Bhimashankar Jyothirlingam Temple

Introduction to Bhimashankar Temple:

Bhimashankar Temple is one of the Jyothirlingams, which is located in the Sahyadri hills in the state of Maharashtra. It is a snow-clad shrine, which is considered to be very ancient. The ranges of Sahyadri form a dense forest, which has a diverse variety of flora and fauna. The temple is found on the banks of the River Bhima. The river is also called Chandrabhaga. The river originally came into existence when there was a feud between Lord Shiva and the demon Tripurasura. The temple looks like a chariot, and hence it is also called as Rathachala. Ratha, in Sanskrit, denotes a chariot.

History and Legend of Bhimashankar Temple:

Lord Shiva annihilated the demon Triparasura, who was causing a lot of trouble to people. Post his victory with the demon, Lord Shiva took rest in the forest. Sweat from his body started flowing heavily and became a river known as Bhima.

Another important legend connected to this temple is about the demon Bhima, who was the son of the demon Kumbhakarna. Ravana’s brother Kumbhakarna was known for his massive size and vast power. From his mother, Bhima came to know that his father was killed by Lord Rama, and his grandparents were killed by Ahalya, wife of a great saint, and the devotee of Lord Brahma . He wanted to take revenge against all of them and started to meditate deeply on Lord Brahma. Moved by his meditation, Lord Brahma granted him the wish of becoming invincible. After receiving the boon, Bhima started troubling the Devas, and the Demi-Gods. Finally, Lord Shiva blew fire on the demon and reduced him to ashes. After the victory, the sages requested Lord Shiva to stay in this place and bless them. Lord Shiva accepted the request of the Saints and stayed in the Bhimashankar Temple.

Chimaji Appa, a great Maharashtrian ruler, fought against the Portuguese at Vasavi fort. After the victory, he brought five bells, and one of them was donated to the temple.

The Architecture of Bhimashankar Temple:

The temple at Bhimashankar is very old and has a rich history associated with it. The splendid temple is located in the middle of the snow-clad mountains. The original temple of Lord Shiva has been built in Nagara Style architecture. The temple was built using Vishwakarma sculptors, who have done a splendid job, which includes intricate carvings, and stucco images on the walls and ceilings. The Nana Pandits of Maharashtra later extended the temple, building a temple hall and the Shikara.

Festivals Related to Bhimashankar Temple:

There are many festivals celebrated in this temple. Among them, Shiva Ratri and Navaratri are highly celebrated, where all the ten days are filled with a lot of celebrations. Shiv Rathri takes high prominence and is worshipped with a lot of reverence.

Benefits of Bhimashankar Temple:

Lord Shiva is highly benevolent and protects his devotees. People visit this temple to pray for health, happiness, and wealth. They also visit this temple seeking the Lord's protection from their enemies.