India has 12 Jyotirlingas, revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. These Jyotirlingas are located in different parts of the country. Each Jyotirling denotes a manifestation of Lord Shiva. These 12 sites have been named after the deity who is presiding there. One of these Jyotirlingas is the Bhimashankar Temple attracting countless pilgrims seeking solace and enlightenment. It has a rich history and stunning architecture, reflecting centuries of devotion and artistry. Through this article, the readers will explore the fascinating history, architectural details, and crucial information for those who wish to visit the sacred shrine.
History
There are several stories associated with the temple’s origin. However, the most prominent one involves the demon Tripasura, who did penance in the jungle of Bhimashankar in Tretayug to please Lord Shiva. He undertook this procedure to achieve the gift of immortality. Lord Shiva was pleased with Tripasura’s commitment. Therefore, he was blessed with the power of immortality. However, this was under the condition that all his actions should be in the best interest of the people. In case this condition is violated, he will have to suffer the consequence of punishment.
Eventually, Tripasura forgot about the condition and began harassing people and deities. To seek a remedy, the deities approached Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva prayed to Goddess Parvati to assist him in accomplishing this task. In furtherance of this, they transformed into a new form, the ‘Ardha-Narya-Nateshwar’. Ultimately, Tripurasura met his fate and was killed on Kartik Pournima.
After the demon’s death, his wives approached Lord Shiva. They were questioning their existence in the absence of their husbands. Thus, Shiva blessed them with the power of immortality. Hereafter, the entire realm of Bhimashankar came to be known as ‘Dakinyam Bhimashankaram.’ After this, the shrine came into existence. It serves as a reminder of the entire incident at that holy site.
Architecture of the Temple
The Bhimashankar Temple has a unique architectural style, which can be attributed to rich historical and cultural influences. The temple’s architecture is a mix of Indo-Aryan and Nagara styles.
The temple has intricate carvings on the wall, along with colossal pillars. Moreover, the insides of the temple have intricate Buddha-style Amba-Ambika carvings. The Garbhgriha (sanctum), constructed at a lower level, has the Jyotirlinga present inside it. The Shiv Linga is precisely in the centre of the floor. Outside the sanctum, the temple has beautiful doorframes and massive pillars, showing the rich history that the structure has witnessed.
Moreover, the temple walls are filled with popular scenes from Hindu mythology in the form of carefully crafted carvings. Some literary sources claim that the temple is at least more than 800 years old, although there is no clear evidence regarding who constructed it. The temple has undergone renovations during the reign of different rulers. The Maratha rulers have made generous contributions to ensuring the upkeep of the Holy Shrine.
Significance of the Temple
It is believed that the shrine was built around a Swayambhu linga or a linga that appeared on its own. The temple also has an ancient shrine of Lord Shani, which is revered among the devotees. Around the temple, the devotees can also find kunds (ponds) like the Mokshkunda Teertha, the Saravateerth, the Kusharanaya Teertha and the Jyanakunda.
The temple is filled with high spiritual energy throughout the year. The temple facilitates the devotees to take their offerings directly to the shrine, allowing them to touch the main idol during their rituals. Moreover, since the temple is part of the 12 Jyotirlingas, many devotees consider it auspicious to visit it at least once. The temple witnesses the joyous and grand celebration of all Hindu festivals, especially the ones associated with Lord Shiva. Devotees visit the temple in countless numbers, leading to large crowds waiting to seek Lord Shiva’s blessing.
Location of the Temple
The temple is located in Bhimashankar village, Pune District of Maharashtra, in the lush green Sahyadri range. At an altitude of 1034 feet, it offers a breathtaking view of the area’s wilderness. Moreover, the temple is surrounded by the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, which adds to the area’s natural beauty and ecological diversity.
How to Reach the Temple?
Pune and Mumbai are the two cities near the temple, 109 km and 170 km away, respectively.
From Mumbai
- By car, the devotees can take two routes. One of the routes is via the Old Pune-Mumbai Expressway, which has a distance of approximately 170 km, and it can take upwards of 4-5 hours since the roads leading to Bhimashankar are not well maintained. Moreover, there are no restrooms or proper restaurants on the route. The only brownie point in this route is the scenic view and rich, photogenic landscapes. Another route, albeit longer (200 km), is well-maintained and easy to travel. For this route, travel to Chakan, Pune via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and navigate towards Bhimashankar via Manchar. The devotees will get proper roads, washrooms, and restaurants.
- By bus, the devotees can rely on the MSRTC non-AC bus facility. The bus starts at 9 am from Kalyan Bus Depot and 11 am from Ghatkopar daily. The journey takes several hours and goes through a very scenic route. The return journey has to be planned accordingly, as buses leave for Mumbai at approximately 5 pm every day from the Bhimashankar Bus Stop.
- Trains are not advisable as no direct trains exist between Mumbai and Bhimashankar. If the above two options are unavailable, devotees can also look for taxis, which will cost them Rs. 5,000 (approximate figure).
From Pune
- By car, the devotees can follow the following route: Rajguru Nagar-Manchar-Taeraghar-Bhimashankar. The distance is approximately 125 km and can take nearly 3 hours. However, the route is well-maintained, so the devotees need not worry about the roads.
- The devotees can reach the Shivajinagar S.T. Stand by bus, as buses run frequently from here. Buses start at 5:30 am and leave for Bhimashankar until 4 pm every 30-45 minutes. The devotees need to plan their return journeys accordingly.
- There are no direct train options between Pune and Bhimashankar. Devotees can look for taxis, which will cost them around Rs. 3000 or more (Approx figure).
Where to stay?
Devotees should note that there are no proper hotels in the vicinity of the temple. Only private rooms are available around the temple and near the bus stand.
People visiting can stay at Hotel Natraj, which is 9 km from the temple. Other options are Ghodegaon, 45 km away from the temple, and Manchar, 65 km away. If these options are not viable, the devotees can stay in the outer region of Mumbai or Pune and plan a one-day trip from the respective cities.
Schedule of the Temple
The devotees coming to the temple should see the schedule of the temple and plan their trip accordingly to avoid rush and seek the blessing of the divine in peace.
4.30 AM: Kakada Aarti
5.00 AM: Nijarup Darshan
5.30 am: Regular Pooja, Abhishek starts
Noon: Naivedya Pooja (No Abhishek inside)
12.30 pm: Regular Pooja, Abhishek starts
3.00 pm: Madhyan Aarti (No Darshan for 45min)
4.00 pm to 9.30 pm: Shringar darshan (No Abhishek inside)
7.30 pm: Aarti
9.30 pm: Mandir Closed
Things to keep in mind
- The best time to visit the temple is between September and February. During this time, the place experiences heavy rainfall and cold weather, making it scenic and breathtaking. Make sure to carry appropriate clothes and gear to protect yourself from the prevailing weather conditions.
- The temple authorities offer VIP darshan at Rs. 300 per person (as of October 2024). If you are in a hurry or witness a heavy rush, make sure to inquire with the official authorities.
- Devotees can get plenty of things to eat outside the temple premises, wherein vegetarian food is served only.
- Shops and restaurants may close early if the weather conditions deteriorate. So make sure you have food supplies and other essentials in case of an emergency.
