Bhimashankar Temple - One Of The Twelve Jyotirlingas Of Lord Shiva - Maharashtra - India

Bhimashankar Temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine located 50 km northwest of Khed near Pune in India. It is located 127 km from Shivaji Nagar Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur. One of the 12 jyotirlinga shrines in India Bhimshankar Temple is a prominent pilgrimage centre.

Location: 50 km northwest of Khed near Pune state of Maharashtra in India
District: Pune
State: Maharashtra
Pin Code: 410509
Std Code: 022913
Architectural style: Nagara
Also Known As: Moteshwar Mahadev
Important Festival: Maha Shivaratri
Altitude: 110 m
Best Season: Winters, October to March
Languages: Hindi and Marathi
Weather: Hot in summers, moderately cool in winters
Famous For: worship and wildlife

The Bhimashankar temple is the perfect destination for trekkers, bird watchers, and photographers. Bhimashankar temple with its Indo Aryan and Nagra style of architecture was built by Nana Fadnis. The nature is always been good here. The shikhara of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis. Shivaji - the great Maratha ruler is said to have facilitated the carrying out of worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this area, the sanctum is at a lower level. In this temple, Lord Eshwara is shown in Half man and Half woman (Ardha Narishwara) form. There is a continuous water flow from this Jyotirlinga, which is the speciality of this place. The present temple sanctum (garbhagriha) and the shikhara are built in the Nagara or Indo-Aryan style and have a strong influence of Rajasthan and Gujarat on the figurines and motifs of the temple. The exterior walls of the sanctum are adorned with scenes from the Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela and Dashavataras.

The Shiva Linga (1.5 feet) is located in the center of the sanctum. The pillars and the door frames of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings. One can also find a small shrine of Lord Shani. An idol of Nandi is also installed at the entrance of the temple. The jungle surrounding the temple has been declared a wildlife sanctuary. Erected over a Swayambhu Linga, the temple is built on the same place where Lord Shiva killed Rakshas Tripurasura. Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Far away from the tumult of the urban life, peeping through the white fleecy clouds, Bhimashankar can be termed a pilgrim paradise. Mahashivratri is the major famous Hindu festival celebrated here in a grand scale. There are huge numbers of visiter are visit Bhimashankar Temple in Mahashivratri which is birthday of Lord Shiva. Another major attraction of the temple is a huge bell built by Nana Phadnavis in Hemadpanthi style.

Entry Fee And Other Charges For Visit Bhimashankar Temple

Pilgrims don't have to pay any entry fees for a visit at the Bhimashankar Temple. However you can donate or pay by your own wish for any poojas or Abishek that you wish to do in the Temple of Bhimashankar Temple. Charges apply for attend some special puja and events held by Temple . Photography and Videography are not allowed inside the temple. Pets, Mobile also not allowed inside the Bhimashankar Temple.

Timing For Bhimashankar Temple

The temple opens daily at 4:30 am and closes at 7:30 PM. The time for normal darshans at Bhimashankar Temple are from 5:15 AM to 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No Abhishekam will be done between 11:30 am to 11:50 am. Schedule of Darshan and Aarti are given bellow.

• Open in Morning: 4:30 am
• Aarti: 5:05 am
• Normal Darshans: 5:15 am to 11:30 am.
• No Abhishekam between: 11:30 am to 11:50 am.
• Maha Puja: 12:00 pm.
• Maha Nivedhyam: 12:30 pm.
• Abhishekam and Normal Puja: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
• Shringar Puja: 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm.
• Aarti: 3:15 pm to 3:30 pm
• Shringar Darshan: 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Best Time To Visit Bhimashankar Temple

The best time to visit the Bhimashankar Temple is said to be Maha Shivaratri as the temple organizes grand festivities on the occasion. The best time to visit Bhimashankar is from August to February. People visit Bhimashanker on large numbers during Mahashivratri. it is better to avoid visiting during summer. Similarly during monsoon unless one likes trekking, it is better to avoid.

Tourist Attractions Near Bhimashankar Temple

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is the major tourist place to visit near Bhimashankar Temple. The Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Gupta Bhimesh, Nag Phani Peak, Bombay Point, Sakshi Vinayak, Shivneri Fort and Dimbhe Dam are other mejor tourist places to visit closed from Bhimashankar Temple. The Giant Indian Squirrel is one of the most important attractions of the sanctuary.

Shopping Near Bhimashankar Temple

There are no many shopping option near Bhimashankar Temple but in Pune you can buy readymade garments, footwear, leather items and lots of other shopping option. Laxmi Road Market, Mahatma Gandhi Road Market, Fashion Street, Fashion Street, Juna Bazar, Phule Market are best shopping markets situated in Pune.

Restaurants Near Bhimashankar Temple

There are few budget restaurants offering Maharashtran cuisine. Bhimashakar being a temple town, only vegetarian food is available. Here is the list of some famous and popular Restaurants which are very closed from Bhimashankar Temple.

Raju Uncle Ke Chole Bhature
17, Bharati Vihar Near Vishnoi Cellular, Katraj
Near Bhimashankar Temple

Bhagyalaxmi Bhel
27, Bharati Vihar Near Bharati Vidyapeeth College, Katraj
Near Bhimashankar Temple

Tiranga Restaurant
Satara Road Near City Pride Cinema, Dhanakawadi
Near Bhimashankar Temple

Khushboo The Family Restaurant
251/1, Satara Road, Balaji Nagar, Dhankawadi Hotel Kapila Building
Near Bhimashankar Temple

Royal Punjab Restaurant & Bar
53/17B, Royal Inn Hotel, Pune Satara Road, Opposite Gandharv Lawn, Katraj Hotel HMR Royal Inn
Near Bhimashankar Temple

Hotels Near Bhimashankar Temple

Visitors can find many budget and mid-range hotels near Bhimashankar temple. Temple priests also make arrangements for accommodation which are basic accommodations. Here is the list of some famous and popular Hotels which are very closed from Bhimashankar Temple.

Piccadilly Country Club & Resort
Village Mirchloli, Neral - Kashede Road, Karjat, Neral
22.6 km from Bhimashankar Temple

Dr Modi's Resort
Post Kirauli, Village Wanjale, Taluka Karjat, Raigad, Nagothane
27.2 km from Bhimashankar Temple

Mohili Meadows Resort
Mohili Village, Karjat
27.8 km from Bhimashankar Temple

Sparsh Resort & Chalet
Survey No. 79, Village Naldhe, 2 Kms from Village Kashale On Karjat-Murbad Road, Karjat
28.1 km from Bhimashankar Temple

Sayeban Hotel
Plot No 171 Kasturba Road, Matheran
29.4 km from Bhimashankar Temple

How to Reach Bhimashankar Temple

By Air:

Nearest Airport to Bhimashankar Temple is Pune. Pune Airport is a international airport and it is well connected to a spectrum of cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Kochi.

By Rail:

Nearest major railhead to Bhimashankar Temple is Pune Railway Station. Pune Railway Station, located at a distance of 111 Kms from Bhimashankar Temple. It is linked with the cities like New Delhi, Mysore, Lucknow, Chennai, Puri and Jaipur.

By Road:

Bhimashankar Temple is easily accessible from Mumbai, Lonavala and Pune Also connected with all othe cities of India by Road. You can take the route of Pune-Rajgurunagar-Manchar- Ghodegaon–Pokhari Ghat Bhimashankar. State Transport buses are available at regular intervals from the Shivajinagar Bus Terminus and the last bus is at 5 pm.

Google Map For Bhimashankar Temple