Parli is a renowned town in Beed District identified by Vaijnath Temple. This village is located on the slopes of Naganarayana Mountain. Out of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, five are situated in Maharashtra. Parali Vaijanath is one of them.
The Village is home to mountains and thick forests rich in medicinal herbs. Since the Parli Vaijnath Temple Jyotirlinga in this region is amidst such a healing atmosphere, the Lord is addressed as Vaidhyanath.
Thousands of pilgrims throng to this popular religious jyotirlinga every day to offer their prayers in this temple.
This place is associated the Ámritha-Manthan'(churning of the Milk-Ocean for obtaining the Nectar) and it is said that Nectar was hidden inside the Shivling for a while, when the Devas and Asuraas fought for it.
When the Gods and Demons were churning the ocean and competing for the Divine Nectar or Amrit, fourteen gems emerged from the process. It included Dhanavantari and Amrit. Just as the demons were about to pounce on the Amrit, Lord Vishnu grabbed both Dhanwantri and Amrit and hid them inside a Shiva Linga.
When the Demons rushed to grab Amrit, Lord Vishnu hid the Amrit and Dhanwantari in the Shiva Linga of Lord Shankara. Just as the Demons tried to touch the Linga, flames started emanating from the Linga. The scared Demons ran away. But when devotees of Lord Shankara touched the Linga, there was a free flow of Amrit from the same. Even today, devotees touch the Shiva Linga as a part of taking Darshan. Here, there is no discrimination between caste, creed or color. Anyone can come and visit this place. As the Lingamurthy is supposed to have Amrit and Dhanvantari, it is also known as Amriteshwar and Dhanvantari.
According to another legend the demon king Ravana meditated upon Shiva, and requested him to come over to Sri Lanka, in order that his capital may become invincible. It is said that he attempted to lift Mount Kailash and take it with him to his capital; however Shiva crushed him with his finger, and Ravana prayed to him and sought his mercy, after which Shiva gave him one of the twelve Jyotirlingas with the condition that if it was placed on the ground it would take root immediately.
Ravana carried the Jyotirlinga and began his trek back to his capital. Varuna the God of water, entered his belly, and caused him to feel the need to relieve himself. Vishnu then came down in the form of a lad and volunteered to hold the Jyotirlingam as he relieved himself. Before Ravana returned, Vishnu placed the Jyotirlingam on the ground, and it became rooted to the spot. A disappointed Ravana offered severe penances to Shiva here, and cut off nine of his heads. Shiva revived him and joined the heads to the body, as if by the work of a Vaidya or a physician, hence this Jyotirlingam goes by the name Vaidyanath. The same legend holds at Gokarnam in Karnataka.
The temple
The temple is situated in a spacious courtyard bounded by stone walls. In the temple complex are twenty two other temples. The Baijnath or Vaidyanath temple faces east. The top of the Shiva Lingam is slightly broken, keeping with the legend that it chipped away when Ravana tried to uproot it. Near the temple is the Sivaganga Lake. The Chandrakoopa well, near the main entrance is said to have been built and consecrated with water from several thirthams by Ravana.
To reach the sanctum of the Parali Vaijnath Temple, there are two doors – north and south. Within the temple complex, there is a huge teak wood hall and spacious corridor for circumambulation. Further enhancing the beauty of the temple are two ponds that too have religious significance.
Significance of Parli Vaijnath Temple is that people believe that since Lord Vishnu hid both Amrit and Dhanavantari in the Linga, anyone who touches the Linga can receive the power of Amrit. Devotees are allowed to touch the Parli Vaijnath Temple Linga during worshipping and this helps in healing and reaping various health benefits.
Rani Ahilyabhai brought in special stones from the Trishul Devi mountain range during the Parli Vaijnath Temple renovation. A minaret outside the Parli Vaijnath Temple has Gwakshas or windows. When the sun’s rays pass through the windows and fall directly on the Shiva Linga, the priests offer special prayers and poojas to the Sun God.
The water of the nearby Harihara Teerth is brought to the Parli Vaijnath Temple daily for the Linga Pooja.
Yogeshwari Temple, Ambajogai
The Yogeshwari Temple is for Goddess Yogeshwari who married Parli Vaijnath. Puranas say that by the time the wedding party arrived at Parli, the auspicious time had passed and the entire party turned into stone. The Yogeshwari temple is 25 km from Ambajogai.
Source:
https://www.myoksha.com/parli-vaijnath-temple/
https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/maharashtra/parli-vaijnath-temple.html
http://jyotirlingatours.tripod.com/id1.html