The temple is mentioned in the Shiva Purana and the Skanda Purana. It is considered the 'last' Jyotirlinga in the traditional pilgrimage sequence. Its location near the Ellora caves (specifically Cave 16, the Kailasa Temple) makes this entire valley one of the most concentrated zones of spiritual and artistic heritage in the world.

Red Basalt and the Five-Tiered Spire

The temple is built in the Maratha-temple style using local red volcanic rock. The Shikhara is a five-tier structure decorated with miniature towers and sculptures. The interior features 24 massive pillars supporting the main hall, each carved with intricate stories from the Puranas. The Dashavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu) are carved in stone around the temple, showcasing the syncretic nature of Maratha-era religious art.

The most touching legend involves a devout woman named Kusuma. Her envious sister killed Kusuma's son and threw him into the lake where Kusuma used to immerse Shivalingas daily. Kusuma, undeterred by grief, continued her worship. Pleased by her unwavering faith, Shiva appeared, brought her son back to life, and remained there as 'Ghushmeshwar' (Lord of Kusuma) to protect all devotees.

The worship here is noted for its accessibility; devotees can go right up to the Lingam and touch it, which is rare for many major Jyotirlingas. The primary offering is water and Bel leaves. The temple is especially visited by those seeking family harmony and the restoration of lost things, echoing the legend of Kusuma's son.

Maha Shivaratri is the grandest event, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who bathe in the nearby Shivalaya Tirtha (holy pond). The month of Shravan is also a time of high activity, with special 'Abhishekhams' performed daily.

A popular modern belief is that the **temple stones absorb heat**. Despite the scorching sun of the Deccan plateau, devotees claim the red basalt floors inside the temple remain remarkably cool. There is also a local story that the shadow of the temple's Shikhara never falls on the Shivalaya lake, a phenomenon attributed to the divine geometry of its 18th-century builders. Visitors often say that after the artistic overwhelm of the Ellora caves, Grishneshwar provides a grounding, 'human-scale' spiritual peace.