Part 4.6 - Description of Bhīmaśaṅkara Liṅga

Dākini was one of the peaks of Sahya Mountain range. At the top of that Dākini hill, lord Śiva established as Bhīṃśaṅkara jyotirliṅga. The river “Bhima’ was also originated in this mountain range. And this river flows nearly besides of the Śiva liṅga. According to epics this lord Bhīṃśaṅkara was being worshipped by Rākṣyasa (bad people) namely Sakini and Dākini.

Route to Travel

On going to Pune near Mumbai by train and from there we have to travel nearly 15 Km on bus to reach “Dākini Bhīṃśaṅkaram”. Even though there are no facilities available, nearly six bused travel between Pune and this temple city. Also deep forest is located around the city and temple is located inside the valley.

According to Epics

Once upon a time there lived a rākṣya named Bhīma and lived on this mountain range with his mother. One fine day he asked his mother about his father and asked that who was his father and what is the reason as she is living on that temple. Then she answered him that his father is Kumbhakarna the brother of Ravaṇasura the king of Laṅkā. Also she said that “My son, your father and his brother were killed by Śrī Rāma. My father was Karkata and mother Pusakasi. My first husband was Viradha. He was also being killed by Rāma.

Once my parents tried to eat Sutheekṣuna, the student of Agasthya Maharṣi, he burned my parents with angry. Thus I was living alone and then one day Kumbhakarna married me without my agree. Thus you born. As your father was a great warrior you should keep that recognition alive.” On hearing words of his mother, Bhīma became very angry and promised that he willdestroy lord Viṣṇu and his followers.Thus he prayed for lord Brahma for nearly 1000 years. Thus lord Brahma appeared in front of him. Thus he got worship as gift from lord Brahma.

Thus Bhīm invaded heaven and defeated Indra and occupied it. Thus he started to violating followers of Lord Viṣṇu.

In those Kamarupa kingdom was under control of king Sudhakṣina. He was a great devotee of lord Śiva. Bhīmasura invaded his kingdom and Sudhakṣīṇā in jail.

As he was devotee of lord Śiva he prepared a Śivaliṅga with mud and started praying daily. One day Bhīma warned Sudhakṣīṇā to stop worshipping lord Śiva.

But that king does not cared the warming of Bhīma and was deeply involved in worship. Then Bhīmsūtra became very angry and reared towards him. Thus Sudhakṣīṇā answered him that “Lord Śiva was the only god who protects us and who destroys us. You cannot do any harm to me unless involvement of lord Śiva”.

Then Bhīma became even more angry and in land said” it this Śiva protects you. See, now I am going to destroy him with my sword. If he is alive he will not survive in my hands and I am going to kill him.”

Then in a flash of light light, lord Śiva appeared there killed that Bhīma and released Sudhakṣīṇā from jail. Also all the people became happy with the death of that Bhīma. Indra and all other gods reoccupied their places back. Also king Sudhakṣīṇā regained his kingdom are ruled throughout his lifetime. Thus according to requests of Nārada and all other saints lord Śiva himself established as “Jyothirliṅga and was worshipped as Bhīmaśaṅkara”.

History

According to Itihāsasa this temple was worshiped by the people of Rakṣyasa dynasty,the visitors are in very less number. The people from Maharastra and people of Kannada state state visit this temple quite regularly.

In this temple, Mokṣaguṇḍa and Kamalaja devi temple are the main places to visited.