Bhimashankar Temple – The Temple

Bhimashankar Temple – The Temple

Bhimashankar Temple is situated in picturesque extreme end of the Sahyadri Ranges and provides a wonderful view of the forts, the rivers and the hill stations around. The dense forests surrounding the high ranges also play an abode to the rare species of flora and fauna. The Bhimashankar temple is a composite of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture. It shows the excellency of the skills achieved by ancient Vishwakarma sculptors.

It is a modest, yet graceful temple and it dates back to the 13^th century while the Sabha Mandapam was built in the 18^th century by Nana Phadnavis. The shikhara was also built by Nana Phadnavis. The great Maratha ruler Shivaji is said to have made endowments to this temple to facilitate worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this area, the sanctum is at a lower level.

Although the structure here is fairly new, the shrine Bhimashankaram (and the Bhimarathi river) have been referred to in literature dating back to the 13th century CE. Saint Jnaneshwar is said to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar. The idol of Nandi, Lord Shiva's Vahana (vehicle) has been installed as is the case with all the Siva Temples, just at the entrance of the temple.

It is believed that the ancient shrine was erected over a Swayambhu Lingam (that is the self-emanated Shiva Lingam). It can be observed that the Lingam is exactly at the centre of the floor of the Garbhagriha (the Sanctum Sanctorum) of the temple. Intricate carvings of divine beings interspersed with human figurines adorn the pillars and the doorframes of the temple. Scenes from mythology find themselves captured in these magnificent carvings. Within the temple precincts there is also a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shani (also called Shaneeshwara).

Between the two pillars outside the Shani temple, one comes across an ancient huge Portuguese bell. This bell has an idol of Mother Mary with Jesus. This large bell was presented by Chimaji Appa (Brother of Bajirao Peshwa I and uncle of Nana Saheb Peshwa). On 16 May 1739, Chimaji Appa collected five large bells after he won a war against the Portuguese from the Vasai Fort. He offered one here at Bhimashankar and the others at Menavali near Wai in front of a Shiva Temple on the banks of the Krishna river, Banshanker Temple (Pune), Omkareshwar Temple (Pune) and Ramalinga Temple (Shirur).

Behind the temple, there is a small pathway that leads one to the banks of a river. There are other temples and shrines, near the main temple. There is a shrine to Kamalaja near the Bhimashankar Temple. Kamalaja is an incarnation of Parvathi, who aided Shiva in his battle against Tripurasura. Kamalaja was worshipped with offerings of lotus flowers by Brahma.

There is a shrine for Siva Ganams, Shaakini and Daakini who assisted Shiva in the battle against the demon, Bhima. Koushika Maha Muni is said to have done 'Tapas' (penance) there. The place where he bathed is called Moksha Kund Theertham, which is located behind the Bhimashankar Temple. There are also the Sarva Theertham, the Kusharanya Theertham - where the Bhima river begins to flow eastward, and the Jnana Kund.