Bhimashankar Temple
Shiva (Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga) temple · Bhimashankar, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Bhimashankar Temple is a Shiva temple in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district, Maharashtra. It is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and its sanctum holds a swayambhu (self-manifested) linga. Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar are also in Maharashtra. Lists vary on whether shrines such as Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath are counted among the twelve, so the state's count is given differently in different sources.
The temple stands near the source of the Bhima river, which further downstream is called the Chandrabhaga at Pandharpur. It lies inside the forests of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, so it attracts trekkers and nature lovers as well as pilgrims.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Bhimashankar Temple
The Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra, recited by pilgrims across India, names the shrine in the line 'Dakinyam Bhimashankaram', Bhimashankar in the land of Dakini. The temple trust links this name to the goddesses Dakini and Shakini, who are honoured at the site.
Two legends are told here. In the account given by the temple trust and Maharashtra Tourism, Shiva, with Parvati in the form of Kamalaja, destroyed the demon Tripurasura, and the Bhima river is said to have formed from Shiva's sweat as he rested afterwards. In another account, also cited by Maharashtra Tourism, Shiva defeated Bhimasura, a son of Kumbhakarna, and remained here as Bhimashankar. These are traditions of faith.
A shrine of Kamalaja Devi stands near the main temple. The tirthas around it, including Mokshakund, Sarvatirtha, Kusharanya Tirtha and the Bhima's source kund, are part of the pilgrimage.
Heritage
History of Bhimashankar Temple
The temple trust and Maharashtra Tourism describe the main shrine as an older structure in the Nagara style with Hemadpanthi influence. The trust dates the core temple to the 13th century, and Maratha-period additions came later.
In the 18th century Nana Phadnavis, minister to the Peshwas, built or renovated the sabhamandap and shikhara. Tradition also records that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj made endowments to support worship at the temple.
A large bell near the temple is linked to Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Bajirao I. He took several bells from the Portuguese-held Vasai fort after defeating the Portuguese, and offered one of them at Bhimashankar. Sources disagree on the year inscribed on the bell, so no date is given here.
Architecture and sacred features
Maharashtra Tourism describes a stone temple with carved walls, pillars and doorways showing deities and scenes from the epics, with the swayambhu linga at the centre of the garbhagriha. A Nandi shrine stands close to the main temple, and the complex includes carvings of the Dashavatara. The trust's notice for 2026 says new work on the sabhamandap and the stairs is under way.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
As listed by the Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust (checked October 2026), construction work on the sabhamandap and stairs has cut darshan hours to a short morning window; confirm before travelling. The trust asks visitors not to wear footwear in and around the temple, not to bring meat, alcohol or intoxicants into the premises, and to remove helmets and hats inside. Confirm current arrangements with the Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust before you go.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Bhimashankar Temple
Maha Shivaratri Yatra
The temple's biggest festival, with night-long worship and a palkhi (palanquin) procession of the deity listed in the trust's festival calendar.
Tripurari Purnima (Kartik Purnima)
It marks the legend of Shiva destroying Tripurasura here. The trust lists a mahapuja and a night palkhi from Bhimashankar to Kokan Kada and the Kamalaja temple.
Shravan month
Maharashtra Tourism notes a steady stream of pilgrims through Shravan, including devotees bringing holy water to offer at the Jyotirlinga.
Vijayadashami
The trust performs flag worship and hoisting and takes the deity out in palkhi procession.
Location
How to Reach Bhimashankar Temple
Maharashtra Tourism gives these figures. The nearest airport is Pune International Airport, about 125 km away, and the nearest railway station is Karjat, about 65 km away. By road Bhimashankar is about 125 km from Pune, 223 km from Mumbai and 230 km from Nashik, and state transport buses and private cabs run from these cities.
Trekkers also climb up from the Konkan side by the Shidi Ghat and Ganesh Ghat trails from Khandas village. In the monsoon the ghat roads and trails can be slippery, and landslides have affected the approach road in the past.
Location: Bhimashankar, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (about 125 km)
Nearest railway station: Karjat (about 65 km)
More in Hindu temples in Maharashtra · Shiva (Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga) temples · Temples in Khed Taluka · Temples in Pune District
Questions
Bhimashankar Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bhimashankar one of the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Yes. Maharashtra Tourism and the temple trust describe Bhimashankar as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, identified with 'Dakinyam Bhimashankaram' in the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra.
Where does the Bhima river begin?
Bhimashankar is regarded as the source of the Bhima river. The trust points to a small kund near the temple steps as its starting point, and the river is called the Chandrabhaga at Pandharpur.
Who built the Bhimashankar temple?
The original builder is not recorded. The temple trust dates the core shrine to the 13th century, and Nana Phadnavis added the sabhamandap and shikhara in the 18th century.
How far is Bhimashankar from Pune?
Maharashtra Tourism gives about 125 km by road from Pune, and Pune International Airport is the nearest airport.
What is the bell at Bhimashankar?
It is a large bell offered by Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Bajirao I, from bells taken out of the Portuguese-held Vasai fort after his victory there.
What can I see around the temple?
Nearby are Gupt Bhimashankar, Hanuman Lake, Nagphani point, the Kamalaja temple and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, known for the Malabar giant squirrel (shekru).
Are darshan hours restricted right now?
The temple trust has announced limited morning-only darshan while the sabhamandap and stairs are rebuilt. Check the trust's website for current hours.
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q1093326 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Bhimashankar Temple — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust — About the Temple
- Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust — History of Bhimashankar Temple
- Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust — Temple Schedule and festival calendar
- Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra — Bhimashankar (temple)
- Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra — Bhimashankar (nature)
- The Indian Express — Landslide on Bhimashankar Temple road; no casualties (12 Jul 2022)
- Inditales — Bhimashankar Temple on banks of Bhima river, Pune
Further reading: Bhimashankar Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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