BhimaShankar Jyothrling. Review on Bhimashankar

BhimaShankar, one of theTwelve Jyotirlingas, can certainly be termed as a Pilgrim Paradise.The dense forests surrounding the high ranges also play an abode to the rarespecies of flora and fauna. Situated at the extreme end of the Sahayadri Ranges, this place gives a wonderful view of the world around you, the forts, the rivers and the hill stations around.

How to Reach: It is around 115km from Pune. Best route to reach Bhimashankar is Via Manchar. Manchar is located on Pune-Nasik high way. While going from a Pune, take a right turn at Manchar. From there itis a straight route. Manchar – BhimaShankar distance is 68km. Road condition is good except some stretches of 4~5 kms.

There are good number of ST buses from Pune and Manchar too. It is well connected. Manchar-BhimaShankar route you can find good number of water falls during rain season and Dam view from Top of hills. Also you can see good valleys of Sahaydriranges.

Temple:

The Bhimashankara temple is a composite of old and the new structures and is built in the style Nagara of architecture. It is a modest yet graceful temple and itdates back to mid 18th century. The Shikhara of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis.

Shiva is said to have taken abode in the Bhima form, upon the request of the Gods, onthe crest of the Sahyadri hills, and the sweat that poured forth from his body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhimarathi river.

In this temple God is called as ArthaNareeshwar. You can notice it on the Lingam.It is lesscrowded temple except public holidays and Sravan month. You can have a peaceful Darshan. We use to go at least once in a year.

Temple timings are 5:00 am to 9:30 pm. In Sravan Month it will be 4:00 am to 10:30 pm.ShivLing is covered with Silver plate. If you want to see Nijaroop, you need to take a Darshan at Aarti time.

You can notice some Poojaris/Pandits asking us to perform Pooja/Abhishek etc. Rates are displayed on board and they will give us a receipt. I am not sure whether money will go to Poojari or Temple.I don’t care where it will go. But Poojaris will perform a good Abhshek/Poojaand it last for at least 30 minutes. We are very much happy for it. I think this is the only one Jyothrling where we can perform Abhishek on Jyothrling.Poojaris are very cooperative as compared to other temples. Whenever we visited BhimaShankar, we used to perform a Panchamrut Abhishek for which they charge us551/-. They will provide all needed items but we use to carry ourselves from our home to perform a Panchamrut Abhishek. Also you will get all required Pooja items on stalls located on either side of steps.Also you will get medicinal herbs, conchs, shells, shiv lings, cassettes, rings, pendants and of course pedas lined up right till you reach the shrine. Shoe stand is available near to temple. So you need not remove your shoe at any stall or in your vehicle.

There was a water problem in temple. But recently we have observed some good developments in & around temple. They dig a one bore well. You will get cool water in peak summer too from this bore well. Temple is very old one. No proper maintenance was there. Recently they started renovation. Some improvement is observed every time we visited this place.

After Darshan you can spend a little time to take a Darshan of various temples around main temple.

Food & Accommodation:There are good numbers of stalls on either side of the steps on the way to temple from Parking place and Bust stand. Food quality is not good at these stalls. Only you can have snacks like Vada-Pav or Kanda Bhajji. If you want to have a good lunch or Dinner, you need to travel around 9km back to Manchar road. There is good resort called “BlueMormon jungle resort [https://bluemormon.biz]”. Food quality is good. There you will get a buffet lunch. It costs around 140/-. If you want to stay at BhimaShankar this is the only one good option. Other option is there are few rooms available around temple. It is like a home stay arranged by localpoojaris/priests. No facilities available there.

Around BhimaShankar:BhimaShankar wildlife sanctuary is goodplace for nature lovers. You can get good medicinal herbs from here. Also it is good place for trekking. Once we trek to Nagphani point during monsoon. It isa good experience for us.