[DSK0909]

Hi BHPians,

Did a day trip to Bhimshankar from Pune today.

Took the following road both ways:
Wagholi - Koregoan Bhima - Shikarapur - Dhamari - Pabal - Wafgaon - Peth - Manchar - Landewadi - Shinoli - Tale Ghar - Bhimashankar

Had lunch at La Moire Resort. Excellent ambience and good food. Definately recommended for families.

After turning left from Shikrapur, the road is 2 lane but it is good till Pabal.
20 Kms from Pabal to Peth till we reach the Nashik highway is pothole ridden.
Post that the road till Bhimshankar is good.

Today being Sunday, there was huge crowds. Cars, tempos and buses were parked on the road for about 5 odd kms. If going to the temple on weekends, better to park the vehicle far away and walk, if possible.

There is a VIP darshan ticket available for 500Rs per person behind the temple. Need to walk down 203 steps to reach the temple from the road.

[abhi_tjet]

Visited Bhimashankar this weekend to pay obeisance to the deity Shiva. I am posting update since I chose to take the Rajgurunagar route instead of the usual Peth/Manchar ones. (They are quite nice with minimal surprise.)

I took this route last during monsoon of 2020. Happy to update that road condition is quite good, definitely better than 2020 and very scenic with minimal traffic.

Also, instead of following Shirgaon - Taleghar route , I went ahead via Karkudi and wasn’t disappointed. Traffic was further less and road conditions were much better though quite narrow at few places.

This route took me straight to the Blue Mormon resort which was booked by us for night halt.

TJET wearing monsoon colors

[Rajesh K R]

Hi abhi_tjet,

I am planning to visit Mumbai in the first week of sept 23. Plan to visit Bhimashankar. I am from BLR and thinking of driving to Mumbai. Just wanted your suggestion /opinion on me driving from Mumbai to Bhimashankar. I have driven to Mumbai couple of times from BLR.

I drive an Elite i20 crdi. Just wanted your suggestion whether i should drive my own vehicle or hire a cab?

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by Rajesh K R

Hi abhi_tjet

I drive an Elite i20 crdi. Just wanted your suggestion whether i should drive my own vehicle or hire a cab?

Hi Rajesh, kindly excuse for delay in reply, was away and not active much here during long weekend.

You can definitely take your car to Bhimashankar. The roads are quite beautiful and you will enjoy to the core.

It’s just that vehicles are being stopped around 5-6kms before the actual temple due to the ongoing Shravan month. Govt has arranged bus service to ferry people to the temple at a nominal fees. Try to reach as early as possible so as to avoid long queue near parking place as well as temple.

[Rajesh K R]

thank you Abhi. Yes, we will plan in that way to beat the rush too !!

[arun_112]

Watch the detailed route video at

https://youtu.be/aFDTqhb7u60

Bhimashankar Shiva temple is one of the Jyotirlinga. Currently (as in the year 2024) the roads from Mumbai, Thane and Pune are very good. People who take the aid of GPS route directions end up going via the shortest route of 203 Km that goes through Vadgaon-Talegaon Dhabade MIDC-Satkarwadi-Dhamangaon-Taleghar route that is in bad condition.

BEST ROUTE-
The best roads are via Chakan-Manchar and one should prefer to travel by this for peace of mind and driving pleasure.

PARKING-
There is paid parking available about 800 Mts before the steps to temple. But if you visit at 4 or 4:30 am then there is no barrier to stop the cars and you can drive and park next to the steps. But when you will return after darshan after 1.5 hours, your route would be blocked by plenty of car and buses and you will have difficulty and wastage of time to pass this traffic. Therefore, it is advisable to drop the passengers and return back and park the car about 1 Km ahead on the empty road side. After darshan, you have to just walk 1 Km and drive away bypassing the chaos.

FAST DARSHAN-
There is a racket going on, where the boys on bike take Rs 500 from you, without any receipt and drop you to temple gate and get you fast darshan through connivance with the priests. Otherwise you can buy Rs 500 pass to get fast darshan.
If you are reaching the temple before 4:30 am then there is no need to spend Rs 500 as you will be easily getting the darshan in very short time (may be within an hour).

CLIMBING STEPS-
It is not so tiring going down and coming up through the steps as now there is also a ramp by the side of steps that bypasses many steps that are under repairs (January 2024).

PRASAD-
Prasad made from milk is sold by various shops. There are three types – white, brown and milk cake. All have the same rate of Rs 100 for 250 gms. Out of these three the best one is the milk cake that is grainy and dark brown in colour.

OFFERINGS BASKET-
Shops sell offerings (flower, agarbatti, etc.) placed in plastic basket. The cost for this is Rs 50, but some shops would sell you for Rs 100 to Rs 150. So you need to negotiate well. Never buy from the shops that are at the begining of the steps just after parking as they are expensive. As you go down the steps the rates are better.

FOOTWEAR STAND-
There is no footwear stand managed by the temple. The shops allow you to leave your footwear at their shops. So you have to remember the shop name and location in order to pick up the footwear as it can be confusing. Better to click a photo of the shop.

FOOD-
No good restaurants in the vicinity of the temple. It is better to eat at the good restaurants on way to Manchar. If you are staying at MTDC then their restaurant timings are 8 am to 10 am for breakfast, 1 pm to 3 pm for lunch and 7 pm to 10 pm for dinner. Food prices are slightly on higher side looking at the condition of the resort and the servings are small.
Near the temple there are vada pav stalls, tea stalls and some stalls providing lunch also.

ACCOMMODATION-
Although there are many staying options available around the temple, the best one is MTDC resort that is economical and convenient. It is located about 10 Kms from the temple. The rooms and services are very average, the building is old, not well maintained and with no room service. But the rooms are big with balcony. It is good for overnight stay only. They have large parking area.
There are some budget accommodation as well as home stays available, but you need to read their reviews before deciding about them as most pf these have congested small rooms in village homes.

[arun_112]

See detailed video at

https://youtu.be/aFDTqhb7u60

Bhimashankar Shiva temple is one of the Jyotirlinga. Currently (as in the year 2024) the roads from Mumbai, Thane and Pune are very good. People who take the aid of GPS route directions end up going via the shortest route of 203 Km that goes through Vadgaon-Talegaon Dhabade MIDC-Satkarwadi-Dhamangaon-Taleghar route that is in bad condition.

BEST ROUTE-
The best roads are via Chakan-Manchar and one should prefer to travel by this for peace of mind and driving pleasure.

PARKING-
There is paid parking available about 800 Mts before the steps to temple. But if you visit at 4 or 4:30 am then there is no barrier to stop the cars and you can drive and park next to the steps. But when you will return after darshan after 1.5 hours, your route would be blocked by plenty of car and buses and you will have difficulty and wastage of time to pass this traffic. Therefore, it is advisable to drop the passengers and return back and park the car about 1 Km ahead on the empty road side. After darshan, you have to just walk 1 Km and drive away bypassing the chaos.

FAST DARSHAN-
There is a racket going on, where the boys on bike take Rs 500 from you, without any receipt and drop you to temple gate and get you fast darshan through connivance with the priests. Otherwise you can buy Rs 500 pass to get fast darshan.
If you are reaching the temple before 4:30 am then there is no need to spend Rs 500 as you will be easily getting the darshan in very short time (may be within an hour).

CLIMBING STEPS-
It is not so tiring going down and coming up through the steps as now there is also a ramp by the side of steps that bypasses many steps that are under repairs (January 2024).

PRASAD-
Prasad made from milk is sold by various shops. There are three types – white, brown and milk cake. All have the same rate of Rs 100 for 250 gms. Out of these three the best one is the milk cake that is grainy and dark brown in colour.

OFFERINGS BASKET-
Shops sell offerings (flower, agarbatti, etc.) placed in plastic basket. The cost for this is Rs 50, but some shops would sell you for Rs 100 to Rs 150. So you need to negotiate well. Never buy from the shops that are at the begining of the steps just after parking as they are expensive. As you go down the steps the rates are better.

FOOTWEAR STAND-
There is no footwear stand managed by the temple. The shops allow you to leave your footwear at their shops. So you have to remember the shop name and location in order to pick up the footwear as it can be confusing. Better to click a photo of the shop.

FOOD-
No good restaurants in the vicinity of the temple. It is better to eat at the good restaurants on way to Manchar. If you are staying at MTDC then their restaurant timings are 8 am to 10 am for breakfast, 1 pm to 3 pm for lunch and 7 pm to 10 pm for dinner. Food prices are slightly on higher side looking at the condition of the resort and the servings are small.
Near the temple there are vada pav stalls, tea stalls and some stalls providing lunch also.

ACCOMMODATION-
Although there are many staying options available around the temple, the best one is MTDC resort that is economical and convenient. It is located about 10 Kms from the temple. The rooms and services are very average, the building is old, not well maintained and with no room service. But the rooms are big with balcony. It is good for overnight stay only. They have large parking area.
There are some budget accommodation as well as home stays available, but you need to read their reviews before deciding about them as most pf these have congested small rooms in village homes.