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.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
7:00 AM
to 11:00 AM
Daily Aarti
Normal Timetable Published
The Trust publishes a 5 AM–9:30 PM normal timetable, but its current construction notice restricts visitor darshan to 7–11 AM · Recheck before travel
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Modest Attire
No detailed official dress code was found · Follow current entrance instructions
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Best: Oct – Feb (Shekru spotting season) · Monsoon trails are slippery
Security Rules
Confirm at Entrance
The official pages reviewed do not publish a clear phone, photography or cloakroom rule · Follow entrance signage
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Not Published
The Trust does not publish a typical queue time
Weekends
Not Published
The construction window limits visitor access
Festivals
Not Published
Festivals and construction controls can change access
No official live or typical queue estimate is published
* 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
Wildlife-aware visit
- 1
During the current construction phase, plan darshan only within the 7:00–11:00 AM official window and check the Trust's Darshan Pass page for current instructions. The 5:00 AM normal-timetable worship falls outside the visitor window shown in the current notice.
- 2
The Shekru is the Indian giant squirrel and lives in the sanctuary canopy. A sighting is never guaranteed; watch quietly only from permitted areas.
- 3
Use marked or authorised routes and follow current forest instructions. Do not enter closed forest areas or disturb wildlife.
- 4
Weather and forest access change by season. Check current sanctuary and road conditions before adding a nature walk to the temple visit.
Puja Schedule
5 rituals · Daily
Normal scheduleThese are the temple's normal daily rituals. The Trust site reviewed on 24 August 2026 restricts visitor darshan to 7–11 AM during construction; recheck before travel. Timings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm at shreebhimashankar.com 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 · Check the official notice and pass page before travel
From Pune
About 125 km · Check live road and weather conditions
directions_transitHow to Reach Bhimashankar
By Train
Karjat · 65 km
By Flight
Pune Airport (PNQ) · 125 km
By Road
Use current navigation and road advisories · 125 km
hotelWhere to Stay
MTDC and Area Accommodation
Check the current official MTDC channel and contact the property directly for inventory, rate, distance and cancellation terms.
Stays Near Bhimashankar
Inventory and road access can be limited. Verify the property location and ensure its travel plan fits the current 7:00–11:00 AM construction-phase window.
Pune as a Base
Maharashtra Tourism places Bhimashankar about 125 km from Pune. Check live road and weather conditions before treating it as a day trip.
Check live inventory and cancellation terms. If using Pune as a base, confirm that road and weather conditions fit the current 7:00–11:00 AM visitor window.
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 (2:45 PM) on the normal schedule. On the normal schedule the temple closes for 35 minutes from 2:45 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
Maharashtra Tourism lists Bhimashankar about 125 km from Pune and 223 km from Mumbai. The final approach is mountainous; check live road, weather and construction-phase darshan information before deciding whether a day trip is practical.
Major Festivals
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is a major festival at Bhimashankar and can change approach-road, queue and temple arrangements.
What to do: Check the Trust’s construction notice and pass page, current road conditions and live accommodation availability. No fixed queue duration is promised.
Shravan Month Mondays
Shravan Mondays bring heavier pilgrimage traffic, while monsoon can affect the mountain road and trails.
What to do: During the construction phase, use the official 7–11 AM window and check the Darshan Pass page. Its public text does not state that a pass is free or mandatory.
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 Forest route · Confirm access
A devotional and nature stop in the sanctuary area. Route and access can change with weather and forest restrictions; use recognised local guidance and do not enter closed areas.
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 Trust site reviewed on 24 August 2026 says visitor darshan is restricted to 7:00–11:00 AM because construction continues.
The Trust also provides a Darshan Pass page. Its public text does not state that a pass is free or mandatory, so follow the current page instructions or call 02135 222 880.
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.
Reviewed on 24 August 2026 against Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Trust and Maharashtra Tourism. The Trust currently lists visitor darshan from 7:00–11:00 AM during construction and provides a Darshan Pass page; its public text does not say the pass is free or mandatory. Recheck before visiting or call 02135 222 880.