Bhimashankar Temple

Bhimashankar is the sixth Jyotirling in the series of Dwadasha Jyotirlingas. The temple is very old and surrounded by scenic nature with green forests. The place is surrounded by dense forest which is also considered a wildlife sanctuary by the Indian Government. This hill region is called Sahyadri and is situated at a distance of 125Kms from Pune. This forest is also called Khed. The temple is located at Dakini hill (Shikharam). Nana Phadnis of the Peshwa kingdom improved this place to a great extent and built a beautiful temple.

In this temple, Lord Eshwara is shown in Half man and Half woman (Ardha Narishwara) form. There is a continuous water flow from this Jyotirlinga, which is the specialty of this place.

History

On the lofty ranges of the Sahaydris lived an evil Bhima in the forests of Dakini. During the Treta Yuga, compassion and kindness were triggered in the presence of the asura. Raged by his father Kumbhakarana's death at the hands of Lord Rama he soaked revenge.
He indulged himself in performing penances in the name of Lord Brahma. Impressed by his devotion to the creator, Lord Brahma blessed him with immense powers. As a result, he created havoc in all three worlds. From defeating Lord Indra, making Kamaroopeshwar his hostage to troubling the sadhus, he walked entirely towards the path of destruction.
Beseeched by the gods, Lord Shiva came to their rescue. Lord Shiva appeared before him in his magnificent avatar, and the war began. The great almighty Shiva defeated him and was requested by the gods to make the place his abode. Accepting their request, Shiva took a dwelling in the Bhima form. Furthermore, the sweat that poured forth from his body after the battle is believed to have formed the Bhimarathi river.

Architecture

There are two big Nandi statues on the temple premises.

The Bhimashankar temple complex is small and has a simple structure with numerous sculptures depicting different Gods and Goddesses. The architecture of the temple follows the Nagara style and the Hemadpanthi style of construction. The temple consists of Garbhagriha, Sabhamandap, and the Kurmamandap.

The main door of the Bhimashankar temple is made of solid wood with figures of several gods and goddesses. A huge bell is there at the entrance of the temple. Chimaji Appa, brother of Bajirao Peshwa I gifted this bell. Two large Nandis are also there in the Temple. The one in front of the sanctum is very old and the other one is new. One can also visit the shrines of Lord Shani, Nandi, Lord Ram, and Dutta.