Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas that have roots in ancient India. It is known as the 6th Jyotirlinga. These twelve Jyotirlingas are considered the most sacred places dedicated to Lord Shiva, and they are said to have appeared as a column of fire. The Bhimashankar temple is located on the Bhimashankar mountain, right by the holy Bhima river in the beautiful Sahyadri hills. The whole area around the temple is filled with calming green forests, lovely lakes, and rivers, making it a picturesque spot.
Spiritual Significance of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one of those really important Shiva temples among the 12 Jyotirlingas from ancient India. It’s actually known as the 6th Jyotirlinga. These 12 Jyotirlingas are super sacred spots for worshiping Lord Shiva, and they’re said to have appeared as a huge column of fire.
You can find the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple nestled in the Bhimashankar mountain area, right by the banks of the sacred Bhima river in the beautiful Sahyadri hills. The whole place is surrounded by calming green forests, lovely lakes, rivers, and just breathtaking nature all around.
History of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
The Shiva Purana tells the story of a demon named Tripurasura, who was the son of Kumbhakarna, Ravana’s brother. He did a lot of hard work and got this crazy power that made him invincible. But when he got all that power, he went too far and started messing with wise people and throwing the universe into disarray. The gods didn’t want to deal with it, so they turned to Lord Shiva for help. He changed into Bhimashankar and fought Tripurasura in an epic battle. People say that Shiva started to sweat during their fight, and that sweat turned into the Bhima River, which flows nearby.
In the end, a divine light of Shiva appeared here as a Jyotirlinga, making Bhimashankar an important place for Shakti worship and Shaiva devotion. Tripurasura is the name of this huge demon from the Treta yuga in Indian mythology. People began to call him Bhima because he was so big. Tripurasura loved Lord Shiva very much and spent a lot of time doing penance. Lord Shiva was so impressed by Tripurasura’s dedication that he came to see him. The demon asked for eternal life, and Lord Shiva, who was kind, gave him a blessing that said no one, not even a god, could ever kill him.
That blessing made Tripurasura very strong, and he began to cause problems for everyone—humans, gods, and even demons in all three worlds: Earth, Heaven, and Pataal. Indra, the king of heaven, and the other gods ran to Lord Mahadev for protection when Tripurasura went on a rampage. They asked for help on Mount Kailash. Lord Shiva saw all the trouble that Tripurasura was causing and decided it was time to put an end to the demon’s reign of terror.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: Sacred Vibes, Divine Power
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one of those notable temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it’s part of the 12 Jyotirlingas that have been around since ancient times in India. It’s known as the 6th Jyotirlinga. These 12 Jyotirlingas are super important places for Shiva worship and are said to have appeared as a column of fire.
You’ll find the Bhimashankar temple on Bhimashankar mountain, right by the lovely Bhima river in the scenic Sahyadri hills. The area is stunning, surrounded by refreshing green forests, tranquil lakes, and rivers, and spirituality.
Location & Environment
Bhimashankar is in the Sahyadri range, 3,250 feet above sea level, and is close to Pune, Maharashtra. It is also part of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. The temple’s spiritual power is enhanced by beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and dense forest trails, making it a heavenly place for pilgrims and nature lovers to relax.
Geography of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga sits close to the banks of the Bhima River, which starts its journey at Kusharanya Tirtha. This river gently flows southeast, making beautiful sounds of water splashing along the way, and eventually meets the stunning Krishna River, just like Radha comes together with it near Raichur in Karnataka.
Spiritual Importance & Unique Aspects
So, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas is special because it stands for Shiva’s cosmic light and supreme consciousness. The Swayambhu Linga is even cooler since it’s said to have just popped up. Bhimashankar is unique compared to other prominent temples; its lovely, simple vibe shows off Shiva’s ascetic side. Plus, there’s the Amriteshwar Temple nearby, which is also part of the whole legend. People visit there to grab some extra blessings.
The Slayer of Tripurasura at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
So, on Karthika Pratipada, Rudra, the one who takes down evil, came down to earth and built this excellent chariot. This chariot represented all four Vedas, the key parts of Dharma, the moon, the sun’s wheel, the Sheshnag bow and arrows, and the power of Lord Vishnu.
After that, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva called Devi Shakti, the goddess Parvati, and gave her lotus flowers. She came as Kamalja Mata, the goddess Kamalja. Shiva and Parvati even became one being called Ardhanari.
Ardhanari, a mix of Shiva and Parvati, fought the demon Tripurasura for 15 days, from Karthika Pratipada to Karthika Purnima, and finally beat him.
Puja Vidhi and Rituals
- Bel leaves (bilva)
- Raw milk
- Honey
- Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee)
- Abhishekam during Rudra Abhishek
Best Time to Visit
- Maha Shivratri
- Shravan Maas (July–August)
- Mondays (sacred to Shiva)
How to Reach Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
- Closest Airport: Pune International Airport (110 km away)
- Nearest Train Station: Pune Junction
- By Road: It’s easy to get here by car or bus from Pune and Mumbai.
Architecture of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple
The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple was built in the 13th century, and they used granite and some other mountain rocks for it. The temple design features Nagara and Hemadpanthi architecture, which is pretty eye-catching with its lovely carvings. The temple is about 3.5 feet high and stretches around 15 meters long. In the 18th century, Nana Phadnavis added some impressive pillars to the Shikhara and Sabhamandap. Oh, and a fun bit of history is tied to the temple, too! Chimaji Appa, the brother of Peshwa Bajirao, gifted a bell to the temple after winning against the Portuguese at the Vasai Fort.
Conclusion
The fascinating stories and legends around the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple in Maharashtra highlight Indian culture, history, and mythology. They catch people’s interest and encourage them to look into ancient texts and visit amazing places to feel that divine connection.
FAQs on Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
What is the best time to visit Bhimashankar Temple?
The best time is definitely from October to March, but Shravan Maas and Mahashivratri also have a special vibe regarding spirituality.
Can we do Abhishekam ourselves at Bhimashankar?
Absolutely! Devotees can do Abhishekam, but they must get permission first or book it through the right platforms.
Is Bhimashankar safe for solo or female travelers?
Definitely! It’s a nice and calm place for a pilgrimage. Pack some warm clothes if you are going in the winter, and don’t forget comfy shoes for all the walking you’ll be doing!
What is special about the Bhima River nearby?
People say that the Bhima River came into being from the sweat of Lord Shiva during a big fight. Because of this, many pilgrims think the river’s water is sacred.
Hi there, I’m Sunita Sukla content writer at TempleAll and a passionate traveller by heart. I am thrilled to create content that inspires travellers around India. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wander around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.