Sthala Mahātmyam
Trimbakeshwar, in the town of Trimbak near Nashik, is the Jyotirlinga at the source of the Godavari, India's second-longest river. Its lingam is uniquely three-faced, embodying Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Mahesh) within a single hollow, hence the name Trimbakeshwar, the three lords. The sthala legend centres on sage Gautama, who, to expiate the sin of inadvertently causing a cow's death, undertook penance and won from Shiva the descent of the sacred Ganga as the Godavari; Shiva then remained here in three-fold form. The Kushavarta kunda in the temple precinct is revered as the river's origin. Trimbak is one of the four sites of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, held once every twelve years, drawing millions of pilgrims. Maha Shivaratri and the whole month of Shravan are observed with great fervour. Built in black basalt by the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb), the temple is a fine example of Maratha architecture.