Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Important information

  • Location: Bhimashankar Wildlife Reserve, MH SH 112, Bhimashankar, Maharashtra 410509.
  • Festivals: Mahashivratri For Other Festival Details Click here
  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva For Other Deity Details Click here
  • Languages: Marathi, English & Hindi
  • Darshan Timings: 04:30 AM To 09:30 PM
  • Best Season To Visit: All
  • How To Reach
  • Note: Mobile, cameras & electronic equipment are not allowed on temple premises.

Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine situated in the Sahyadri hills in the state of Maharashtra. Bhimashankar temple is one of the well-known Jyotirlinga, among the twelve jyotirlingas situated all over India. Bhimashankalocated is in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km northwest of Khed, near Pune. It is located 125 km away from Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills.

History & Importance

According to legend, a devil Tripurasura did penance in the Bhimashankar jungle ages back in order to gratify Lord Shiva. He wished that by pleasing the Lord he would be offered the present of eternal life. The Lord, pleased by Tripurasara’s worship, blessed him with eternal life on the condition that Tripurasara would use his boon for the welfare of the nearby people and assist them. In case Tripurasara forgot his vow, the Lord would be allowed to sue him in any method he considered suitable.

As time moved forward, Tripurasara forgot just about his vow and began harassing the nearby people along with other gods. Chaos reigned and the gods approached the Lord to assist them. The Lord wished Goddess Parvati to help him. Together, in the form of “Ardh-Narya-Nateshwar”, on the eve of Kartik Poornima, they killed Tripurasara, and the day is now considered as Tripurasara Poornima.

After Tripurasara’s death, his wives Dakini and Shakini approached lord Shiva, questioning their presence without Tripurasara. The Lord enshrined them both with eternal life.

Architecture

The Bhimashankar temple is a composite of new and old structures in the Nagara style of architecture. It reveals the excellence of the abilities achieved by ancient Vishwakarma carvers. It is a modest yet elegant temple and it goes back to the 13th century while the Sabha mandap was constructed in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis. The shikhara was constructed by Nana Phadnavis. The excellent Maratha ruler Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have made foundations to this temple to facilitate worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this location, the temple is at a lower level.

The structure here is pretty new, the temple Bhimashankaram (and the Bhimarathi river) has been referred to in literature dating back to the 13th century CE. Saint Jnaneshwar is believed to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar. A unique bell (Roman style) can be seen in front of the temple. This bell has an idol of Mother Mary with Jesus. This big bell was provided by Chimaji Appa (Brother of Bajirao Peshwa I and uncle of Nanasaheb Peshwa). On 16 May 1739, Chimaji Appa gathered 5 big bells after he won a war against the Portuguese from the Vasai Fort. He offered one here at Bhimashankar and the others at Menavali near Wai in front of a Shiva Temple on the banks of the Krishna river, Banshanker temple (Pune), Omkareshwar Temple (Pune), and Ramalinga temple (Shirur).

Idol

The main idol of Bhimashankr Mahadev is one of the 12 jyotirlingas Lord Shivas other names of the is Moteshwar Mahadev.

Legend Of Jyotirlingas

According to the legend, there was a demon named Tripurasura, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He prayed fervently to Lord Shiva to grant him immortality. Lord Shiva pleased with this penance, granted him his wish on the condition that he will work for the welfare of the people and help them.

However, Tripurasura after getting the powers started harassing the people and broke the promise made to Lord Shiva. All the other gods were perturbed by Tripurasura’s behavior and approached Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva attained the huge colossal form of Rudra and fought with Tripurasura, the fight ended and Tripurasura was killed.

Lord Shiva was tired after the fight and took a rest in the Sahyadri mountains. As he rested his sweat started pouring and formed many small streams which collectively formed a pond. The river Bhima started from this very pond or Kund. Devotees requested Lord Shiva to reside in that place forever. And Lord Shiva listened to them and stayed there in the form of Jyotirlinga.

Festivals

  • Kartik Poornima
  • Mahashivratri
  • Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Dipawali

Other Place Near Bhimshankar Temple

  • Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Mandir
  • Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary
  • Solanpada Dam
  • Bhorgiri Fort
  • Bhima River Origin Place

12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva in India

  1. Somnath Jyotirlinga Gir Somnath in Gujarat
  2. Somnath Jyotirlinga Gir Somnath in Gujarat
  3. Nageshwar Jyotirling – Daarukavanam in Gujarat
  4. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Pune in Maharashtra
  5. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling – Nashik in Maharashtra
  6. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Aurangabad in Maharashtra
  7. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga – Deoghar in Jharkhand
  8. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
  9. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh
  10. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
  11. Kedarnath Jyotirling – Kedarnath in Uttarakhand
  12. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Rameshwaram Island in Tamil Nadu
  13. Mallikarjuna Jyotirling – Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh

How To Reach

By Road

How to Reach Bhimashankar from Pune: From Pune people can travel through Rajguru Nagar and Manchar to reach Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to Reach Bhimashankar from Mumbai: From Mumbai people can travel through Talegaon and Chakan to reach Manchar and then reach Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary via Taleghar.

By Train – The nearby Railway Station is Pune Railway Station and it is located at a distance of 111 km from the city. 

By Air – The nearby International Airport is Pune Airport and it is generally two and half hour’s drive from Bhimashankar. 

Temple Timings

Temple Darshan Timing

Nijarpur Darshan05:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Abhisheka05:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Temple Aarti, Pooja, and Abhishek Timing

Aarti, Pooja, and Abhishek Timing
Kakada Aarti4:30 AM
Regular Pooja, Abhishek starts5:30 AM
Naivedya Pooja 12:00 PM
Regular Pooja, Abhishek starts12:30 PM
Madhya Aarti03:00 PM
Aarti 07:30 PM
Mandir Closed09:30 PM

Temple Video

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