Bhimashankar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The dense forests surrounding the high ranges also play an abode to the rare species 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. Bhimashankar is also the source of the River Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the river Krishna.

Bhimashanker is seventy-four miles or 110 Kms. from Pune by road. State buses go there from Pune twice a week with more than five hours of bus journey. During the Mahasivaratri festival, when there is a great fair at the temple, buses ply to and fro daily. It is also accessible from Kariat on the Pune - Bombay section of the Central railway. There is not a proper road from karjat to Bhimashankar and only the devotees who wish to go to the temple on foot during festivals use this road.

The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture, this temple dates back to the 18th century. One can also find borrowed influences from the Indo Aryan style of architecture. It is believed that the ancient shrine was erected over a Swayambhu Linga. Thus the Linga is exactly in the centre of the floor of the Garbagriha or the Sanctum. Intricate carvings of divinities interspersed with human figurines adorn the pillars and the doorframes of the temple. Scenes from mythology find itself captured in these magnificient carvings. Within the temple precincts there is also a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shani. The image of Nandi is installed just at the entrance of the temple.

STHALA PRUANA

Eons ago in the dense forests of Dakini, on the lofty ranges of the Sahaydris lived the evil Asura by the name Bhima with his mother Karkati. Compassion and kindness shivered in the presence of Bhima. The divine and the mortals were scared of him alike. But certain questions about his own existence tormented him. Bhima could no longer sustain his curiosity and finally he asked his mother to unveil the mysteries of his life. He urged his mother to tell him who his father was and why had he abandoned them in the wilderness of the forest. It was then revealed to him that he was the son of Kumbhakarna, the younger brother of the mighty King Ravana – the King of Lanka. Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Lord Rama annihilated Kumbhakarna. This infuriated Bhima and he vowed to avenge Lord Vishnu. He embarked on a severe penance to please Lord Brahma. The compassionate creator was pleased by the dedicated devotee and granted him immense prowess. This was a terrible mistake. The evil tyrant caused havoc in the three worlds. He defeated King Indra and conquered the heavens. He also defeated a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva – Kamrupeshwar and put him in the dungeons. All this angered the Gods and they along with Lord Brahma beseeched Lord Shiva to come for their rescue. Lord Shiva consoled the Gods and agreed to rescue them from the tyrants. On the other hand Bhima asks Kamrupeshwar to worship him instead of Lord Shiva. When Kamrupeshwar denied doing that, he raised his sword to strike the Shiva Linga. No longer he managed to raise his sword, Lord Shiva appeared before him in all his magnificence. Then the terrible war began. But then the holy sage Narad appeared and requested Lord Shiva to put an end to this war. It was then that Lord Shiva reduced the evil demon to ashes and thus concluded the saga of tyranny. All the Gods and the holy sages present there requested Lord Shiva to make this place his abode. Lord Shiva thus manifested himself in the form of the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga..

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