Grishneshwar Temple

Grishneshwar Temple at Verul village, 1 km from Ellora Caves, enshrines the 12th and final Jyotirlinga, making it one of the twelve holiest Shiva temples in India. The present red-stone structure with its five-tiered Shikhara was rebuilt by Maratha queen Rani Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century after earlier destruction by Mughal forces. The temple walls carry detailed carvings of Dashavatar and scenes from Shaivite mythology. Unusually, devotees are permitted to touch the Shiva Linga directly, a rare practice at Jyotirlinga temples.