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Bhimashankar Temple, Bhimashankar Overview
Situated far away from the noises of the city, the Bhimashankar Temple is one of the holiest places for Hindus. The shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is nestled amidst the Sahyadri Hills near to Pune. The region around the temple is rich in diverse forms of flora and fauna and you will be impressed by the lush greenery and clean environment. The area has recently been declared as a wildlife sanctuary and the temple is situated within its premises.
The shrine showcases the epitome of ancient architecture which in turn is influenced by Indo-Aryan and Nagara architectural style. The carvings and sculptures of the temple illustrate a brilliant work of ancient Vishwakarma sculptors. In addition to its magnificent architecture, the view from the temple is majestic and awe-inspiring. It is a perfect weekend escapade for those looking for a mix of history, religion and natural beauty.
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History of Bhimashankar Temple
There are many interesting legends associated with the Bhimashankar Temple. As per one of the legends, a demon named Bhima used to live in the dense forests of Western Ghats. The demon was a passionate devotee of Lord Brahma. After his father, Kumbhakarana, was killed by Lord Rama, the demon was infuriated and sought revenge. He started praying to Lord Brahma and indulged himself into intense meditation. Impressed by his sheer devotion, Lord Brahma granted special powers to Bhima.
Consequently, he started misusing his power by vandalizing the dwellings of sadhus, fighting Lord Indra and capturing Kamaroopeshwar. He was heading towards the path of destroying the entire universe; however, Lord Shiva intervened and defeated Bhima. The sadhus and other Gods were in great relief and simultaneously, asked Lord Shiva to make this place his adobe. He accepted their request and started living there and consequently, Bhimashankar Temple was built. Furthermore, the sweat trickled down from Lord Shiva’s body is supposed to have created the Bhimarathi River
Architecture of Bhimashankar temple
The architecture of Bhimashankara temple represents the Indo-Aryan style of architecture and also has some amount of influence of the Nagara architectural style. The temple was built during the 13th century and is known for its brilliant sculptures that were made by the ancient Viswakarma sculptors. The Sabha Mandap situated within the temple and ‘shikaras’ were constructed in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis.
The sanctum and other endowments of the shrine were built by the great Maratha ruler, Shivaji, in order to ensure ease among the devotees while they offered prayers. The temple also has a beautiful roman style bell hanging in front which has a carving of Mother Mary holding Jesus. This bell was gifted by Chimaji Appa as a token of his victory over the Portuguese armies on 16th May 1739.
Festivals celebrated at Bhimashankar Temple
You should plan your trip to Bhimakshankar according to various festivals that are celebrated in the temple. Following is a short list of important festivals celebrated in the region:
1. Kartik Poornima
Kartik Poornima is celebrated to honour Lord Shiva and his victory over the devil Tripurasur. The festival is widely celebrated from Kartik Ekadashi to Poornima. At this time of the year, devotees from various parts of the nation visit this temple to witness the grand celebrations.
2. Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is a festival that is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the Magh month of Hindu calendar. It is one of the most important festivals that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and during this time, the shrine is packed with a large number of devotees coming from different parts of the nation. The area around the shrine is filled with beautiful pandals, food stalls, shops, etc. The locals organize this festival with much enthusiasm and visiting this place during Mahashivratri will make your trip memorable.
3. Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Maharashtra and the entire state is immersed in great devotion for Lord Ganesha. The Bhimashankar Temple is the best place to visit during this festival as the entire temple complex comes alive with music and hymns and an aromatic smell in the air lightens up the mood. The festival takes place anytime between August-September.
4. Dipawali
Dipawali festival marks the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile in the woods. This is a festival of lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm at this temple. The ambience around the temple radiates positivity and hope among the devotees. Lakshmi Puja takes place in the temple and as the day ends, earthen lamps are lit all around the temple.
Photography
Given the natural beauty and excellent architecture, the temple serves as a perfect background for capturing pictures. Do not forget to carry a good camera to take some awesome pictures.
Best Time to Visit Bhimashankar Temple
The most suitable time to visit Bhimashankar Temple is between the months of September and February.
Tips for Visiting Bhimashankar Temple
Once you have explored the temple, you can also take a dip in the cool waters of Chandrabhaga River.
How to Reach the Bhimashankar Temple?
The Bhimashankar Temple is situated at a distance of about 160 km from Pune. The temple is well-connected with both private and public bus services. You can take a bus from Shivajinagar in Pune and the bus services are operational from 5:30 am to 4 pm, therefore, you need to plan your journey accordingly. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach the temple from Pune.
