Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra: Shrine in the SahyadriBhimashankar, Pune district, Maharashtra

About this guide

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga lies deep in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, in Pune district, at the source of the Bhima river. The temple is surrounded by the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the walk through the forest to the shrine is part of what makes this Jyotirlinga special.

This is YatriSutra's devotee guide to Bhimashankar: the legend of the demon Bhima, the history and architecture of the temple, how darshan works, the rituals, the sacred calendar and practical advice for your visit. It is written from temple, government and scriptural sources listed at the end of the page.

The divine story of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

According to the Shiva Purana, Bhima, the son of Kumbhakarna, learned that his father had been killed by Lord Rama. Seeking revenge, he won great power through penance and began to torment the gods and the devotees of Shiva. When he attacked a king who was worshipping Shiva, Shiva appeared and destroyed him.

At the request of the gods, Shiva stayed in these hills as Bhimashankar. Tradition says the sweat that flowed from Shiva after the battle became the Bhima river, which rises here and flows east across Maharashtra and Karnataka.

A second tradition links Bhimashankar with Shiva's destruction of the demon Tripurasura, after which he rested on these hills.

YatriSutra devotee tip: look for the small spring near the temple, revered as the source of the Bhima river.

Why devotees visit Bhimashankar

Devotees come to Bhimashankar to seek protection from evil and freedom from fear, remembering how Shiva defeated the demon Bhima. Many also come for the setting: a quiet temple in thick forest, with clouds rolling over the hills in the monsoon.

Some traditions place the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga elsewhere, including in Assam, but for the pilgrims of Maharashtra and beyond, this shrine in the Sahyadri is the Bhimashankar of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

History and architecture of Bhimashankar Temple

The temple is old, and much of its present structure dates from the 18th century, when the Maratha statesman Nana Phadnavis built the main hall and the shikhara. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is remembered for supporting worship here. A large bell at the temple, said to have been brought by Chimaji Appa after the Maratha victory at Vasai in 1739, is still rung by devotees.

The temple is built in the Nagara style from dark stone. Its features include:

• A carved shikhara over the sanctum, with figures of deities.
• A pillared sabha mandap from the time of Nana Phadnavis.
• The great bell in front of the temple.

Inside the temple

The sanctum lies a few steps below the level of the hall, and the Jyotirlinga is worshipped there with abhishek and shringar. Around the main temple are smaller shrines, and the Nandi faces the sanctum.

Bhimashankar darshan guide: timings and queues

The temple usually opens before dawn and closes in the night after the last aarti, with a break around midday for rituals. General darshan is free, and a paid quick darshan may be available on busy days.

Crowds are heaviest on weekends, in Shravan and on Mahashivratri. In the monsoon, the forest road can be slow and foggy, so check conditions before you go.

Your darshan, step by step

• Reach the parking area and walk down the steps to the temple.
• Leave footwear at the counter and join the queue.
• Have darshan of the Jyotirlinga in the sanctum below the hall.
• Ring the great bell and visit the smaller shrines.
• Collect prasad and climb back up to the road.

Aarti, puja and rituals at Bhimashankar

The day begins with the Kakad Aarti before dawn, followed by abhishek, the midday puja and the evening and night aartis. Devotees book rudrabhishek and abhishek through the temple trust or registered priests.

Sacred calendar: Mahashivratri and Shravan

• Mahashivratri: a large fair with night-long worship.
• Shravan: the busiest month, especially on Mondays, during the monsoon.
• Kartik Purnima: lamps and special worship.

Devotee etiquette

• Dress modestly and remove footwear at the counter.
• Respect the sanctuary: do not litter, feed animals or play loud music.
• Follow temple rules on photography in the sanctum.
• Keep the queue moving on crowded days.

Darshan for elderly and differently-abled devotees

The temple lies below the road and is reached by a long flight of steps, which can be slippery in the monsoon. Elderly devotees should take their time, use the handrails and avoid weekends and festival days. Ask at the temple office about any assistance available.

Tips for pilgrims visiting Bhimashankar Temple

• Go on a weekday for a calmer darshan.
• Carry rain gear in the monsoon and expect fog on the road.
• Start early from Pune, as the drive takes about three hours.
• Look out for the Shekru, the giant squirrel of the sanctuary, from the forest paths.

YatriSutra devotee tip: walk to Gupt Bhimashankar in the forest if you are fit. The path follows the young Bhima river.

Connected sacred places

• Gupt Bhimashankar: a forest shrine on the Bhima river.
• Kamalaja Devi Temple near the main temple.
• Hanuman Lake in the forest nearby.
• Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar, the other Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra.