About Bhimashankar
A Jyotirlinga deep in the Sahyadri forest at 1,034 metres, 110 km from Pune — the temple complex doubles as a wildlife sanctuary protecting the giant Indian squirrel (shekru), Maharashtra's state animal.
History
The sixth of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Tradition says Shiva manifested here to defeat the demon Tripurasura — the sweat of his battle formed the river Bhima which rises near the temple. The current Nagara-style sanctum, with its later hemadpanti additions in black stone, was largely built by the 18th-century Peshwa minister Nana Phadnavis and his Pune patrons. The temple is unusual for sitting inside a designated wildlife sanctuary (Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, declared in 1985) — covering 130 sq km of evergreen forest where the giant Indian squirrel (Ratufa indica), with its 2-ft-long tail, glides between teak and Anjani trees overhead. Pilgrims and nature lovers cross paths on the same forest trails.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Entry fees in your currency
- Sanctuary entry (Indian)₹50$…
- Sanctuary entry (Foreigner)₹400$…
- VIP Darshan₹250$…
- Vehicle parking₹100$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Bhimashankar?
Free temple entry. Sanctuary entry and special darshan are paid separately.
- Sanctuary entry (Indian)₹50
- Sanctuary entry (Foreigner)₹400
- VIP DarshanSkip-the-line on weekends and festival days₹250
- Vehicle parkingCars; ₹50 for two-wheelers₹100
- Open 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. all days
- Sanctuary visits restricted to designated trails; guide compulsory in monsoon
- Photography allowed in the temple courtyard but not in the inner sanctum
Plan your visit
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Travel Tips
- From Pune: 4-hour drive via Manchar; from Mumbai: 6 hours via Karjat
- Avoid weekends — the temple parking fills by 8 a.m. on Saturdays during winter
- Combine with the Hanuman Lake nature walk — the best chance of spotting a shekru
- Trekkers' alternate route: from Khandas village (10 km, 4–5 hours) via the historic Shidi Ghat and Ganesh Ghat trails
- Carry cash — card machines are unreliable in the temple complex shops
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Hanuman Mandir — at the lake, 1.5 km from the main temple
- Bhimashankar Forest's Gupt Bhimashankar — a hidden lingam in a forest stream, 1 km via the canopy walk
- Kamalja Devi Temple — Shiva's consort here, behind the main temple
How to Reach Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar is located in Maharashtra, India at coordinates 19.0724°N, 73.5363°E. You can reach Bhimashankar by air (nearest airport in Maharashtra), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Bhimashankar?
- The best time to visit Bhimashankar is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Bhimashankar?
- From Pune: 4-hour drive via Manchar; from Mumbai: 6 hours via Karjat. Avoid weekends — the temple parking fills by 8 a.m. on Saturdays during winter. Combine with the Hanuman Lake nature walk — the best chance of spotting a shekru. Trekkers' alternate route: from Khandas village (10 km, 4–5 hours) via the historic Shidi Ghat and Ganesh Ghat trails. Carry cash — card machines are unreliable in the temple complex shops.
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