Bhimashankar temple – Bhorgiri

History

Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine situated in the Sahyadri hills the state of Maharashtra. It is one of the well known Jyotiringa. 

Long ago in the dense forests of Dakini, on the lofty ranges of the Sahaydris lived an evil Asura by the name Bhima with his mother Karkati. When Bhima could no longer sustain his agony and curiosity, he asked his mother to unveil the mysteries of his life. He urged his mother to tell him who his father was and why he had abandoned them in the wilderness of the forest. After much hesitation and with a lingering fear, Karkati his mother, revealed to him that he was the son of the mighty Kumbhakarna, the younger brother of the Lankadheeswara.

Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Lord Rama annihilated Kumbhakarna. Karkati told Bhima, that his father was killed by Ram in the great war. This infuriated Bhima and he vowed to avenge his father. To achieve this he embarked on a severe penance to please Lord Brahma.

The compassionate creator was pleased by the dedicated devotee and granted him immense prowess. This was a terrible mistake. The evil tyrant caused havoc in the three worlds. He defeated King Indra and conquered the heavens. He also defeated a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva – Kamarupeshwar, and put him in the dungeons.

He started torturing Rishis and Sadhus. All this angered the Gods. They all along with Lord Brahma beseeched Lord Shiva to come to their rescue. Lord Shiva consoled the Gods and agreed to rescue them from the tyrant. On the other hand Bhima insisted and ordered Kamarupeshwar to worship him instead of Lord Shiva.

When Kamarupeshwar denied, the tyrant Bhima raised his sword to strike the Shiva Linga, to which Kamarupeshwar was doing abhishekam and pooja. As soon as Bhima managed to raise his sword, Lord Shiva appeared before him in all his magnificence.

Then the terrible war began. The holy sage Narada appeared and requested Lord Shiva to put an end to this war. It was then that Lord Shiva reduced the evil demon to ashes and thus concluded the saga of tyranny. All the Gods and the holy sages present there requested Lord Shiva to make this place his abode. Lord Shiva thus manifested himself in the form of the Bhimashankar Jyotirlingam.It is believed that the sweat that poured forth from Lord Shiva’s body after the battle formed the Bhimarathi River.

There are approximately 230 steps to reach the Temple.

Bhimashankar Temple Timings

4.30 AM to 3:00 PM and 4.00 PM to 9:30 PM

Pooja / Darshan Timings

Important Days to Visit Bhimashankar Temple

Kartik Poornima – November/ December
Mahashivratri – February/March
Ganesh Chaturthi – August/September
Diwali – October/ November

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How to Reach

By Air: Pune International Airport is the nearest airport which is 125 kms.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Bhimashankar. Pune Railway Station – 125 kms.

By Bus: Direct buess are available from Pune to Bhimashankar Temple at regular intervals. Pune Shivaji Nagar – 125 kms.

Address

Bhimashankar Temple, Via – Dimbhe Colony, Taluka – Khed, Dist – Pune, Pincode – 410509, Maharashtra, India.