Sri Swamiji in Trayambakeshwar Shiva Temple - 1st March 2002.

Sri Swamiji visited the famous Trayambakeshwar temple near Nasik on the 1st March 2002. Sri Swamiji mentioned that this temple was the only one of the 12 not to be visited by Sri Swamiji hitherto and said it brought much solace. Ever since the discourse on the Dwadasha Jyotirlingas (12 pre=eminent Shiva Temples in India), Sri Swamiji wanted to come here - said Sri Swamiji. Arriving in to this temple town at 4 PM, Sri Swamiji was received by the temple authorities who led Sri Swamiji to Kusha Vartha pond near the temple. This pond is one of the three birth places of Sacred river Godavari. Sri Swamiji offered Puja to the pond and had Darshan of Maha Vishnu in sleeping posture. This small shrine has a small dripping of Godavari river which reaches the pond. The original stream of Godavari river is said to take birth on the hills of Brahma Giri looming large over the temple town. Then Sri Swamiji walked to the main temple of Trayambakeshwar. At first Sri Swamiji performed Sankalp for the Puja. Sri Swamiji then entered the sanctum Sanctorum (Garbha Griha) of the Trayambakeshwar Shiva and squatted behind the Shiva Lingam. The Lingam measures about three feet (with Pani Ghatta). The Lingam on the top is not there but there is a gaping hole of about one foot deep and wide. Inside that hole are three lumps on three sides. These are the Trayambakeshwara Linga, Brahma Linga and Vishnu Linga. Sri Swamiji performed Puja for over 25 minutes. To be in the Garbha Griha of the most famous of Shiva Temples was a mind numbing experience. One is left with nothing but Shiva in the mind, heart and body. But to witness Sadgurudeva Himself performed the Puja to the Shiva Lingam was a out of this world experience. It felt that one was in heaven and that nothing but the good vibrations permeated.

Sri Swamiji then visited temple office where the officials offered respects to Sri Swamiji and showed some antique temple jewellery.

From there Sri Swamiji visited the Veda School being run by the temple and Blessed the students.

While returning to Nasik, Sri Swamiji stopped near Anjaneri mountain atop which Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) is supposed to have born. Atop the hill is a shrine of Hanuman's mother Anjana Devi.

Sri Swamiji offers Puja to Kusha Varta pond in Tryambakeshwara temple area. This pond is believed to be one of the three places where river Godavari takes birth. It is ordained one to take bath in this pond before the Darshan of Trayambakeshwara Shiva Lingam.

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Sri Swamiji at Kusha Vartha Pond. The sacred vibrations of this ancient temple was very powerful.

The Maha Vishnu idol near Kusha Vartha pond

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Sri Swamiji arrives passes through the entrance of Trayambakeshwara Temple

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The tower of the Trayambakeshwara Temple which was reconstructed in 17th century.

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Sri Swamiji offers worship to the most sacred Trayambakeshwara Shiva Lingam. (A very rare photo)

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The Birth place of Lord Hanuman is atop the lower hill called Anjaneri. There is a temple dedicated to
his mother Anjana Devi.

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Arrival in Nasik on 28th Feb. 2002

Visit to Kardama Prajapati Ashrama on 2nd March 2002

Public function in Nasik on 3rd March 2002