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Shiva temple in Pune district, Tamil Nadu, India
Photo: SaurabhJain at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Bhimashankar (Marathi: भीमाशंकर Bhīmāśaṅkar) is a temple town that is about 100 km from Pune and 223 km from Mumbai in Western Maharashtra. It is considered to be one of the holiest places in India and is also a popular trekking destination.
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It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 and situated at an altitude of 2100 feet to 3800 feet, spread over three districts of Pune, Raigad and Thane. Bhimashankar wildlife’s vegetation comprises semi-evergreen forests as well as western tropical hill forests. Two major Tributaries of Krishna River named Bhim and Ghod, originate from this area.
By car
You can drive to Bhimashankar by road. You first need to reach Pune by Mumbai Pune Expressway (NH4) and then continue your trip on SH112/SH54 to Bhimashankar.
By bus
Direct buses to Bhimashankar can be taken from Mumbai and Pune. To get to the town from other places, one has to take a bus to Manchar, from where regular buses leave for Bhimashankar.
By trek
From Mumbai
One has to take a local train from Mumbai City to Karjat station. A six-seater can be hired to take one to Khandas village which is about 40 km from Karjet station.
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Navi Mumbai · International · NMI
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