The short answer
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
Worth an hour or two if you like birds, trees and quiet. Walk the marked paths near the temple early in the morning, stay on the trail and do not count on seeing the giant squirrel. Longer forest walks are better with a local guide, and the monsoon makes paths slippery.
History and context
The story behind Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Maharashtra government notified the sanctuary in the mid-1980s, with sources giving 1984 or 1985. It covers about 131 sq km of Sahyadri forest and was created primarily to protect the local population of the Indian giant squirrel.
Sacred groves in neighbouring villages have long been preserved by local custom and form part of the sanctuary's biodiversity story.
Useful facts
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- Sahyadri ridge around Bhimashankar village
- Experience type
- Forest walks and wildlife watching
- Known for
- Indian giant squirrel (Maharashtra's state animal)
- Area
- About 131 sq km
- Established
- Notified in the mid-1980s (sources say 1984 or 1985)
- Entry
- Forest Department rules apply; check locally
Why it matters
Why Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
The sanctuary protects a fragment of Western Ghats forest at the head of the Bhima river. The article on the sanctuary records that the state notified it in the mid-1980s, with a size of about 131 square kilometres, largely to protect the Indian giant squirrel, a subspecies found here and now Maharashtra's state animal.
The forest also holds sacred groves, small patches kept intact by local communities for religious reasons. These act as gene pools for plants, and the sanctuary article mentions an ancient climber in one village grove estimated at 800 to 1,000 years old. Seeing the sanctuary alongside the temple explains why the landscape here feels as protected as the shrine.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Giant squirrel habitat
Listen for the squirrel's loud calls in the tall trees along the quiet side trails.
- 02
Monsoon forest
June to September brings moss, mist and waterfalls, with slippery ground to match.
- 03
Sacred groves
Village groves around the sanctuary protect old trees and give a sense of why the forest survived.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The sanctuary is not a place with a gate and a safari route. It is the forest that surrounds the village, and the short walks to Hanuman Lake, Nagphani and Gupt Bhimashankar all pass through it. Start before seven in the morning, when birds are active and the crowds have not yet arrived, and walk slowly with your head tilted up. The Indian giant squirrel is a large, bushy-tailed rodent that stays high in the canopy and is more often heard crashing about than seen.
In the monsoon the forest changes. Moss, epiphytes and fungi cover trunks, mist closes in and waterfalls appear on the slopes. It is beautiful but wet, with leeches on longer trails and slippery stone near streams. After the rains, October to February is better for steady walking and for views down towards the Konkan.
For anything longer than the signed short walks, ask the forest staff or a local guide. Keep noise low, carry your litter out and stay well clear of any large animals.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Start before 7 am
- Wear shoes with grip and carry water
- Stay on marked trails and follow Forest Department rules
- Use leech socks in the monsoon
- Take your litter out
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Western Ghats ridge around Bhimashankar village
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours for short walks; a full day for longer trails
- Best time
- Early morning, October to February for walking; June to September for lush green and fungi but slippery trails
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Short paths near the temple area are uneven, rooty and have little seating. Mud and leeches make the monsoon harder for older walkers. Choose a short morning walk and use the car for any longer stretch.
- Tickets and access
- Entry rules, vehicle charges and any trek permits are set by the Forest Department and change; one travel source mentions only small vehicle fees and no personal entry fee. Confirm at the check post or with the Forest Department, and do not leave marked trails.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Short paths near the temple area are uneven, rooty and have little seating. Mud and leeches make the monsoon harder for older walkers. Choose a short morning walk and use the car for any longer stretch.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I see the giant squirrel?
It lives here but sightings are never guaranteed. Early morning walks on the quieter trails give the best chance.
Is there an entry fee?
Rules and charges change, and one travel source mentions only small vehicle fees. Check with the Forest Department or at the check post.
Is the sanctuary safe in the monsoon?
Short walks are possible but slippery. Longer treks in July and August are best left to experienced walkers with a guide.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
