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Travel to the Religious Town of Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

By Manoj

Bhimashankar is a religious town, situated in the state of Maharashtra, close to the popular trekking destination of Karjat. The town is famous for being the home to one of the 12 Holy Jyotirlinga shrines found in India. The town also happens to be the point of origin for the River Bhima that flows south east and later merges with the River Krishna.

Though there are not many attractions here the town attracts a lot of devotees who come here to pay homage to the Gods. The town has many mythological stories behind it and thus devotees coming here believe that there is a supreme power that rests here. You can also indulge in listening to the many stories of the town from its locals. Here is a guide to the religious town of Bhimashankar.

Bhimashankar Temple
The Bhimashankar Temple is also referred to as the Holy Jyotirlinga and is an exquisite temple built in dedication of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that when Lord Shiva resided in the Sahayadri Hills, he had taken the form of Bhima and had killed the demon Tripurasura. The Holy Jyotirlinga follows a Nagra style of architecture and houses manuscripts dating back to the 13th century. The temple premises also has a small 'Shani Temple' within it. This religious site is not only famous among worshippers and devotees but also among bird watchers and trekkers, as it is located on a hill and there are many birds in the region.

A view of the temple.
Photo Courtesy: ସୁରଥ କୁମାର ପାଢ଼ୀ

Hanuman Lake
The Hanuman Lake is a scenic tourist spot in Bhimashankar and makes for an ideal picnic spot to spend a lovely day with your family. It is home to several different species of birds that can be seen frequenting the lake. It is a haven for bird lovers and photographers who can see the birds up close and learn more about them.

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bhimshankar Wildlife Sanctuary lies nestled in the Sahayadri Ranges and is covered by lush greenery on all sides. Few of the most endangered species of wildlife can be found in this sanctuary such as the Giant Indian Squirrel. Other wildlife including; Hyenas, Flying squirrels, Barking Deer, Leopards, Porcupines and Wild Boars can also be seen. The Malabar Whistling Thrush, Green Pigeon, Quaker Babbler, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Grey Jungle Fowl are a few of the many birds that can be sighted here. It is a perfect place to head to with your family as the children will love the jungle safari.

The Giant Indian Squirrel sitting on a tree branch.
Photo Courtesy: Soumyadeep Chatterjee

Manmod Hills
The Manmod Hills is popular for its numerous rocks that have ancient carvings and inscriptions on them. Many of these carvings relate to the Holy Jyotirlinga along with other inscriptions like the Bhootlingam and the Amba-Ambika. All these carvings bear a strong resemblance to traditional Buddhist styles. It is mostly visited by devotees who consider these inscriptions to be a religious relic. Travellers interested in trekking can trek to the top of the hills as it give a scenic view of the region.

How to Reach Bhimashankar
By Road:
Tourists wishing to travel to Bhimashankar by road have to reach Mumbai first and from there can avail buses or hire cabs to reach the town.

By Train: The closest station to Bhimashankar is the station in Mumbai. It is well-connected to the rest of the country.

By Air: The closest airport to Bhimashankar is the Mumbai airport, located at a distance of 213 km. It is well-connected with all the major cities of the country.

Travel to the Religious Town of Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

A long misty road.
Photo Courtesy: Yogendra Joshi

Read more about: bhimashankar maharashtra
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