A Monsoon Forest Trek to the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
The Bhorgiri to Bhimashankar Trek is a one-day Sahyadri forest trail that ends at one of India's twelve sacred Jyotirlingas. Set deep in the Western Ghats, the Bhimashankar temple is a graceful 18th-century shrine to Lord Shiva, surrounded by an ancient protected forest that's also a wildlife sanctuary and the source of the Bhima River.
Starting from the base village of Bhorgiri, the trail winds through dense green forest, past the hidden Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall, gentle river crossings, and views over the Bhima valley, before arriving at the temple area. The real reward here is the journey — the misty forest, the waterfall, and the quiet sense of arrival at a place of deep significance.
Please note: This is a trekking experience, not a darshan tour. The queue for entering the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple often runs to several hours, so temple darshan is not part of the itinerary. You'll reach and see the temple area, but the trek is built around the forest trail rather than a temple visit.
- Trek route: Bhorgiri (base) to Bhimashankar temple area
- Location: Bhimashankar, Western Ghats, Pune district
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Trek distance: About 6 km one way
- Duration: Approximately 6 hours of trekking, both ways
- Best season: Monsoon (June to September)
- Highlights: Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall, river crossing, Bhima River view, the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga setting
The Significance of Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and draws streams of devotees, especially during the month of Shravan. Legend holds that Lord Shiva battled the demon Tripurasura here, and the intense heat of that struggle gave rise to the Bhima River — which is how the place earned its name. The temple blends old and newer Nagara architecture into a modest yet striking 18th-century shrine.
Pickup Locations from Pune
📍 04:30 AM — Seasons Mall Bus Stop, Magarpatta Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tVotk5yasJ1mbeYb8
📍 05:00 AM — Novotel Hotel, Viman Nagar Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ooiRmYvZeR8iL1ju5
📍 05:20 AM — J.M. Corner, JM Road Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/AiFcddEyN29LNTjs6
📍 05:30 AM — Bremen Chowk, Aundh Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rQVD6gJyRMdMFLFYA
📍 05:45 AM — Jagtap Dairy Travels Stop Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eXUKDR7HeAPQBXfV6
📍 06:00 AM — Om Sai Travels Pickup Point, Nashik Phata Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YbxCSqaUku7Y8d1R6
Itinerary — Bhorgiri to Bhimashankar Trek
Day One — Trek Day
- 06:00 AM — Depart Pune early in the morning to make the most of the day.
- 08:30 AM — Reach the base village of Bhorgiri, the starting point of the Bhimashankar trek.
- 09:00 AM — Breakfast at the base village.
- 09:30 AM — Begin the guided trek through the lush Bhimashankar forest, surrounded by dense greenery, towering trees, and cool mountain air.
- 10:00 AM — Enjoy the jungle trail, the Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall, a river crossing, and views of the Bhima River.
- 11:30 AM — Reach the Bhimashankar temple area. Take a 30-minute break to rest, eat snacks, and take in the surroundings of this sacred Jyotirlinga site. (Please note: darshan inside the temple is not part of the trek — see the note below.)
- 01:00 PM — Begin the return trek along the same forest route, soaking in its serene atmosphere once more.
- 01:15 PM — Stop again at the Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall.
- 02:45 PM — Reach the base village and bid farewell to the enchanting Bhimashankar forest.
- 03:00 PM — Lunch.
- 04:00 PM — Begin the return journey to Pune.
- 09:00 PM — Reach Pune by late evening and bid adieu to your fellow trekkers.
Important note: Temple darshan inside the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is not included in this trek. The queue to enter the temple often runs to several hours, which would delay the entire group's return journey. This is a forest trekking experience that brings you to the temple area, where you can see the shrine and its surroundings — but entering for darshan is not possible within the trek schedule. If darshan is your main goal, we recommend a dedicated Bhimashankar temple visit instead.
The itinerary is indicative and timings may shift with weather, traffic, group pace, and conditions on the day. The trek leader's decisions are final and made in the interest of group safety.
How to Book the Bhimashankar Trek
- Click the "Book Now" button.
- Select your departure date and tap Pay and Book.
- Choose your ticket type and quantity. Apply your coupon code here if you have one.
- Fill in your personal details, then review and proceed to payment.
- Pay securely via UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- You'll receive a booking confirmation by email, so please enter a valid email ID.
- A WhatsApp group link is sent to your number around 8 hours before departure, so add a valid WhatsApp number while booking.
- All event details and your trek leader's contact will be shared in that WhatsApp group.
Bhimashankar Trekking
What is included in the tour
- Pune to Pune travel by private non-Ac vehicle.
- 1 veg Breakfast and 1 veg Lunch
- Treks and Trails expertise charges
- Entry fees
What is NOT included in the tour
- Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption.
- All kinds of Extra Meals / soft drinks ordered.
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above.
- All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather.
- Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required.
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple darshan is not included in the itinerary.
Things to Carry
This is a monsoon forest trek with river crossings and slippery trails, so pack smart. Use this checklist before you set out:
- 2–3 litres of water — stay hydrated through the climb; refill points are limited.
- Good trekking shoes — for grip and comfort on wet, rocky sections (no sandals or floaters).
- A 20–30 litre daypack — line it with a plastic bag to keep your gear dry in the rain.
- Cap and sunscreen — useful on the drive and any open stretches.
- Personal first aid and any personal medicines.
- High-energy snacks — dry fruits, dry snacks, and energy bars.
- ORS, glucose, or electrolyte sachets (Glucon-D / ORS / Tang / Gatorade) to keep your energy up.
- A good torch or headlamp with a spare battery, for early starts and low-light forest stretches.
- Valid government ID proof (mandatory).
- Full-sleeve clothing and full track pants — protect against sun, thorns, insects, and scratches; quick-dry fabric is best.
- Rainwear — a poncho or waterproof jacket; pack your bag to keep everything dry, as rain is expected.
- Zip-lock or plastic pouches — double-pack your phone, ID, and valuables to keep them dry during river crossings and rain.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bhorgiri to Bhimashankar Trek
Is the Bhimashankar temple open right now? Yes. The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga reopened after its planned renovation closure earlier in 2026 and is currently open for darshan, typically from morning to night. The temple stays open through the monsoon, though ghat roads can be slow in heavy rain. Timings can change on festival days, so check official announcements before planning a separate temple visit. (Verify current status before each batch, as temple schedules change.)
Is temple darshan included in this trek? No. Darshan inside the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is not part of the trek. The entry queue often runs to several hours, which would delay the entire group's return journey. This is a forest trekking experience that brings you to the temple area, where you can see the shrine and its surroundings — but going inside for darshan isn't feasible within the trek schedule.
Can I still do darshan if I really want to? The trek timeline doesn't allow for the long darshan queue, since waiting would hold up the whole group. If darshan is your main goal, we recommend a dedicated Bhimashankar temple visit rather than this trek.
Where does the Bhimashankar trek start? From the base village of Bhorgiri, in the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pune district, Maharashtra.
How long is the Bhorgiri to Bhimashankar trek? About 6 km one way, taking roughly 6 hours both ways including breaks at the waterfall and temple area.
How difficult is the Bhimashankar trek? It's rated easy to moderate, with some river crossings and rocky sections. Suitable for trekkers with basic to moderate fitness; good trekking shoes are essential in the monsoon.
Is Bhimashankar a Jyotirlinga? Yes — Bhimashankar is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India, set in the Western Ghats where the Bhima River originates.
What is the best time to do the Bhimashankar trek? The monsoon (June to September), when the forest is lush and the Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall is in full flow. Note that ghat roads in the area can be slow and slippery in heavy rain.
What will I see on the trek? The Gupt Bhimashankar waterfall, a river crossing, views of the Bhima River, dense Sahyadri rainforest, and the Bhimashankar temple area. The sanctuary is also home to the Shekru (Indian Giant Squirrel), Maharashtra's state animal.
Is Jain food available? Yes — please mention it in the comments section while booking.
Is parking available at the base? Yes, at the base village; a small fee is payable to the local panchayat.
Are toilets available at the base? Basic Indian-style toilets are available at the base area.
Can solo trekkers join? Yes — solo trekkers are warmly welcomed on our guided batches.
Is the trek safe for female trekkers? Yes. Female trekkers are welcomed, we maintain a roughly 6:4 male-to-female ratio per batch, and a female trek leader is assigned whenever available.
