Bhimsen Or Bhimeshwar

One day, my colleague asked me whether the idol of the god of Dolakha Bhimsen or Bhimeshwar. I instantly replied that it is both and told him the legend of “Ek Shila Tin Avatar” or Trinity of Bhimeshwar. But I myself became curious about it and kept on searching for reasons for calling the Bhimeshwar idol a Trinity.

The former chief of Gaurishankar Campus, late Bal Krishna Joshi, who first used the now-popular term "Ek Shila Tin Avatar" (Hamro Sanskriti, 2024) and mentioned the mythology of the porters installing the idol of Bhimsen, is found to have revised the article before his demise. In addition to that popular mythology, he has added another mythological story regarding the installation of the idol.

Another legend he has mentioned about the origin of Bhimeshwar is like this: at the time of Guptabas, the Pandavs had reached Dolakha city through dense forests and high mountains. At that time, Draupadi, the consort of five Pandavs, was very tired and unable to walk and started crying while telling everyone about her tiredness. Considering her weak physical condition, Bhimsen, one of the five Pandavas, looked towards Gaurishankar Mountain and worshipped and prayed to Lord Mahadev, meditating deeply, after which Draupadi was able to walk healthily.

After seeing such a favour of Mahadev towards his family, Bhimsen established Mahadev's idol in the form of Shivlinga. Since Shivlinga, in the form of a rock (Shila), is the idol of Mahadev established by Bhimsen, this rock is called Bhimeshwar. It is also because behind the various names of Mahadev, we find the term “Ishwar” connected in the end, such as Kumbheshwar of Patan, Indreshwar of Panauti, Chandeshwar of Banepa, Doleshwar of Sipadol, Kirateshwar of Debapatan, etc.

Similarly, the Shivlinga installed by Lord Ram, which is very famous in India, is also called Rameshwar. Here is the short story about the installation of Rameshwar Shivlinga. 

After Ram killed Rawan in Lanka, he returned to Gandhamardan Mountain. The sages advised Ram to atone in front of Shivlinga to get rid of the sin of killing a Brahmin. Ram decided to worship in Rameshwaram by establishing the Shivlinga. But there was no Linga there, so Lord Ram sent Hanuman to Kailash to bring the Linga from Shivaji. But Hanuman could not return with Linga to install on an auspicious time. So Sita prepared a linga from the sand. Shri Ram installed the Linga and worshipped it. This Linga was called Ramlinga or Rameshwar because it was installed by Ram.

After some time, Hanuman returned with the Linga, feeling sad that his task was complete. Ram consoled him and told him to install the Linga he had brought next to the one already in place. He explained that pilgrims would first worship the Kashi Vishwanath Linga before offering prayers to Rameshwor. 

This practice continues till today. Ramehswar of India and Bhimeshwar of Dolakha are different in one respect: Rameshwar is worshipped only as Rameshwar, while Bhimeshwar of Dolakha is worshipped as Trinity or "Ek Shila Tin Avatar," i.e., Bhimsen, Bhimeshwar, and Bhairav, who accepts animal sacrifices.

 Even in Dolakha, locals call lord Bhimsen "Bhimsindeu," which means Bhimeshwar. Therefore, Bhimsen's image in the form of a rock is Lord Bhimsen, Bhimeshwar, and also Bhairav. As Bhimsen Maharaj, every day the idol is decorated with jewellery and worshipped, which is known as “Raspuja. Similarly, there is a tradition of performing Rudri and worshipping in the form of Bhimeshwar Mahadev. For the sake of planetary peace, the residents of Dolakha city perform Rudri with great reverence in the form of Mahadev on their birthdays and other times when they desire. In the history of Dolakha (Dolakha Ko Etihasik Ruprekha), the rock form of the God Bhimsen has been mentioned as the "Shivlinga-shaped idol."

A Bansawali has also confirmed that Bhimsen was a great devotee of Mahadev and used to install the statue of Mahadev wherever he liked. It has been mentioned in a rare book titled “Nepal Desh Ko Itihas” (Ancient Nepal): "Someday Bhimsen came from Dolakha to play water sports in Nepal (Kathmandu Valley), where demon Danasur had blocked the water of the river Bagmati, played riding a boat all day long, and chased away the demon maidens, including Danasur’s beloved daughter, and established "Bhimeshwar Shivlinga" there and returned to Dolakha. It is said that this boat is still in Bhimdhunga".

According to Ramapati Raj Sharma (Jhigu Bhay and Waya Riddhi Siddhi), "The terrible form of Shiva is Bhairav, who is a Tantric deity. There is a story behind why Mahadev is called Bhairav. Initially, Brahma was said to have five heads. Once, Brahma committed an unforgivable crime in front of Mahadev, and in his anger, Mahadev cut off Brahma's fifth head. 

As a result, Brahma was cursed to remain as a ghost. However, Mahadev also committed the sin of Brahmahatya by severing the head. This caused him to develop an unnamed disease, making him appear very ugly. Seeing his own frightening transformation, Mahadev became terrified, and this fearful form of Mahadev came to be known as Bhairav. 

To cut the arguments short, according to late Prof. Bal Krishna Joshi, Lord Bhimeshwor takes the form of Bhairav at the time of animal sacrifice, takes the form of Mahadev at the time of Rudri, and takes the form of Bhimsen Maharaj at the time of daily worship known as “Ras Puja” and other times. This is the reality. 

The several types of evidence found in Bhimeswor temple and the practices followed in the temple from time immemorial prove this beyond doubt. It can, thus, be said that we do not need to be confused whether the rock idol is Lord Bhimsen or Bhimeshwar; it is both and also Bhairav.

Dr. Joshi is a professor of business economics and writes on economic and cultural issues.