Grishneshwar

Located about 11 km from Auragabad is the ancient Grushneshwar jyotirlinga temple. Due to proximity of Daulatabad fort and Ajanta-Ellora caves, tourists visit this place in large numbers. The temple was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.

There is a historic/mythological legend about the temple. It is said that there was once a very religious woman, Kusuma (Kusum) who used to worship Shiva on a daily basis. She used to immerse Shiva linga in a tank, as a part of her everyday prayer. Her husband's first wife got jealous of her devotion (and resultant respect in the society). She killed Kusuma's son. In spite of this sorrow, she continued worshipping Shiva. It is said that when she immersed the linga into the tank, after the death of her son, he miraculously came back to life. This temple is also called as Grishneshwar.