Bhimashankar Temple, Hindu temple and pilgrimage site in Maharashtra, India
Bhimashankar is a Hindu shrine at 926 meters elevation in the Western Ghats mountain range of Maharashtra state. The stone walls and carved pillars rise among thick forests, with a central tower above the inner sanctum.
The shrine was built in earlier centuries and marks a spot where divine events took place according to tradition. Later rulers expanded the complex and reinforced the stone structures.
The shrine takes its name from the deity Bhima, a local manifestation of divine power, and worshippers walk clockwise around the inner sanctum during their devotions. Pilgrims chant hymns in the forecourt while priests perform ritual offerings of flowers and incense.
Access is by road from Pune or Mumbai, with buses running regularly and the journey taking several hours. Visitors should wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, as strict dress codes apply.
The source of the Bhima River emerges directly beside the shrine and flows through the adjacent wildlife reserve. Visitors can see the beginning of the watercourse that later extends for hundreds of kilometers.
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