History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Bhimashankar Mandir, Maharashtra, India
Bhimashankar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrine is located near small village Bhorgiri, on the bank of river Chandrabhaga - Bhima, around 50 kilometre from the khed in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Bhimashankar Mandir is surrounded by dense forest, river, mountain and lake which attracts nature lover as well along with the pilgrims. Bhavargiri, Rathachal and Bhima Shankar mountains are located here in nearby and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga shrine – sixth among twelve Jyotirlinga is located on Bhima Shankar mountain. Recently Bhimashankar wild life century has been declared so the region came into more limelight.
There is interesting legend behind the Jyotirlinga temples, as per the Shiva Purana, once Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had the tussle over their supremacy. To prove the supremacy, both Lord approaches Lord Shiva, then Lord Shiva takes the form of endless column of light and asked both Lord to find the roots. But Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were not able to find the roots of columns. So, Jyotirlinga are the shrines of Lord Shiva where he appeared in the form of a fiery column of light.
Bhimashakar is the roots of river bhima which flows from the southeast and integrated with the Krishna river near the city Raichur. In Maharashtra there are four more Jyotirlinga temple along with Bhimashankar which are Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath – Nageshwar, Vaijnath and Trimbakeshwar.
It is believed that the original shrine of Bhimashankar was built in the 12th century and then renovation took place time to time. The Garbhagriha and Shikara of the present temple were added in Nagara or Indo-Aryan style with influence of architectural styles of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The outside walls of the sanctum depict scenes of Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela and Dashavataras.
There are lots of sacred place located around Bhimashankar where some important are Sarvatirtha, Hanuman Lake, Gyantirtha, Moksha tirtha, Gyankund, Gupta Bhumeshwar, Papmochan tirtha, Krida Tirtha, Bhima Udgam Tirtha, Kamalja Mata Temple, Bhasha Tirtha, etc.
As bhimashankar temple is located 3500 feet above sea level, it has mostly pleasant weather around the year and heavy showers in the monsoon season. The best time to visit the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple is from September to January, during Mahashivratri, Sravan month etc.
There are several tales attached with Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. Few key tales are mentioned here.
Demon named Bhima – son of Kumbhakarna younger brother of demon king Ravana was lived with his mother Karkati in the dense forest Dakini on the ranges of the Sahyadri hills. Once he got to know from his mother about his father and how Kumbhakarna was killed by the Lord Shree Ram – seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He had decided to take revenge and performed severe penance to please Lord Brahma. Demon Bhima was blessed with super power from the Lord Brahma and started using his power on Rishi, Gods, people etc. Once, Bhima had imprisoned Kamrupeshwar - the true devotee of Lord Shiva. And order to worship him inplace of Lord Shiva. When Kamrupeshwar had refused to do as he said Bhima raised his sword on Shivlinga. Then Lord Shiva appeared from Shivlinga and reduced him to ashes. This is the place Bhimashakar Jyotilinga where Lord Shiva appeared and release all from torture of demon Bhima.
As per the other legend, demon named Tripurasura performed immense penance in the Bhimashankar forest to please Lord Shiva and ask him for the gift of immortality. Lord Shiva was pleased with his penance and granted him immortality on one condition that he had to use this super power only to help the people. Tripurasura agreed on this condition but over the period here started torturing people and also god with his power. Then to stop his evil deed, Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati both appeared as Ardhanari Nateshwara and killed Tripurasura on Kartik Pournima which is known as "Tripurari Pornima".
Mahashivratri, Kartik Poornima Diwali, Ganesha Chaturthi etc. are major festival celebrated in Bhimashakar temple campus.
How to Reach Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra, India
As Bhimashankar is very popular pilgrimage destination and tourist attraction due to one of the twelve Jyotilinga and wild life century in Pune district. Thus it is very well connected with all major cities of Maharashtra via road, rail and air network. Pune is the nearest railway station and airport from Bhimashankar to get train or flight. Bhimashankar is located at just distance of 106 km from Lonavala, 116 km from Khandala, 60 km from Manchar, 105 km from Pune, 200 Km from Nasik and 196 km from Mumbai.
