Country India Elevation 91 m (299 ft) Website "bhimsankarjyotirling" Important festival Maha Shivaratri | State/province Orissa Important festivals Shivratri District Rayagada district Primary deity Shiva | |
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Similar Aisanyesvara Siva Temple, Akhadachandi Temple, Maa Markama Temple, Jagannath Temple - Rayagada, Siddhesvara Siva Temple | ||
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Dakinyam), Bhimpur, is a Hindu temple situated in the western part of the holy Mahendragiri mountains on the Mahendratanaya river in the Indian state of Orissa. It is debated to be the Dakini area and the Jyotirlingam found there is believed to be one among the 12 Jyotirlingams.
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History
According to Linga Purana written by Maharshi Vedavyas and as translated by Babaji Baishnaba Chrana Das in Oriya, one of the 12 jyotirlingams is in Dakinye Bhima shankara. As described in Mahabharat and as believed by many historians, Dakini is between the western part of Maahendragiri river to Godavari river. It is believed that in the Dwadash jyoritlinga strotram of Shankaracharya the words "Dakinyam Bhimsankar" refers to the Dakini area.
The specialty of the Jyotirlingam is the quadrangular Shakti around the Linga decorated by a Upavita as per the puran. This place came into light after it was excavated in the year 1974. The nearby Machha Diian (Jumping fish)Odia: ମାଛଡିଆଁ waterfall in Mahendra tanaya river attract devotees as well as tourists throughout the year.
Geography
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Gunupur and at a distance of 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the district headquarters and located near the sangam of Mahendratanaya river and Vamsadhara.