Bhimashankar
The Jyotirlinga of Pune district, in the forests of the Sahyadri where the Bhima river begins.
Quick facts
- Location:
- Ambegaon taluka, Pune
- Distance:
- About 110 km from Pune
- Darshan timings:
- Check before visiting
The temple
The Bhimashankar temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style. Nana Phadnavis added to the temple in the eighteenth century. The Bhima river rises nearby. The temple stands inside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, home of the Shekru, Maharashtra's state animal.
The story
Legend says Shiva destroyed the demon Bhima here, and stayed on as Bhimashankar at the request of the gods.
How to reach
Drive via Rajgurunagar, Manchar and Ghodegaon, or take an ST bus from Shivajinagar. See also Bhimashankar as a trip.
More in Jyotirlinga
- Trimbakeshwar The Jyotirlinga near Nashik, at the source of the Godavari river, where the linga has three faces.
- Grishneshwar The smallest of the twelve Jyotirlingas, beside the Ellora caves, rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar.
- Somnath The first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, on the sea shore in Gujarat, rebuilt many times through history.
- Mallikarjuna The Jyotirlinga at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, on a hill above the Krishna river.
- Mahakaleshwar The Jyotirlinga of Ujjain, famous for the early morning Bhasma Aarti.
- Omkareshwar The Jyotirlinga on an island in the Narmada river, shaped like the sacred symbol Om.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.