Tucked away in Guwahati, a hidden gem believed to be the 6th Jyotirlinga of Mahadev sits amidst nature with a stream flowing nearby. This sacred site, mentioned in the Shiv Purana, holds a strong connection to the Ramayana as the son of Kumbhakarna resided here with his mother.
Situated in Daini or Dakini Pahar near Pamohi in Guwahati, the Bhimashankar Dham Jyotirlinga Temple stands beside the Deepor Beel.
Jyotirlinga means 'Radiant signs of Lord Shiva,' where 'Jyoti' is light, and 'lingam' is a sign or image. These are special manifestations of Shiva, and even though there are said to be 64 Jyotirlingas, only 12 are considered the most important. As you walk through the stairs, the sound of the water from the stream becomes clearer.
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Many people don't know the difference between Jyotirlinga and Shivalinga. The main distinction is that while both are objects worshipped by Lord Shiva, Shivalinga can be set up by people in temples or other places. In contrast, Jyotirlinga is believed to have naturally emerged from the Earth.
At the entrance, a Ganesh temple must be crossed to reach the main temple. After a 10-minute walk, one arrives at the main entrance, from where a series of stairs lead to the temple premises. Visitors traverse the road leading up to the temple, and the Jyotirlinga is surrounded by the magical waters of the stream.
The priest of the temple told us about the legend behind this place mentioned in the Shiva Purana. He said, “Long ago, in a tale from the Shiva Purana, Kumbhakarna, the brother of Ravana, fell in love with Karkati, the daughter of the King of Patal Lok. After their marriage, Kumbhakarna went off to war and unfortunately didn't return. Karkati, though, gave birth to their son, Bhimasura.”
He went on to narrate how Bhimasura sought a boon from Lord Brahma through penance, and after getting it, he challenged Lord Vishnu. Despite Vishnu's loss of upholding Brahma's boon, Bhimasura became arrogant and conquered kingdoms. He even imprisoned King Kamrupeshwar and Queen Dakshinadevi, who continued to worship Lord Shiva in captivity. When Bhimasura tried to stop their worship, the king did not obey. Hence Bhimasura asked them to call Shiva to that place. And Lord Shiva appeared and defeated Bhimasura. Gods, sages, and devotees called Ganga to put out the fire that was ignited when Shiva incinerated Bhimasura. That’s the reason there is a stream running over the Jyotirlinga.
Some also believe that the sweat from Shiva's body formed a river, now said to flow over the Jyotirlinga. This sacred place where the king worshipped was then named Bhimeswar, and, upon request, Lord Shiva decided to stay there forever as Bhimashankar.
The priest continued, “The Bhimashankar temple in Maharashtra, believed to be the 6th Jyotirlinga, is not the real one. According to Shiv Puran, it had been mentioned there that there are 12 Jyotirlingas, one of which is in Assam’s Dakini Hills.”
Devotees from various parts of Assam come to offer prayers, with more during Sawan and Bole Boom.
A devotee from Delhi said, “It’s my first time here. I came from Delhi just to offer prayers to the lord. This temple holds significant history; I feel blessed to be here.”
There's also a park-like open area for relaxation and enjoyment, as well as a parking spot where vehicles can be parked with a purchased ticket.
That’s the significance of the Bhimashankar Dham Jyotirlinga Temple. Visit this peaceful place to connect with Lord Shiva.