Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Trimbak, Maharashtra
A Jyotirlinga with a three-faced Linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and the source of the Godavari, India's second-longest river. Home of Kalsarpa Puja and Narayan Nagbali, traditionally performed here.
Entry Pass Required: Complete Before Travel
The Trust says a free darshan entry pass and ID are mandatory for all devotees · The optional Donation Darshan Pass costs ₹200 and does not reserve a darshan time
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
6:00 AM
to 9:00 PM
Daily Aarti
5:30 AM · 7 AM · 10:45 AM · 9 PM
Kakad Aarti · Brahma Puja · Mid-day Mahadev Puja · Shej Aarti · The Trust page duplicates the morning time for evening Vishnu Puja, so confirm that timing
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Modest Attire
The Trust pages reviewed do not publish a fixed dress code for general darshan · Ritual clothing may differ for privately arranged pujas · Confirm before travel
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Oct – Mar is more comfortable · Check weather alerts in monsoon · The official Kumbh authority is preparing for Simhastha 2027
Security Rules
Confirm at Entrance
The Trust pages reviewed do not state a clear phone or cloakroom rule · Follow entrance signage and staff instructions
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 1–4 hrs
Ordinary weekdays; arrival time can change the wait sharply
Weekends
Approx. 3–6 hrs
Weekends, Mondays and holidays
Festivals
Approx. 6–10+ hrs
Maha Shivratri · Shravan Mondays · Simhastha 2027
Broad editorial range from recent visitor guidance; the Trust does not publish a live queue estimate
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
Three-faced Linga & The Godavari Source
Distinctive Jyotirlinga form representing all three deities of the Hindu Trinity
Tryambaka: Three-eyed, Three-faced
Trimbakeshwar means “Lord of the Three Eyes.” The Trust describes the Jyotirlinga as a three-faced form embodying Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Its daily programme lists Brahma Puja in the morning, Mahadev Puja at midday, and Vishnu Puja in the evening. The sacred Godavari River is traditionally associated with its source on nearby Brahmagiri mountain.
3 Faces
Brahma · Vishnu · Shiva
1,465 km
Godavari River length
Brahmagiri
Mountain source · steep hill route
Practical Trimbakeshwar Visit
- 1
Get the mandatory free entry pass from the Trust website and carry the pass with valid ID. The optional ₹200 Donation Darshan pass is separate and does not reserve a darshan time.
- 2
Kushavarta Kund is associated with the Godavari and many pilgrims bathe there before darshan. This is a local tradition, not a temple entry requirement. Follow current cleanliness and safety instructions.
- 3
The Kakad Aarti is listed at 5:30 AM; Google Maps lists general hours from 6:00 AM. The official Brahma Puja is 7:00–8:30 AM and Mid-Day Mahadev Puja is 10:45 AM–12:30 PM.
- 4
For Brahmagiri, allow several hours and confirm weather and route conditions locally. Avoid the steep route during heavy rain or official safety restrictions.
- 5
For Kalsarpa Puja or Narayan Nagbali, verify the purohit at purohitsangh.org and agree the date, inclusions, total dakshina, and receipt before paying. Narayan Nagbali is described as a three-day ritual.
Puja Schedule
4 rituals · Daily
6:00 AM – 9:00 PMTimings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Godavari Source
Brahmagiri is traditionally regarded as the source of the Godavari River
Three-Faced Linga
The linga is associated with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
Simhastha 2027
Preparations are under way · Check official dates and visitor notices when published
directions_transitHow to Reach Trimbakeshwar
By Train
Nashik Road · 40 km
By Flight
Nashik Airport (Ozar) (ISK) · 55 km
By Road
Nashik CBS (Central Bus Stand) · 28 km
hotelWhere to Stay
Shivprasad Bhaktaniwas (Temple Trust)
The live Trust page reviewed in July 2026 lists rooms from ₹1,333 to ₹3,333 plus GST shown at booking. Book through trimbakeshwartrust.com; bookings are non-refundable and single-person bookings are not accepted.
Nashik City Hotels
Nashik is about 30 km away and offers a wider choice for day-trip visitors. Check current road time and hotel rates before booking.
Trimbak Town Hotels
Staying in town is useful for early worship or a multi-day ritual. Compare current rates, cancellation terms, and distance from the temple.
For Simhastha 2027, follow the official authority calendar and prefer cancellable accommodation until dates, routes, and access plans are formally published.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Oct – Feb · Best
Cooler weather is more comfortable for darshan and the Brahmagiri route. Maha Shivaratri brings very large crowds. Check Trust and weather notices before travel.
Simhastha 2027
The official Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority is preparing for Simhastha 2027. Its public pages reviewed do not yet list the detailed ritual calendar. Use the authority website before booking travel.
May – Jun · Avoid
Summer afternoons can be very hot. Monsoon makes Brahmagiri green but can also bring slippery routes, heavy rain, and temporary safety closures. Check alerts before climbing.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circleGet the free entry pass and carry ID. The Trust says both are mandatory for all devotees. The optional ₹200 Donation Darshan pass is separate and its booking time is not a reserved darshan time.
- check_circleTreat Kushavarta bathing as a tradition, not a rule. Many pilgrims bathe at the sacred tank before darshan. Follow current cleanliness, water, and safety instructions.
- check_circleVerify any ritual purohit before paying. For Kalsarpa Puja, Narayan Nagbali, or Tripindi Shraddha, use the directory at purohitsangh.org. Agree the date, materials, total dakshina, and receipt in advance.
- check_circleConfirm the Monday procession time locally. The Trust confirms a palanquin procession to Kushavarta Tirtha every Monday but does not publish a time on the festival page reviewed.
- check_circleCheck weather before Brahmagiri. The hill route is steep and can become unsafe in heavy rain. Allow several hours, use suitable footwear, and follow local or official closure instructions.
Temple Highlights
Three-faced Linga Tradition
The Trust describes the Jyotirlinga as a three-faced form embodying Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Its daily programme lists Brahma Puja in the morning, Mahadev Puja at midday, and Vishnu Puja in the evening.
Source of the Godavari: Dakshin Ganga
The Godavari is traditionally associated with its source on Brahmagiri mountain near Trimbakeshwar and is revered as the Dakshin Ganga. Kushavarta Kund is the sacred tank associated with the river in the town.
Kalsarpa Puja & Narayan Nagbali: Traditionally Performed Here
Kalsarpa Puja, Narayan Nagbali, and Tripindi Shraddha are strongly associated with Trimbakeshwar. Verify the purohit in the official Purohit Sangh directory and agree the total cost before paying. The Sangh describes Narayan Nagbali as a three-day ritual.
Simhastha Kumbh Mela: Once in 12 Years
The Government of Maharashtra has established the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority for Simhastha 2027. Its pages reviewed in July 2026 do not yet publish the detailed ritual bathing calendar, so use the authority website for official dates and travel instructions.
Major Festivals
Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027
The official Maharashtra authority is preparing for Simhastha 2027 in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. Its public pages reviewed do not yet list the detailed ritual bathing calendar.
What to do: Use the authority website for dates, routes, safety rules, and transport plans. Prefer cancellable accommodation until the official calendar is published.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri brings special worship and very large crowds. Access, queues, and ritual timings can change for festival arrangements.
What to do: Get the mandatory free entry pass and check Trust notices before travel. The optional ₹200 Donation Darshan pass does not reserve a darshan time.
Shravan Month Mondays
Shravan Mondays are important Shiva-worship days and can bring very large crowds. The Trust confirms a Monday palanquin procession to Kushavarta Tirtha but does not publish a fixed time on its festival page.
What to do: Confirm the procession time and current entry arrangements directly with the Trust. Keep extra time for queues and traffic.
Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima is an important bathing and pilgrimage day in local tradition. Kushavarta and the temple area can be crowded.
What to do: October–November usually has comfortable weather. Confirm the festival schedule, water conditions, and local access before travel.
The Story of Trimbakeshwar
Trimbakeshwar derives its name from the Sanskrit Tryambaka (“the three-eyed Lord”), a name of Shiva found throughout the Rigveda and the Shiva Purana. The Shiva Purana records the legend of how the Godavari River came to originate here: the sage Gautama performed such intense austerities on Brahmagiri mountain that Lord Shiva descended to the spot, and the water that emerged from Shiva's presence became the Godavari, named for sage Gautama (Gautami). The river flows 1,465 km to the Bay of Bengal and is venerated as the “Dakshin Ganga” of the Deccan.
The official Trust says the present temple was constructed by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao during his period as the third Peshwa (1740–1760), on the site of an older temple. The black-stone structure is commonly described as Hemadpanthi in style. The institution was registered as Public Trust No. A-405 in 1954.
“The Tryambaka — the three-eyed — we worship. He who nurtures and multiplies, who is the fragrance of life and liberation. As the cucumber is freed from its vine, may we be freed from the bonds of death — not from immortality.”
— Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Rigveda 7.59.12; Tryambaka is a name of Shiva
Nearby Temples & Sites
Kushavarta Kund
near_me Near the temple
A sacred tank associated with the Godavari. Bathing before darshan is a local tradition, not an entry requirement. The Trust confirms that Monday palanquin worship takes place at Kushavarta Tirtha.
Brahmagiri & Godavari Source
near_me Steep hill route · allow several hours
Brahmagiri is traditionally associated with the Godavari source. Check weather, route access, and local guidance before climbing. Heavy rain can make the route unsafe or lead to temporary closures.
Anjneri Hill: Hanuman's Birthplace
near_me 7 km · Moderate trek
Claimed birthplace of Lord Hanuman in the Hindu tradition. A moderate trek to the summit temple with excellent Sahyadri views. Popular with devotees on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The hill is visible from Trimbakeshwar town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book Kalsarpa Puja or Narayan Nagbali at Trimbakeshwar?
Use the directory at purohitsangh.org to verify a local authorized purohit. Contact the selected purohit directly and agree the date, duration, materials, total dakshina, accommodation needs, and receipt before paying.
The Sangh describes Narayan Nagbali as a three-day ritual and advises arriving one day before. It does not publish one fixed Sangh-wide price.
The Trust website's own Rudrabhishek and Laghurudra bookings are online-only remote pujas; they do not include in-person participation at the temple.
What are Narayan Nagbali and Kalsarpa Puja?
Narayan Nagbali is a three-day ancestor-related ritual in Hindu tradition. The local Sangh describes Narayan Bali as a rite for an unsettled ancestral soul and Nagbali as a rite connected with the religious belief about killing a snake.
Kalsarpa Puja is an astrological remedial ritual associated with Kaal Sarp Dosha. These are matters of faith; the website does not promise personal, medical, financial, or family outcomes. Confirm all practical details with a temple-authorised or otherwise reputable purohit.
What is the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 at Trimbakeshwar?
The Government of Maharashtra has established the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority to plan Simhastha 2027.
The authority pages reviewed in July 2026 do not yet publish the detailed ritual bathing calendar. Use the authority website for official dates, routes, transport, safety instructions, and pilgrim facilities before making non-refundable bookings.
How do I reach Trimbakeshwar from Nashik?
Trimbakeshwar is about 30 km from Nashik. State buses and private taxis operate on the route, but schedules, fares, and travel times change, so confirm them on the travel day.
Nashik Road railway station is about 39–40 km from the temple. Nashik Airport is the nearest airport but has limited service; Mumbai airport offers wider connectivity and is roughly 180–200 km away by road.
Is Brahmagiri trek doable? How difficult is it?
Brahmagiri has a steep hill route with many stone steps. Allow several hours because distance and time vary by starting point, pace, weather, and access conditions.
Check local and weather guidance before starting. Heavy rain can make the route slippery or cause temporary safety closures. Wear suitable footwear, carry water, and turn back if conditions become unsafe.
Reviewed in July 2026 against trimbakeshwartrust.com, Maharashtra Tourism, the local Purohit Sangh, Google Maps, and the official Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority. The Trust requires a free entry pass and ID. It lists Morning Brahma Puja at 7:00–8:30 AM and Mid-Day Mahadev Puja at 10:45 AM–12:30 PM, but its Evening Vishnu Puja time appears duplicated; confirm that time and any midday darshan restriction directly with the Trust at (02594) 233215.