Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple | History & Significance

About Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Shri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is a prominent shrine among the 12 Jyotirlinga of Shiva across India, dedicated to his fierce form as Bhimashankar. 

Located in the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, the Bhimashankar Temple holds great significance as one of the three Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, attracting devotees from across India. 

In recent years, it has gained vast popularity after being declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. Shri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Wildlife Reserve offers the scenic and spiritual experience of visiting this Jyotirlinga, with rich flora and fauna and ancient beliefs.

Visiting this sacred shrine is one of the best experiences for devotees and nature lovers, as it features the origin of the Bhima River, scenic views of the Sahyadri hills, and nearby ancient temples and sightseeing.

Information about Bhimashankar Temple

Location	Bhorgiri/Bhimashankar Village or Khed Taluka in the Pune District of Maharashtra, within the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats
State	Maharashtra, India
District	Pune District
Height	3,250 ft (990 meters)
River	Origin of Bhimarathi River
Bhimashankar Sightseeing	Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, and Sahyadri Hills
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga nearest airport	Pune International Airport (PNQ)
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga nearest railway station	Pune Junction or Karjat Railway Station
Temple Dress Code	Modest & Traditional Attire (Cover Shoulders and Knees Properly)
Parking Area	1-2 km near the temple

Where is Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga located?

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located at the Bhimashankar Temple in Bhorgiri Village, Khed Taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra, India. The temple sits at a height of 3250 feet above sea level, within the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats.

What is the speciality of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga?

The speciality of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is its spiritual importance as a part of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and its unique geographical location. The temple is famous for its significance and the origin of the Bhima River.

Also, the temple is situated within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, offering beautiful surroundings and various species of animals, birds, insects, and plants. It attracts every visitor, devotee, trekker, nature lover, or photographer.

Bhimashankar Temple History

The history of Bhimashankar Temple states that the temple is over 2,000 years old, dating back to the 13th Century. The current structure of the temple is a blend of modern architecture and Nagara Style, built through several constructions over time.

Firstly, the temple was built by the Nana Pandhavis in the 18th Century during the Peshwar period; then it was renovated and expanded under the Maratha Rulers. Chattrapati Shivaji contributed to its royal patronage of regular worship and rituals.

In 1739, after defeating the Portuguese at Vasai Fort, Chimaji Appa (brother of the Peshwa Baji Rao) offered a large bronze Portuguese bell hanging in front of the temple as a symbol of victory.

Also, the surrounding area of the temple was established as Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in 1985, designated as home to the Indian giant squirrel and a variety of birds and animal species.

Story of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

The Bhimashankar story is associated with ancient legends of Lord Shiva. It states that once there were three asura brothers named Tripuras. They did intense penance, and Lord Brahma was pleased by their penance, manifested, and granted them three wishes.

The three wishes were that Tripura be invulnerable to the gods and devils, their “Puras”, the three cities made with gold, silver, and iron, should be unbreakable, and the last was that Tripura should be able to travel anywhere in the universe.

After these wishes were fulfilled, Tripura decided to conquer the three Lokas. Seeing this happening, Indira was vanquished and prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased by Indra, Lord Shiva took the vow to destroy Tripura.

He manifested in his Bhimshankar avatar to defeat the Tripuras during the perfect alignment of the three puras in a single target. It is believed that the sweat that dribbled from Lord Shiva’s body during the war formed the Bhima River in Bhimshankar.

Significance of Bhimashankar Temple

The 12 Jyotirlinga Bhimashankar Mandir holds great significance as one of the infinite pillars of divine light and an ancient shrine in Maharashtra. The Bhimashankar Shivling is a symbol of victory over ego, arrogance, and delusion.

The Bhimashankar lingam is a swambhu shivling, where thousands of devotees visit throughout the year. Embark on this sacred journey to seek the divine blessings of Lord Shiva.

Visiting Bhimashankar Mahadev Temple offers both spiritual and peaceful experiences, from visiting the ancient temples to witnessing the beautiful surrounding nature, including lakes, rivers, hills, and caves, making it truly a divine pilgrimage for devotees.

Bhimashankar Temple Timings

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga mandir follows a strict schedule for daily temple rituals. The Bhimashankar mandir timings are 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily, with an afternoon break for bhog offering.

• Bhimashankar Temple opening time: 5:00 AM
• Bhimashankar Temple closing time: 9:30 PM

Below is a brief overview of daily aarti and Bhimashankar darshan timings:

Rituals	Timings
Opening Time	5:00 AM
Kakad Aarti	5:00 AM – 5:30 AM
Darshan & Abhishekam	5:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Naivedyam puja (offering)	12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
Darshan & Abhishekam	12:20 PM – 2:45 PM
Madhyan Aarti (No darshan)	2:45 PM – 3:20 PM
Shringar Darshan	3:20 PM – 7:30 PM
Shayan Aarti	7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Darshan	8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Closing Time	9:30 PM

Note: Currently, the temple remains open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM only due to the temple renovation.

Source: Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga official website

Is Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga open or closed?

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is open for daily darshan for devotees from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, after its reopening on 15 June 2026 due to a temporary closure for temple renovation.

Recent Updates: The Bhimashankar Temple committee has abolished VIP darshan access now to maintain equality. Now online darshan booking (registration) will be mandatory to get darshan.

Where to stay in Bhimashankar?

Bhimashankar accommodation options offer a wide range of the best hotels near Bhimashankar Temple, along with dharamshalas, resorts, and homestays. Below are some of the best stay options near the temple:

• Natraj Holiday Resort
• Blue Mormon Jungle Resort
• Nirvana Bhimashankar Jungle Resort
• Visava River Camp
• Bhakt Niwas (Bhimashankar Devsthan)
• Shraddha Guest House

Best Time To Visit Bhimashankar

The best time to visit Bhimashankar Mahadev depends on the preferred experience. Generally, the best months to visit Bhimashankar are from October to February, offering comfortable weather with beautiful scenery ideal for family trips with senior citizens.

Also, July to September is ideal for nature lovers and trekkers, offering rainfall, misty roads, and cool temperatures, with lush greenery.

Here is a brief overview of Bhimashankar weather and temperature by season:

Season	Months	Temperature Range	Weather Conditions
Winter	November – February	14°C to 30°C	Cool mornings and evenings with pleasant daytime temperatures. Clear skies make it ideal for temple visits, trekking, and sightseeing.
Summer	March – May	18°C to 37°C	Warm days and comfortable nights. Forest cover and elevation keep the climate relatively pleasant compared to nearby cities.
Monsoon	July – September	19°C to 31°C	Heavy rainfall, mist-covered hills, lush greenery, and numerous waterfalls. The region receives significant rainfall, making it one of the most scenic times to visit.
Post-Monsoon / Autumn	October	18°C to 29°C	Fresh, green landscapes after the rains with pleasant weather and clear views. Excellent for pilgrimage and nature walks.

How To Reach Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is easily accessible by road, train, and air. Know how to reach Bhimashankar in a travel flow:

By Air + Road

You can take a direct flight to the nearest airport to Bhimashankar Temple, Pune International Airport (PNQ), around 120-125 km. It offers great air connectivity to major cities, like Mumbai, Delhi, and more, ideal for a comfortable and fast travel option.

From the airport, you can take a bus or book a direct Pune to Bhimashankar cab or taxi, then a short walk of 500 meters.

By Train + Road

Another option is to take a train to the nearest railway station to Bhimashankar, Pune Junction (125 km) or Karjat Railway Station (150 km); both have many direct trains daily from major indian cities.

From either railway station, you can take a bus or cab/taxi to reach the temple by road, with a short walk of 200-250 steps.

By Road

Bhimashankar is easily accessible by a road journey via Manchar or Chakan. There are two major routes from Pune and Mumbai to Bhimashankar. After reaching the parking area, a 500-meter walk will take you to the temple.

Route 1: Pune → Chakan → Rajgurunagar (Khed) → Manchar → Ghodegaon → Bhimashankar

Route 2: Mumbai → Pune Expressway → Talegaon → Chakan → Rajgurunagar → Manchar → Bhimashankar

Travel Option: Bus, Cab/Taxi, or Car

Note: Many regular Pune to Bhimashankar buses operate from Shivajinagar Bus Stand.

How many steps are there in the Bhimashankar Temple?

There are around 200 to 250 steps in the temple, so a 200 to 250-step walk is required in the Bhimashankar Temple. The shrine is located lower than the parking area and temple premises, so you need to climb the wide stairs, passing through small local shops.

Key Distance to Bhimashankar from various places

• Bhimashankar to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga distance: 304 km
• Bhimashankar to Trimbakeshwar Temple distance: 237 km
• Nashik to Bhimashankar distance: 208 km
• Aurangabad to Bhimashankar distance: 309 km
• Kalyan to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga distance: 196 km
• Pandharpur to Bhimashankar distance: 321 km
• Mahakaleshwar Ujjain to Bhimashankar distance: 759 km

Places To Visit Near Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

There are so many places to visit near the Jyotirlinga Bhimashankar Mandir, including:

• Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary: One of the main attractions near the temple is the surrounding Bhimashankar forest reserve, offering various birds, animal species, insects, and plants.

• Gupt Bhimashankar: Located near the temple, it is the origin point of the sacred Bhima River in Bhimshankar, accessible by a short trek from the main temple area.

• Nagphani Point: It is the highest viewpoint in the town, shaped like a cobra’s hood, offering the most panoramic views of the Sahyadri hills and the surrounding valley.

• Hanuman Lake: A beautiful lake offering a peaceful, relaxing, and scenic point to enjoy nature surrounded by the forest and lush greenery near the temple, a perfect spot for a picnic.

Conclusion

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is a religious site and an integral part of the famous 12 Jyotirlingas in India, offering a spiritual, peaceful, and calming experience to the devotees visiting here throughout the year.

This sacred shrine is not just religious but also stands as a symbol of faith, devotion, and victory over ego, arrogance, and cruelty. Visiting this holy place embraces the spirituality in pilgrims and is believed to grant liberation.

FAQs

Is one day enough for Bhimashankar Temple?

Yes, one day is enough for Bhimashankar Temple, especially if you are visiting from nearby cities like Pune, Mumbai, or Nashik. You can easily cover all the nearby attractions, like Bhimarathi River, Gupt Bhimshankar, Hanuman Lake, and the sanctuary.

How to visit Bhimashankar from Pune?

You can visit Bhimashankar from Pune by taking a direct bus, cab/taxi, or private car on a road journey of 125 km, generally taking 4 to 5 hours. Many regular buses operate daily from Shivajinagar Bus Stand from 5:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and taxis are also available at ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 per person.

• Distance: 125 km
• Travel Time: 4-5 hours
• Travel Option: Bus, Cab/Taxi, or Private Car
• Route: Pune → Chakan → Rajgurunagar (Khed) → Manchar → Ghodegaon → Bhimashankar

Which city is nearest to Bhimashankar?

Pune is the nearest city to Bhimashankar, located at a distance of 125 km. Pune serves as a primary gateway to Bhimashankar, offering great air, train, and road connectivity, and other major facilities.

Why did Bhimashankar close for 3 months?

Bhimashankar Temple was closed for 3 months in 2026 due to extensive renovation and infrastructure development work. The temple is now open after15th of June 2026, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Is there a rush in Bhimashankar?

Generally, there is a rush in Bhimashankar during weekends and festivals or auspicious days; otherwise, it remains less crowded during weekdays, offering a peaceful experience.