Bhimashankar Temple

Stone bull

Bell at the temple

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.[4] 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 India-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.[5][6]

In the 18th century, Nāna Phadnavis built the Sabhamandap, he also designed and built the shikhara. The Maratha King Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj endowed this temple to facilitate religious ceremonies.[7][8]

A Roman-style bell may be found in front of the temple, Chimaji Appa donated this big bell.[7]

The shrine is linked to the legendary asura known as Tripura. The story goes that Tripura does penance, and Brahma, delighted with Tripura's penance, manifests and grants him three wishes. Tripura demanded that he be invulnerable to the gods, devils, yakshas, and gandharvas. His three "puras" should be unbreakable, and he should be able to travel anywhere in the universe. All his desires were fulfilled. Tripura embarked on a conquest to subjugate three Loka. Indra, the deity associated with the heavens, was also vanquished. Indra made the decision to seek blessings from the deity Shiva and performed penance. Shiva made a vow to annihilate Tripura.[9]

On the peak of the Sahyadri hills, it is said that Shiva assumed the form of "Bhīmā Shankara" at the behest of the Gods, and the sweat that spilled from his body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhimarathi river.[8]

Bhimashankar temple, Maharashtra

According to Namdev, a saint in the medieval era, Saint Jnaneshwar went to Tryambakeshwar and then Bhimashankar. Namdev himself has also visited this place.[10]

Bhimashankaram shrine and the Bhimarathi river have been talked about in writings as far back as the 13th century;[10] however, the current construction of the temple seems to be fairly new.[11]

The temple is built in the Nagrara style, which combines traditional and modern designs. The temple hall was constructed during the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis of Peshwa.[12] The Gopura-shikhara of the temple was built by Nāna Phadnavis. 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.[13]

On 16 May 1739 Chimaji Appa amassed five big bells following his victory over the Portuguese from the Vasai Fort.[4]

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).[7]

Kalash of this mandir

In addition to the Bhimashankar Mandir, devotees also take darshan of the deities of temples present in vinicinity. There is a shrine for Siva Ganams, Shaakini and Daakini, who assisted Shiva in the battle against the demon Tripurasur.

There are other temples near the main temple, such as Kamalaja mata, who was an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi and who aided Shiva in his battle against Tripurasura.

A minor shrine dedicated to Lord Shani can also be seen within the temple's grounds.[4] There is a statue of Nandi infront of the Bhimashankar Shiva Linga.

The "Shani Temple" is situated within the main complex of the Bhimashankar temple.

Between the two pillars in front of the "Shani" shrine there is an enormous antique Portuguese church bell. Behind the temple, there is a narrow walk that goes to the riverbanks. Outside the temple, there is a large area of forest that is sometimes broken up by forts on the mountains nearby.

Maha-muni Kaushika is said to have done "tapa" here; the place where he is said to have bathedis called Mokshakund tirtham, which is located behind the Bhimashankar temple. There are also the Sarvatirtha, the Kusharanya tirtha ,where the Bhīmā river begins to flow eastward, and the Jnyanakund pond.

• Bhimashankar on Maharashtra gov tourism website -
• The temple information on Pune district's website -