On the banks of the River Chandrabhaga (Bhima) on the
expansive meadows, a large number of devotees can be seen dancing as if they
are in a trance. This is a constant scene in Pandharpur. Bheemamayya (mother
Bhima) is equated with Ganga-Bhagirathi and people take a holy dip in this
river. In Pandharpur, river Bhima came to be known as Chandrabhaga, because it
is here that Bhima curves towards Chandrakor.
River Ganga came jumping down from the Jata (Hair) of Lord
Shankar, straight through Swarg (Heaven), to the earth. Bhimamayya is the perspiration
of Lord Shankara. The origin of River Bhima is BhimaShankar, which is one of
the twelve JyotirLingas. In Maharashtra, in Pune District in the Tehsil of
Rajguru nagar (Khed) ahead of Ghodegaon, there is Sahyadri mountain range.
Bhavargiri, Rathachal and Bhima Shankar mountains are located here. On the
Bhima Shankar mountains, the holy shrine of Bhima Shankar is situated. Although
it is a very windy palce, one does not experience any cold winds here.
There are lions in the forests here. In these thick forests
there are other wild lives too. It is a treasure of various medicinal herbs. It
is now quite easy to reach BhimaShankar. Direct and easy roadways are laid that
take the pilgrims right up to the shrine. Reaching here from Kokanpradesh is a
little difficult because of the mountain terrain. Bhimashankar jyotirling
Many years ago, Shakini and Dakini used to live in these
forests. The settlements were far and few in between. But on the festival of
Shivaratri, there is a huge gathering of crowds, which brightens up the entire
area. The devotees reach here in time and take a Darshan of Lord BhimaShankar.
A lot of improvements made here. There is a Government guest-house also. It is
said that the lions from these forests come to the shrine every night to get a
Darshan of the Lord. Here are some of the stories attached to the JyotirLinga
here. Bhimashankar jyotirling Mandir
Purana of Bhimashankar Temple
In the ancient times demons by the name Tripurasura become
drunk with power. They harassed every resident of Swarg (Heavens), Narak (Hell)
and Patal (Nether world). The divines were very scared. Then Lord Mahadev
Himself came to destroy Tripurasur. Lord Shankar assumed colossal proportions.
Tripurasur feared when they saw this Rudravatar. The fight went on. In the end,
Lord Shiva killed the wicked demon and set the there worlds, Tribhuvan, free.
Lord Shankar in the form of a huge hunk (Virat) was very tired. In order to get
some rest, He settled here on the high area of the Sahyadri mountains sweat
started pouring down from His huge body in thousands of streams. It all joined
together and collected in a pond or Kund. The river that started from there is
known as Bhima, which can be seen even today. Devotees then prayed to Bhimakaya
Rudra thus: “In order to save the good people, reside here forever”. Bholenath
listened to the devotees and stayed there as a JyotirLinga forever.
There was once a demon called Bhima, whose parents were
Kumbhakarna and Karkati. Demon Bhima was harassing and torturing one and all.
He was hell bent in the path of destruction of Dharma. Once he asked his mother
about the details of his father. His mother told him that his father
Kumbhakaran is the younger brother of Ravana, the king of Lanka, who was slain
by Sri Ramchandra.
“I am yet to see Lanka; I met your father on some mountains
near by, and after you were born, I continued to stay here itself. After my
husband was killed, only my parental place became a refuge of sorts for me. My
parents are Pushkasi and Karkat. When they went to eat up Agastya the saint, he
burned them to ashes with the power of his meditation and Tapas”.
When he heard the story, he was at once eager to take
revenge against all the divines along with Hari. He began a severe penance or
Tapas, and a pleased Brahma granted him the bon of becoming a very strong man.
With this new strength, he captured all the divines including Vishnu and Indra.
They were in his control. After this he won a victory over the great Shiva
devotee Kamarupeshwar. Kamarupeshwar did not stop his worship of Shiva even
when in prison. He performed the Puja with the same devotion, observing all the
procedures his wife also joined him in this.
On the other hand, Brahma and Vishnu along with all the
other divines started praying Shankara and of asking for deliverance from the
wicked Demon King. Shiva assured the divines and sent them home after pacifying
them.
Bheema learnt from someone that Kamarupeshwar was making
preparations to kill him. On hearing about this, he went straight to the prison
and started inquiring into the process and aim of his worship. When he learnt
the truth from the king, the wicked Demon called Lord Shiva names and insulted
Him and ordered the king to worship Bheema himself instead. When Kamarupeshwar
resisted, Bhemma attached the Linga with his sword. Before he could strike,
Shiva appeared there. A severe fight ensued in which bows, arrows, swords, axe,
the disc and trident etc. were used. In the end, at the request of Narada ,
Lord Shankar blew a fire and burned the wicked Demon Bheema to ashes. Thus the
Devas were released from their sorrows. After this, the divines who were
present there, and the saints together pleaded with Lord Shankara to remain
there. In view of the welfare of the world, Shiva decided to stay there in the
incarnation of Bheema Shankar JyotirLinga.
Self-emanating Mahadev, in the shape of a chariot, the
mountains have become the abode of BheemaShankara. It is also known as
Rathachala. One Bhatirao Lakadhara (wood-cutter) used to live here. Once he was
cutting some wood. Just as he struck the tree with his axe, blood started to
flow from the earth. Bhatirao got scared and ran away. Soon, a crowd had
gathered there. Someone brought a milk cow and made it stand there. The milk
that came from the cow’s udders stopped the bleeding of the earth. Surprising
everyone, a glowing JyotirLinga of Shankara, emanated from the earth. People
built a temple there and installed the JyotirLinga in the temple. This temple
eventually came to be known as Bhima Shankara temple.
Glories of Bhimashankar
In some classics like Shiva Leelamrit, Gurucharitra,
Stotraratnakar etc., BheemaShankara is described as a woman. Gangadhar Pandit,
Ramdas, Sridhar swamy, narahari Malo, Gnaneshwar, and other saints describe
BheemaShankara as JyotirLinga.
Historical figures like Chatrapati Shivaji and Rajaram
Maharaj were known to visit this shrine. This was a favourite palce for Peshwa
Balaji Vishwanath and Raghunath, Raghunath Peswa had a well dug up here. The
Diwan of the Peshwar, Nana Phadanvis renovated this temple. A court hall was
built by a Pune trader or Sahukar by the name Chimanji Antaji Nayik Bhinde in
1437 AD.
The temple of Bhima Shankara is built in Hemadpanthi style.
It is decorated with the Dashavatar statues. These are very beautiful to look
at. The Nandi temple is close to the main temple. A huge bell weighing 5 mans(1
man=40 seens) is located close to the temple. It has 1721 AD inscribed on it.
When this bell is rung, the entire echoes with its sound.
The worship of BhimaShankar is done, with Rudrabhishek,
Panchamrit snan, everyday. The Lord is praised in rich words. On Mondays as
well as other days, lot of devotees flock here for Darshan. A big fete (mela)
takes place on Maha Shivaratri festival. The natural scenic beauty of this
place is wonderful to look at.
There are many places of tourist interest near BheemShankar
temple. Among these are Mokshakund, Gyankund, Gupta Bhumeshwar, SarvaAteerth,
Papanasini, akhya Teerth, Vyaghrapada Teerth, Sakshi Vinayaka, Gorakhnath
Ashram, Daityasamharini Kamalaja devi’s place, Kamalaja lake, Hanuman lake, etc
are worth seeing. The Kokan Kagar or Nagphan is a very dangerous palce located
at a height or approximately three thousand feet, from were the entire Talahati
Kokan area can be seen. It feels like we are being air-borne. It is very
difficult to see this “Kokan kagar” sanding. One has to lie down on the ground,
near Kagar and then only it can be seen. A person who is seeing this in a
prostrate position has to be kept steady by holding his feet firmly. While
watching this is frightening, yet beautiful scene one has to chant “Jaya Bheema
Shankar Jaya Bheema Shankar”.
Bhimashankar temple is a religious spot that holds vibrant
celebrations for different festivals throughout the year. Here is a list of
festivals which surely will help you plan your trip to Bhimashankar Temple.
1. Kartik Poornima
Lord Shiva had killed Tripurasur on Kartika Poornima. Hence
the festival is widely celebrated from Kartik Ekadashi to Poornima. Devotees
from all over the country visit the temple and be a spectator of grand celebrations
that take place at the shrine.
2. Mahashivratri
The day of Shiva, Mahashivratri is celebrated on the Krishna
Paksha Chaturdashi of the Magh month. It is the most significant festival
during which the devotees massively flock the mountain. The beauty of temple is
surely beyond any words. Fairs with tourist shops, food stalls, pandals, and
other different activities are set. The mountain dips itself into the colours
of festivities and enthusiasm. Visiting Bhimashankar temple during
Mahashivratri will surely make your visit memorable.
3. Ganesh Chaturthi
One of the greatest festivals in Maharashtra, Ganesh
Chaturthi here, is celebrated with great zeal. The devotees show great passion
towards the festival's celebrations. It takes place anytime between
August-September.
4. Dipawali
The occasion of Lord Rama's return from 14 years of exile is
celebrated with all faith and devotion. The temple is decorated in a way that
it spreads the light of positivity and goodness among its visitors. The pompous
festival encounters showers of devotion and happiness. Lakshmi pooja takes
place at the hands of a local pandit.
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