About Bhimashankar
One of Shiva's Jyotirlingas sits at 1,034 metres in dense Sahyadri forest, 110 km from Pune. The surrounding sanctuary protects the giant Indian squirrel (shekru), Maharashtra's state animal, which glides through the canopy overhead.
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
Stay, fly, or ride to Bhimashankar, Maharashtra
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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.
Planning Your Visit to Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar lies in Maharashtra, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Mumbai, roughly 69 km away — most travellers route through Mumbai by air or rail before continuing on to Bhimashankar. Time your trip for October to March for the most comfortable weather.
Travelling from within India, Mumbai connects to every metro by daily domestic flights and the railway network, so Bhimashankar slots easily into a wider Maharashtra itinerary.
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.
- Where is Bhimashankar located?
- Bhimashankar is in Maharashtra, India, at 19.0724° N, 73.5363° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Mumbai, about 69 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Bhimashankar?
- Top attractions near Bhimashankar include Gateway of India (about 76 km away), Trimbakeshwar (about 96 km away), Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (about 125 km away) — all easy to combine on a Maharashtra trip.
- What is the entry fee at Bhimashankar for foreign tourists?
- Foreign nationals pay ₹400 to enter Bhimashankar (rates last verified 2025-10). Indian and other ticket tiers are listed in the Entry Fee section above.
