Shree Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

श्री भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग मंदिर

Location

Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

Darshan

05:00 – 21:30

Deity

🪔Lord Shiva (Bhimashankar)

Entry

Free entry

Kakad Aarti 05:00–05:30. Darshan+Abhishek 05:30–12:00. Mahapuja 12:00–12:20. Afternoon 12:20–14:45. Sandhya break 14:45–15:20. Shringar Darshan 15:20–19:30. Shayan Aarti 19:30–20:00. Final Darshan 20:00–21:30. Extended Abhishek on Mondays, Pradosh, Shravan, Mahashivaratri until 18:00. NOTE: As of May 2026, temporarily closed for sanctum renovations — confirm reopening before visiting.

Bhimashankar is the source of the Bhima River — according to legend, the river was born from Shiva's divine perspiration after his cosmic battle with the demon Tripurasura here. Set deep in the Sahyadri hills within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, it is also an important ecological sanctuary (home to the Giant Indian Squirrel, state animal of Maharashtra).

History

The original temple structure dates to ~13th century CE, built in black basalt in Hemadpanthi style. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj granted the village of Kharosi to the temple trust and made significant endowments. In the 18th century, Nana Phadnavis (Peshwa minister) sponsored construction of the Sabhamandap and renovated the Shikhara, giving the temple its current form. Chimaji Appa (Peshwa Bajirao I's brother) donated the large bell captured from a Portuguese church during the Battle of Vasai (1739) — it still hangs in the temple.

Mythology

The demon Tripurasura (son of Kumbhakarna) obtained boons from Brahma and terrorised the three worlds. When he struck a Shivalinga with his sword while Shiva meditated, Shiva manifested in his cosmic Mahakala form and annihilated Tripurasura with the sound of his Trishula ("Hum sound"). Shiva's divine perspiration fell to earth and became the Bhima River, making it sacred as "Shiva's sweat." At the gods' request, Shiva remained as a Swayambhu Jyotirlinga — Bhimashankar. (Secondary legend: Bhima of the Pandavas also worshipped here.)