Bhimashankar

Location
Bhimashankar is at a height of 3250 feet. Karjat is the nearest station from which bus for Khandas can be caught (1st bus is at 10:00 a.m.). The 11/2-hour journey (approximately 40 Km.) will take you to Khandas. The summit could be embraced either by Ganesh Ghat or Shidi Ghat which is a bit tough, but very much enjoyable. Going through to the dense forest will take you to the top in around 4 hrs.

Height: 1005m
Ideal for: Experienced
Ideal Time: All round the year
Water Supply: Decent
Cave: Can accommodate 25 people

• Nearest airport is Pune, 95 kms.
• Nearest railhead is Pune.
• Mumbai-Bhimashankar, 265 kms via Pune.

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Accommodation
4//6/10 beded self-contained rooms (8 blocks). Checkout time: 10.00 a.m.
Reservation: Mumbai Tel.: 881 5000, 883 5577.

Bhimashankar in Maharashtra is an ancient shrine, enshrining Bhimashankar one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Bhimashankar is located in the village of Bhavagiri 50-km north west of Khed, near Pune. It is located 110 km away from Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges, with the Krishna River near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar.

The route to Bhimashankar is via Manchar. One can go to this place, full of natural beauty and lovely scenery, and be back to Pune in one day. Bhimashankar is a good paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, jungle lovers and bird watchers. It is recommended to visit the place for at least 2/3 days. The best seasons to go to Bhimashankar are monsoon and winter. There is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Lord Shankara after getting angry killed Rakshas Tripurasura. The heat generated from their war caused the origin of river Bhima. That is why it is called Bhimashankar.

There are Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the hills of Manmod near Bhimashankar. This is at the height of 1034 mtrs. A big size bell in Hemadpanthi structure built by Nana Phadanavis is also a feature of Bhimashankar. Various places that could be visited in Bhimashankar are Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, and Origin of River Bhima, Nag Phani, Bombay Point, Sakshi Vinayak and lot more. Bhimashankar is conserve red forest area and wildlife sanctuary where a variety of birds, animals, flowers, plants can be seen. A rare animal "Shekru" can be found in deep woods. Bhimashankar is worth visited for jungle lovers and trekkers as well as for pilgrims.

However for the hikers to enjoy the roughness, the best approaches are by climbing up the ghat. It is a steep and long climb. From Karjat take a bus to Khandas at the base via Kashele (14km). Or reach Khandas by a bus from Neral (19km). After a flat walk of 2km, a track climbs up steeply along a small spur to the first plateau on which Padar killa is situated. It is called as Ganesh Khind. A long traverse on the north (left) takes one to village Koli (3km). Ahead, a rather steep and long climb leads to the thick forest above. Traverse north in the forest to reach the temple (6km). Another route, which is far steeper and shorter, is to climb straight up to the upper plateau. A fascinating route through rock-cliffs leads up to it. It is called as Shidi ghat. At two places wooden ladders help to overcome the cliffs. The route joins the original traverse route at Koli village. Another approach is from Kalyan to Mhasa (via Murbad), and then via villages Ambetembe and Agashi, across the river Baliware, Chinchwad and Bombad to reach the base by bus (22km). A steep climb leads up the ghats and to the temple. From the ghats, a flat walk of 16km can approach the temple from Wandre in the south or 18km from Ahupe via Ghonemal in the north. Many such combinations are possible. There are dharamshalas and other place it one wants to stay at the temple.

A famous pilgrimage site on top of the ghats. It is one of the Jyotirlings of Shiva and has a beautiful temple with a huge bell, an artifact of the Portuguese times. Nag Phani, the highest point, is nearby and commands and excellent view. It is thickly forested and has many approaches. Buses ply directly from Pune and Bombay to the temple.

Bhimashankar is the temple containing one of the five Jyotirlingas found in Maharashtra. Nana Fadnis, an eminent statesman of the Peshwa days, constructed the beautiful Shiva Temple at Bhimashankar. The wooden entrance of the temple is beautifully carved. On Mahashivratri day, over 20,000 devotees attend a special religious fair. Bhimashankar is endowed with beautiful scenery and an all-around vibrant atmosphere.

Besides the Shiva Temple and the dense forest surrounding it, you can also visit Bombay Point, Gupta Bhimashankar: the origin of Bhima River, Hanuman Tank and Nagphani Point.

The area around the temple is part of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

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The Temple
The Bhimashankara temple is a composite of old and the new structures and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. It is a modest temple yet graceful temple and it dates back to mid 18th century. Nana Phadnavis built the shikhara of the temple. The great Maratha ruler Shivaji is also said to have made endowments to this temple to facilitate the carrying out, of worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this area, the sanctum is at a lower level.

Although the structure here is fairly new, the shrine Bhimashankaram (and the Bhimarathi River) has been referred to in literature dating back to the 13th century CE. Saint Jnaneshwar is said to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar.

This temple is closely associated with the legend of Shiva slaying the demon Tripurasura associated with the unconquerable flying castles Tripuras. Shiva is said to have taken abode in the Bhima form, upon the request of the Gods, on the peak of the Sahyadri hills, and the sweat that poured forth from his body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhimarathi River.

Legend
This temple is closely associated with the legend of Shiva slaying the demon Tripurasura associated with the invincible flying citadels Tripuras. Shiva is said to have taken abode in the Bhima form, upon the request of the Gods, on the crest of the Sahyadri hills, and the sweat that poured forth from his body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhimarathi River.

Architecture
The Bhimashankara temple is a composite of old and the new structures and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. It is a modest temple yet graceful temple and it dates back to mid 18th century. Nana Phadnavis built the shikhara of the temple. The great Maratha ruler Shivaji is also said to have made endowments to this temple to facilitate the carrying out, of worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this area, the sanctum is at a lower level.

Although the structure here is fairly new, the shrine Bhimashankaram (and the Bhimarathi River) has been referred to in literature dating back to the 13th century CE. Saint Jnaneshwar is said to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar.

Other temples and shrines
There is a shrine to Kamalaja near the Bhimashankara temple. Kamalaja is an incarnation of Parvati, who aided Shiva in his battle against Tripuraasura. Bhrama worshipped Kamalajaa with offerings of lotus flowers. Shaakini and Daakini the Shivaganas who helped Shiva in the battle against the demon are also honored and worshipped here.

The Mokshakund thirtha is located behind the Bhimashankara temple, and it is associated with the rishi Kaushika. There are also the Sarvathirtha, the Kusharanya thirtha where the Bhima River begins to flow eastward, and the Jyanakund.

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Worship
Three worship services are offered each day. Mahashivratri is a season of great festivity here.

It is to be noted that the Rudrasamhita sloka in its reference to Bhimashankar says, Daakine Bhimashankaram. There is also a Bhimashankar temple at Bhimapur hill near Guwahati in Assam where legend holds that a demon by name Bhima who forced destruction upon the beings in the area, was slain by Shiva, as he tried to kill a king engaged in Shiva worship. This is a legend similar to that where Shiva emerged from a Shivalingam to vanquish Yama the Lord of death. The Shiva Purana and the Koti Rudra Samhita refer to Bhimashankar temple in the Kamarupa country. However there is also a reference to Mount Sahya, where it is stated that Shiva - Bhimashankara appeared on the Sahayadris.

There is also a Bhimashankara temple at Kashipur near Nainital, which was referred to as Daakini country in ancient days. It is believed that Bhima the Pandava prince was married to Hidamba, a Daakini here. Mahashivaratri is celebrated in great splendour here too. This temple also has shrines to Bhairavanath and Devi, and a temple tank by name Shivaganga.

The temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in the country. Around 20,000 pilgrims annually attend the fair during the festival of Mahashivaratri. This place is about 22 kms from Pune.

A special Hindu pilgrimage site and quite free of tourist rush, this Shiva temple was built by a Peshwa ruler and really comes alive during Shivratri.

The temple is rather impressive and beautifully carved and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Hindustan. Located 122 kilometers away from Pune by road in the northeast direction, this temple is close to Shivneri Fort.

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