Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

About Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

Settled in the Sahyadri hills of Bhorgiri district, the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Maharashtra is home to a self-manifested Shivalingam. It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested here to defeat the evil Tripurasara and restore peace.

Its origin still remains a mystery, but the temple has witnessed different construction phases since its origin. In addition to being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the area is also a Wildlife Sanctuary and protects the region’s biodiversity.

Significance of Bhimshankar Temple

Lord Shiva, as Bhimashankar, graces his devotees with kindness and helps them manifest their desires. This is why devotees visit the Bhimashankar temple Jyotirlinga for good health, happiness, peace and prosperity. This sacred temple where Lord Shiva resides is a symbol of victory of good over evil.

• Cultural Significance of Bhimashankar Mandir in Hinduism

As stated in the Shiva Purana, worshipping at this temple can free a devotee from the baggage of his sins and bad karmic deeds and lead him to moksha. In addition to the Shiva Purana, many ancient texts also mention the importance of the Bhimashankar temple.

The Shivleemarut, Shri Guru Charitra and Strotra Ratnakar speak of Lord Shiva’s appearance as Ardhani (half-woman and half-man figure), emerging from Mother Earth. Celebrating festivals such as Mahashivratri, Shravan Maas, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Kartik Poornima show the cultural and religious significance of the holy pilgrimage site.

• Astrological Significance of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

The Bhimashankar temple Jyotirlinga is a significant pilgrimage shrine, especially for devotees born under the sign of Capricorn. Like the fiery Lord Shiva, the fiery Mars planet is exalted in the Capricorn sign, bringing the energies of ambition and hard work.

During this planetary alignment, they must visit Bhimashankar Mandir and offer him water and milk. Additionally, if someone deals with Mars's weaker placement in Cancer or its ill effects in the 7th house, worshipping here provides relief and balances the energies.

Mythology and the Bhimashankar Temple History

The Koti Rudra Samhita (Chapter 20-21) of Shiva Purana mentions the Bhimashankar temple history, where Lord Shiva saved his devotee Sudakshina from the imprisonment of the demon Bhima. Below are the different Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga story associated with this holy shrine:

• The Legend of Tripurasura

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga story is associated with Tripurasura, a powerful demon who terrorised the three worlds. Lord Shiva took the form of Ardhanareshwara and destroyed Tripurasura to restore peace. After the battle, Lord Shiva’s sweat is believed to have formed the Bhima River, which still flows through Maharashtra.

• The Legend of Bhima

Shiva Purana mentions the tale of Kumbhakarana’s son Bhima, who wanted to avenge his father’s death. For years, he performed penance to Lord Brahma and was blessed with immense strength. Soaked in power, he destroyed Shivalinga. This is when Lord Shiva manifested and destroyed Bhima, taking the form of Bhimashankar temple Jyotirlinga.

Exploring Bhimashankar Mandir’s Architecture

The Bhimashankar Mandir is a combination of ancient Hemadpanthi, Indo-Aryan and Nagara-style architecture. Built originally from black basalt stone, the temple showcases the excellence of the bygone Vishwakarma era and its sculptors. Let us explore the beauty of the Bhimashankar Mandir by looking at its main architectural features:

Highlights of the Bhimashankar Mandir Architecture

The Dakinyam Bhimashankaram is believed to have been built near the 13th century CE.Afterwards, rulers such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Diwan of Peshawar Nana Phadanvis were credited for reconstructing the temple multiple times.

• Garbagriha:The Sacred Sanctorum is the main attraction of the pilgrimage site, where Lord Shiva resides in the form of a Shivalinga. It is a small, dark chamber directly connected to the ‘antarala’.
• Sabha Mandap: Sabha mandap, one of the essential parts of the Bhimashankar temple Jyotirlinga, is the place where devotional practices take place. The present-day Sabha mandap was constructed in the 1960s.
• Unique Bell: Inside the temple complex, Chimaji Appa (brother of Bajirao Singham I) installed a unique bell as a gift in the 18th century. The bell weighs approximately five maan (182 kg).
• Nandi Mandapa: At the temple's entrance, there is a special place dedicated to Lord Shiva’s vahana, Nandi called Nandi Mandapa.
• Dashavatar Sculptors: The temple’s complex features include Lord Vishnu’s ten avatar inscriptions, which depict the connection between Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

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