Jyotirlinga · Pune District
Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra — Jyotirlinga Guide
Bhimashankar is the sixth Jyotirlinga, set deep in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district and surrounded by the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also revered as the source of the Bhima river.
About Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. By legend, Shiva took the fierce form of “Bhima Shankara” here to destroy the demon Tripurasura, and the sweat that poured from his body after the battle formed the Bhimarathi (Bhima) river.
The temple is built in the Nagara style in black stone, with Hemadpanti elements; the central hall and dome were added in the 18th century by the Maratha statesman Nana Phadnavis.
How to reach Bhimashankar
The temple is most easily reached by road. From Pune it is about 110–125 km (roughly 3.5–4 hours) on a winding ghat road; from Mumbai it is around 220 km (approximately 5–6 hours). The nearest large railhead and airport are both in Pune. Note that the final approach involves a climb of steps to the temple.
Darshan timings & best time to visit
The temple is generally open from early morning until night — approximately 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM — though exact hours and any midday break can change on festival days, so it is best to confirm with the temple trust before travelling. November to February is the most pleasant season, also ideal for the surrounding forest and nature trails. Mahashivratri is the major festival, and the monsoon month of Shravan is the peak pilgrim season.
Visit Bhimashankar on a Jyotirlinga tour
Combine Bhimashankar with Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar on our 3 Jyotirlinga circuit from Mumbai or Pune.
From ₹14,999 pp
FAQ
Bhimashankar Temple — FAQs
Bhimashankar is about 110–125 km from Pune, roughly 3.5–4 hours by road on a winding ghat route.