Bhimashankar@wanderingsoulriders

Thrilling Trek to Bhimashankar on 26th July 2015

Height: 3296 feet

Grade: Medium

Time: 4.5 hrs from Khandas, Base Village

Location: Nagar District

Cost: Rs 850.00 per person

Places to See:-

Lord Shiva Temple: Bhimashankar Temple is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km North West of Khed, near Pune. There is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is a modest yet graceful temple and it dates back to mid 18th century. The shikhara of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis. This temple is closely associated with the legend of Shivaraj Khade slaying the demon Tripurasura associated with the invincible flying citadels Tripuras. Shiva is said to have taken abode in the Bhima form, upon the request of the Gods, on the crest of the Sahyadri hills, and the sweat that poured forth from his body after the battle is said to have formed the Bhimarathi River. Bhimashankar is also the source of the Bhima River, which flows south east and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur. A big size bell in Hemadpanthi structure: - Built by Nana Phadanavis is also a feature of Bhimashankar. Other equally important places: - Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Sakshi Vinayak, Origin of River Bhima, Nag Phani from where one can see the view of the Peth fort and Padhar, Bombay Point, and lot more. Bhimashankar is conserved forest area and wildlife sanctuary where a variety of birds, animals, flowers, plants can be seen. A rare animal "Shekru" can be found in deep woods. Bhimashankar is worth visited for jungle lovers and trekkers as well as for pilgrims.

Routes to Bhimashankar:-

There are two routes to Bhimashankar from the base village of Khandas, which are most popular among trekkers.

1. Ganesh Ghat – There is a bridge around 2 km from Khandas, and the track going to the right from the bridge is the Ganesh Ghat route. This is the easiest and the longest route to Bhimashankar. Within an hour of trekking along this route you will reach a Ganesh temple. The route ahead will take around 3 hours until you reach the plateau of Bhimashankar, there is a small pond dug out in the ground called 'Hanuman Tal'. This trek is four hours to five hours long.

2. Shidi (ladder) Route – This one is a shorter route, but difficult especially in the monsoons. The route gets its name from the ladders placed on the steepest parts. The route going to the left of the bridge (mentioned in Ganesh Ghat) goes to the village. On moving ahead you will reach a well, take a left from there to Shidi ghat. Within the first two hours of climbing you will pass three ladders. You will reach a junction where both the routes - Ganesh ghat and Shidi – merge. There are many huts providing food and tea in middle of trek route. A further 1 ½ hour trek takes us besides a pond. The road, which goes to the left from this pond, takes us to the temple.

Journey Details:-

23:30 Hrs: Departure by Private vehicle from Dadar TT Flyover End, Dadar (E) on Saturday 25th July 2015

Pick up en-route

Sunday 19th July 2015
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04:00 Hrs: Khandas (Base Village)
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Early Morning B/f & Tea
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05:30 Hrs: Trek Starts
07:00 Hrs: @ 1st Ladder
07:30 Hrs: Last ladder
08:00 Hrs: @ Waterfall-Break
08:30 Hrs: @ Padarwadi
08:45 Hrs: Trek resume
11:15 Hrs: @ Bhimashankar
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Bhimashankar Temple Darshan … There will be a queue for this one
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13:00 Hrs: Lunch Time
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14:30 Hrs: Move to Mumbai by private vehicle from Bhimashankar
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Evening snacks & Tea en-route

We will be in Dadar around 22:00 hrs (that’s – subjective)