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PILGRIMAGE · MAHARASHTRABhimashankar
A Jyotirlinga of Shiva set deep in a lush Sahyadri wildlife sanctuary, wrapped in forest and mist.
A Jyotirlinga in the forest hills
Bhimashankar lies high in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, a revered temple town built around one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and the traditional source of the Bhima river.
What sets it apart is its setting: the shrine sits within a lush wildlife sanctuary of dense forest, home to the rare giant squirrel, with trails, waterfalls and viewpoints all around.
This blend of pilgrimage and pristine nature makes Bhimashankar a rewarding trip for both devotees and nature lovers, within reach of Pune and a green contrast to the plains for travellers from Gujarat.
The Bhimashankar temple stands amid the misty Sahyadri forest.
Reasons to make the time
Sacred Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the shrines where Shiva is held to have appeared as a column of light, and it draws pilgrims from across Maharashtra and beyond.
Forest sanctuary
The temple sits inside a declared wildlife sanctuary of dense Sahyadri forest, which is why the setting is so unlike other Jyotirlinga towns.
Giant squirrel
The Indian giant squirrel, Maharashtra's state animal, lives in the canopy here in numbers found in few other places — look up rather than ahead.
Hills & waterfalls
Forest trails, monsoon cascades and long mist-filled valleys make this as much a walking destination as a pilgrimage one.
Top sights in Bhimashankar
Photos via Wikimedia Commons
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Take darshan at the Jyotirlinga, reached down a long flight of steps below the main plaza; the shrine itself is small and old.
Walk the sanctuary
Walk the sanctuary trails, which run through genuinely dense forest rather than the scrubbier hill country found elsewhere in the range.
Spot the giant squirrel
Look for the Indian giant squirrel in the high canopy — early morning is when they move, and a guide makes it far more likely.
Visit Hanuman Lake
Sit a while by the water below the temple, which stays quiet even when the plaza above is busy with pilgrims.
See Gupt Bhimashankar
Find the source of the Bhima river, a modest spring that goes on to become one of the Deccan's major waterways.
When to go
The monsoon is when this place is at its most extraordinary — water in every fold of the hill and mist moving through the trees — though drives are slow and the steps are slick.
November to February is the comfortable season: cool, clear and dry, and the best combination for a temple visit and a long walk on the same day.
March to May is milder here than on the plains thanks to the elevation, but the forest is past its best and the streams have largely gone.
🚶 The temple involves a descent of steps, and forest trails can be slippery in the rains — wear sturdy shoes.
Timings & entry
- The temple opens early; aim to arrive before midday crowds.
- The approach is a scenic but winding ghat drive.
Getting there
By Air
Pune airport is the nearest, about three hours.
By Rail
Pune is the nearest major railhead.
By Road
About 700 km from Ahmedabad; a winding hill drive from Pune.
Know before you go
Bhimashankar FAQ
Why is Bhimashankar famous?
It holds one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and it is the rare one set inside a working wildlife sanctuary. It is also the traditional source of the Bhima river, which flows on across the Deccan to join the Krishna.
What wildlife lives there?
The Indian giant squirrel — the state animal of Maharashtra — is the sanctuary's flagship species, along with leopard, sambar, barking deer and a rich hill birdlife. The forest itself, tall and genuinely dense, is a large part of the appeal.
How far is Bhimashankar from Pune?
About 100 km from Pune, but the last stretch is a winding ghat climb and the drive takes closer to three hours. Do not plan around the distance alone.
When is the best time to visit?
The monsoon for the greenery and the waterfalls, if you can handle slow driving and wet steps; the cool winter months from November to February for comfortable trails and easier darshan.
How far is it from Gujarat?
About 700 km from Ahmedabad, almost always approached via Pune. Most travellers from Gujarat treat it as part of a wider Maharashtra trip rather than a destination on its own.
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Published 8 July 2026