Bhimeswar Dham

The Bhimasankar Dadash Jyotirling Dham is located in Dakini (daini) pahar (hill) in south-west of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is situated nearby to Dipor Beel (lake).

As per Shiv Puran, Lord Shiva incarnated here in Dakini hill to destroy a demon named Bhimasur. Bhimasur was son of Kumbhakarna and Karkati. Kumbhakarna, brother of Ravana (King of lanka) was in love with Karkati, daughter of King of Patal Lok. Karkati’s father was invited by Ravan to fight against Rama but Kubhakana refused to come until Ravan allowed to marry Karkati. After getting advice from Narada, Ravana agreed for the marriage of Kumbhakarna. Karkati gave birth to Kumbhakana’s son after his death in the war against Rama. Bhimasur challenged lord Vishnu after getting boon from lord Brahma and lord Vishnu lost the war to keep lord Vishnu’s boon. Later Bhimasur imprisoned king of Kamrup, Priyadharman and queen Dakshinadevi. Both Priyadharman and queen Dakshinadevi continued worshiping lord Shiva despite of being inside the prison, which Bhimasur didn’t liked and tried to kill Priyadharman while he was busy in his worship. Bhimasur’s sword fell on the linga instead of the king and instantly lord Shiva appeared and killed Bhimasur. It is believed that the sweat from his body formed a river which is the same stream which is running over the Jyotirlinga now.

Bhimeswar is the name given to the place where king Priyadharman and queen Dakshinadevi worshiped lord Shiva. It is believed that lord Shiva reside there by the nam of Bhimasankar.