Temples: The 12 Jyotirlingas – Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – 06/12
🔱 Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Worship of Shiva Amidst Nature and Wildlife
Location: Bhorgiri Village, near Pune, Maharashtra
Theme: Union of Shiva and Shakti within nature’s sacred stillness
🌿 Introduction – The Forest is the Temple
Hidden deep within the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats, nestled in one of the most ecologically rich and spiritually resonant forests in India, lies Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. Unlike towering, grand structures, this shrine emerges humbly from misty woods, flowing streams, and birdsong.
Bhimashankar is not just a destination—it’s an experience. Here, Shiva reveals himself not through thunder or flame, but as the silent pulse of the forest, the stillness within wildness.
The temple is also the source of the Bhima River, adding to its sacred aura as a giver of life.
📖 The Legend – Slaying the Demon Bhima
According to the Shiva Purana, the demon Bhima, son of Kumbhakarna (Ravana’s brother), performed severe penance and terrorized devotees of Lord Shiva.
He imprisoned the pious king Sudakshina and demanded he stop his worship of Shiva. When Sudakshina refused, Bhima tried to strike him—only to be stopped by Shiva himself, who emerged in a pillar of fire.
A terrible battle ensued, and Lord Shiva destroyed Bhima. Pleased with the king’s devotion, Shiva manifested here as the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, promising to stay in this serene forest for eternity.
🔱 Why Bhimashankar is Unique
- One of the most naturally situated Jyotirlingas, located in a dense wildlife sanctuary
- Source of Bhima River, a tributary of the Krishna, emerges from near the temple
- Blend of Devotion and Conservation: the only Jyotirlinga inside a protected ecological zone
- Believed to be especially powerful for protection, inner courage, and spiritual awakening
It is said that those who meditate in Bhimashankar’s forest can hear the rustle of Shiva’s presence in the leaves.
🛕 Temple Architecture – Modest, Majestic, Mysterious
- The original temple was built in the 13th century, later expanded during the Nana Phadnavis era in the 18th century
- Style: Nagara architectural design with intricate carvings, spires, and sabha mandapas
- Sanctum (Garbhagriha): Houses the Swayambhu (self-manifested) Lingam, exuding natural moisture and vitality
- Murals and sculptures: Depict scenes from Shiva Purana, along with motifs of nature and wildlife
The quiet, damp stone interiors amplify the presence of divinity, especially during early morning rituals.
📿 Daily Rituals and Spiritual Practices
- Panchamrut Abhishek with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar
- Bilva leaves, water from Bhima River, and flowers are offered
- Bhimarathi Aarti is performed every evening on the riverbanks
- Navagraha and Nandi Shrines around the temple provide full-circle darshan experience
A special practice is silent japa (mantra chanting) while sitting amidst the trees post darshan, to attune oneself to nature’s rhythm.
📆 Festivals and Celebrations
| Festival | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mahashivaratri | All-night vigil, special Rudrabhishekams, thousands of pilgrims |
| Shravan Maas | Month-long celebrations, guided treks and bhajans |
| Kartika Purnima | Celebrated with lamps on the Bhima River |
| Tripuri Poornima | Honoring Shiva’s destruction of the Tripura demons |
Due to its altitude and misty terrain, the temple takes on a mythic beauty during these celebrations.
🌳 Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary – Shiva’s Sacred Garden
This region was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, protecting:
- The endangered Giant Indian Squirrel (locally called Shekru)
- Rare medicinal herbs, butterflies, orchids, and wild animals
- Ancient sacred groves (Devrai) considered alive with divine energy
Pilgrims often say the forest is more alive than the temple walls, whispering Shiva’s name with each breeze.
🧘 Symbolism – Worship Amidst Wildness
Teachings of Bhimashankar:
- 🌳 Nature is Shiva – Not separate from divinity, but its expression
- 🦋 Silence is the language of the soul
- 💧 From Shiva flows the river of life, just like Bhima emerges from this sacred place
- 🕉️ True protection comes not from weapons, but inner courage and surrender
To visit Bhimashankar is to realize that you don’t need to “control” nature—you are part of it.
📜 Sanskrit Shloka
भीमाशंकरं श्रुतिमतोर्ध्वमहास्वरूपं
लिंगत्रयं सगुणनिर्गुणसंस्थितं च।
भीमारथ्याः जननं शंभुनाथरूपं
वन्दे सदा शिवमयं हृदि लिङ्गरूपम्॥
Transliteration:
Bhīmāśaṅkaraṁ śrutimato’rdhvamahāsvarūpaṁ
Liṅgatrayaṁ saguṇanirguṇasaṁsthitaṁ ca |
Bhīmārathyāḥ jananaṁ Śambhunātharūpaṁ
Vande sadā śivamayaṁ hṛdi liṅgarūpam ||
Translation:
I bow to Bhimashankar, the great form extolled in the Vedas—where the Lingam exists both in form and beyond form, source of the Bhima River, ever present in the heart.
🚩 Travel Guide for Pilgrims
- By Air: Pune Airport (~110 km)
- By Train: Pune or Karjat are the nearest railheads
- By Road: Well-connected by road via Pune; final leg is a forest road
- Trek Route: Popular treks begin from Khandas Village (~13 km trek)
- Best Time to Visit: October to February for clear skies; monsoon for beauty, but slippery paths
Tips: Carry warm clothes, water, energy snacks, and always be respectful of the forest ecosystem.
🪔 Final Reflection
Bhimashankar is where the wild meets the wise.
Where Shiva teaches not through words, but through wind and water.
In this Jyotirlinga, we remember:
Stillness is not separate from movement.
Divinity is not outside Nature—it is the breath within it.
Come here not to escape the world,
but to remember you were never separate from it.