Bhimashankar Temple

Lord Bhimashankar (Shiva)

Bhimashankar, Pune district, Maharashtra

Folktale & Sacred Story

Local legend holds that the demon Tripurasura won a boon of near-invincibility from Brahma after fierce penance, then used it to conquer the three worlds and defeat even Indra. Indra turned to Shiva for help, and Shiva vowed to destroy the demon. Atop the Sahyadri hills, Shiva assumed a colossal form called "Bhima Shankara" and battled Tripurasura for many days, finally slaying him on the full-moon day. The sweat that poured from Shiva's body during this great battle is said to have formed the Bhima River, which still flows from this spot, and Shiva is said to have stayed on here as the Jyotirlinga at the devotees' request.

Most Revered Practice

Mahashivratri is the temple's most important festival, marked by night-long vigils, continuous chanting, and abhishekam of the Jyotirlinga. During Shravan, devotees also undertake Kanwar Yatra, carrying holy water long distances to offer at the Jyotirlinga.

Prasadam & Offerings

Prasadam details not independently verified -- confirm locally.

Temple Speciality

Bhimashankar houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, its lingam regarded as swayambhu (self-manifested), inside a Nagara-style temple whose sabhamandap and shikhara were rebuilt in the 18th century by the Peshwa minister Nana Phadnavis. Unusually for a major Jyotirlinga site, the temple sits deep within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. A large antique bell taken from a Portuguese church at Vasai, donated by Chimaji Appa in 1739, still hangs at the temple entrance.

Why Pilgrims Visit

Pilgrims come for the rare chance to combine Jyotirlinga darshan with a trek through dense Sahyadri forest, past waterfalls in monsoon and old hill forts nearby.

History & Legend

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, set amid the Sahyadri hills at the source of the Bhima river; the current temple structure dates mainly to the 18th century, with later embellishments added by Nana Phadnavis.

Divine Significance

Nestled inside a wildlife sanctuary, it is considered a Jyotirlinga of great antiquity, blending Nagara and later Maratha-era architectural styles.

Darshan Timings

The temple is generally open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with darshan typically available 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 4:00 PM-9:00 PM; hours may extend through the night during Mahashivratri (please confirm exact timings with the temple before visiting, as they vary by season and festival).

How To Reach

Nearest airport and railway station: Pune (~110 km), followed by a scenic ghat road.

Where To Stay

MTDC and private guesthouses in Bhimashankar and nearby Khed town.

Local Food Nearby

Small eateries near the temple serve simple vegetarian meals and snacks for pilgrims and trekkers; the nearer towns of Khed and Manchar have a wider choice of basic Maharashtrian food such as misal pav and thalis.

Contact & Official Info

Contact Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

Location Map

View on Google Maps → (19.072, 73.536)