Grishneshwar Temple

The basics

While the Aurangabad region is well known for its ancient caves, it may not immediately bring to mind South Indian-style temples. The five-tier, intricately carved Grishneshwar Temple is a rare example of South Indian temple architecture in central Maharashtra. It’s a very popular temple with Hindus, though fewer non-Hindu international travelers visit. If you want to, it’s a handy spot to combine with a trip to the Ellora Caves, whether you’re sightseeing independently or on a private guided tour of the Aurangabad area.

Things to know before you go

• Although non-Hindus are allowed to visit the temple, out of respect for devotees, you may want to avoid visiting the inner sanctum.

• There’s no entry fee to the temple, but there is usually a charge for special puja ceremonies.

• Men wanting to enter the inner sanctum are expected to go bare-chested and to wear a dhoti (sarong-style lower garment). Women should dress modestly, so bring a light scarf.

How to get there

Grishneshwar Temple is close to the Ellora Caves, 18 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Aurangabad. If you’re traveling independently, ask your taxi driver to take you to the temple before or after the caves. The Ellora Caves bus stop on the highway is also very close to the temple, so you can take a public bus from Aurangabad.

When to get there

The temple is open daily from early morning to late evening. Like many Hindu temples, it tends to be busiest with devotees in the early morning and evening. It’s also busy during important Hindu festivals, particularly those dedicated to Lord Shiva, such as Mahashivaratri in late February or early March. In general, the Aurangabad area is most comfortable in the winter (November–February), when the weather is warm and dry.

The Kailash Temple at Ellora

While the Grishneshwar Temple is certainly worth visiting, perhaps few foreign tourists do so because the temples at nearby Ellora are so captivating. The most impressive of all is the Kailash Temple, built into a solid piece of rock in the 8th century. Like Grishneshwar, Kailash is a Shiva temple; it represents Mt. Kailash in Tibet, which is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.