Bhimashankar Temple is one of three Jyotirlinga temples in Maharastra. I visited it a long time back when I was doing my internship in Pune. We went there for trekking more than for the temple visit. But today what I remember is the temple and the river close to it.
Maharashtra is blessed with several ancient temples that are mentioned in various Indian scriptures. Some of them are popular pilgrim places like Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur, Tuljapur Bhavani, Panchvati at Nashik, Grishneshwar, and Ashta Vinayak.
Bhimashankar is one of the most ancient temples not just in Maharashtra but in India. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas spread across the sacred geography of India. Come with me to visit its legends, history, and its landscape.
Where is Bhimashankar Temple located?
Bhimashankar Temple is located close to Pune, about 110 KMs away and about 50 KMs from Khed taluka. Geographically speaking, it is in the lap of western ghats in the hill range called Sahayadri Hills. Bhimashankar is also the place of origin of the river Bhima, which merges with the river Krishna downstream, and finally merges in the Bay of Bengal. Bhima River is also known as Chandrabhaga.
Being in the western ghats and it is quite a hike that one has to ascend. With dense forests all around it’s a lovely walk through nature. However, be aware of the wild animals around. Trek to Bhimashankar is quite popular with youngsters. It includes a long walk around the plateaus, climbing slimy rocks, and old worn-off ladders. During the monsoons, be ready to encounter the dense fog and nature covered in mystical mist.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
There are 12 Jyotirlingas spread across the sacred geography of India. A shloka by Adi Shankaracharya puts them all in one place and tells about each of their locations. It says ‘Dakinyam Bhimashankaram’ for this Jyotirlinga at the origin of the Bhima River. Maharashtra is blessed with three of the 12 Jyotirlingas, representing the self-manifested form of Shiva. The other two are Trambakeshwar at Nashik near the origin of the river Godavari and Grishneshwar near Velur or Ellora as we now know it.
Temple Legends
The most popular legend connects the temple with Tripurasur. This asura became too powerful and was threatening the peace of all three Lokas. It is believed that Tripurasur was killed by Shiva here. After killing when Shiva sat down, his sweat flowed down and became the Bhima River.
Another story goes that an Asura named Bhima stayed in the forest around Bhimashankar. He was the son of Kumbakaran, brother of Ravana – the famous king of Sri Lanka and Karkati. When he learned that his father has been killed in the war between Sri Ram and Ravana, he was furious and wanted revenge.
He did severe penance to impress Lord Brahma for several years. Looking at his dedication, Brahma fulfilled his wish of being the strongest among the men. He started his campaign by defeating Indra, the king of Devas. Then, he defeated Kamrupeshwar or King Priyadharman who was an ardent devotee of Shiva. Even when imprisoned the king continued worshiping Shiva in the form of a Shivalinga.
Bhima
Bhima wanted the prisoner to worship him. But when he did not listen, he picked up the sword to strike the linga. Just then, Shiva appeared from the Linga and a fierce battle broke between them. Shiva defeated Bhima by turning him into ashes. All the devatas then pleaded with Shiva to stay back at the same place. This is where the Bhimashankar temple is located today, surrounded by beautiful mountains all around.
The place is also the abode of Shakini & Dakini.
Bimashankara is believed to be in the shape of a chariot and hence is also called Rathachala.
Read More – Nageshwar Jyotirlinga at Jageshwar Dham
A recent legend of the temple places a large bell with a carving of Jesus and Mary just outside the temple. The year 1712 AD is inscribed on it. It was presented to the temple by Chimaji Appa, the brother of Peshwa Bajirao I and uncle of Nadasaheb Peshwa. He collected 5 such huge bells from the Portuguese-ruled Vasai fort after a victory over them in a war. He offered them to 5 different Shiva temples and one bell came to this temple.
Read More – Peshwa Heritage of Pune
The architecture of Bhimashankar Temple
Bhimashankar is built in the north Indian Nagara style of architecture. It has the elements of the Hemadpanthi architecture style of Deccan. The main temple is small and dates back to the 13th CE. The Sabha Mandapa, Gopura, and Shikhara were built in the 18th century by Nana Phadanavis. Shivaji Maharaj also contributed to this temple through endowments. Many Saints like Sant Gyaneshwar have visited the temple during their times.
Typical temple architectural elements like the Garbhagriha, Mandapa, Ardhamandapa, and Shikhara can be seen in this temple. Swayambhu or self-manifest Shivalinga sits at the center of the Garbhagriha. You can safely assume that the temple has come up around it.
You can see sculptures on the walls and door jambs of the temple.
A small temple connected with Shani or Saturn called Shanishwara is on the premises.
Read More – Stunning architecture of Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
Like any ancient pilgrimage place, Bhimashankar also has a series of water bodies called Tirthas, which are sacred. It is believed that Rishi Kaushika mediated here besides the Mokshakunda Tirtha. There is Kusharanya Tirtha from where the Bhima River originates. Then there is Jayakund, Hanuman Kund, and Sarva Tirtha. The presence of so many temples and Tirthas establishes it as an ancient pilgrimage place.
Festivals
Like all Shiva temples, a lot of people visit this temple on Mondays and on Shivaratri. Rudrabhishek is performed here at the temple along with the regular Abhishek of the Shivalinga.
Bhimashankar Wildlife Reserve
The area around the temple is a 130 sq km reserved forest area that was declared a wildlife reserve in 1985. Officially it is called Shi Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga wildlife reserve. It is home to the Giant squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra, known as Shekru in the local language Marathi. UNESCO World Heritage sites the Western Ghats are diverse bio-diversity hot spots. You can see a lot of wild animals and birds like Leopards, Deer, Sambar, Jackals, Monkeys, and a variety of butterflies in the wildlife reserve.
There are various sacred groves in this area, which have helped maintain the biodiversity of the area.
Other places around the temple include the origin of the river Bhima, Gupt Bhimashankar, Bhorgiri Fort, Nag Phani, Bombay Point, and a temple dedicated to Sakshi Vinayak.
Kamalaja Devi temple there reminds us of nature worship.
Read More – Marleshwar Shiva Temple and Waterfalls of Western Ghats
How to reach
- The temple can be approached from Mumbai or Pune via public or private road transportation.
- You can stay at the local Dharamshala. But you have to make prior arrangements with the priests.
- Open from 5 AM to about 8 PM.
- Winters are the best time to visit the temple as the weather is pleasant. Avoid peak summer times. Definitely not recommended during the monsoons.
Other places to visit in and around Pune.
Awesome place for a break nearby Pune. I was there couple of years ago with my friend there and find it pleasing.
Interesting. Will surely like to visit this someday
this place really seems interesting to visit and explore will surely travel to India after the trip to Dubai.
Hi, Anuradha Lovely post I would like to share this with my friends and family relative who travel very often. Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine situated in the Sahyadri hills in the state of Maharashtra. Bhimashankar is one of the well-known jyotirlingas, among the twelve jyotirlingas situated all over India. Keep it up and please don’t stop sharing this type of information.
Thanks for sharing such kind of information with us.
Originally there were believed to be 64 jyotirlings while twelve of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity, each considered a different manifestation of Shiva.
At all these sites, the primary image is lingam, representing the beginningless and endless stambha pillar, symbolising the infinite nature of Shiva.
Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Far away from the tumult of urban life, peeping through the white clouds, Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim’s paradise. Apart from this the Bhima river flows adjacent to the temple and there is a bhima kund.
It was a divine experience visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. Beautiful rock cut carving and idols of God on the wall of the temple describing various mythological stories.
One needs to climb down almost 200 stairs to reach the temple but the stairs are very comfortable and easy. There are shops for Prasad, restaurants, flowers, ayurvedic medicine and other shops.
One can also take Doli to temple with paying some charges to skip the steps.
There is a big parking lot at the beginning of the stairs. There is a toilet and food stalls and other shops around the parking lot. It’s paid parking (Rs. 50).
Nandi ji is located outside the temple and also just outside the grabhghra where the main jyotirlinga is located. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kalbharav (shetrapal) on the entrance gate.
A turtle as a symbol of Lord kuber is located in the main hall and there is a lord Shani temple just outside the main hall.
You can do jal abhishek in the temple during the day at the specified time slots. You can sit in the main hall to do pooja and meditation.
You should also visit the Bhima river origination place just 100m from the place where stairs start. The river originates from a small kund. There is a temple dedicated to lord bhrama, Vishnu, Shiva, chandrma, Surya adjacent to the origination pond.
Apart from this there is an Anjani mata temple dedicated to lord Hanuman ji and few view points you can visit.
This place is very sacred and divine. Just one request if you visit please maintain cleanliness, do not litter around and maintain peace.
Originally there were believed to be 64 jyotirlings while twelve of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity, each considered a different manifestation of Shiva.
Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Far away from the tumult of urban life, peeping through the white clouds, Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim’s paradise. Apart from this the Bhima river flows adjacent to the temple and there is a bhima kund.
It was a divine experience visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. Beautiful rock cut carving and idols of God on the wall of the temple describing various mythological stories.
Very sacred and beautiful place, must visit.
One of the Jyotirlinga, sacred and divine place of worship of lord Shiva.
One must visit this place not only for worship but also to see the wild life century and beauty of the nature.
One of the Jyotirlinga, sacred and divine place of worship of lord Shiva.