Originally there were believed to be 64 jyotirlings while twelve of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity, each considered a different manifestation of Shiva.
At all these sites, the primary image is lingam, representing the beginningless and endless stambha pillar, symbolising the infinite nature of Shiva.
Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Far away from the tumult of urban life, peeping through the white clouds, Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim's paradise. Apart from this the Bhima river flows adjacent to the temple and there is a bhima kund.
It was a divine experience visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. Beautiful rock cut carving and idols of God on the wall of the temple describing various mythological stories.
One needs to climb down almost 200 stairs to reach the temple but the stairs are very comfortable and easy. There are shops for Prasad, restaurants, flowers, ayurvedic medicine and other shops.
One can also take Doli to temple with paying some charges to skip the steps.
There is a big parking lot at the beginning of the stairs. There is a toilet and food stalls and other shops around the parking lot. It's paid parking (Rs. 50).
Nandi ji is located outside the temple and also just outside the grabhghra where the main jyotirlinga is located. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kalbharav (shetrapal) on the entrance gate.
A turtle as a symbol of Lord kuber is located in the main hall and there is a lord Shani temple just outside the main hall.
You can do jal abhishek in the temple during the day at the specified time slots. You can sit in the main hall to do pooja and meditation.
You should also visit the Bhima river origination place just 100m from the place where stairs start. The river originates from a small kund. There is a temple dedicated to lord bhrama, Vishnu, Shiva, chandrma, Surya adjacent to the origination pond.
Apart from this there is an Anjani mata temple dedicated to lord Hanuman ji and few view points you can visit.
This place is very sacred and divine. Just one request if you visit please maintain cleanliness, do not litter around and maintain peace.
