Bhimashankar is a small hill village in Khed taluka of Pune district, about 110 km from Pune, built around one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva. It sits at about 934 metres in the Sahyadri range, inside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bhima river is said to begin in the area. The temple is the reason most people come, but the forest, the viewpoints and the trek routes up the escarpment give the trip a second purpose.
The visit works best as a morning, not a stay. Start early from Pune or Mumbai, reach the temple soon after opening on a weekday, and spend the rest of the morning on a short walk to Hanuman Lake or a roadside view at Mumbai Point. Avoid Mondays in the month of Shravan and Mahashivratri unless you accept very long queues. The temple's own site notes that hours have been restricted because of construction on the sabhamandap and stairs, so check before you travel.
The road up from Manchar and Ghodegaon is narrow and winding, and there are few facilities in the village itself, so plan fuel, food and rest stops in advance. Older travellers can manage the temple and Mumbai Point with a car and driver, while Gupt Bhimashankar, Nagphani and the Ganesh Ghat and Shidi Ghat treks are for fit walkers only. In the monsoon the plateau is green and misty but slippery, and October to February is the easiest season for most visitors.
Before you plan
Bhimashankar at a glance
- Best months
- October to February for comfort and…October to February for comfort and views; June to September is green and misty but slippery, and April to May is hot
- Ideal trip length
- A long day from PuneA long day from Pune; an overnight stay allows an unhurried early-morning darshan and one forest walk
- Airport
- Pune International AirportPune International Airport (PNQ), roughly 110 km away by road, about 3 hours depending on traffic
- Railway station
- Pune JunctionPune Junction (PUNE) is the usual railhead; Karjat Junction (KJT) is the closest rail link from the Mumbai side, roughly 100 km by road
- Getting around
- A private car or cab is easiestA private car or cab is easiest; state buses serve the route from Pune and a short walk or local vehicle covers the village sights
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 per person per…Roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 per person per day excluding transport hire, depending on stay and meals; options in the village are limited
- Senior comfort
- Fair: the temple and Mumbai Point…Fair: the temple and Mumbai Point are manageable, but queues, a descent to the shrine, winding ghat roads and few amenities need planning
- Language
- Marathi locallyMarathi locally; Hindi widely understood; limited English outside the main temple area
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Bhimashankar: January, February, October, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Bhimashankar itinerary
One good day
1 day in Bhimashankar
Leave Pune or Mumbai very early so you reach the temple soon after it opens on a weekday, and check the current darshan hours first. After darshan, step out to the small kund said to mark the source of the Bhima river, then drive or walk to Mumbai Point for the Konkan view. If you have energy, walk to Hanuman Lake. Eat a simple lunch from a busy stall, rest in the car and begin the drive down before late afternoon, since the ghat road is easier in daylight.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Bhimashankar
Drive up in daylight via Manchar and Ghodegaon, check in and rest. Late in the afternoon, walk to Mumbai Point for the view over the Konkan, then have an early meal. Avoid the temple on Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Bhimashankar
Drive up in daylight, rest, and walk to Mumbai Point near the bus stand at sunset if the sky is clear.
Day-by-day plan →
