Bhimashankar, Pune district, Maharashtra · 19.0717°, 73.5538°
Forest Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri ghats at the source of the Bhima river, wrapped in a wildlife sanctuary that shelters the giant flying squirrel. The shrine mixes 13th-century core with Nana Phadnavis's 18th-century shikhara; the trek routes from Karjat side are Maharashtra's classic pilgrim-hiker blend.
Shiva destroyed the rakshasa Bhima — son of Kumbhakarna — who had imprisoned a devotee-king; the sweat of the battle-heated lord streamed down to become the Bhima river, and at the devas' plea he remained as the Jyotirlinga on the ridge.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Maratha