of Ganga, now known
as Godavari River. Ganga appears first time here, after it vanishes from Brahmagiri
Mountain. Godavari comes to Gangadwar from Brahmadri. There are 750 steps to
Gangadwar. These were built by Karamsi Ranamull of Village Maska. The work was
commenced on 1st of Chaitra in Samwat 1907 and was completed on 5th of Chaitra
Samwat 1918 by Seth Hansraj Karamsi. Gangadwar is one of the five tirthas. There is
an idol of Ganga and near her feet is a stone of the shape of cow’s head through which
Ganga water is flowing drop by drop.
Other temples on Brahmagiri
Nearby is Kolambika Devi, Varah tirtha further on is the cave of Gautam for practicing
penance where there are 108 Shivalingas. A little further on is Gorakh Gumpha, a place
where Gorakhnath practiced penance, the idol is worth seeing. After descending a few
steps, Ganga flows from the roots of Audumbar tree. This is known as Rama-Laxman
tirtha. Here Rama stopped for a few days and did Shraddha ceremony in memory of
Dasharatha. There is Rama temple and Gopalrao Ghanekar built it at a cost of Rs.
25000.00 in 1857. Ganga Sagar is a big tank in the flow of river and is 300 x 400 ft.
Shrimant Rajebahadar built it about the year 1678. The Ganga Sagar water is distributed
in the village nearby.
Bilwa Tirtha
Bilwa Tirtha is to the north of Nila mountain. It is one of the five tirthas. There is a temple
of Bilvakeshwar Mahadev built by Naro Vinayak Gogte in 1738 at a cost of Rs.
25,000.00
Gautam Tirtha
Gautam Tirtha is to the south of the Ganges and the Trimbakeshwar temple. Varun
being pleased with Gautam gave this tirtha as a permanent source of water. To the north
is Gautameshwar and to the south is Rameshwar Mahadev. This tank is 600 x 400 ft
and is built by Shrimant Pandit Zashivale at a cost of Rs. 50,000.00
Indra Tirtha
Indra Tirtha is to the east and near Kushavarta. This is known as Shakra-Kupa for Indra
wiped off his curse given by sage Gautam for enjoying Ahilya, by a bath in this tirtha.
This is built with cut stone in octagonal form by Vishnu Mahadeo Gadre at a cost of Rs.
22000 in 1778. On the bank of the tirtha is a beautiful temple of Indreshwar Mahadev
with an idol of Indra seated on an Airavata elephant.
Besides this there are Vishwanath tirtha, Nilambar tirtha or Moti-tank, Mukund tirtha,
Prayag tirtha and Veni-Madhav and other Mahadev temples on the bank of Prayag
tirtha. Here is a matha of Nirvana Sampradaya (sect) Nilganga tirtha and
nilsangameshwar Mahadev temple are on the north bank of Godavati.
Ahilya Sangam tirtha
To force Gautam to give up his penance, a friend of Ganga named Jatila took the form of
Ahilya, Gautam’s wife. Gautam could make it out and cursed her to be transformed into
a river. Then she begged his pardon. Gautam granted her pardon and said that she will
be freed of her curse on her joining with Godavari river. This is the Ahilya-Sangam tirtha
where Ganga and Godavari join. There is a temple of Sangmeshwar Mahadev.
Ashta tirtha yatra and pancha tirtha yatra
Two yatras (pilgrimage) are performed here.
A) Ashta tirtha yatra including Ballal tirtha, the sacred place of Gunesh Ganapati,
Varansi tirtha, Manakarnika tirtha, Ganga sagar, Rama-Laxman tirtha, Shali tirtha,
Kanchan tirtha and Ahilya-Sangam tirtha.
B) Pancha tirtha yatra includes Gangadwar, Kushavarta, Bilwaka, Nilparavata and
Kanakhala tirtha. It is believed that one who takes a bath in the above is never reborn.
To Nil mountain, Shreemant Seth Kapol has built about 200 steps. On the summit is the
temple of Nilamba Matamba Devi, further on is an ancient temple of Nilkantheshwar
Mahadev and an idol of Parashuram. There is an old akhada or matha of the Gosavi
sect and an ancient temple of Sadguru Dattatreya.
Pradakshina
There are two pradakshinas (ring routes) in this kshetra – one round the Brahmagiri and
the other one round Hariharagiri. Pilgrim has to go for pradakshina with holy garment
early in the morning visiting and bathing in various tirthas. The tour is to be completed in
either a day, three days or five days.
Other facilities at Trimbakeshwar
The public and religious institutions in the town are Veda shala, Sanskrit Pathashala,
Kirtan Sanstha, Pravachan Sanstha, two gymnasiums, Lokmanya Free Reading Room,
municipal office, post and telegraph office, dispensary and a police sub-inspector’s
office. Sanskrit Pathashala has produced a good many disciples who have become
Shastris and Pandits.
Nivritinath Temple – The elder brother and Guru of Dnyaneshwara took Samadhi here.
In his memory a temple is built. Devotees come to visit this temple. There is a three days
festival in this temple in the month of Pausha – sometime in January.
Religious festivals at Trimbakeshwar
 Sinhastha Kumbha Mela – Once in twelve years when Bruhaspati or Jupiter is in
Sinha Rashi (zodiac sign Leo)
 Godavari day – In the month of Magha (February) – the first twelve days of bright
moon.
 Nivrutti Natha festival – three days in Pausha – sometime in January.
 Mahashivaratri – on the 13th day of Krishna paksha of the month Magha – some
time in March.
 Rathayatra of Trimbakeshwar – On the full moon day of the month Kartika ,
called Tripuri Paurnima- sometime in Novembe