Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar · Khed, Pune district, Maharashtra
A Jyotirlinga within Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, a habitat of the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru). The temple is deep in the Sahyadri hills, about 125 km from Pune.
Online Darshan Pass: Check Before Travel
During the current construction phase, darshan is restricted to 7–11 AM. The Trust provides a Darshan Pass page; use it and follow its current instructions before travel.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
7:00 AM
to 11:00 AM
Daily Aarti
5:30 AM · 12 PM · 8 PM
Pre-renovation schedule: darshan currently restricted to 7–11 AM (see notice above). Verify before visiting.
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Traditional Attire
No shorts or sleeveless · Modest wear required in sanctum · Shoes off at gate
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Best: Oct – Feb (Shekru spotting season) · Monsoon trails are slippery
Security Rules
No Phones
No photography inside sanctum · Cloakroom available at temple entrance
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 15–30 min
Mon – Fri
Weekends
Approx. 30–60 min
Sat & Sun
Festivals
Approx. 1–3 hrs
Maha Shivratri · Kartik Purnima
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
Wildlife Sanctuary & the Shekru
A Jyotirlinga within a Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary · Maharashtra State Animal
Bhimashankar stands within a protected wildlife sanctuary in the Sahyadri hills. The sanctuary provides habitat for the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica), known in Marathi as Shekru, the state animal of Maharashtra. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed; observe animals quietly and follow forest rules.
Shekru
Maharashtra state animal
Endemic
Western Ghats endemic
Dawn & Dusk
Best spotting hours
How to Spot the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru)
- 1
During the current construction phase, plan darshan only within the 7:00–11:00 AM official window and book the free pass before travel. Dawn is still best for wildlife on the approach road, but the 4:30 AM Kakada Aarti is normal-schedule only.
- 2
The Shekru is a large, brightly coloured squirrel with a distinctive maroon, cream, and purple coat. It lives high in the tall moist deciduous forest and is easiest to spot while it feeds or travels through the canopy.
- 3
Dusk (5–6 PM) is the second-best window. After your darshan and the evening aarti, take a slow walk along the forest paths near the sanctuary entrance.
- 4
The best season for Shekru spotting is October to February, when the forest is clear and visibility is best. Monsoon (June–September) is lush but makes spotting harder.
Puja Schedule
6 rituals · Daily
Normal scheduleThese are the temple's normal daily rituals. Post-renovation, darshan is currently restricted to 7–11 AM only; confirm the current window before travel. Timings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Wildlife Sanctuary
Habitat of Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru)
Temporary Darshan Hours
7:00–11:00 AM during construction · Online pass required · Check the official notice before travel
From Pune
About 125 km · Allow around 3.5 hours by road, depending on traffic
directions_transitHow to Reach Bhimashankar
By Train
Pune Junction · 125 km
By Flight
Pune International Airport (Lohgaon) (PNQ) · 125 km
By Road
Pune → Rajguru Nagar → Manchar → Taleghar → Bhimashankar · 125 km
hotelWhere to Stay
MTDC Resort Bhimashankar: ₹1,500 to ₹3,500/night
Maharashtra Tourism (MTDC) operates a resort 9 km from the temple. Book online at mtdc.co.in or call 08062615753. Government-run, reliable. Best option if you want to stay overnight near Bhimashankar.
Budget Hotels Near Temple: ₹800 to ₹1,500/night
A handful of small hotels within 1 km of the temple. Very limited inventory; book well in advance for weekend and festival dates. Hotel Sai Yash Bhimashankar is the closest.
Stay in Pune + Day Trip: ₹800 to ₹8,000+/night
Most visitors do Bhimashankar as a day trip from Pune (125 km, 3.5 hrs). Pune has the full range of hotels from budget to luxury. Start early; aim to arrive by 5:30 AM for Nijarup Darshan.
Very limited accommodation near the temple. Most visitors do a day trip from Pune. Accommodation in Pune books out during Mahashivratri; reserve 3–4 months ahead.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Oct – Feb · Best
Cool and pleasant (18–28°C by day). Best for Shekru spotting, temple darshan, and trekking. No rain. Mahashivratri (Feb/Mar) brings enormous crowds; plan well ahead or avoid. Perfect for Pune/Mumbai day trips.
Mar – May · Warm
Temperatures rise to 30–38°C. During the construction phase, use the official 7–11 AM darshan window and avoid the hottest part of the day. Good time for the Nagphani viewpoint trek before the heat builds.
Jun – Sep · Monsoon
The Sahyadri forest turns spectacularly lush. Waterfalls appear throughout the approach road. Slippery roads require careful driving. Trek routes become hazardous. Good for experienced pilgrims who enjoy the monsoon atmosphere.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circleUse the 7–11 AM construction-phase window. The Trust’s normal timetable starts with worship at 5 AM, but current visitor darshan is restricted. Check the pass page before travelling.
- check_circleLook for the Shekru in the forest canopy. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is an important habitat for the Indian Giant Squirrel, Maharashtra's state animal. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; observe quietly and follow forest rules.
- check_circleAsk locally before attempting the Gupt Bhimashankar trail. Trail conditions and access can change with weather and forest restrictions. Use a recognised local route and do not enter closed forest areas.
- check_circlePlan your exit before the Madhyan Aarti (3:00 PM) on the normal schedule. On the normal schedule the temple closes for 45 minutes at 3 PM for the Madhyan Aarti; aim to finish by 2:30 PM or stay for the 7:30 PM Sandhya Aarti. Note: post-renovation darshan is currently 7–11 AM only; confirm the current window before travel.
- check_circleConfirm current sanctuary entry rules at the checkpoint. Vehicle charges and access rules can change. Carry a small amount of cash and follow forest-department instructions.
Temple Highlights
Within Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhimashankar stands within a protected wildlife sanctuary that provides habitat for the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru), Maharashtra's state animal. Follow current forest and road advisories during the visit.
Source of the Bhima River
The Bhima River (861 km long and a major tributary of the Krishna) originates here. According to legend, the river formed from Lord Shiva's perspiration after his battle with the demon Bhimasur. The river flows past Solapur and Pandharpur before joining the Krishna in Karnataka.
Hemadpanthi Architecture
The temple is built in the Hemadpanthi style, a medieval Maharashtra architectural tradition characterised by precise stone construction without mortar and intricate carvings. Named after minister Hemadri Pandit of the 13th century Yadava dynasty, this style is found across many sacred sites in Maharashtra.
Closest Jyotirlinga to Pune
At just 125 km from Pune (3.5 hrs) and about 240 km from Mumbai (5.5 hrs), Bhimashankar is the closest Jyotirlinga to Pune and easily reached from Mumbai via Pune. It is a popular weekend pilgrimage and can be done as a day trip from either city.
Major Festivals
Maha Shivaratri
The single most important festival at Bhimashankar. Lakhs of devotees converge from across Maharashtra. All-night vigil and continuous abhishek. The approach road and temple complex become extremely congested.
What to do: Book accommodation in Pune 3–4 months ahead. Start from Pune by midnight to arrive for the early morning rituals. Expect very long queues; allow 4–6 hours for darshan.
Shravan Month Mondays
Each Monday of the holy Shravan month draws huge crowds for Jal Abhishek. The Sahyadri monsoon makes the approach road lush. Significant traffic on the narrow mountain road.
What to do: During the construction phase, book the free Darshan Pass and arrive within the official 7–11 AM window. Avoid Shravan Mondays if crowd management concerns you; visit on a weekday for the same spiritual energy.
Construction-Phase Darshan: 2026
The official site currently says darshan is restricted to 7–11 AM while construction continues. The Trust provides an online Darshan Pass page.
What to do: Use the pass page, follow its current instructions and confirm the visitor window before travelling, or call 02135 222 880.
Kartik Purnima
Sacred full moon occasion in the Kartika month. A spiritually auspicious time for darshan. October–November is also the best season for wildlife spotting in the sanctuary, making this a particularly complete pilgrimage experience.
What to do: October–November is the best overall time to visit Bhimashankar, with good weather, moderate crowds, best Shekru spotting, and the festive Kartika atmosphere.
The Story of Bhimashankar
The legend of Bhimashankar centers on the demon Bhimasur, son of Kumbhakarna (the sleeping giant of the Ramayana). Bhimasur performed severe austerities and obtained powers from Brahma, then used them to torment both gods and sages. Lord Shiva appeared and destroyed him in battle. The sweat that fell from Shiva's body during the battle is said to have formed the Bhima River, which flows 861 km to join the Krishna River in Karnataka. The Shivalinga that emerged at the site of the battle became the 6th Jyotirlinga. The Shiva Purana records this as Bhimashankar, “the Lord who destroyed Bhima.”
The temple is commonly described in the Hemadpanthi architectural tradition of the Deccan. In 2026, the official Trust reported restricted visitor darshan while sabhamandap and stair construction continued. Check the official pass notice before travelling because the access window may change as work progresses.
“In the sacred Dakini land, in the dense forest of the Sahyadri, the destroyer of Bhimasur shines as a great column of light — worshipped by gods and sages, the bestower of liberation.”
— Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita (paraphrase)
Nearby Temples & Sites
Gupt Bhimashankar
near_me 2 km · Forest walk
A hidden, ancient Shiva shrine deep in the sanctuary forest, said to be the spot where the Jyotirlinga first manifested before the main temple was built. Most pilgrims miss this entirely. Ask for directions at the main temple entrance.
Nagphani (Cobra's Hood)
near_me 2–3 km trek
A rocky viewpoint shaped like a cobra's hood, offering panoramic Sahyadri views. The 2–3 km trek from the temple takes about 1–1.5 hours. Best done in the morning after early darshan. Suitable for moderately fit pilgrims.
Bhima River Source
near_me Near temple
The sacred origin of the 861-km Bhima River, formed, per legend, from Lord Shiva's perspiration after his battle with the demon Bhimasur. A peaceful spot to stand at the source of a major Deccan river, within walking distance of the main temple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bhimashankar open in 2026? (Renovation status)
Yes. The official site currently says darshan is restricted to 7:00–11:00 AM because construction continues.
The Trust also provides an official Darshan Pass page. Use it and follow its current instructions, or call 02135 222 880 before visiting.
How do I reach Bhimashankar from Pune?
Maharashtra Tourism lists Bhimashankar at about 125 km from Pune. The final approach is a mountain road through the sanctuary area.
State and private road services may operate, but timetables change. Check the current bus or taxi schedule and road conditions before leaving Pune.
How do I reach Bhimashankar from Mumbai?
Maharashtra Tourism lists Bhimashankar at about 223 km from Mumbai by road.
Use a live route and current bus, rail, or taxi information for the travel date. Allow extra time for the winding sanctuary approach, weather, and festival traffic.
Can I spot the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru) at Bhimashankar?
The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is habitat for the Indian giant squirrel, locally known as the Shekru, but a sighting is never guaranteed.
Observe wildlife quietly from permitted areas, do not feed or disturb animals, and follow current sanctuary and forest-department instructions.
What is the best time to visit Bhimashankar?
October to February is generally more comfortable for the road and sanctuary area.
During the current construction phase, use the official 7:00–11:00 AM window and follow the current instructions on the Trust's Darshan Pass page.
Data sourced from shreebhimashankar.com (official) and Maharashtra Tourism. The official site currently lists darshan from 7:00–11:00 AM during construction and provides a Darshan Pass page. Follow that page's current instructions, confirm before visiting, or call 02135 222 880.