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भिमाशंकर
Bhimashankar, Pune district, Maharashtra · 19.0717°, 73.5538°
Forest Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri ghats at the source of the Bhima river, wrapped in a wildlife sanctuary that shelters the giant flying squirrel. The shrine mixes 13th-century core with Nana Phadnavis's 18th-century shikhara; the trek routes from Karjat side are Maharashtra's classic pilgrim-hiker blend.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
Shiva destroyed the rakshasa Bhima — son of Kumbhakarna — who had imprisoned a devotee-king; the sweat of the battle-heated lord streamed down to become the Bhima river, and at the devas' plea he remained as the Jyotirlinga on the ridge.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Maratha
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…