Bhimashankar Temple is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled in the serene Sahyadri Hills, the temple is located approximately 50 km northwest of Khed and about 127 km from Shivaji Nagar, Pune. Surrounded by dense forests and picturesque landscapes, Bhimashankar is not just a spiritual destination but also a retreat into nature.
This holy site is also the origin of the Bhima River, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur, adding to the geographical significance of the place.
Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
In addition to Bhimashankar, Maharashtra is home to several other Jyotirlingas, each with its unique spiritual essence:
1. Trimbakeshwar near Nashik
2. Grishneshwar near Aurangabad
3. Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli
4. Parli Vaidyanath in Beed District
The Legend of Jyotirlingas
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma once debated over who was the supreme deity. To settle the dispute, Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light. Vishnu descended downward and Brahma ascended upward to find the ends of the light. Vishnu humbly accepted defeat, but Brahma lied about finding the top. As a result, Shiva cursed Brahma, declaring that he would never be worshipped in rituals, whereas Vishnu would be revered for eternity.
The Jyotirlingas represent this formless, boundless manifestation of Shiva—each shrine symbolizing a divine appearance of Shiva as a pillar of radiant light. While there are numerous forms of Shiva (64 in total), the twelve Jyotirlingas are considered the holiest.
