Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple in Pune - Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is one among the 12 popular Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva in India as mentioned in the Shiva Purana.

Bhimashankar Temple Info:

Primary Deity	Lord Shiva
Locale	Bhimashankar
District	Pune
State	Maharashtra
Pincode	410509
Festivals	Mahashivratri
Darshan Time	5.00 AM to 9.30 PM

Local languages spoken at this place are Marathi and Hindi.

Bhimashankar Temple Attractions:

The temple is surrounded by the western Ghats or Sahyadri mountain ranges. Bhimashankar can be considered, a pilgrim paradise during winter and monsoon season.

The temple has an impressive and beautiful wood-carved entrance.

The outer corridor of the temple houses a 15 to 20 feet high "Deepmala" or lamppost.

The temple is present at a height of 900 meters above sea level and is surrounded by thick jungle which is declared as a wildlife sanctuary and is a paradise for nature lovers.

If you are lucky enough you can find the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), the State animal of Maharashtra here at this place.

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is full of fauna and rich in herbs and medicinal plants.

Bhima River:

The Bhima River, which is a major river in South India, originates near Bhimashankar temple.There is a sign board which takes you to the birthplace of Bhima River on footpath way to the Bhimashankar temple.

The river flows through three states Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana states, before merging in the Krishna River covering 535 miles near Raichur, Karnataka.

Another name for Bhima River is Chandrabhaga River.

Places to Visit near Bhimashankar:

Nearby temples surrounding Lord Shiva temple in Bhimashankar are:

1. Dattatreya Temple
2. Sri Ram Temple
3. Goddess Kamalaja Mata Temple

Other Jyotirlinga Temples in Maharashtra:

1. Parli Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple in Beed District
2. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Nashik District
3. Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Aurangabad District
4. Aundha Nagnath Nageshwar Temple

Aundha Nagnath Nageshwar Temple is located in Hingoli District. It is considered as the eighth Jyotirlinga temple of the famous Twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

But, some consider Nageshvara Temple near Dwaraka in Gujarat State as the eighth Jyotirlinga temple.

Bhimashankar Temple Dress Code:

There is no specific dress code in the Bhimashankar Temple. But it is better to wear a traditional dress during a visit to the Jyotirlinga Temple.

How to Reach Bhimashankar Temple:

By Road:

Tourists can easily reach Bhimashankar temple from Pune city via Manchar and complete their itinerary in one day.

From Mumbai city, direct Maharashtra State Transport buses are available from Kalyan and Kurla Nehrunagar.

Government MSRTC buses are available at regular intervals from the Shivajinagar Bus Terminus to reach the temple.

By Air:

Pune Airport at Lohegaon is the nearest Airport to reach Bhimashankar temple at a distance of roughly 110 km.

Mumbai Airport is at a distance of 221 km and Aurangabad Airport is at a distance of 277 km from Bhimashankar.

By Train:

Pune is the nearest Railway Station at a distance of 110 km via NH 50 and MH SH 54.

Khandala Railway Station is at a distance of 128 km and Lonavala Railway Station is at a distance of 125 km from Bhimashankar.

Food and Accommodation:

The Bhimashankar temple area is dotted with a number of eateries and fast food restaurants.

Several hotels are also present near the temple.

Lodging and boarding are available for a small fee in Dharamshala, near the village.

Pilgrims can get private room accommodation facility and good food at local Bhimashankar Hotels near bus stand and at temple surroundings.

MTDC Accommodation Facility is available at the nearby village.

Resorts at Bhimashankar:

1. Blue Mormon Jungle Holiday Resort
2. Natraj Holiday Resort (8 KM)

Bhimashankar temple Distance:

Khed 49.5 KM
Pune 109 KM
Mumbai 210 KM

Best Time:

There is a continuous flow of Pilgrims throughout the year at Bhimashankar temple.

Winter season from October to February is the best period to visit Bhimashankar temple.

The atmosphere will be exceptionally pleasant during this period, with a constant cool breeze from the surrounding forest with evergreen trees.

This is the best period for Adventure Junkies and Nature Lover's.

Nearby Attractions:

1. Manchar Ashtavinayak Temples
2. Alandi Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir
3. Prati Balaji Temple at Narayanpur village
4. Baneshwar Mahadev Temple

Another best tourist place to visit Bhimashankar Temple darshan is Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi.

Distance between Shirdi to Bhimashankar temple is around 180 km via MH SH 112 and NH 50.

Frequently Asked Questions?

How many steps you need to climb to reach Bhimashankar temple?

Around 200 very wide steps.

Is there any transportation facility available for senior citizens?

Chair facility or "Dolly" is available for the senior citizens from bus stand to the temple.

What are the temple darshan timings?

Darshan Timings is from Morning 5.00 AM to Night 9.30 PM.

Author Note:

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Bhimashankar Temple Route Map: