14 Places to Visit Near Bhimashankar in 2026 (Distances, Timings and a 2-Day Plan)

Most people from Pune and Mumbai come only for darshan and go back the same day. That's ok if darshan is the only plan, but the forest around the temple has enough for a full day, and the Junnar side has enough for a second one. Below is how we plan it for our own travellers. Distances are from the temple unless we say otherwise.

Basic information before you go

Bhimashankar is in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district, about 1,000 m up on the Sahyadri ridge. The temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. All the forest around it is Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, about 130 sq km, protected mainly for the Shekru (Indian giant squirrel), which is also Maharashtra's state animal.

Getting there from Pune is the easy bit. It's 110-odd km, three hours and a bit if you leave before the city wakes up, and the road runs Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Ghodegaon, then up the ghat. Fill fuel at Manchar. After that you're on your own, and the last 20 km of hairpins in fog are slow going early in the morning.

Mumbai people have two options. Drive via Pune (call it 200 km, five-ish hours, more on a Sunday) or do what most trekking groups do in monsoon: early local to Karjat, a shared jeep to Khandas, and walk up. Details of the walk are further down.

Now, darshan timings. This has been a mess. Through most of the renovation the temple let people in only for a few hours in the morning, and then in Shravan this year it went back to almost the whole day, 5 am till 9:30 pm. Will it stay that way? No idea, honestly. Check bhimashankar.in the week before. Or call your hotel, they always know.

Places you can walk to from the temple

1. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple

The temple is down a long flight of steps from the parking and market area. Going down takes 5-10 minutes, coming back up takes longer, specially after lunch, so keep that in mind if you have elderly people with you. The temple is old stone work in Nagara style and the carvings on the outer walls are worth a few minutes once you're out of the queue.

Time needed for darshan depends fully on the day. On a normal weekday it's 1-2 hours. On Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri it can go to 5-6 hours. On weekends, try to be in the queue by 6 am, by 9 am the line usually reaches back up the stairs.

Footwear is kept at the stalls at the top of the steps, a few rupees per pair. Mobile phones are generally not allowed inside the main temple, so either leave them in the car or keep someone outside with the bags.

2. Source of the Bhima river (Mokshakund)

About 50 m from the temple stairs there's a small kund that is considered the starting point of the Bhima river. The same river flows through Maharashtra and Karnataka and joins the Krishna later. It takes 5 minutes. Most people miss it because there's no big board, ask anyone at the shoe stalls and they'll point you there.

3. Sakshi Vinayak and 4. Gupt Bhimashankar

These two are on the same trail, so do them together. From the temple it's 1.5 to 2 km each way. Sakshi Vinayak comes first, it's a small Ganpati shrine, two minutes, and most families stop because the custom is that Ganpati witnesses your visit to Bhimashankar.

Then keep going down to Gupt Bhimashankar, where there's a Shivling in the stream with water falling on it. Budget two hours for the round trip with both stops. In June to September the trail is wet laterite and people do fall, so wear shoes with grip, not chappals or new white sneakers. In April-May there's very little water, still worth going but don't expect much of a waterfall.

5. Hanuman Lake

Hanuman Lake is in the other direction, about 20 minutes on foot through the forest. Two temples on the bank, one Hanuman and one Anjani Mata. Locals say rishi Jabhalya had his ashram here. If you want birds or photos go before 9, after that it gets crowded, specially on weekends. There's nothing to buy there, so carry water.

6. Nagphani Point

Nagphani Point is 500 m past the lake, last part is a short steep climb, 20-30 minutes. Some signboards say Hawthorn Point, it's the same place. The rock is shaped a bit like a cobra's hood, that's where the name comes from. Views towards Konkan, Kalavantin and Matheran on a clear day.

Important: clouds usually come up by 10 am, so if it's clear when you reach Bhimashankar, do Nagphani first and darshan after. Not good for people with knee problems, the rocks are uneven and there's no railing at the edge. Keep kids close.

7. Mumbai Point

Mumbai Point is right next to the bus stand, about 100 m, no real walking needed. It's at around 3,000 feet and faces west, so it's the sunset spot. Chai stalls there. In monsoon you'll mostly see fog. Good option for elderly parents who can't do the forest trails.

8. Mahadev Van and Vegetation Point

Mahadev Van is 500 m from the bus stand. It's a forest department garden with native plants and trees, some with name boards, and they're still developing it. Flat walking, fine for elderly parents and small kids. 30 minutes is enough. There's a small viewpoint inside called Vegetation Point, again facing Konkan.

9. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Shekru

You're inside the sanctuary from the forest check post onwards, so there's no separate gate for this. If you want to see the Shekru, do an early morning walk, 6:30 to 8:30, on the trails towards Hanuman Lake or Gupt Bhimashankar. It's a big squirrel, maroon and cream colour with a long tail, and it stays high up in the trees. Listen for a loud call and then look up. Sightings are not guaranteed, some groups see 2-3 in one morning and some see none in two days.

The forest check post on the way in takes a small vehicle charge, keep cash because the amount changes. Monkeys near the parking will grab food and open bags, so don't feed them and keep bags zipped.

Places nearby by car (30 to 95 km)

10. Kondhwal waterfall (Bird Point)

About 3 km before Bhimashankar on the approach road there's a right turn at Kondhwal Phata. The waterfall is 5-6 km inside from there, within the sanctuary. It's seasonal, best July to September. After the water dries up it's still a decent spot for birdwatching. One hour is enough, including the drive in.

11. Ahupe and Dimbhe dam backwaters

Ahupe is a small village on the other side of the sanctuary with a monsoon waterfall and views of the Dimbhe dam backwaters. The road is narrow and in parts broken, and there's no mechanic or puncture shop nearby. We suggest it only if you have your own car, a full tank and half a day free. Not doable by bus.

12. Bhorgiri fort and caves

Bhorgiri is a village at the base of the ridge. There's a small fort above the village with rock-cut caves near the top, and the Koteshwar Mahadev temple is also here. Many trekkers walk from Bhorgiri to Bhimashankar through the forest, around 12 km and 5-6 hours, so if you do this, start early and carry enough water.

By road from Pune it's 85-90 km via Chakan, Rajgurunagar and Chas Kaman. Plan it together with Chas Kaman dam.

13. Chas Kaman dam

Chas Kaman is a dam on the Bhima in Khed taluka, about 70 km from Pune and a short turn-off from Rajgurunagar on the Bhorgiri road. Good place for a sunset stop on the way back to Pune. Reach by 5:30 pm, spend an hour, there are small tea stalls.

14. Junnar side: Shivneri, Lenyadri and Ozar

Junnar is about 60 km from Bhimashankar. If you're staying one night, the second day is best used here.

Shivneri Fort is where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. The climb goes through seven gates. Budget 2-3 hours, and start by 8 or 9 am, by noon the rock gets very hot and there's not much shade on top.

Lenyadri is about 5 km from Junnar. It's a group of around 30 old Buddhist caves, and Cave 7 has Girijatmaj Ganpati, one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples. There are around 300 steps. Palkhi (palanquin) service is available at the bottom for elderly people, settle the price before you start. ASI charges a small entry ticket.

Ozar Vighneshwar is another Ashtavinayak temple, about 15 km from Lenyadri. No steps, easy for everyone. Mornings are less crowded.

All three in one day is possible. Shivneri first, Lenyadri by lunch, eat in Junnar town, Ozar in the afternoon, and you're back in Pune by 8-9 pm.

How to reach Bhimashankar

From Pune by car: Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Manchar, Ghodegaon, then the ghat. Manchar is the last proper fuel pump and the last ATM you can rely on. The ghat road is fine for any car including hatchbacks, but in fog you'll be driving very slow with hazard lights on. Plan an extra hour in monsoon.

From Pune by bus: MSRTC buses run from Shivajinagar bus stand through the day. Around 3.5 hours, fare is roughly ₹200-250 for an ordinary bus. In Shravan and on Mahashivratri extra buses run from Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Narayangaon, all of them crowded. Book on the MSRTC website or app where you can.

From Mumbai by car: About 200 km via the expressway and Pune. 5-6 hours, more on long weekends because of traffic near Lonavala.

From Mumbai on foot (Khandas route): Train to Karjat, then shared jeep or auto to Khandas village, 35-40 km. From Khandas there are two trails. The path splits about 500 m after the village.

• Ganesh Ghat (right side): about 7 km one way, steady climb, nothing technical, around 4 hours up. Fine for fit beginners in dry weather.
• Shidi Ghat (left side): about 5 km, much steeper, with iron ladders on rock faces. Only for experienced trekkers. In heavy rain, avoid it.

There's no water source on either trail, so carry 3 litres per person. Start walking by 7 am. Coming down takes 2-2.5 hours.

Best time to visit

October to February is the easiest time. Skies are mostly clear, trails are dry and you actually get views from Nagphani. In December and January early mornings go down to 10-12°C, carry a proper jacket.

June to September is monsoon. Forest is green and waterfalls are running, but there's heavy fog, leeches on the trails and slippery paths. Fine for trekkers, difficult with elderly parents or small kids.

March to May is hot in Pune but comfortable at Bhimashankar. Fewer people come, so darshan is quicker. Waterfalls are dry in this season.

Avoid Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri unless darshan on that day is the main reason for the trip. Traffic on the ghat road can stop for hours and darshan queues go very long.

2-day plan

Day 1: Leave Pune by 5:30 am, reach by 9. If the sky is clear, go to Hanuman Lake and Nagphani Point first and do darshan after. If it's cloudy, do darshan first and check the viewpoints later. Lunch at one of the thali places near the bus stand. Afternoon, walk to Sakshi Vinayak and Gupt Bhimashankar. Evening at Mumbai Point. Stay at Bhimashankar or Ghodegaon.

Day 2: Early morning walk for the Shekru, 6:30-8:30. Breakfast and check out. Drive to Junnar, Shivneri by 9:30-10, Lenyadri by 1, lunch in Junnar, Ozar around 3-4 pm. Back in Pune by about 8 pm.

Only 1 day: Do Day 1 without staying. Leave Bhimashankar by 5 pm and you'll reach Pune by 8:30-9.

Where to stay

At Bhimashankar the options are basic: the MTDC resort, a few private lodges and some homestays near the market. Rooms are simple, book ahead for weekends and festival days because they fill up. Ghodegaon and Manchar have more choice but add 30-60 minutes of driving each way. If you're doing the Junnar side on Day 2, staying in Junnar also works.

What to carry

• Shoes with good grip, very important from June to September
• Light rain jacket even in October, weather changes quickly up there
• Cash, UPI works at most stalls but network goes in and out
• A cloth bag for footwear if you don't want to leave them at the stalls
• Binoculars if you're going mainly for the Shekru or birds
• Snacks and water for the trails, nothing is sold beyond the market area

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