Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: A devotional epitome near Pune

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one of the most awakened and energetic temples in India. But why is Lord Shiva manifested here in the form of Jyotirlinga? Was there any reason for that? And, what is the story behind its name, Bhimashankara? In this post, we will uncover the stories behind the emergence of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. We will also unveil the facts related to this place and provide a one-stop guide to explore this spiritual realm. However, this is not just a single Shiva temple near Pune. This post 10 most famous Mahadeva Temples near Pune is a must-read for every Shiva devotee visiting Pune.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and Tripurasura

In Tretayuga, the Yuga(युग) of Lord Rama, there happened to be 3 devotees of Lord Shiva who were of the Asura clan. They worshipped Lord Shiva for years and asked for immortality in return. Lord Shiva told them that whoever takes birth has to die so it is not possible. But as they worshipped Lord Shiva for so long, Lord Shiva gave them another blessing. He told them that no human, male or female, or Devata could kill them. After getting Lord Shiva’s blessings, they assumed themselves immortals and spread chaos everywhere. When the other Deities and Devatas requested Lord Shiva for help, he with the help of Goddess Parvati, took the form of Ardhnarishwar (an amalgamation of male and female). With this, neither a human nor a Devata killed Tripurasura with just one arrow.

And then Lord Shiva named it Bhimashankar

Shivalinga on a mountain Jyotirlinga

Those Asuras were so huge in size that they were sometimes referred to as Bhima(giant). The other deities requested Lord Shiva to stay there and bless everyone. Lord Shiva obliged them and everyone else by manifesting himself in the form of a Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva also gave it the name after his devotee Asura who was also known as Bhima naming it the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga.

Importance of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in today’s world

Even hundreds of thousands of years later, the Bhimshankar Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the important religious sites in Sanatani culture. It is also one of the Dwadash(12) Jyotirlingas in India. These Jyotirlingas which we will read more about later in this article are the manifestation of Lord Shiva.

Even today, devotees of Lord Shiva from across the globe visit here to seek blessings. This Jyotirlinga is known by the name of Shiva’s devotee Bhima(Tripurasura), and it is said that Lord Shiva never returns his devotees empty-handed. A lot of devotees visit this temple to meditate and do penances. A vibrant energy can be felt inside this temple, especially in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

How to reach Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga?

Located almost 100km from the beautiful city of Pune, it is well-connected by smooth and ditch-free roads. You can find a bus, or taxi or even book a cab from anywhere in Pune.

Pune is one of the most amazing cities in India situated in the state of Maharashtra. It is well connected by rail, road and air routes. You can reach Pune by any of the above means i.e. by a bus or a car or train and even by a flight. You can easily find cabs, taxis and other transport options from the Pune Bus Stand, Pune Railway Station or the Pune Airport. The distance from all of these locations in Pune to the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is approx 100km. Here are some important points to remember while planning to visit Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga via Pune.

Key Information:
  • Travel Time by Bus from Pune: 4hrs – ₹200
  • Travel Time by Car from Pune: 4hrs – ₹2500
Temple Timings:

Darshan Timings: 5 am to 8 pm

Some of the best places to stay near Bhimshankar Jyotirlinga:
  1. Neelam Hills Resort – Bhimashankar
  2. MTDC Bhimashankar
  3. Natraj Holiday Resort
Some of the best places to explore nearby:
  1. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
  2. Bhimashankar Trek
  3. Hanuman Lake
  4. Ahupe Waterfalls

Timings and Best Time to visit

The best time to visit Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is from August to February. Within these months, the beauty of the Bhima River reaches its peak. The forest sees new flora lives coming after the rainy season which colour the entire forest green.

General tips for visitors:
  1. As Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one of the most sacred sites in Hindu culture, remember to wear clothes that can cover your knees and shoulders.
  2. Respect the local community.
  3. Wear traditional clothes if possible, it not only looks great but will also enhance your mood.
  4. If you are a trekking enthusiast then carry a pair of trekking shoes as well.
  5. Wear comfortable clothes while visiting Bhimashankar.
  6. Nearby is the wildlife sanctuary so try not to do trekking alone after sunset.
  7. Carry a raincoat with you as Bhimshankar sees rain throughout the year.
Takeaways:

In the state of Maharashtra, nearly 100km from Pune, the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga stands as a testament to devotion and faith. Considering the dedication and faithfulness of the Asura, Lord Shiva named it Bhimashankar. As we moved ahead in this article, we got to know about the stories of the past. Visiting such an epitome of deference and fidelity will definitely bring good charm to one’s life. Through this post now we all know exactly how to reach here and how much time and money we need to spend on it. We also covered the temple timings and the best places to visit nearby. Visitors can explore the nearby areas which will enhance their trip experience. This post stands out by providing the best time to visit and a list of general tips for visitors.

I hope, this post has covered each and everything that you expected and need to know about visiting Bhimashanka Jyotirlinga. Do comment below if you have anything to say to us. You can also ask us just anything related to travelling. Let us know your experiences at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in the comment section below. If you like our posts please subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow me on Instagram. We also have this YouTube channel Travelling Legend where we upload travel-related videos regularly. Hope to see you soon in the next article. Till then, keep travelling and stay safe🧡.

Viswajeet Kumar

Working professional, website designer and Blogger

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Shivalinga on a mountain Jyotirlinga