Forgotten spiritual landmark of Guwahati on the path of revival

Guwahati, ancient Pragjyotishpura in Kamrup, now in the state of Assam has often been termed as a spiritual gateway with the Kamakhya Shaktipeeth. However, not many are aware that Bhimeswar Dwadas Jyotirlinga Dham, located at Dakini Hill just beside the Deepor Beel, is one the twelve Jyotirlingas which represents the radiant sign of Lord Shiva. It is situated about 3 kms from Gorchuk Chariali on the national highway towards Meghalaya. Its closest landmark is Parijat Academy, Pamohi. In Sanskrit, ‘Jyotirlinga’ means the pillar of light. Mahadev, the Lord, incorporates in Himself the aura and the holiness of all the twelve Jyotirlingas. The exact location of a Jyotirlinga is a subject of debate. Bhimeswar Dham at Guwahati is interpreted by the devotees to be the same Dwadas Jyotirlinga of the Bheemashankar Dham in Pune. There is a mention of real Bhimeswar Dham in Guwahati according to the Shiva Purana which states that Bheemashankar Jyothirlinga is in Guwahati, Kamrup, in the state of Assam.  It is on the Dakini Parvat that Lord Shiva appeared as a divine light to protect His great devotee King Kamarupeshwar of Kamrup from the demon King Bheemasura and hence Lord Shiva is known as Bheemashankar. But this holy shrine remained unknown to the general public for a very long time. The archaeological department has put a board outside in Assamese proclaiming it as Dimbeswar Swamy. According to mythology, a demon named Bheema was born to Kumbhkarna, brother of Ravana, King of Lanka and Karkatee. Bheema was a torturer of all creatures and was anti-religious. He possessed limitless power gained from severe penance after which he received a boon from Lord Brahma. It is said that Lord Shiva destroyed Bheema when he was about to strike the Lingam, which was worshipped by His devotee King Kamarupeshwar, with a sword. Bheema had imprisoned the Kamrupeshwar (also called Priyadharman) and his wife Dakshinadevi. On the request of His devotees, Lord Shiva stayed there as the Bheemashankar Jyotirlingam. Lord Shiva’s agitation (kshob) sparked fire and burnt Bheemasura to ashes and for this reason the mountain had been named as ‘Kshobak’. There is no temple here. Instead there is a hill stream surrounding the Shivalinga and one can observe continuous water flowing over the Linga. The sweat from Shiva's body forms the river, said to be the same stream which is running over the Jyotirlinga. Panchadhara (water flowing in five directions over Jyotirlinga) and the name of the Shivalinga, known to local people here, is Panchdhara Dimbeswar Swamy. There is also a Lord Ganesha temple half way up to this dham. It is believed that whenever people in neighbourhood try to construct a temple, the elements destroy the same and never let any construction to take place. A few years ago, local people wanted to construct a temple and the very next day there was a flood which washed off the initial construction. On auspicious Shravan Monday (the auspicious Mondays fall in the month of Shravan which is currently on and the last Monday will fall on 15th August this year) the site witnessed a large gathering of devotees among whom was MLA, Suman Haripriya, braving the long stretch barefoot despite the scorching heat. There were bhog prasad counters and people served each other in the true essence of humanity.