Day trip · Nashik–Trimbakeshwar
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Forest Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri hills at the source of the Bhima river, set in a wildlife sanctuary.
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, set among the forested crests of the Sahyadris in Pune district. The temple, in the Nagara style, stands near the source of the Bhima river, and the surrounding Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Indian giant squirrel.
With Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar it completes Maharashtra’s Jyotirlinga circuit, which many Simhastha pilgrims combine into one yatra.
Visiting tips
- Plan an overnight stay or a very early start; the last stretch is a hill road.
- Monsoon brings mist and heavy rain—drive carefully.
More places in Nashik–Trimbakeshwar
Ghat
Ramkund, Panchavati
Main Nashik bathing site
The sacred tank on the Godavari where Lord Rama is believed to have bathed—the main Simhastha bathing site in Nashik.
Temple
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
About 28 km from Nashik
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, unique for its three-faced lingam representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Temple
Kalaram Temple
Panchavati, near Ramkund
Eighteenth-century black-stone temple with a black idol of Lord Rama, landmark of Panchavati.
Heritage
Sita Gufa & Panchavati
Panchavati, near Kalaram Temple
The small cave where Sita is believed to have worshipped Shiva, beside the five banyan trees that give Panchavati its name.
Heritage
Pandavleni Caves
About 8 km from central Nashik
A group of around two dozen Buddhist rock-cut caves on Trirashmi hill, dating back about two thousand years.
Ghat
Kushavarta Kund, Trimbakeshwar
Trimbak town, a short walk from the temple
The sacred tank regarded as the source of the Godavari, where the Shaiva akharas take their Simhastha snan.
Trek
Brahmagiri Hill & Gangadwar
Above Trimbak town
The hill where the Godavari rises, with the Gangadwar shrine reached by a long flight of steps.
Temple
Muktidham Temple
Near Nashik Road station
White-marble temple complex with replicas of all twelve Jyotirlingas and the Bhagavad Gita inscribed on its walls.
Day trip
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Roughly 190 km from Nashik, near Ellora
The twelfth Jyotirlinga, a red-stone temple near the Ellora Caves rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar.