Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Pune district, Sahyadri hills, Maharashtra
Set deep in forested hills, and the source of the Bhima river
At a glance
- Location
- Pune district, Sahyadri hills, Maharashtra
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva
- Temple type
- Jyotirlinga
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Pune Junction (~110 km, best connectivity); Karjat station (~70 km, limited trains)
- Nearest airport
- Pune International Airport (~125 km)
- Best time to visit
- July to September is lush and green, though October to February is more comfortable for a temple visit given lighter rain.
History
The Bhimashankar temple lies deep in the forested Sahyadri hills, about 110 km from Pune. Legend holds that Shiva slew the demon Tripurasura (also called Bhimasura) here, and the perspiration from that battle gave rise to the Bhima river, which eventually joins the Krishna. The temple's core sanctum is built in Nagara style and is relatively ancient, while the assembly hall was added in a later period.
Spiritual significance
The temple lies within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, known for the Shekru (giant Indian squirrel, Maharashtra's state animal) — making this pilgrimage a draw for nature lovers as well as devotees.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
4:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
State transport buses and private taxis run regularly from Pune to Bhimashankar, taking roughly 3-4 hours. The route passes through hilly ghats, so extra caution is advised during the monsoon.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.