Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri Hills (Western Ghats) in the State of Maharashtra, India. Bhima Shankar Temple lies on the banks of the river Bhima. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim's paradise.

The dense forests surrounding the high ranges are an abode for rare species of flora and fauna. The Temple is believed to be one among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad. It may be noted that according to the Shiva Purana, the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated on the Mountain Brahmapur in Kamrup District, Assam.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/bhimashankar-temple-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/bhimashankar-temple-temple.html

Pooja Timings

Three worship services are offered every day.

Event	Timings
Opening Time	4.30 am
Morning Aarti	4:45 am to 5.00 am
Nijaroopa (Original Shivalinga) darshan	5:00 am to 5.30 am
Normal Darshans and Abhishekam	5:30 am to 2:30 pm
No Abhishekam between	12:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Maha Puja (Naivedya Pooja)	12.00 pm. to 12.30 pm
Afternoon Aarti	3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Shringar Darshans	3:30 am to 9:30 pm
Evening Aarti	7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

(No Pradosham is done on Mondays or Amavasya (new moon day) or Grahan (eclipse) or Mahashivaratri). (In the Hindu months of Karthik and Shravan, there is no Mukut or Shringar Darshans).

Festivals

Maha Shivrathri is the most famous festival celebrated here.

Accommodation

Pilgrims usually stay here for three days. The local upajjhayas (priests) make arrangements for the lodging and boarding of pilgrims at a small cost. Visitors are accommodated in either temporary hutments or in dharamshalas near the village. Natraj Holiday Resort located before 8 kms from the temple, has 23 rooms. A new dharmashala is under construction. There are several hotels near Bhimashankar. Places like Shinoli and Ghodegaon are good for staying near Bhimashankar. Accommodation at Bhimashankar mainly comprises two bungalows (with a capacity of 8 beds) and tents.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is between August and February. Though any time of the year is good to visit Bhimashankar, it is better to avoid visiting it during summer. Similarly, during monsoon, unless one likes trekking, it is better to avoid a visit. That leaves the best period to seven months between August and February.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/bhimashankar-temple-connectivity.html

Location