Shri Ganga Godawari Temple, Trimbak
This temple is open 365 days a year
पापमुक्तीचा मार्ग जिथे दाखवतो खुद्द त्र्यंबकराज, त्याच कुशावर्तावर शोभतो या गोदावरी मंदिराचा साज!
Shri Ganga Godawari Temple, Trimbak: History, Timings & Parking Guide
Located at the sacred Kushavarta Kund in Trimbakeshwar, the Shri Ganga Godawari Temple marks the exact spot where the holy river was trapped by Sage Gautama. Whether you are coming for a holy dip before visiting the Jyotirlinga or preparing for the Kumbh Mela, here is your complete guide to the temple’s history, timings, and local parking secrets.
- Shri Ganga Godawari Temple Timings & Opening Hours
| Ritual | Time |
|---|---|
|
Temple Opening Time |
5:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
|
Morning Aarti |
6:30 AM |
|
Evening Deep Aarti |
7:00 PM |
|
Kushavarta Kund |
Open 24 Hours. (Note: Bathing between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM is highly restricted/stopped by local police for safety and cleaning).
|
- Entry Point
-
Entry Fee:
Completely Free
- Best Time to Visit
- 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM
History & The Unbroken Legacy of the Temple
Who Built the Temple and When?
The Ganga Godavari Temple is a powerful 18th-century Maratha monument. It was built in 1750 AD by Shrimant Sardar Raoji (Raosaheb) Mahadev Parnerkar. Serving as the Fadnavis (Finance Minister) for the royal Holkar family of Indore, he used his wealth and devotion to fund the heavy stone paving of the entire Kushavarta bathing ghat, crowning its corner with this beautiful temple.
Why was this specific temple built?
For thousands of years, the holy Kushavarta Kund existed purely as a natural pond. There was no formal structure honoring the river goddess here. Raoji Parnerkar built this stone shrine out of deep devotion with one clear purpose: to give millions of pilgrims a physical place to bow their heads to the Mother River before stepping into her purifying waters. It gives the Goddess a permanent, honorable “face” exactly where her waters are gathered.
The Survival of the Temple (Never Destroyed)
Unlike many ancient holy sites in India, the Ganga Godavari Temple carries the blessing of survival—it has never been destroyed or rebuilt.
The Historical Timeline: In 1690, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s army attacked and destroyed the main Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. However, this Ganga Godavari Temple was built 60 years later, in 1750.
By this time, the Maratha Empire had fiercely and completely secured the Nashik and Trimbakeshwar region. Because it was built during this protected, golden era of Maratha rule, the temple never faced the tragedy of foreign invasions. It stands proud today in its original, heavy-stone architectural glory.
Many travel blogs and websites create massive confusion between two different temples that share the same name. Let’s clear the ground reality:
- Shri Ganga Godawari Temple, Trimbak: Located at Kushavarta Kund. This temple is open 365 days a year for daily Darshan and bathing.
- The Panchavati Temple (The 12-Year Temple): Located at Ramkund in Nashik city. This is the famous “Shree Simhastha Gautami Godavari Mandir.” It remains locked for 11 years and only opens its doors for one complete year during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela (and occasionally for one day on Kartik Purnima).
Do not get confused by false online information. If you are visiting Kushavarta Kund in Trimbakeshwar, the Ganga Godavari Temple is open today. You do not have to wait 12 years!
📸 Photography: Allowed. You are free to take pictures of the temple and the Kushavarta Kund.
🎒 Bags & Luggage: While bags are allowed, there are no official locker facilities at the open Kund. If you bring a bag, you must keep a strict eye on it while bathing. It is highly recommended to leave heavy luggage in your hotel, your car, or at private shop lockers near the main temple.
🩴 Footwear: You must remove your shoes and slippers before stepping onto the holy stone platform of the Ganga Godavari Temple.
If you are driving your own car, the main gate traffic can be a nightmare. Here are two local, insider parking methods:
Method 1: The Ring Road Shortcut (Best for Normal Days)
- The Route: About 2.2 km before you reach the main Trimbakeshwar gate, look for Trimbak Ring Road (located just opposite Aadinath Mahadev Mandir and near Prayag Tirth).
- Where to go: Take a left turn and follow the road for 1.8 to 2 km.
- The Parking: You will find good parking spots for just ₹50. From here, you can see the main Trimbakeshwar Mandir line, and the Ganga Godavari Temple/Kushavarta is a 10 to 15-minute walk.
- ⚠️ Local Warning: Unless you know the area well, do not drive further inside, or you will get lost in the narrow lanes. Note: On peak festival days, this ring road is completely closed by police.
Method 2: The Jawhar Road Trick (Best for Heavy Traffic)
- The Route: If you reach the Trimbak main gate and find heavy traffic, take a right turn onto Jawhar Road.
- Where to go: Drive for 500 meters until you see a board that says “Welcome to Trimbakeshwar”. Take that left turn.
- The Parking: Go straight for 200 meters and you will find multiple parking places charging between ₹30 to ₹80.
- The Walk: From these lots, Kushavarta Kund and the temple are only a 5-minute walk.
(Note: There are several other parking plots around the town. You can choose whichever suits your route best!)
Shree Ganga Godavari Temple Festivals
| Rituals | Time |
|---|---|
|
Maha Shivaratri |
February 15, 2026 (Sunday) |
|
Ganga Dussehra |
May 25, 2026 (Monday)
|
|
Shravan Somwars (Mondays) |
Aug 17, Aug 24, Aug 31 & Sept 7, 2026 |
|
Kartik Purnima (Deepotsav) |
November 24, 2026 (Tuesday) |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
The temple in Trimbakeshwar is located at Kushavarta Kund and marks the exact origin spot where Sage Gautama trapped the river. The temples in Nashik (Panchavati) are built further down the river where Lord Rama lived—including the Peshwa-built temple and the 12-Year Simhastha temple.
It was built in 1750 AD by Shrimant Sardar Raoji (Raosaheb) Mahadev Parnerkar. He was the Fadnavis (Finance Minister) for the Holkar royal family of Indore during the Maratha Empire.
No. While the main Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple was attacked by Aurangzeb’s army in 1690, the Ganga Godavari Temple at Kushavarta Kund was built 60 years later in 1750. Because it was built during the highly protected Maratha era, it has never been destroyed.
According to the Shiva Purana, the River Godavari kept flowing away and disappearing. Sage Gautama threw enchanted Kusha (Darbha) grass to block her path. The water hit the grass, swirled in a circle (Avarta), and formed the deep pond we see today.
Yes. According to ancient Hindu tradition and the Nirnaya Sindhu, pilgrims must first take a purifying bath in Kushavarta Kund and bow to the Ganga Godavari Temple before entering the main Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple for Darshan.
No. There are no official locker facilities at the open Kund or the Ganga Godavari Temple. You can bring bags, but you must watch them closely while bathing. It is best to leave heavy luggage at your hotel or in private shop lockers near the main temple.