One of the most sacred Hindu temples is Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga that is in the state of Maharashtra in India and lies in the mountains of Sahyadri near Pune. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas sacred to Lord Shiva, construction of which was done in Nagara style at 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) elevation. It is a serene religious place surrounded by thick forests and the starting point of Bhima River. According to the believers the demon Tripurasur was killed by Lord Shiva in Ardhnarishwar form with Parvati in this place. The temple has a Portuguese bell of the year 1729, which is connected to the history of Maratha. People visit the temple to see, do trekking and scenic views.
The temple lies 125 km away (~3-3.5 h by road) of Pune and ~200 km (~ 3-3.5h by bus) of Nashik. A one-way bus ticket to Pune or Manchar is on 200 rupees, and round trip taxi costs 500 rupees-700 rupees per person. Palanquins hired to carry elderly people or disabled are 500-700. The temple is accessed by a 200250-step climb by the devotees. Original Jyotirlinga darshan time is 5.00 AM (30 min) and 12.00 noon (10 min). The cost of homestays is 1,000 Rupees per night on twin-sharing basis. It will require 30-40 minutes to go on a 3km chop to Gupt Bhima Temple. The best time to visit is between October and March especially during Mahashivratri.
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Overview of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sahyadri Hills, Bhorgiri village, Pune district, Maharashtra (125 km from Pune) |
| Distance from Major Cities | Pune: 125 km, Nashik: ~200 km, Mumbai: ~220 km |
| Transport Options | Bus (MSRTC, ₹200 one-way), Taxi (₹500–₹700 per person round trip), Palanquin (₹500–₹700) |
| Temple Timings | 4:30 AM–9:30 PM; Original Jyotirlinga darshan at 5:00 AM (Aarti) and 12:00 PM (10 minutes) |
| Best Time to Visit | October–March, especially during monsoon (July–September) |
| Nearby Attractions | Bhima River origin, Gupt Bhima Temple, Vanaspati Point, Mahakal Van, Hanuman Lake |
| Accommodation | Homestays (₹1000 for 2 persons/night), MTDC Yatri Niwas (9.5 km from temple) |
The way to reach Bhimashankar jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga lies in the Sahyadri range hills where there is no direct bus or train connectivity since it is remote. Following are the key methods of reaching:
From Pune
BY TRAIN AND BUS/TAXI: Go to Pune by train. At Pune railway station, you may pay 50 to get Shivaji Nagar bus depot. Buses to Bhimashankar run by MSRTC are 200 rupees one way/person (330 a round trip) provided by MSRTC (330) (330) (330) with the duration of 3-3.5 hours. Taxis can be taken to 500 650/heads round trip.
By Road: The Pune road traverses through rustic countryside and through the beautiful Sahyadri hills. It is approximately 125 km route and would take approximately 3.5 hours to drive or take a taxi.
From Nashik
By bus: there is a bus service between Nashik and Pune and get down at Manchar or Narayangaon (on the way). Follow this by catching one more bus to Bhimashankar (200/person, 3-3.5 h). It is also a good choice to the people who travel to all the three Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra (Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar and Bhimashankar).
cessibility
There are a set of 200-250 steps which lead down to the main entrance of the temple. The staircase is created in such a way that there are small ramps between two or three to five ascending steps thus facilitating their climb by senior citizens or even disabled visitors. The inability to climb stairs can be accommodated through a palanquin service at 500-700 500-700 India rupees.
Timings of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is enveloped by a 5-faced silver shield all the time, except during the particular timings when the same takes the original form:
Morning Aarti (5:00 AM): Go there to attend the Aarti to view the original Jyotirlinga, and give water. Such a darshan takes 30 minutes.
Midday Darshan (12:00 PM): The Furious Form can be seen during 10 minutes.
The temple is open at 4 30 am to 930 pm and the earliest time to get the best darshan is the morning time so that there is a serene moment. The lingam darshan permits devotees to feel the lingam. This is something special.
Mythological and Historical Significance
It is written in the Tirthank and Shiv Puran according to which a demon called Tripurasur was living in the neighbourhood of Bhimashankar. Having acquired a benediction by Lord Shiva that men and women would not be able to kill him, he started cause trouble to the people. Sages requested Lord Shiva’s help. Tripurasur was defeated by Shiva who appeared in the form known as Ardhnarishwar along with Maa Parvati. Rejoiced with the piety of King Bhimak, who was a devotee around the area, Shiva took form of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. This Jyotirlinga is also the smallest of the twelve and it is a symbol of Ardhnarishwar of Shiva and Parvati.
Designed in Nagara style, the temple is a mixture of the new and the old architecture. Nana Phadnavis built the existing structure in the 18 th century. One outstanding feature is a huge Portuguese bell, that is dated 1729 and was installed after the Maratha fought the Portuguese. The bell, which belonged to a temple originally found images of Jesus and mother Mary signifying the glory of the Maratha empire.
Nearby Attractions of the temple
Bhimashankar offers more than just the temple. It is a paradise of nature lovers, and trekkers who have surrounded the place with Sahyadri hills and a wildlife sanctuary. Key attractions include:
Origin of Bhima River: There is a kund, adjacent to the temple, where the Bhima River begins, which subsequently merges with the Krishna River.
Gupt Bhima Temple: A 3 km trek (30–40 minutes) from the main temple, this cave temple is believed to be where the original Shivalinga was first seen. Being open in the day, it is closed at night because of wild fauna at night.
Vanaspati Point and Mahakal Van: These are
the places with dense forests and medicinal plants which are quite relaxing and look very beautiful.
Hanuman Lake: This is a beautiful site that takes 2 hours to drive away from the temple; it has a vast area where one goes birdwatching and has picnics.
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary: This is ideal in trekking and wildlife expedition where rare animals such as the Malabar Giant Squirrel exist.
What are the accomodation Options of the Temple
Bhimashankar is not well set in terms of good living accommodation because of continuous development of the temple site. Options include:
Homestays: There is also the homestay situated opposite the Bhimashankar bus stand with clean rooms at 1000 a night to stay for two people.
MTDC Yatri Niwas: This is a Maharashtra Tourism facility, around 9.5 km away from the temple, which offers huge rooms, food, parking and facilities such as CCTV, hot water. The check-in time is 10.00 AM and the check-out time is 11.00 AM.
Dharamshalas: They use local priests who organize temporary hutments or Dharamshalas (sort of hostel) near the village at nominal fees. A new dharamshala is under construction.
The majority of the worshippers have day tours to Bhimashankar either by bus or car and get back to the city in the evening. The last bus to Pune departs around 6:00 PM.
Local Culture and Cuisine
Mawa sweets are the most common prasad in Bhimashankar market and these are offered to the devotees. The culture of the town revolves around the Maharashtrian culture and the local foods include stuff such as vada pav, misal pav and bhakri. It is ideal combination of spirituality and adventure since its calm atmosphere and natural beauty are ideal.
Tips for Visitors
Best Time to Visit: October to March, with monsoon (July–September) offering lush greenery. Mahashivratri is a major festival.
Dress Code: Follow temple rules and dress modestly.
Trekking: During the non-monsoon seasons, one must also carry 3 liters of water in order not to become dehydrated.
Safety: No trek to Gupt bhima after evening since there are wild animals.
Booking: To book your accommodation and transportation use sites such as: YatraDham.org or MakeMyTrip.
FAQs
How can I reach Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga from Pune?
From Pune railway station, take an auto (₹50) to Shivaji Nagar bus depot. MSRTC buses (₹200 one-way, 3–3.5 hours) or taxis (₹500–₹700 round trip) are available. Alternatively, drive via Nashik Highway to Manchar, then take the Bhimashankar road (125 km, 3.5 hours).
What are the darshan timings for the original Jyotirlinga?
The original Jyotirlinga is visible during the morning Aarti at 5:00 AM (30 minutes) and at 12:00 PM (10 minutes). The temple opening hours range between 4.30 AM till 9.30 PM.
Is there a facility for elderly or disabled visitors?
Yes, ramps of 3-5 steps in between are present in the temple stairs so that movement can be easy. A palanquin service (₹500–₹700) is available for those unable to climb.
What is the significance of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga?
It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas which was established after Lord Shiva in Ardhnarishwar form along with Parvati defeated the demon Tripurasur. The temple is associated with the devotion of King Bhimak and origin of Bhima River.
Are there accommodation options near the temple?
Yes, homestays (₹1000 for 2 persons/night) are available near the bus stand, and MTDC Yatri Niwas (9.5 km away) offers comfortable rooms. Dharamshalas are also available for pilgrims.
What can I do besides visiting the temple?
Explore the Bhima River origin, Gupt Bhima Temple (3 km trek), Vanaspati Point, Mahakal Van, Hanuman Lake, and Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary for trekking and nature views.
When is the best time to visit Bhimashankar?
October to March is ideal, with monsoon (July–September) offering scenic beauty. Mahashivratri is a key festival attracting many devotees.