Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges of Maharashtra capturing the attention of the devotees of Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the jyotirlingas amongst the 12 jyotirlingas spread all over India.

Distance from Mumbai: 213 kms

Districts/Region

Pune District, Maharashtra, India.

History

This temple of Lord Shiva is associated with the origin of one of the sacred rivers in Maharashtra named Bhima. The belief is, the river Bhima originates here and vanishes in the woods and appears again on the eastern slopes of Sahyadri in the dense forest. This hill is also known for being protected first and a sanctuary.
This is one of the important pilgrim centres in India and is visited by known saints and ascetics. ShaivaPuranas mention this temple as one of the sacred spots associated with lord shiva lives here in the form of Jyotirlinga. It is part of the ancient trade route during Indo-Roman trade connecting coastal ports with commercial centres on the Plateau. One of the passes called GaneshGhat is still considered a paradise for trackers. 
Literary sources say the temple was constructed in the 13th Century CE. A section of the temple was built by a trader named ChimajiAntajiNaikBhinde in 1437 AD. The temple is composed of both old and new structures of the Nagara style of Architecture. ChimajiAppa, after victory over the Portuguese, took 5 bells from Vasai Fort and installed one of the bells in this temple. The hall of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis of the Peshwa in the 18th Century. The temple is built in a dry masonry style. This temple was said to be visited by ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj and RajaramMaharaj. Peshwa Raghunathrao had dug a well over here. The temple was renovated by Nana Phadnavis.

Geography

The temple is located in the village Bhorgiri which is 50 KM North West of KhedTaluka. It is located 106 KM from the city of Pune.

Weather/Climate

The region has a hot-semi arid climate year-round with an average temperature ranging from 19-33 degrees Celsius.
April and May are the hottest months in the region when the temperature reaches up to 42 degrees Celsius.
Winters are extreme, and the temperature can go as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night, but the average daytime temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius.
The annual rainfall in the region is around 763 mm.

Things to do

The temple is decorated with some statues of Dashavtar which are a great sight to look at. The temple attracts numerous tourists during the temple of Mahashivratri and also during the Fireflies Festival which happens before the Monsoon season.

Nearest tourist places

The nearby tourist attractions include:
●    Bhimashankar Forest Reserve: 1.7 KM
●    Shivneri Fort: 69.6 KM
●    Narayangad Fort: 80.7 KM
●    Jivdhan Fort: 80.1 KM
●    Hadsar Fort: 83.2 KM

Special food speciality and hotel

Maharashtrian Cuisine is mainly found over here in nearby restaurants. MisalPav is one of the special dishes over here.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Maharashtrian Cuisine is mainly found over here in nearby restaurants. MisalPav is one of the special dishes over here.
●    Ghodegaon Police Station is the closest at a distance of 47.2 KM.
●    Sanjeevani Chest and General Hospital at a distance of 66.2 KM.

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

●    Best time to visit would be during the months of September to February. 
●    The temple has no entrance fees. 
●    It opens at 4:00 A.M in the morning and closes at 8:00 P.M in the evening.

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi and Marathi.