Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: Timings, Online Pass, How to Reach

Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)

Bhimashankar is the forest Jyotirlinga. The temple sits on a wooded ridge of the Western Ghats where the Bhima river rises, inside a wildlife sanctuary known for the giant squirrel. It is smaller and quieter than the Jyotirlingas of the plains, which many yatris love, but 2026 brought big changes to how darshan works. This guide explains the current situation, the temple’s daily schedule, how to reach from Pune and Mumbai, the best season, and how to join Bhimashankar with Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar.

What is the story of Bhimashankar?

According to the Shiva Purana, Bhima, a powerful rakshasa said to be the son of Kumbhakarna, grew enraged on learning that Shri Ram had killed his father. He won great boons through tapasya and began to persecute devotees. When he attacked a king who was worshipping a Shiva linga in the Dakini forest, Bhagwan Shiva appeared and destroyed him, then stayed on at the request of the devas as Bhimashankar.

A local belief connects the place with Shiva’s battle against Tripurasura: after the fight, the Lord rested on this ridge and the sweat from his body became the Bhima river. The stotram places Bhimashankar “Dakinyam”, in the Dakini region, and a few devotees in the north-east honour a temple near Guwahati as the Jyotirlinga instead. Most families visit the Sahyadri temple.

The temple is built in the Nagara style. Its sabha mandap was added in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis, and the large bell near the entrance is associated with Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Bajirao I.

Bhimashankar in 2026: closure, reopening and the online pass

This is the most important thing to know before you plan:

• Closed for works: the Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust closed the temple to devotees from 9 January 2026 to build a new sabha mandap and improve the stairway, as part of preparations linked to the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik. The closure was later extended to 31 May 2026.
• Reopened on 15 June 2026: with an online darshan pass made compulsory by the Pune district administration. Registration is on the trust’s official website, shreebhimashankar.com, and devotees must carry a valid photo ID.
• Limits at reopening: about 1,000 devotees a day, darshan from 7 am to 11 am, and VIP or recommendation-based entry discontinued, as reported in June 2026.
• Shravan 2026: the trust extended darshan to about 5 am to 9:30 pm for the Shravan month, as reported in August 2026.

The pass rule was announced “until further notice”, and work on the hall was still under way in late 2026. Before you travel, open the official website, check whether a pass is still needed and what hours apply, and book for every member of the group. Do not pay any agent for a pass.

Bhimashankar daily puja schedule (regular)

When the temple runs normal hours, the trust’s published schedule is as follows:

During construction, the trust’s own site showed a reduced window of 7 am to 11 am. Plan your darshan for the morning in any case; it is when the forest is cool and the day visitors from Pune have not yet arrived.

Dress, steps and practical rules

• Modest Indian clothing is appropriate; there is no published strict dress code for general darshan.
• From the parking area, a long flight of steps lined with shops leads down to the temple, and you climb back up afterwards. There is no lift. Take it slowly if you have knee or heart trouble, and use the handrails.
• Phone network is patchy on the hill and often absent in the forest.
• Stay options on the hill are simple lodges and government rooms; more comfortable hotels are at Manchar, about 60 km away.
• In the monsoon, forest paths are slippery and leeches are common. Carry rain gear and proper shoes.

How to reach Bhimashankar

Pune is the nearest airport and major railway station. Maharashtra state buses run from Pune’s Shivajinagar bus stand to Bhimashankar, and extra buses are added in Shravan. The last part of the road is narrow and winding.

When is the best time to visit Bhimashankar?

October to February is the most comfortable, with clear views and cool mornings. The monsoon (June to September) turns the ridge into a world of mist and waterfalls, and weekend crowds from Pune and Mumbai come for it, but roads and paths are slippery and views are often hidden. Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri (6 March 2027 by the panchang) are the busiest days of the year. Because of the ongoing works, watch the trust’s announcements for festival-day arrangements in 2027.

What else to see at Bhimashankar

• Gupt Bhimashankar: about 1.5 km into the forest, where the Bhima appears from the rocks and a small linga is worshipped. Uneven path; wear good shoes.
• Kamalaja Devi temple: near the main temple, honoured as a form of Parvati.
• Hanuman tank and Nagphani point: viewpoints over the Konkan on clear days.
• Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary: home of the shekru, the Indian giant squirrel, Maharashtra’s state animal.

Combining Bhimashankar with other Jyotirlingas

Bhimashankar is one of three Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Ellora are each about four to six hours’ drive away, and a 5- to 7-day Maharashtra circuit covers all three, with Shirdi on the way. Coming from Madhya Pradesh, our 11-day route begins with Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar and ends at Bhimashankar and Pune. Families following the traditions of Parli Vaijnath and Aundha Nagnath can add them via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. See the 12 Jyotirlinga list for the overall plan.

How we can help

Our Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days from Pune, price on request) keeps you near the temple so darshan can be taken early, with time for Gupt Bhimashankar. We check the trust’s current pass and timing rules for your date and help each yatri register on the official website. For five Jyotirlingas in one journey, see the Panch Jyotirlinga Yatra (11 days, Indore to Pune, from ₹60,000 per person), which ends with two nights at Bhimashankar. All options are on our Jyotirlinga yatra page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).

Frequently asked questions

Is Bhimashankar temple open now?

Yes. After being closed for renovation from 9 January 2026, the temple reopened to devotees on 15 June 2026. At reopening, an online darshan pass on shreebhimashankar.com was compulsory and daily numbers and hours were limited, while Shravan hours were later extended. Work on the new hall continued into late 2026, so check the trust’s latest notice before travelling.

Do I need an online pass for Bhimashankar darshan?

From the June 2026 reopening, the Pune district administration made an online pass compulsory, booked on the trust’s official website, shreebhimashankar.com, with a valid photo ID carried on the day. The rule was announced until further notice. Check the website for the current position and register every member of your group before leaving.

What are the Bhimashankar temple timings?

Under the trust’s regular schedule the temple opens at 5 am, with aartis at about 5 am, 2:45 pm and 7:30 pm, and closes at 9:30 pm. During the 2026 construction work, darshan was limited to about 7 am to 11 am on many days. Always confirm the hours for your date on the official site.

How far is Bhimashankar from Pune and Mumbai?

About 110 km from Pune, which takes 3 to 4 hours, the last stretch on a narrow ghat road. From Mumbai it is about 210 to 230 km, or 5 to 6 hours via the Pune expressway. Pune is the nearest airport and railway station, and state buses run from Pune to Bhimashankar.

Is Bhimashankar suitable for elderly people?

It can be, with care. The temple is reached by a long flight of steps down from the parking area, which must be climbed again on the way back, and there is no lift. Go slowly, take breaks, and choose the dry months from October to February. Gupt Bhimashankar’s forest path is best skipped by those unsteady on their feet.

Is it good to visit Bhimashankar in the monsoon?

The ridge is beautiful in the rains, with waterfalls and mist, and weekend visitors flock there. But steps and forest paths are slippery, leeches are common, fog hides the views and the ghat road needs careful driving. For families with seniors or small children, the cooler, drier months are the better choice.

Which Jyotirlingas can be combined with Bhimashankar?

Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Ellora, the other two Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra, are each a few hours away, and all three fit into a 5- to 7-day circuit with Shirdi. Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh can be added before them for a Panch Jyotirlinga yatra of about 11 days.

Is there another Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Assam?

Some devotees read “Dakinyam” in the stotram as the north-east and honour a Bhimashankar temple near Guwahati as the Jyotirlinga. The temple in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district is the one most widely accepted and visited. Many families simply follow the tradition of their own region or guru.