Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Lord Bhimashankar (Shiva)
Bhimashankar, Pune district, Maharashtra
Forest Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri hills at the source of the Bhima river.
History
Legend says Shiva destroyed the demon Bhima, son of Kumbhakarna, here, and the sweat from the battle formed the Bhima river. The present temple was built in the 18th century under the Maratha minister Nana Phadnavis on older foundations. The surrounding Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary protects the Indian giant squirrel (shekru), Maharashtra's state animal.
Architecture
Nagara style with Hemadpanti stonework and a large Portuguese bell gifted by Chimaji Appa.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri
- Shravan month
Videos
Photos
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Plan your visit
Weather at the temple
Directions to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
How to reach
- By air
- Pune Airport, about 110 km
- By train
- Pune Junction, about 110 km
- By road
- Buses from Pune Shivajinagar.
Near the temple
Rooms, food, bus stands, railway stations, ATMs, hospitals, parkingPlaces come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Each list has a Google Maps link for more.