Triyambakeshwar is located in the Triyambak town near Nasik. The temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall. There is a huge bull in front of the temple and another marble Nandi (bull) on the inside. The inside of the temple is beautifully carved. From the jyotirlinga at the center of the temple trickles the Ganges continously throughout the year. Sometimes, it is said flames issue forth as a rumbling sound.

A sage nameed Gautam with his wife Ahilya's ultimate aim of their life was penance and doing good for others. Once there was a drought. Altruistic Gautam Rishi made a pit and filled it with water. Seeing this, all were very happy but the wives of other sages started feeling jealous. They made a conspiracy by persuading their husbands, to drive Gautam Rishi and his wife out of the area. All the sages came together and started worshipping Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha assumed the form of a cow and entered the courtyard of Gautam Rishi's house and started eating grass and plants. Rishi Gautam came there and started chasing the cow with a stick. As soon as the stick touched the cow it dropped down dead. Unfortunately, that moment the other wicked sages came there and criticised Gautam Rishi for his cruelty. They told him to leave this place and go away. Gaumtam Rishi humbly told them that he was ready to take the punishment for the crime committed. The sages suggested that he should circumambulate the earth thrice, the Mountain Brahmagiri 100 times, take a holy bath in the Ganges and worship 100,000 Shivalingas.

After performing this penance, Lord Ashutosh appeared before them. Sage Gautam asked to be freed from the crime. Lord Shiva said "Oh Sage Gautam you were always innocent and pure. The other sages in reality made a conspiracy against you." Listening to this Sage Gautama was surprised, but said that those Sages had done a lot of good in the disguise of bad.

He said "If I wouldn't have done this penance, I would not see you." After this Gautam Rishi asked Lord Shiva that the Ganga flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. Lord Shiva told Ganga (ganges river) to stay there eternally for the good of all the people. This Jyotirlinga named Trimbak, is the one which fulfills everyone's desires. It removes all from their sins and miseries.