We set on our journey to Bhimashankar very early in the
morning. It took us a good four and a half hours to reach the temple from
Mumbai. The drive was amazing, along winding roads in the midst of nature. Many
devotees trek it to the temple on foot. The serene atmosphere enhances the
divinity of this beautiful temple and infuses a feeling of calm and oneness
with nature and God in the minds of the thousands of devotees undertaking the
strenuous trek.
We took the easy option of driving up to the spacious
parking lot. A huge gate with “Kshetra Jai Bhimashankar” inscribed on it
welcomed us.
One has to descend a flight of steps to reach the temple.
The golden kalash is instantly visible along with the exquisite shikara. The
Kalash dates back to the 13th or 14th century and it is believed that the
original temple was built by one Vinayak Rao Bhide.
The temple, though, as it is seen in present times has
been built by Nana Phadnavis, during the Peshwa rule in the 18th century.
On
the way to the main temple there is a shrine to Goddess Kamalaja, believed to
be an incarnation of Devi Parvati.
The story goes that a demon lived here and
harassed the people of the land. Indradev requested Devi Kamalaja to put an end
to his atrocities. The Goddess fought a long battle with the demon and vanquished
him upon which the Devas worshipped her with kamal (lotus). Hence the Goddess
is called Kamalaja.
The way to the main temple is flanked by shops on both
sides which sell a host of puja materials, medicinal herbs and plants and
temple artifacts.
A signboard reading Bhimashankar Jyotirling Simhadwar leads
us into the temple premises. The locals told us that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
used to come here frequently for a darshan of Lord Bhimashankar and the Peshwas
rebuilt the temple in the 18th century. The spacious Sabha Mandap also seems to
be a recent addition. Just outside the Mandap one finds a shrine to Shaneeshwar
Bhagwan.
A huge panchadaatu
bell of Portuguese origin hangs here on which is inscribed 1729. Two stone
deepmalas and two Nandi statues are also seen in the temple premises. A sacred
fireplace is seen from where the ashes are used to make vibhooti or bhasma for
the Lord. The main sanctum houses the swayambu lingam of Bhimashankar covered
with the archana flowers, mainly bright yellow marigold and the sacred Bilwa
leaves. The Yoni is clad in silver and presents a divine sight as the aarti
flame lights up the entire shrine and the feeling of spiritual fervour seems to
rise to a crescendo with the sound of conches, bells and cymbals. There are small
shrines to Lord Ganesh and Bharaivnathji inside the Garbagriha. A panchamukhi
silver face is placed on the Shivling during the aarti, signifying the presence
of Panchatatva (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Chandra and Parvati Mata), and both Shiv
and Shakti are ever present at this holy place to bless their devotees. On
Amavasya days and Mondays, there are special pujas conducted during the trikal
pujas. Rudrabhishek and Panchamrut abhishek is done everyday for Lord
Bhimashankar.
Legend
Bhimashankar Jyotirling is the source of the River Bhima,
which is said to have been formed from the sweat of Mahadev while he was
resting here after the battle with Tripurasura. Bhima merges with the River
Krishna at Raichur. The story goes thus. Tripurasura was the son of Sage
Grutsamad and was initiated into the worship of Lord Ganesh. He was gifted
three worlds (Three Puras) one of gold, another of silver and the third of
iron. He was also bestowed with a boon that only Mahadev could kill him and
that too with one arrow piercing the three Puras. Subsequently, the Asura was
consumed with pride and harassed everyone. The Devas prayed to Lord Shivshankar
who agreed to battle with Tripurasur. The long battle ended when Mahadev after
praying to Chintamani Ganesh defeated the Asura and the sweat from Lord Shiva’s
body fell to the earth at this spot. Another legend speaks of the Asur called
Bhima who was staying in these forests with his mother Kartaki. After he grew
up, he asked his mother to reveal his father’s identity. When his mother
informed him, that he was the son of the mighty Kumbakarna, who along with his
brother Ravana, had been killed by Mahavishnu in his Ramavathar, Bhima was
furious and vowed to take revenge against Mahavishnu. He did great penance to
Lord Brahma, acquired powerful boons, and started harassing the people and even
the Devas. He captured King Kamarupeshwar who was a staunch devotee of Mahadev
and ordered him to stop his worship of the Lord. Kamarupeshwar refused. Bhima
at once lifted his sword to strike at the Shivlingam when a raging fire
emanated which destroyed the Asura. Kamarupeshwar, the beloved devotee,
requested the Lord to stay here as a Jyotirlingam and bless everyone. Thus
Mahadev assumed the name Bhimashankar and is ever present in this beautiful
village.
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