Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Trip — Sahyadri Hills, Maharashtra
Premium Trip Package
The Jyotirlinga in a wildlife sanctuary in the Sahyadris, source of the Bhima river, reached by a spectacular Ghats drive from Pune.
- Region
- Sahyadri, Pune district, Maharashtra
- Duration
- 2 to 3 days
- Deity
- Sri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
- Best time
- October to February; monsoon is beautiful but slippery
- Boarding from
- Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai
About the Bhimashankar trip
Bhimashankar is the sixth Jyotirlinga and the only one set inside a wildlife sanctuary. The Nagara-style temple sits in a fold of the Sahyadri hills, the Bhima river rises here, and the forest around it is home to the Indian giant squirrel.
The temple is reached by descending a long flight of steps, and beyond it are Gupt Bhimashankar, Mokshakund, Hanuman Lake and the Nagphani viewpoint for those who want to walk further.
Most people combine Bhimashankar with the wider Maharashtra Jyotirlinga circuit. We can plan it as a focused two-day trip from Pune, or fold it into a longer, comfortably paced route with Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar.
Trip Highlights
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga darshan in the Sahyadri sanctuary
- Gupt Bhimashankar and the source of the Bhima river
- Hanuman Lake and Nagphani viewpoint walk
- Ghats drive from Pune through the sanctuary forest
- Option to combine with Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Journey to Pune
Overnight train to Pune, arrival and check in, evening at Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati.
Day 2
Bhimashankar
Early drive through the Ghats, temple darshan and abhishekam, Gupt Bhimashankar and Hanuman Lake, return to Pune by evening.
Day 3
Return
Optional Shani Shingnapur or Ashtavinayak stop, then the return journey.
What's Included
- Complete trip planning and a day-by-day itinerary built around darshan timings
- Travel arrangements for the route — train, bus or road transfer as per the plan
- Comfortable, conveniently located accommodation on twin-sharing basis
- Local transport for sightseeing and temple transfers through the trip
- Darshan, seva and pooja registrations wherever advance booking is permitted
- Dedicated coordination and assistance from planning until you return
What's Not Included
- Meals and personal dining not specified in the itinerary
- Special sevas, VIP darshan or pooja not included in your chosen package
- Personal expenses, shopping, tips and porterage
- Anything not listed under What's Included
Important Information
- Package details are prepared for your travel dates, group size and preferred comfort level.
- Darshan and seva timings are decided by the temple administration and can change on festival days.
- Accommodation and transport are confirmed once your dates and traveller count are finalised.
Darshan and travel notes
Frequently asked questions about Bhimashankar
How do I reach Bhimashankar from Pune?
About 110 km by road, roughly three to four hours through the Ghats. We book a cab and split the fare across the group.
Is Bhimashankar difficult for senior citizens?
The descent and climb of the temple steps is the main challenge. It is manageable at a slow pace with breaks, and we plan the day so there is no time pressure.
Can Bhimashankar be combined with other Jyotirlingas?
Yes. With Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar you can cover three Jyotirlingas in a single Maharashtra circuit of about five to six days.