Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It stands deep in the forested Sahyadri hills (Western Ghats) at Bhimashankar, in Khed taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, close to the source of the Bhima river, which flows south-east to join the Krishna. Surrounded by dense evergreen forest that is now part of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, the temple combines deep devotion with remarkable natural beauty.
Main Deity and Worship
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Sri Bhimashankar, worshipped in the form of a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Lingam set low in the floor of the sanctum. Devotees offer water, milk and bilva leaves to the Lingam, and abhishekam and archana are performed through the day. The Lord is believed to remove fear, protect devotees from evil and grant strength and peace of mind.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to the legend, the demon Bhima – said to be the son of Kumbhakarna – learned that his father had been slain by Lord Rama. Filled with anger, he performed severe penance and won great powers, and then began to torment the gods, sages and devotees, even attacking a king who was a sincere worshipper of Shiva. When Bhima raised his sword to strike the king's Shivalinga, Lord Shiva appeared in his fierce form and destroyed the demon.
At the request of the gods, Shiva agreed to remain here forever as a Jyotirlinga, and the place became known as Bhimashankar. Tradition also says that the sweat that flowed from Shiva's body after the battle became the Bhima river, which rises in these hills.
History and Architecture
The temple is built of dark stone in the Nagara style, with finely carved walls and pillars showing deities and scenes from the Puranas. The shrine is ancient, and it was renovated and enlarged in the 18th century under the Maratha administration, when the assembly hall (sabhamandap) and the tower over the sanctum were added. Among the temple's treasures is a large old bell associated with the Maratha commander Chimaji Appa, which visitors still come to see.
Pilgrims reach the temple by walking down a flight of steps from the road and parking area, which brings them into the temple courtyard set in a forested hollow.
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
The temple lies within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the richest forests of the northern Western Ghats. It is especially known as a home of the Indian giant squirrel (locally called shekru), Maharashtra's state animal, and of many birds, butterflies and medicinal plants. During the monsoon the hills are covered in mist and waterfalls, making the journey to the temple especially beautiful.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the biggest festival of the year, when devotees come in very large numbers for all-night worship and a temple fair is held.
- Shravan month (July–August): the Mondays of Shravan are especially sacred and draw heavy crowds.
- Karthika Purnima / Tripuri Purnima (October–November): lamps are lit and special pujas are offered to Lord Shiva.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open from early morning until night, with special aarti and abhishekam times during the day.
- Timings change on festival days and during the Shravan month. Please check locally before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: Bhimashankar is about 110 km from Pune, via Rajgurunagar and Manchar, and about 220 km from Mumbai. MSRTC buses run from Pune to Bhimashankar, and taxis are easily available. The last stretch is a winding ghat road through the forest.
By Trek: experienced trekkers also reach the temple on foot from the Konkan side, from the base villages near Karjat, along traditional forest trails. These trails can be steep and slippery in the monsoon.
By Train: the nearest major railway station is Pune Junction, about 110 km away.
By Air: the nearest airport is Pune International Airport (PNQ), about 110 km away by road.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest clothing is recommended.
- Best time to visit: August to February. The monsoon months are very beautiful but wet, misty and slippery; winter is pleasant and clear.
- Crowds: Maha Shivaratri, the Mondays of Shravan and long weekends are very busy; weekdays are calmer.
- Stay: basic lodges and guest houses are available near the temple; more options are available at Manchar and Pune.
- Nearby places: Gupt Bhimashankar (the hidden source of the Bhima river in the forest), Hanuman Lake, Nagphani point, and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary trails.
