Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: Understanding the Controversy and Its Spiritual Significance

According to the Shiva Purana, there are 64 Jyotirlingas in India, of which 12 are considered Maha Jyotirlingas of utmost importance. The sixth of these, Bhimashankar, is at the centre of an ongoing location debate between Maharashtra and Assam, both of which have temples associated with the name.

The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, describes the sixth Jyotirlinga's location as "Dakini" - a name associated with both the Dakini hills near Guwahati, Assam, and the region of Maharashtra where the well-established temple stands. Scholars remain divided on the interpretation of this reference, with the debate resurfacing publicly after Assam's tourism department referenced the Kamrup site in its promotional material.

Two Legends: One story tells of the demon Tripurasura, granted immortality by Shiva on the condition he use it for good, who eventually broke his promise. Shiva and Parvati together, as Ardhanari Nateshwara, defeated him after a battle said to have formed the source of the Bhima River in Maharashtra. A second legend tells of the demon Bhima, son of Kumbhakarna, who imprisoned King Sudarshan of Kamrup (Assam) for worshipping Shiva - until Shiva appeared and destroyed Bhima, later manifesting as the Jyotirlinga to mark his victory.

The Maharashtra Temple: Located amid the Sahyadri Mountains near Pune, the temple is believed to have been built in the 13th century CE, with the Sabha Mandap added in the 18th century by Phadnavis, blending Nagara architectural styles. It sits within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the Indian giant squirrel and Malabar grey hornbill, and draws thousands of devotees each Maha Shivaratri.

The Assam Site: Known as Bhimeshwar Dham in the Dakini Hills near Guwahati, no temple structure exists here - the Jyotirlinga is said to lie beneath a continuously flowing hill stream, with local accounts describing repeated failed attempts to build a temple around it.

Whichever location scholars ultimately favour, both sites continue to draw devoted worshippers, a reminder that questions of history and geography rarely diminish the depth of religious devotion surrounding India's sacred sites.