MightyHikers: Bhimashankar Temple (12 Jyotirlingas)

MightyHikers

Bhimashankar Temple (12 Jyotirlingas)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ki jai.....

Bhimashankar Temple (Bhimashankar)

LOCATION: 195 kms from Mumbai, 110 kms from Pune, 207 kms from Nashik, 77 Kms from Junnar, 73 Kms from Narayangaon.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: September or you can travel any time throughout year.

Bhimashankar Temple

# Introduction

Bhimashankar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva situated in its eponymous village, Bhimashankar, in Pune district of Maharashtra. It is a key pilgrimage centre and contains one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

The temple's Shiva lingam is one of the five Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. The temple's vicinity has rare plant and animal species. The mandir is located in Khed taluka, in the Bhimashankar forest range.

The Bhima River originates from the Bhimashankar village, and the hills of the Manmad village are present near it, there are old rock carvings of the God Bhimashankar, Bhootings and Amba-Ambika on these hills.

# Temple Information:

Bhimashankar Temple

Location Details: Khed taluka, in the Bhimashankar forest range

Base Village: Bhimashankar.

Nearest Railway Station: Kalyan and Pune

Difficulty: Esay.

# Temple Information:

Bhimashankar Temple

Location Details: Khed taluka, in the Bhimashankar forest range

Base Village: Bhimashankar.

Nearest Railway Station: Kalyan and Pune

Difficulty: Esay.

# History:

According to Namdev, a saint in the medieval era, Saint Jnaneshwar went to Tryambakeshwar and then Bhimashankar. Namdev himself has also visited this place.

Bhimashankaram shrine and the Bhimarathi river have been talked about in writings as far back as the 13th century; however, the current construction of the temple seems to be fairly new.

The temple is built in the Nagara style, which combines traditional and modern designs. The temple hall was constructed during the 18th century by Nāna Phadnavis of Peshwa.

The village of Kharosi was granted to the temple by King Shivaji. The daily religious observance was funded through the financial resources derived from the people of the area.

He offered one here at Bhimashankar and the others in Menavali, near Wai, in front of a Shiva temple on the banks of the Krishna River, the Banshanker Temple in Pune, the Omkareshwar Temple in Pune, and the Ramlinga Temple in Pune (Shirur).

Chimaji Appa (brother of Bajirao I) donated a big bell to the temple, which is visible in front of the temple. This is one of the many Portuguese colonists' church's bell, which Chimaji and his army brought from Vasai fort as souvenirs after defeating the Portuguese at the Battle of Baçaim on February 1739.

This type of bell is also present at the Khandoba temple and Naro Shankar mandir in Nashik.

# Architecture:

The architectural style of Bhimashankar is characterised by the use of the Nagara style, which is commonly found in northern India. The building style has some similarities to the Hemadpanthi style, which is common in the Deccan region. It is claimed that the old temple was built on a Swayambhu Shiva Linga.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the Ling is located precisely in the center of the Garbhagriha (Sanctum sanctorum) of the temple. The garbhagriha and antarala are constructed using indigenous stone in the Indo-Aryan architectural style, which is also commonly found in Jain temples. The pillars and door frames of the temple are covered with intricate carvings of deities and human figures.

In the 18th century, Nana Phadnavis built the Sabhamandap; he also designed and built the shikhara. The Maratha King Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj endowed this temple to facilitate religious ceremonies.