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.
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Distance
≈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.
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Get your Shirdi → Bhimashankar cab quote
💰 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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Get exact fare for your travel date
📅 One-day plan from Shirdi
5:30 AM
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, transparent inclusions. Same page covers Shani Shingnapur, Trimbakeshwar and the other day-trip routes from Shirdi.
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.
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