Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Shree Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga stands in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, Khed Taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra — at an altitude of approximately 3,250 feet amidst dense, mist-covered forests. It is the sixth among the twelve Jyotirlingas, and the river Bhima, one of the major rivers of the Deccan, originates here.

The primary mythological narrative involves a demon named Bhima, son of the mighty Kumbhakarna (brother of Ravana). Bhima grew up without knowing his father's identity. When he learned that Vishnu and Shiva had defeated his father, he was consumed by rage. He captured King Kamarupeshwar (a great Shiva devotee) and imprisoned him. In his prison cell, the king continued his worship of Shiva. When Bhima attempted to destroy the Shivalinga the king was worshipping, Lord Shiva appeared in his wrathful form and slew the demon.

In his act of destroying Bhima, Shiva perspired profusely — and that divine sweat became the Bhima River, which flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. Lord Shiva then agreed to remain permanently at this spot as the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, in response to prayers from Brahma and the Devas.

A second tradition holds that the demon destroyed here was Tripurasura — the three-city demon defeated by Shiva in his Tripurantaka form. Both legends agree on the central narrative: Shiva's cosmic power, manifested in battle, became permanently enshrined here.

The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture, with an exquisitely carved shikhara. The complex also contains the Kamalaja Devi Temple (Parvati, who helped Shiva in the battle) and the Sakshi Ganapati Temple — the "witnessing Ganapati" who keeps attendance of all pilgrims visiting Bhimashankar. Visiting Sakshi Ganapati before or after the main temple is considered essential to completing the pilgrimage.

Bhimashankar is reached primarily by road. The ghat road from Pune via Rajgurunagar and Khed is scenic and well-maintained. No direct railway service is available; Pune is the nearest major hub.

Finding a comfortable place to stay near the temple is generally straightforward, with options ranging from trust-run guest houses to private hotels and dharamshalas.

The following guidelines ensure a respectful and smooth experience for all devotees and visitors.