Cradled in the Sahyadri mountains in Maharashtra lies the ancient shrine of Bhimashankar Mahadev.It is the sixth Jyotirling of Lord Shiva.Surrounded by the serene beauty of the lush green forest and situated on top of a hill, in present times Bhimashankar has become quite a favourite spot with trekkers and nature lovers.
The temple has witnessed legendary visitors including Sant Jnyaneshwar to Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj.The alluring Shivaling inside the temple is a Swayambhu Jyotirling which has behind it a legendary story of a demon named Bhimasur and Lord Shiva’s victory over him.
The infamous Kumbhakarna, the brother of Ravana had visited the jungles of the Sahya Mountains(now Sahyadri) and revealing his evil nature had defiled an ogress named Karkati. He left her alone to fend for herself and returned to Lanka, where he was slain by Lord Rama. Karkati later gave birth to a son who was known as Bhimasur. She lived alone in the Sahya mountain with her son. Curious of his lineage, Bhimasur asked his mother about his father and the reason why his father had deserted them. After hearing the full story from Karkati, Bhimasur was enraged.He bore a special and intense hatred against the sages and Gods, especially Lord Vishnu.Firmly resolved to take revenge, he performed hard penance in the forest to please lord Brahma.
He stood on one leg with both his arms and head raised towards the sun and continued with his penance. Lord Brahma pleased with his penance appeared in front of him. Bhimasur asked Lord Brahma to endow him with unequalled strength. Lord Brahma granted him the boon.Puffed with pride, the demon Bhimasur returned to his abode.After bowing to his mother, he assured her that he would take revenge from all the saints and Gods to avenge his father’s and Uncle’s death.
The demon Bhima fought a terrible war with the Gods and defeated them all as he was empowered with the boon from Lord Brahma himself. Having established his supremacy over the Gods, Bhimasur turned his attention towards conquering the kings on Earth. At first, he went to conquer the country Sudakshina whose king was Kamarupa. The king was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.Owing to the boon, Bhimasur defeated the King Kamarupa and imprisoned him and his wife. The wicked Bhima seized everything that belonged to the king, bound him with fetters and imprisoned the king along with his queen in an isolated cell.
The captive king wasn’t dejected in the least and surrendered his fate to the mercy of Lord Shiva. Inside the cell, he made an excellent earthen Shivaling and joyously worshipped it with great devotion.The king's beloved wife too performed the worship of Lord Shiva with her husband according to the sacred rites and rituals. Bhimasur, receiving the news of the king’s worship of Lord Shiva was mad with fury. In his arrogance he foiled the king’s worship and forbade the king from worshipping Lord Shiva any further. The king refused to obey him, antagonising the demon even further.Bubbling with anger, he pulled out his sword and threatened to strike the Shivaling into two halves.The moment Bhimasur raised his sword to strike the Shivaling, Lord Shiva manifested himself from that very earthen Shivaling in his entire glory.He declared that he had appeared in the form of Bhimeswara to protect his ardent devotee Kamarupa from the clutches of Bhimasur. He declared that he shall always protect his devotees from all kinds of adversities whenever they call upon him.There was a terrible fight that ensued between Bhimasur and Lord Shiva concluding in Bhimasur being reduced to ashes.After the fight all the Gods and sages gathered there to pay their obeisance and take Lord Shiva’s blessings.
Lord Shiva was implored by all the Gods and sages to stay back for the happiness of the people.Being the ever merciful, he complied and stayed back as Bhimashankar. The jyotirling of Bhimashankar asserts the victory of the righteous over the wicked. The worship of this divine Shivaling bestows on the devotees protection from mishaps and attainment of their desires.
Har Har Mahadev 🙏
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