En
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is the sixth of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to Shiva Purana, Lord Bhimashankar is adorned on Sahya Mountain in Kaamroop country. Presently the temple of Shri Bhimashankar ji is situated on the banks of Bhima River on the Sahyadri Mountains, 110 km away from Pune.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is very huge, hence it is also known as Moteshwara Mahadev. This divine place is situated at an altitude of 3,250 feet. By seeing and worshipping this beneficial form of Lord Shiva, man becomes free from sin and attains the greatest worlds.
In ancient times, there was a demon named Bhima who lived on Sahya Mountain located in the Sahyadri mountain range. Bhima, under the influence of his ego of power, started torturing all the other living beings including the sages, saints and ascetics, as a result of which a situation of imbalance was created. Bhima, being the son of demon king Kumbhakaran and Karkati, was very strong and brave.
Once Bhima asked his mother Karkati about his father, O mother! Please tell me about my father of my father and tell me the reason for our living alone on this mountain. My heart has been longing to know this for a long time. To satisfy his son's curiosity, Karkati replied, Son! Your father was Kumbhakaran, the younger brother of Dashanan Ravana, the King of Lanka. Raghukulvanshi Shri Ram ji had killed him along with his brothers.
In ancient times, I was married to a demon named Viradha, who was killed by Shri Ram during his exile period (Aranyakanda). After that, she started living with her parents Pushkasi and Karkat. But one day my parents Pushkasi and Karkat attacked sage Agastya's disciple Sutikshna to make him their food, due to which sage Sutikshna get very angry. He was an extreme ascetic and seeker. Therefore, he reduced both of them to ashes with his power. In search of shelter after the death of my parents, I started living on this mountain with a sad heart. After some time, Mahabali Kumbhkaran arrives on that mountain. Kumbhakaran forcibly made relations with me and left for Lanka, because of which you were born. After that, I am living with you on this mountain only. You have received qualities like strength, bravery, courage and power from your father Kumbhakaran.
As soon as he heard these words from his mother, Kumbhakaran's son Bhima started burning with anger and took a vow that he would definitely take revenge on Lord Shri Hari Vishnu for the brutal murder of his maternal grandparents, Viradha and his father. To fulfill his resolve, Bhima engaged himself in severe penance. With complete devotion, he performed rigorous penance for Lord Brahma for a thousand years, as a result of which Lord Brahma became pleased and asked him to ask for the desired boon from Bhima. Bhima bowed to Lord Brahma and requested, O Chaturanana! Please grant me immense strength as a boon. After receiving the boon of incomparable strength and power from Lord Brahma, Bhima attacked Indraloka and defeated all the gods along with Lord Shri Hari Vishnu in the battle. After that, he decided to attack the earth. With the influence of Lord Brahma's boon, Bhima defeated the mighty Mahavira Maharaja Sudakshina on earth and took his entire kingdom and glory under his control. Maharaj Sudakshina was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and a devout king who ruled under the shelter of Lord Shiva. Bhima took Maharaj Sudakshina hostage in the prison.
King Sudakshina constructed a Parthiva Shivalinga in the prison itself and started worshipping it mentally. Here he was worshipping the mortal Shivalinga in the prison, on the other hand, his wife Rajvallabha Dakshina was also engaged in regularly constructing the Parthiva Shivalinga and worshipping it. After defeating Sudakshina, Bhima started spreading unrighteousness all over the earth and declared himself almighty by prohibiting the worship rituals like Havan, Yagya etc. performed for the gods.
Distraught by the atrocities of Bhima, all the deities and sages gathered on the banks of river Mahakoshi and started praying and worshipping Lord Shiva. Hearing the pitiful cries of the deities and sages, Lord Shiva appeared there and asked them to ask for the desired boon. The gods said, O Lord Mahadev, Lord Bholenath, the God of Gods, you are omniscient, you must know that Bhima, the son of Kumbhkarana and Karkati, is misusing the boon of Brahma ji and causing suffering to all the living beings, hence O Lord Shiva!, please bless. By doing this, free the universe from the atrocities of this evil demon.
Lord Shiva said to the gods, King Sudakshina of Kamroop is my greatest devotee, you give him this message of mine that I am going to appear there soon to punish Bhima for disrespecting the devotee of Shiva by being intoxicated with power. Therefore, be patient and worship me, undoubtedly the end of that demon is near. After giving the message of Lord Shiva to Maharaj Sudakshina, all the gods and sages returned to their respective abodes. After that, seeing Sudakshina ji worshipping the Parthiva Shivalinga in the prison, someone told Bhima that the king is doing some Sadhna with the desire of your destruction. As soon as this information was received, Bhima came to the prison with a sword to kill the king and roaring in anger he asked King Sudakshina, "What are you doing?" The king replied patiently, "I am worshipping Lord Bholenath Shiva Shambhu, the Lord of the entire universe." On hearing this, Bhima angrily used abusive words against Lord Shiva and attacked the Shivalinga with his sword.
Even before Bhima's sword touched the Parthiva Shivalinga, Lord Shiva himself appeared there and roared loudly and said, "I am always committed to protect my devotees and I appeared in the form of Bhimeshwara to protect my devotees." Therefore, now see my strength and courage which provides happiness to the devotees." As soon as he announced this, Lord Shiva cut Bhima's sword into pieces with the blow of his Pinaka bow. Thereafter, Bhima attacked Lord Shiva with his trident, which Lord Shiva divided into hundreds of pieces. In this way, a fierce war was taking place between Lord Shiva and the demon Bhima, due to which there was an uproar in the entire creation. Seeing no end to this fierce war, Devarshi Narad came before Kailashapati Shiva and requested, "O Trilokinath, who confuses the entire world with his illusion! Forgive me again and again but for the killing of a sinner as insignificant as this straw. What is the need for the almighty Shiva himself to use Pinaka? O Lord! Without further delay, please put an end to this evil quickly."
At the request of Devarshi Narada, Lord Shiva destroyed all the demons with just one roar and all the gods were surprised to see this. By the grace of Lord Bhimeshwara, joy and happiness prevailed in all the worlds and sages, saints, deities like Indra etc. hailed the Lord. The sages prayed to Lord Shiva, "O Bhimeshwara! This area is considered troublesome and condemned in the whole world, the residents here always suffer, hence, with your holy grace, purify this area and save the creation. Live here to provide happiness. O Lord of mercy! Your Darshan at this place will bring happiness, good fortune and welfare to the living beings.
Accepting the request of the sages and gods, Deenbandhu Lord Shiva became present at the same place in the form of Shri Bhimeshwara Jyotirlinga.
॥Iti Shri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Utpatti Katha Sampurna॥
Lord Shiva is worshipped on Maha Shivaratri day. It is believed that Lord Shiva was born as Linga at midnight on this day. Lord Shiva is worshipped in all the four Prahar of the night on Maha Shivaratri. Nishita Kaal Puja Time for Maha Shivaratri is given on this page.
Lord Shiva is one of the three main deities worshipped in Hinduism, namely Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesha, who are collectively known as Trimurti. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the universe and is also known by the names of Bholenath, Lord Shankara, etc.
108 Shiva Names mentioned in Shakta Pramod Grantha are the most popular 108 Names of Lord Shiva. Each name when combined with Om Namah becomes independent Mantra in itself and can be used for chanting as well as to perform Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali Homa.
Lord Shiva Chalisa is provided with lyrics and recitation video. Devotees of Lord Shiva recite this Chalisa to please Him and seek His blessings.
Lord Shiva Aarti is provided with lyrics and recitation video. It's a widely known and melodious Aarti dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Lord Mahadev Aarti is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very popular Aarti dedicated to the Mahadeva form of Lord Shiva.
Shivaratri Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi consisting of all the main steps of worship like Sankalpa, Dhyana, Avahana, Asana, Arghya etc. has been provided along with Mantra. With the help of this Puja Vidhi, you can take full advantage of Maha Shivaratri by performing worship in a proper manner.
Maha Shivaratri Greeting Cards with pictures of Shiva Mukha Lingam, Swayambhu Shiva Lingam Abhishek, Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash and Shiva Grinding Bhang are given. You can send Maha Shivaratri greetings to your loved ones through these beautiful pictures.
All Masik Shivaratri that occur during a year are listed. According to the Hindu calendar, Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of every month is celebrated as Masik Shivaratri. Devotees of Lord Shiva observe a one-day fast on this occasion.
All Mondays or Somwar which fall during Shravana month are considered highly auspicious for fasting to seek blessing of Lord Shiva and known as Shravana Somwar. Most states follow regional calendars due to which dates of Sawan Somwar might differ by 2 weeks.
In North India, Shivaratri which falls during the auspicious month of Shravana is known as Sawan Shivaratri. Except Hindi belt in North India, in rest of India Sawan begins one or two days after Sawan Shivaratri.
Pradosh Vrat, also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu calendar, this fast is observed on the Trayodashi Tithi of both Shukla and Krishna Paksha of the lunar month. Pradosham days for whole year are listed on this page.
Various types of Lord Shiva Rangoli designs and Shiva Linga Rangoli designs are given. The method of making beautiful Rangoli is also described step by step through pictures. With the help of these pictures, one can make Rangoli very easily.
Om Namah Shivaya i.e. the Mula Mantra of Lord Shiva is the most powerful Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tryambakam, the death defeating Mantra of Lord Shiva. Om Tatpurushaya, the Rudra Gayatri Mantra of Lord Shiva are few powerful Mantra to please and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
A detailed Shodashopachara Shiva Puja Vidhi dedicated to Lord Shiva is provided. In the presented Puja Vidhi, all the sixteen steps of Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi including Dhyana, Avahana, Padya, Arghya, and Achamaniya are described with Mantras.
Shiva Ramashtakam is given with lyrics and recitation video. It is a very melodious and effective Ashtakam dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shri Shiva Ashtottarashatanama Stotram is given with lyrics and video. Reciting this Stotram is considered to be very auspicious and fruitful.
