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Source: Wikipedia

Context

Nashik rural police recently discovered a massive black-marketing ring involving darshan permits to the renowned Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple.

About Trimbakeshwar Temple

• Trimbakeshwar Temple is located in Maharashtra's Nashik district, near the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain, from which the Godavari river flows.
• The third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760), erected it on the site of an ancient temple.
• Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.  This is the only Jyotirlinga where Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, the three deities, are seated.  In the other Jyotirlingas, only Lord Shiva is present.
• Saint Shri Nivruttinath of the Warkari sect had taken Sanjeevan Samadhi here.  Lakhs of Varkari devotees congregate to the Trimbakeshwar temple for the yatra commemorating his death anniversary.

Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple's Architecture

• The Trimbakeshwar Temple's architecture combines conventional Hindu temple style with particular local characteristics.
• Its beautiful carvings and sculptures reflect a variety of mythological stories and deities.
• The temple complex also features shrines dedicated to numerous gods and goddesses.
• Trimbakeshwar Temple has three lingams, symbolic images of Lord Shiva, placed within the sanctum sanctorum.
• These depict the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, who represent creation, preservation, and destruction, respectively.

What are Jyotirlingas?

• A Jyotirlinga is a shrine that worships Lord Shiva in the shape of a Jyotirlingam.
• There are currently twelve primary Jyotirlingas in India.
• India's 12 Jyotirlinga temples are named for the reigning god. Each regarded a unique manifestation of Lord Shiva.

Source: Hindustan Times