12 Jyothirlingas: History & Significance of BhimaShankar Mandir and Temple Architecture. Importance of Kamalaji Mata Mandir, Pune

Shri BhimShankara Jyothirling, Pune

Sri BhimaShankara Temple, an ancient shrine enshrining one of the twelve (12) Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. Shri Kshetra BhimaShankar Jyothirlinga is situated at a height of 3200feet above the sea level on Sahyadhri hills, in the village of Bhavagiri, 50km northwest of Khed Taluk, Pune district, Maharastra, India. 

The temple town is popular for Trekking destinations. It is located about 128km from Pune and 223km from Mumbai city.

 

Temple Architecture and its Significance:

The BhimaShankara Temple is a composition of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture. The Shikara was built by Nana Phadnavis. 

It is a modest temple and it dates back to 13th century and the SabhaMandapa developed in 18th century by Nana Phadnavis.

It shows the excellency of the skills achieved by ancient Vishwakarma Sculptors. 

A unique bell of Roman style can be seen in front of the main temple which was presented by chimaji Appa(Brother of Bajirao Peshwa I). 

Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler is said to have endowments to this to facilitated the carrying out of worship services.

BhimaShankar is the source of the river Bhima which flows SouthEast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur.

Origin Place of the River Brahma:

The origin of river Bhima is very near to the main temple. There is a temple and a kunda(The Kusharanya Thirtha) from which the Bhima river orginates. The Mokshakund Thirtha is behind the BhimaShankara Temple. 

There are also SarvaThirtha, the Kusharanya Thirtha where the Bhima river orginates to flow eastward.

Main(Important) Festivals:

1. Maha Shivaratri: This is the biggest festival in this temple. It is being celebrated on the day of Krish paksha Chaturdasi of the Magh month(February/March).
2. Karthika Pournami(November) 
3. Ganesh Chaturdasi (August/September)
4. Dushera Navaratri (September/October) 

Important Temples in and around Sri Kshetra BhimaShankar Temple

• Sri Shani Temple: The Shani Temple is located inside the main complex of the temple of BhimaShankar

• Kamalaji Mata Mandir: The temple is situated nearby BhimShankara Temple. Kamalaja is an incarnation of Goddess Sri Parvathi Devi who helped Lord Shiva in his battle against the demon Tripuraasura. The mandir got its name as Lord Brahma worshipped Goddess Parvati Devi with Lotus flowers.

• SriRama Mandir.

• Sri Datta(Shri Dattatreya) Mandir.