It is said that the Tilbhandeshwar Shivling is a Swayambhu Shivling, meaning that it formed naturally without the help of humans. According to some estimates, the Shivling is 2,500 years old. Vibhandak Rishi, a sage whose history extends back to before the Ramayana, worshipped it. The Tilbhandeshwar Shivling’s most intriguing feature is that it continues to expand in size. Every year, the Shivling is believed to grow to the size of a til seed.

Every night the temple priests undertake a simple RITUAL that confirms the growth of the Tilbhandeshwar Shivling. Before closing the temple, they tie a thread around the Shivling, which they then inspect the next morning. A broken thread indicates that the Shivling has grown.