History of Ghrishneshwar:
The emergence of linga is explained in the Shivapurana. On a mountain named Devagiri, lived a Brahmin - Brahmavetta Sudharm along with his wife Sudeha, teaching Vedas. The couple did not have children because of which Sudeha was sad and would often pray for a child. After trying all the possible remedies she got her sister Ghushma married to her husband by force. She wo
uld serve Sudharm along with Ghushma her sister. On advice by her sister Ghushma used to make 101 lingas and worship them. In the lake, near by, the Lingas were discharged. With Lord Shiva?s blessings she was blessed with a beautiful fortunate baby boy. Because of this, Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. Out of jealously, one night she killed Ghushma?s son and threw him in the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas. The next day Ghushma?s daughter-in-law saw stains of blood of her husband on the bed. She also noticed parts of the body drenched in blood and was horrified and came to her mother-in-law, crying and told her everything. Ghushma was absorbed in worshipping Shiva and did not deter. Even her husband Sudharma did not move an inch. When Ghushma saw the bed drenched in blood she did not break down, instead said, ?he who has given me this child shall protect him?, and started chanting the name of Lord reciting Shiva continuously. When she went to discharge the Shivalingas after prayers she saw her son coming. Seeing her son she was neither happy nor sad. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before her and said ? ?I am pleased with your devotion. Your sister had killed your son?. Ghushma prostrated before Shiva and asked Him to forgive Sudeha and emancipate her. Lord Shiva asked her another boon. Ghushma said that if he was really happy with her devotion then he should reside there eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in form of a Jyotirlinga and may He be known by her name. On her sincere request He manifested in the form of a Jyotirlinga and assumed the name Ghushmeshwar. There are various versions of the name itself, such as Kusumeswara Jyotirlinga, Grushmeswara Jyotirlinga and Grishneswara Jyotirlinga.
