Place: Bhimashankar
Altitude: 1034 mtrs
Location: 128 km from Pune (via Manchar) or by trek via Khandas (Near Karjat / Neral)
Best Season: Monsoon and Winter
For inquiries on custom packages for Bhimashankar kindly get in touch with
info@natureknights.com / contact@natureknights.com
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About Bhimashankar
The adventure
Bhimashankar is a dream destination for any trekker, a paradise for a Naturalist, a spiritual journey for a religious person; a perfect setting for an exciting eco-adventure.
The excitement begins right at Neral station as you have your breakfast and sip of tea anticipating what’s to come. You start your travel from Neral / Karjat in dugdugies for a bumpy ride along countryside till you reach the village Khandas. We are ready for the trek once we finish our induction and introduction. The trail leading from Khandas village to Bhimashankar goes through all kinds of terrain; the trail start as a flat cross country walk to a semi-deciduous scrubland and as you progress the climber gets steeper and finally ending in a ever-green forest. Few patches also involves a bit of armature rock climbing. You pass through a glimpse of history as you cross two forts Tung and Paddar Killa;
Once on top of Bhimashankar you can’t resist visiting Ancient Jyotir ling temple or explore the mysterious Gupt (Secret) Bhimashankar Ling hidden the cool forest Bhimashankar; We also have the rare temple of Goddess Anjana.
There is a beautiful
temple of Lord Shiva which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Lord Shankara after getting angry, killed Rakshas Tripurasura. The heat generated from their war caused the origin of river Bhima. That is why it is called Bhimashankar.
Play a nature detective trying to site the secretive Shekru (Giant Squirrel of Bhimashankar); for anxious bird watchers there is plenty of Bird life, Keep your binoculars; camera and field guide handy. A walk through the old jungle of Bhimashankar is magical experience liven your spirit green and clean. Bhimashankar is conserve red forest area and wildlife sanctuary where a variety of birds, animals, flowers, plants can be seen.
There are Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the hills of Manmod near Bhimashankar. A big size bell in Hemadpanthi structure built by Nana Phadanavis is also a feature of Bhimashankar.
Various places that could be visited in Bhimashankar are
HanumanLake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Origin of River Bhima, Nag Phani, Bombay Point, Sakshi Vinayak and lot more.
Get cozy in pleasant Climate; put your feet up at end of the day in any vintage Ashrams; If in mood for sweet tooth try the local Khoya Sweets served by warm people; there is lots more to discover for those inquisitive and adventurous.
Bhimashankar is worth visited for jungle lovers and trekkers as well as for pilgrims.
But be ready to rough it out
Tentative Schedule
This is a moderate to tough trek; we will be boarding train from Dadar early morning 6 am sharp; plan reaching 7:30 am at Neral (Central Local Station); Board rickshaw (tumtum or dukkar rickshaw) for Khandas; We will take a local guide and start our adventure as-soon-as we finish our introduction and induction.
There are three route to Bhimashankar starting from Khandas; one is from Ganeshghat the easiest at the same time the longest; 2nd going via waterfall and the third the shortest but the most adventurous (sidi ghat) route; we will be taking thist shortest but also the most adventurous trail to Bhimashankar.
The trek to Bhimashankar via Sidi Ghat is adventurous and involves a bit of elementary rock climbing. We will be carrying safety equipment like Carnamental Rope (Mountaineering Ropes); Carabineers; Descender; Mechanical Ascender; Tape Slings etc. The group will be a mix of experienced trekkers and also new explorers into trekking (but ready to rough it out in the psychological thriller walk).
We are expected to reach Bhimashankar around 3pm to 4 pm.
Evening programme: Visit temple and chill out.
Second day morning:
Visit to Gupt Bhimashankar – trail going through the enchanting
BhimashankarForest.
Board Bus for Mumbai around 12 noon.
First Day – Breakfast / Dinner / evening tea / snacks at Dhaba / Ashram in Bhimashankar. (Kindly carry your first days packed dinner)
Second Day – Breakfast / Lunch at Dhaba
Evening Snacks / tea on the way in a Dhaba
Suggestions for packed lunch: (Sandwiches); Thepla & Potato Vegetable; Roti; Boiled Eggs; Ready to eat canned food; home cooked roti / dry vegetable; Puran Poli; Bread / Cheese slice / spread; Potato Vada; Bread; etc..you can get creative; We will have multi-cultural buffet. Carry tetra packed buttermilk.)
Also carry some chocolates; biscuits; salad items; 3 liters water per head for on-the-way in-between meals and water.
Stay (Boarding)
We will be staying in ordinary ashram; kindly carry your sleeping bags or two bed sheets / mats or mattress
How to prepare your self for any treks?
Go through the “What to carry?” matrix while packing your backpack.
Carry personal medical kit, even though general first aid kit is available with the group.
Rehearse packing and un-packing of your bags with proposed items to be packed (Remember - every item has a place, every item in its place); check the weight of your bag. You have to carry this weight for 4 to 5 hours of trek; do not carry items not required.
Good Bye and take care.
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