LORD TRYAMBAKESHWAR OF NASIK

THE TEMPLE

The Tryambakeshwar temple enshrining one of the twelve jyothirlingas is quite magnificent and is built on the Indo - Aryan style. Its imposing dimensions, architectural adornments are quite befitting of its eminence. It is surrounded by a massive stone wall pierced by two dwaras and covers 260 x 220 feet area. It is built in black stone by Balaji Baji Rao between 1740 - 1761 on the old site which of course, was very modest in sire and sculpture. Tall dipmalas adorn the Mahadwara on either side with its artistic design. In front of the temple a beautifully sculptured bull - Nandi is installed in a cupola. Another marble one is found inside. To the eastern most part lies a square mantap of huge proportions. It has doors on all sides and its porches are decorated with cusped arches and moulded pillars. Then comes the antarala lying between garbhagriha and big mantap. The garbhagriha is vast and well decorated with architectural designs and carvings of human figures, animals, yakshas, floral designs and the like. A graceful spire with curvilinear design rises from atop the garbhagriha and heightens its beauty with a dazzling Kalash. In the central part of the garbhagriha there lies the Swayambhu Siva linga. It has a minute crack from which the water i.e. Ganga drips forth constantly, round the clock and throughout the year. Tradition has that some times flames emerge from this, and also deep sounds of thunder not unlike the roar of a lion now and then. The linga is covered with a golden mask adorned with five faces and a dazzling golden crown, donated by Peshwa Sadasiva Rao, supposed to have been brought from Delhi. It was an invaluable gift of the King of Mysore to a temple there, but carried away by Moghul iconoclasts during their raids. This is used on ceremonial occasions only; for daily purpose, a silver made single faced mask is used. The remarkable feature found here is the prevalence absolute quiteness not found elsewhere. After offering prayers with rituals, the devotees emerge souls filled with the divinity pervading the entire garbhagriha.

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