For the easy-going, Bhimashankar, about 275 km from Mumbai by road is a weekend getaway. For Hiking, Bhimashankar Sidhi Ghat Trek is a 3250 feet high and a 4.5-hour grueling trek from Khandas village. It is a test of endurance for our muscles, joints, and perseverance for our minds.

The temple on top dedicated to Lord Shiva dates back to the 18th century. Legend is that Lord Shiva killed Bhima, an Asura who lived there. Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary is home to a variety of endangered species of flora and fauna. The Giant Indian Squirrel is a significant attraction, while the other species present include Panther, Sambar, Wild Boar. The Bhima river originates from here and joins river Krishna. Trekking Bhimashankar during the monsoons is ideal and the most enjoyable, with endless stretches of greenery right from the base with waterfalls and gushing streams. But it is also risky. River Bhima, also known as Chandrabhaga River, especially at Pandharpur, resembles the Moon's shape.

Initially, we planned to cover only the first plateau and a hike through the forests, since trekking up to Bhimashankar and back on the same day could be a daunting task. But the enthusiasm was infectious, and each had a point to prove to oneself. Even the first-timers were determined. It is an experience that you can never forget, and our trek was one of them. So here we go, we were 30 plus trekkers of different age groups with a mixed bag of experienced casual and first-time trekkers. Bhimashankar located near to Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills

Trek to Bhimashankar was planned by Treks and Trails India. I asked everyone to be on time & catch the last train leaving from CST Railway Station to Karjat Railway Station from their respective stations. The meeting point was 2nd last boogie of the train. Everybody was excited and caught the train through some of them caught the earlier train, and some got into a different boogie. And as usual, few were following Indian Standard Time and missed the train.

Everybody was scattered in the boogie as it was a full boogie till Kalyan, but and many of us did not know each other. I was trying to talk with everyone so that they don’t feel left out. We reached Karjat and headed to the State Transport Bus stand, where we rested for a couple of hours. Early in the morning, we got into Four TUM-TUM bigger versions of auto-rickshaw and headed for Khandas, the base village, an hour-long ride.

It was dark when we started our ride before dawn, but later while traveling to Khandas, we had a real feeling of the countryside as we saw small villages, farms, animals, bullock carts, which we don’t get to see in our day to day life. There are two Trek routes for Bhimashankar Ganesh Ghat and Shidi Ghat or Ladder route. We were going to ascend Via Shidi Ghat and descend Via Ganesh Ghat to save time and enjoy the beauty of both the courses.

We had hired a local villager to help us while ascending till the Shidi Ghat were over. We briefed everyone about the trek, gave some instructions, dos, and don’ts and then started the trek. Everyone was very excited and started the trek.

Bhimashankar Trek Blog

Within an hour, we reached the first ladder out of the three ladders were we met two other groups who were climbing the ladder. The other groups were also big like us but were slow and didn’t have experienced people to assist them in the climb, so I had to step forward as they had already slowed us down by an hour.

Within an hour, we reached the first ladder out of the three ladders were we met two other groups who were climbing the ladder. The other groups were also big like us but were slow and didn’t have experienced people to assist them in the climb, so I had to step forward as they had already slowed us down by an hour.

We were running behind schedule, and our group had got divided into two due to other groups. We still managed to catch up with the 1st half of our group after crossing the three ladders as there is a plateau after the ladders where there are some huts that sell tea, buttermilk, lime juice, biscuits, Bhakri with chutney. The Plateau is where both the routes meet, and from here, there is only one single route. From here, the path ahead was steep, but our first-half group had waited for us over there for more than half an hour, so they requested me to allow them to go ahead. I hesitated to let them, but they were bored, so I permitted them to go ahead, as it consisted of experienced trekkers who had done this trek before.

I had instructed them to meet near the Bhimashankar temple and give the order for lunch as it was Shravan season there would-be pilgrims in huge numbers visiting Bhimashankar and we had to save time. After two hours, the first group called me and said they had reached the top, and there is a lot of crowds and a very long line for darshan due to Shravan Sunday. So they are thinking of skipping the darshan and visiting Gupt Mahadev, also known as Gupt Bhimashankar, to which I agreed. Gupt Mahadev is around half an hour's walk from the temple near a flowing river. They had also placed the order for lunch with a resident homestay over there.

While climbing, we got a delightful climate and not much rain, so we were able to get a good view of the natural beauty. And after a few hours, we finally reached the top. On top, there is a lake. It took approx two hours and thirty minutes to reach till the Mandir. 

Finally Reached Bhimashankar 

After reaching the top, we went near the temple where we were supposed to meet but couldn’t find any network to contact the first group. So we had to wait there, and while we were waiting near the temple, we realized that some of our group trekkers are not with us, and we had to search for them as cell phones were not reachable, and the crowd was increasing. After looking for them, we found some of them and came to know via other trekkers that four of our trekkers had decided to quit and left by bus for Mumbai to which we were upset and disappointed.

But we had to carry on and descend to complete the trek. During this, our first group had come back, and we proceeded for lunch with them. There we had to wait for some time as the food was not ready, but it was worth waiting as the food was hot and delicious. We all enjoyed it as it was typical home food.

Descend return Bhimashankar Trek starts from Ganesh Ghat.

After lunch, we started our journey back right away, and we had to ensure that we reach down soon as it would become dark, and very few of us had carried the torch. So the instructions were given to the entire group clearly, and we started descending. While descending, we were enjoying the scenic beauty around us and also meeting many devotees climbing up for the next day darshan.

By God's grace, we did not have too many people slip and fall, which generally happens in this trek during this season, and all of them maintained a reasonable speed also. One of our trekkers was around 50 plus but was very sporty as we had taken only one short break and descended via Ganesh Ghat, which is a long and easy route. We reached the Ganesh mandir and took the darshan and a small break and again started to descend.

We all reached down within time, and there was still daylight. I had already called the Maruti vans when we reached the Ganesh mandir and informed them that we should be down in an hour or so. He said that it would take some time as one of the vans was on his way from Karjat, so I decided to send the other Vehicle ahead so that they can reach home soon, and I stayed back with some other trekker for the last vehicle to come.

Finally, after some time, the last van came, and we started our ride back to Karjat station. We reached Karjat station, and a train for Mumbai just left, which we were unable to catch, so now we had to wait for around 20-30 minutes for the next train. Then the next train came we got into it and were relaxing. By this time, everyone’s energy levels crushed, but we still chatted, and everyone alighted at their respective stations as we had boarded. We wished a final goodbye of this beautiful journey to each other, as this was one of the most memorable treks we had.

Places to visit during Bhimashankar Trek

1. Bhimashankar Temple
2. Hanuman Lake
3. Gupt Bhimashankar
4. MTDC Resort Hill Stations

Bhimashankar Wikipedia Information Below

Bhīmāshankar Temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine located 50 km northwest of Khed alias Rajguru Nagar, near Pune, in India. It is located 127 km from Shivaji Nagar in Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhīmāshankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad.