After Sai Baba’s darshan, many Yatris want to add one more sacred stop — Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, the sixth of the twelve Jyotirlingas, nestled in the green folds of the Sahyadri ghats. From Shirdi it’s about 180 km and a comfortable one-day round trip if you start early.
≈180 km by road via NH60 — about 4.5–5 hours one way.
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Cab is the best option
No convenient direct train or bus — a private cab is the practical pick.
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6th Jyotirlinga
Lord Shiva in the Sahyadri — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
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Stay base — Shirdi
It is a one-day trip, so your hotel stays in Shirdi.
🕉️ Bhimashankar — why this Jyotirlinga is special
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The ancient Hemadpanthi-style temple is believed to be more than 1,200 years old. Surrounding it is the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary — dense forest, waterfalls and cool mountain air give the place a rare combination of spiritual and natural beauty. The Bhima river is believed to originate here.
🚖 How to reach — cab is the cleanest option
There is no convenient direct train or bus from Shirdi to Bhimashankar. Most Yatris pick a private cab — door-to-door from your Shirdi hotel, your own pace, with the freedom to stop anywhere along the way.
Distance and time: about 180 km, roughly 4.5–5 hours one way.
Route: mostly NH60 — Shirdi → Sangamner → Alephata / Manchar → Bhimashankar. Smooth and scenic, with the final ghat section winding through the Sahyadris.
💰 Shirdi to Bhimashankar cab fare
Fixed all-in fare per the canonical Shirdi taxi packages page — fuel, driver and taxes included. Toll is at actuals and minimal on this route.
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
Seats: 2–4
Round trip: ₹5,000
Best for: Couples & small families
Ertiga / SUV
Seats: 6
Round trip: ₹6,000
Best for: Families with luggage
Innova / Crysta
Seats: 7
Round trip: On request
Best for: Comfort & group travel
Fare can vary slightly with season, fuel cost and stops. Ask for a quote for your exact date — we’ll come back in 15 minutes:
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Shirdi → Bhimashankar
Hotel pickup in Shirdi, the driver waits through darshan, and you are back the same evening. Fixed fare with fuel and driver included.
Depart Shirdi (after early Sai Baba darshan if possible)
10:30 AM
Reach Bhimashankar
10:30–12:30
Darshan + temple complex (stairs down to inner sanctum)
1:00 PM
Light meal, then start back
6:00 PM
Back in Shirdi for rest
Temple timings: open daily from about 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Early-morning darshan beats both the queue and the mid-day heat.
👴 Travelling with elderly parents
The ghat is a winding road, so a private AC cab is far easier than bus changes or a shared vehicle. Your luggage stays safe in the boot, you control the AC, and you stop for breaks when needed. Keep water and a light snack handy — the climb down to the inner sanctum involves stairs. (For broader senior planning at Shirdi itself, see Shirdi with elderly parents.)
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See the full Shirdi → Bhimashankar package
Fixed fare, verified driver, full itinerary and FAQ — everything you need to decide before booking.
Because Bhimashankar is a one-day trip, your hotel stays in Shirdi. Pick a stay close to the mandir so the pre-dawn start is easy and an evening rest after the long return drive is just a short walk. Full price + amenities walkthrough: Shirdi budget hotels near the temple — booking guide.
About 180 km by road via NH60, roughly 4.5–5 hours one way. The final stretch is a winding Sahyadri ghat — comfortable in a private cab, less so in a bus.
Can the Bhimashankar darshan be done in one day from Shirdi?
Yes. Leave Shirdi by 5–6 AM, reach Bhimashankar around 10–11 AM, allow ~2 hours for darshan, and you are back in Shirdi by evening.
Is there a direct train or bus from Shirdi to Bhimashankar?
No convenient direct train or bus runs the full route. A private cab is by far the easiest option — door-to-door, your pace, no transfers.
What does the Shirdi to Bhimashankar cab cost?
Sedan round-trip ₹5,000, Ertiga / SUV ₹6,000 — fixed all-in fare per the /shirdi/packages canonical rate. Confirm the exact total for your travel date at booking.
What are the Bhimashankar temple timings?
The temple is open daily from about 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Early-morning visits avoid both the queue and the mid-day heat.
Is the route safe for travel with elderly parents?
Yes — a private AC cab is the most comfortable option. The ghat is winding, so a steady driver and an AC car matter more than for a flat highway. Keep a light snack and water handy; the temple itself involves descending steps to the inner sanctum.
In short
Bhimashankar is a long but rewarding one-day trip — leave Shirdi before sunrise, take a private cab, stay overnight in Shirdi. Confirm fare + inclusions at booking so the day stays calm.