The short answer
Hanuman Lake: what visitors should know first
Yes, as a calm half-hour break after the temple. Walk or drive in the early morning, take binoculars if you have them and continue to Nagphani only if you are comfortable with a short hill climb.
Useful facts
Hanuman Lake facts at a glance
- Location
- Forest path above Bhimashankar temple
- Experience type
- Lake and small shrines
- Known for
- Hanuman and Anjani Mata temples; Jabhalya ashram tradition
- Distance
- Temple trust says about 2 km; other sources say less
- Time or schedule
- Daylight visits are best
Why it matters
Why Hanuman Lake is worth your time
Hanuman Lake gives Bhimashankar a second kind of sacred landscape: not the crowded Jyotirlinga, but a quiet pond with small shrines in forest. The temple trust links it to Jabhalya, an ashram sage of Hindu tradition, which gives the spot a devotional layer beyond the scenery.
It also shows what the plateau looked like before the temple village grew. The setting helps you understand why pilgrims have long treated the whole forest as sacred, and why the sanctuary status protects it today.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Shoreline shrines
Small Hanuman and Anjani Mata temples stand by the water.
- 02
Early-morning birdlife
The lake and surrounding trees are best before the day-trippers arrive.
- 03
Gateway to Nagphani
The climb to the viewpoint starts nearby.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Hanuman Lake is a quiet, tree-fringed pond on the forest side of the village. The temple trust gives its distance from the main temple as about 2 km, though other sources say less, so ask locally for the current path. There are small shrines to Hanuman and Anjani Mata by the water, and tradition links the spot to the ashram of the sage Jabhalya.
Go early, when the light is soft and birds are active, and avoid the middle of the day, when the walk is hot and the forest is still. In the monsoon the path can be muddy.
The lake is also the usual starting point for the short climb to Nagphani Point, so combine the two if you have the energy. Carry water, as there are no reliable shops on the path.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go before 8 am
- Carry water and a hat
- Ask locally about the current path
- Keep food away from monkeys
- Wear grippy shoes
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Forest above Bhimashankar temple
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning, October to February
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The approach is a forest path of about a couple of kilometres, with uneven stretches and little seating. Many older visitors prefer to go as far as a vehicle allows and walk the last section slowly.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket that we could verify; forest conduct rules apply. Do not feed monkeys and keep to the path.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Hanuman Lake
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
The approach is a forest path of about a couple of kilometres, with uneven stretches and little seating. Many older visitors prefer to go as far as a vehicle allows and walk the last section slowly.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I boat on Hanuman Lake?
One source says there is no boating. Treat it as a quiet viewing and shrine stop.
How far from the main temple?
The temple trust says about 2 km; others say less. Ask locally.
Is it far for seniors?
It is a forest walk with some uneven stretches, so go slowly or skip it.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
