History of Parli Vaijnath Temple

Located in Maharashtra’s Beed district, Parli Vaijnath Temple is one of the most popular temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the Twelve Jyotirlingas of lord Shiva. The place has a great spiritual significance. It is also a place associated with Harihar. The temple is located at the foot of Balaghat mountain. In this post we will provide you with some important information related to the history of the temple, its origin and its spiritual significance.

Parli Vaijnath Temple – Things to Know

History of Parli Vaijnath Temple

Parli Vaijnath Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Beed district of Maharashtra. It was renovated by various dynasties like Chalukyas, Yadavas and Bhosle etc. throughout the decades. However, the temple was built in the reign of the Yadava dynasty around the 12th or 13th century. It was later renovated by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar on Friday Chaitra Shukla Panchami in 1706. The architecture of the temple is beautiful. The intricate carvings, brass plated doors will take your breath away. The Shivling of this temple is made of Black stone (Shaligram). The temple is surrounded by strong walls and spacious corridors. The temple is huge and can easily accommodate large gatherings of devotees during festivals.

Origin of Parli Vaijnath Temple

The Parli Vaijnath Temple is also called ShriVaijnath Temple. The name Vaijnath is also spelled as Vaidyanath which means lord of the Physicians. It is believed that Lord Shiva has great healing powers and can cure all the ailments.

The Vaijnath Temple Lingam is also known as Amriteshwari and Dhanwantari. During Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), all gods and demons were churning the ocean in search of Nectar of immortality.

As a result, 14 gems including poison and nectar appeared from the ocean. Among the 14 gems are Amrit and Dhanwantari. When demons were about to attack it, Lord Vishnu grabbed Dhanwantari and hid it inside a Shivling. The demons tried to break it. When they touched it, the Shivlinga started to shine so bright that demons panicked. They fled. The sacred site was then named as Vyjayanthi and later became Parli Vaijnath.

This is a place where Gods secured the Nectar. The temple also shows the connection to Shiva and Vishnu.

According to another Legend, Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva and get a divine boon.  Lord Shiva was so pleased with Demon Ravana’s penance that he decided to give him a boon.

He gave Ravana a Shivlinga and said that the linga should not be placed on ground in any circumstances. If it’s placed on ground the linga would be fixed at that spot forever. While on his way to Lanka with Shivling, Ravana felt the urge to answer the call of nature.

He saw a brahmin whose name was Kukkutya, it is believed that Lord Ganesha as a cowherd or Lord Vishnu in the guise of an old brahmin tricked Ravana into handing over the Shivling to him. Ravana handed over the Shivling to the brahmin and said not to place the ling on the ground in any situation.

As fate would have it, the brahmin could not bear the weight of Shivling and placed it on the ground. The Shivling became rooted in Parli Vaijnath forever. Ravana tried to uproot the Shivling but couldn’t do it.

• Suggested Tour: 5 Jyotirlinga Tour of Maharashtra

Religious Significance of Parli Vaijnath Temple

• Parli Vaijnath Temple has immense religious significance for Hindu devotees. It is one of the 12 most important Jyotirlinga Temples for Shiva Devotees.
• The Jyotirlinga of lord Shiva is made of black stone (Shaligram). Devotees from all over India come to Parli Vaijnath to seek Lord Shiva’s divine blessings.
• The temple is also a part of Dwadesh Jyotirlinga Yatra. In this Yatra devotees visit all the 12 Jyotirlingas of lord Shiva.
• Mahashivratri and Shravan Maas Festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in Parli Vaijnath Temple. Devotees are here allowed to touch the sacred Shiva Lingam for abundance, positivity and divine blessings of lord Shiva.
• Since this temple is connected to both Lord Shiva and Vishnu due to the Samudra Manthan legend, two major festivals are celebrated- Krishna Mahotsav and Shiva Mahotsav.
• During these celebrations devotees offer Tulsi on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi along with Bilva Patra. This shows the deep unity of Shiva and Vishnu worship at Vaijnath Temple.

Major Festivals celebrated in Parli Vaijnath Temple

Here is a list of some of the major festivals celebrated in Parli Vaijnath Temple-

• Gudi Padwa
• Shravan Maas Festival
• Shri Baijnath Prabhu Dussehra Palkhi Festival
• Shri Kalratri Devi Navaratri Festival
• Vijaya Dashami
• Tripurari Poornima
• Vaikunth Chaturdashi
• Diwali
• Makar Sankranti
• Maha Shivratri

Final Words

India has great spiritual heritage. Parli Vaijnath temple in Maharashtra is rich in history and mythology. The architecture of the temple is a sight to behold. Devotees from all over India come to Parli Vaijnath to attain Moksha. Lord Shiva is a god of Moksha (Liberation). He blesses the native’s freedom from the cycle of birth and death who come to seek his blessings. Those who visit Parli Vaijnath Temple attains spiritual solace and Moksha from the cycle of birth and death. The positive vibe of the temple cleanses the soul of devotees.  It is a must visit Jyotirlinga Temple. One must visit here once in a lifetime to seek divine wisdom.

Suggested to Read:

• How to Reach Parli Vaijnath Temple
• Parli Vaijnath Temple: Timings and Rituals
• Best Time to Visit Parli Vaijnath Temple