Gujarat
Somnath
Standing on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan, Somnath is honoured as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Jyotirlinga 6 of 12
Bhimashankar
Hidden in the misty forests of the Sahyadri range, Bhimashankar sits at the source of the Bhima river.
LocationSahyadri hills, Pune district
State / RegionMaharashtra
Worshipped asBhimashankar
Best time to visitAugust to February; the monsoon is lush but roads and steps can be slippery
Religious significance
The temple is a fine example of Nagara architecture with later additions from the Maratha period. It lies within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, home of the Indian giant squirrel (shekru), Maharashtra's state animal.
Traditional story
Bhima, son of Kumbhakarna, learning that Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) had killed his father, performed penance and gained great power, then terrorised the worlds and imprisoned Shiva's devotee, King Kamarupeshwar. Shiva appeared and destroyed him; the sweat from Shiva's body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhima river.
Legends are presented as they are told within the tradition; they hold spiritual meaning for devotees and are not offered as historical record.
Visitor guidance
- Trekking routes from Khandas are popular with hikers in good weather.
- Carry rain gear in the monsoon.
Continue the journey
More 12 jyotirlingas
Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna, Srisailam
High in the forested Nallamala Hills above the Krishna river, Srisailam is both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha.
Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain
In the ancient city of Ujjain, Shiva is worshipped as Mahakala — Lord of Time and of death itself.
Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar
On Mandhata island in the Narmada — an island said to be shaped like the sacred syllable ॐ — Omkareshwar is one of the most beautiful settings of any Jyotirlinga.
From the library
Related reading
Planning a Jyotirlinga Yatra: A Practical Guide
How to group the twelve Jyotirlingas into practical regional circuits, when to go, and what to prepare.