Bhimashankar Temple: Legend and Location in the Sahyadris

Where it is

Bhimashankar lies in the Pune district of Maharashtra, in the Khed area, on the crest of the Sahyadri hills, also called the Western Ghats. It is roughly a few hours by road from Pune and from Mumbai, though the journey is slow on the hill section. The temple is also the source of the Bhima river, which flows southeast across the Deccan and joins the Krishna.

The surrounding forest is protected as the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is known for its biodiversity, and in particular for the Indian giant squirrel, locally called the shekru, which is Maharashtra's state animal. Visitors with an eye for birds and butterflies often come for the setting alone.

The legend of Bhima

The story told at Bhimashankar appears in the Shiva Purana and in local tradition, with variations.

In the usual outline, there was a demon named Bhima, the son of Kumbhakarna, the brother of Ravana. After Rama defeated Ravana, Bhima grew up bitter against Vishnu, who had taken the form of Rama, and filled with anger against the gods. He performed severe austerities and received a boon from Brahma that made him enormously powerful.

With that strength, Bhima began to terrorise the world. He is said to have defeated rulers, harassed sages and troubled the gods. In one part of the story, he imprisoned a king named Sudakshina (also called Kamarupeshwar), a devoted worshipper of Shiva. Even in prison, the king made a lingam of earth and continued his worship.

Bhima, angry at the sight, tried to strike the lingam with his sword. Shiva rose from within the lingam, and in a moment, the demon was undone. The gods and sages begged Shiva to remain in that place for the good of the world, and he agreed, taking the name Bhimashankar, "the Lord who ended Bhima."

Another detail told in local tradition is that the sweat that fell from Shiva's body in his struggle became the Bhima river. This is why the river is said to rise at this spot.

Other places that claim the name

It is worth knowing that Bhimashankar is one of several Jyotirlingas where more than one place claims the title. A shrine in Assam, near Guwahati, is also called Bhimashankar in tradition, and some accounts point to a site in Uttarakhand. The tradition has long had these debates, and no single source settles them. Many pilgrims visit the Maharashtra shrine as the Jyotirlinga. You can value the one you visit without needing to dismiss the others.

The temple

The temple is built in a style often described as Nagara, in dark stone, set in a hollow so that you step down into it. Tradition and local accounts describe an older core, with later additions in the eighteenth century, and the Maratha administrator Nana Phadnavis is commonly credited with building the main hall and spire. Dates and details vary by source, so it is best to ask at the temple if you want specifics.

The lingam is considered self-manifested, and it sits in the sanctum at a lower level than the hall. Visitors often remark on the stillness inside, even when the queue is long.

A large bell stands near the temple. Local tradition connects it to a Maratha victory against the Portuguese at Vasai in the eighteenth century, when similar bells were brought back as trophies and offered to temples. As with many such stories, the details can differ, so it is best treated as local lore.

Around the temple

A few places nearby are often visited along with the main shrine.

• Kamalja Devi. A shrine of Parvati, associated in local tradition with helping Shiva in his battle with Bhima.
• Gupt Bhimashankar. A small hidden shrine, said to mark the origin of the Bhima river. Check access before you go.
• Hanuman Lake and other viewpoints. Quiet places within the sanctuary.
• Forest trails. A number of trekking routes lead to the temple from the foothills, including the Ganesh Ghat route from the Khandas side and the Shidi route. They are popular with trekkers but can be steep. Confirm current rules with the forest department or local guides.

Visiting Bhimashankar

Practical details change. Please confirm locally before you plan.

• When to go. The monsoon months are the most beautiful, with mist and waterfalls, but the roads and trails can be slippery and visibility can be low. Winter, after the rains, is clearer and cooler. Mahashivratri, Mondays and the month of Sawan are the busiest times, and queues can be long.
• Getting there. Most visitors travel by road from Pune or Mumbai. The final stretch is a hill road. Public buses and private vehicles run from nearby towns, but schedules vary.
• Trekking. If you plan to walk up, go with a guide if you are new to the route, carry water, wear sturdy shoes and avoid trails in heavy rain. Leeches and slippery rock are common in the monsoon.
• Sanctuary rules. The forest is protected. Plastic, noise and littering are discouraged, and entry rules may apply at certain points. Please follow the signs.
• Dress and etiquette. Modest clothing is expected. Our guide on what to wear and avoid in a Shiva temple covers the basics.
• Offerings. If you are bringing prasad, see our guide to offering prasad at a Shiva temple. Many temples ask visitors to avoid plastic.
• Health and safety. The hill road, the steps and the crowds can be tiring. If you have a health condition, plan with your doctor first.

What Bhimashankar offers

Most of the Jyotirlinga stories involve a demon and a rescue. At Bhimashankar the setting adds something. The god who ended a tyrant did not stay in a city. He stayed on a quiet ridge, in a forest, at the head of a river.

There is a lesson folded into that. The things that wear us down do not have the last word, and what grows from the end of them can be as gentle as a stream beginning in the hills.