Home

Bhimashankar

Bhimashankar is a hill town and pilgrimage site in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. It lies in the northern part of the Western Ghats and is set on a hill that forms part of the region’s forested uplands near the origin of the Bhima River. The town is famed for the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, making it an important destination for Hindu devotees as well as nature lovers.

The temple precinct sits within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area that preserves montane forest

In addition to its religious significance, Bhimashankar is associated with legends of the Shiva Jyotirlinga and

habitats
and
watershed
forests
of
the
Western
Ghats.
The
sanctuary,
established
in
1984,
encompasses
rugged
terrain
with
a
rich
diversity
of
flora
and
fauna.
It
is
a
biodiversity
hotspot,
supporting
numerous
bird
and
mammal
species,
amphibians,
and
a
variety
of
endemic
plants.
The
forested
landscape
and
rivers
in
the
area
are
a
key
ecological
asset
of
the
region.
its
manifestation
as
a
divine
source
of
Shiva’s
light.
The
site
attracts
pilgrims,
trekkers,
and
travelers
who
come
to
experience
both
spiritual
heritage
and
the
natural
beauty
of
the
Western
Ghats.
Access
is
typically
via
road
from
Pune,
with
the
area
experiencing
peak
visitation
during
the
cooler
months
and
the
monsoon
season
when
the
forests
are
especially
lush.
Conservation
efforts
focus
on
protecting
forest
habitats
while
allowing
for
sustainable
pilgrimage
and
tourism.