Mumbai To Bhimashankar Trip

Planning a Mumbai to Bhimashankar Trip? A Practical Guide for 1, 2 and 3 Days

If you have searched “Mumbai to Bhimashankar trip” and found conflicting advice about distance, steps and crowd days, this guide is for you. Bhimashankar is one of the most popular Jyotirlinga destinations from Mumbai, and it is a favourite in the monsoon. But the road, the steps and the weather catch many first-time visitors by surprise. As a travel planner at Trip Leads, I have written this guide to help you plan with confidence.

What is Bhimashankar?
Bhimashankar is a Jyotirlinga temple of Lord Shiva in the Sahyadri range, in Khed taluka of Pune district. It stands inside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bhima river is said to rise in this area. The temple is a mix of old stone work and later additions, with a sabha mandap built in the Peshwa era. Devotees come throughout the year, with the largest crowds on Mahashivratri and on Mondays during Shravan.

The route and the distance
Bhimashankar is roughly 210 to 250 km from Mumbai, depending on the route, and the drive takes about five to six hours with stops. A common route goes along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway towards Pune and then north through Rajgurunagar and Manchar. Another route goes through Kalyan, Murbad and Malshej Ghat, and then on to Junnar and Manchar. We choose the better route based on the season and traffic. The last stretch is a winding hill road, so the final hour is slower than it looks on the map.

Option A: A 1 day trip
It is possible, and many devotees do it. You leave Mumbai before sunrise, reach Bhimashankar by mid-morning, take darshan, have lunch and start back by early afternoon. You reach Mumbai in the evening. The challenge is crowd and time: on Mondays, weekends and festivals, darshan can take many hours and the return drive starts late. I suggest this plan on a weekday outside Shravan, and for fit travellers.

Option B: A 2 day, 1 night trip
This plan removes the rush. You reach Bhimashankar by late morning, rest, and see the forest area and viewpoints in the afternoon. The next morning you take darshan when the air is cool and the queue is usually shorter, and you return to Mumbai by evening. Senior citizens and families with children especially benefit from this slower plan.

Option C: A 3 day, 2 night trip
After Bhimashankar, you drive to the Junnar region and stay overnight. You visit Lenyadri, Shivneri Fort and Ozar’s Vighnahar Ganpati, and then return to Mumbai through Malshej Ghat. It turns a one-temple trip into a full faith-and-history journey.

The places worth your time
Bhimashankar Temple: The main Jyotirlinga shrine, reached by a long flight of steps going down from the road. The bell associated with Chimaji Appa Peshwa stands nearby.
Kamalaja Devi Temple: A shrine near the main temple, dedicated to Kamalaja, a form of Goddess Parvati.
Gupt Bhimashankar: A spot in the forest where devotees believe the Bhima river begins. Access depends on the season and trail conditions.
Hanuman Lake and viewpoints: Quiet places on the hill that offer wide views, especially in clear weather.
Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to the Shekru (Indian giant squirrel) and many birds and butterflies. Forest rules apply, and sightings are never guaranteed.
Lenyadri, Junnar (Option C): An Ashtavinayak shrine, the Girijatmaj Ganpati, cut into a Buddhist cave complex on a hill. It involves about 300 steps.
Shivneri Fort, Junnar (Option C): The hill fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630.
Ozar Vighnahar Ganpati (Option C): Another Ashtavinayak temple, near the Kukadi river.
Malshej Ghat (Option C): A scenic ghat road, especially lovely in the monsoon, with waterfalls and mist.

The steps at Bhimashankar
The temple is reached by a long flight of steps, several hundred in number, going down from the parking area. The climb back up is the harder part, particularly in humid weather. Take your time, carry water and rest on the way. For elders who find steps difficult, we can suggest suitable options on the day, subject to local availability.

Best time to visit Bhimashankar
The monsoon and early post-monsoon (July to October) bring a green, misty landscape and many visitors. Winter (November to February) is the best time for clear views and comfortable walking. Summer is hot, but the hill stays milder than the plains. Mondays in Shravan, Mahashivratri and weekends can be very crowded, so a weekday visit is always calmer.

What to eat
Food near the temple is simple and vegetarian. Look for poha, misal pav, zunka bhakar and a basic Maharashtrian thali. In Junnar, there are small restaurants serving local meals. Tell us your preference and we will suggest suitable places.

Where to stay
Bhimashankar has dharmashalas, simple lodges and a few resorts. Options are limited, and rooms fill early on weekends and festival days, so book ahead. For Option C, we arrange a stay in the Junnar or Narayangaon area. Tell us your budget and group size, and we will suggest options.

Practical tips from the road

Start early, since the hill road and queues take more time than you expect.
Carry a raincoat in the monsoon, as mist and showers can arrive suddenly.
Wear shoes with a good grip for the steps.
Keep valuables light and bags small.
Follow forest rules: no plastic, no loud music, no feeding wildlife.
For elders, we plan extra rest and keep walking short.

Which option should you choose?
For a quick darshan on a free day, choose the 1 day trip. For a comfortable plan with time in the hills, choose the 2 day trip. To add Junnar and the Ashtavinayak shrines, choose the 3 day tour package. If you cannot decide, tell us your group size, ages and interests, and we will recommend what fits.

Book with Trip Leads
Share your travel date, pickup location in Mumbai, group size and preferred option. We will send a clear quotation with inclusions and exclusions, with no pressure and no hidden charges. Whether you travel with parents, family or friends, Trip Leads will make sure your Bhimashankar trip is comfortable, well planned and peaceful.