Bhimashankar is bliss for nature lovers. You can go on a pilgrimage and also on a picnic spot at the same time. Bhimashankar is a place of source of the river Bhima.

The temple at Bhimashankar dates back to the 18th century. It is built in the Nagara style of architecture and you can find influence of the Indo Aryan style in it. The lingam is said to be Swayambhu or Self Emanated and the shrine was erected later. The lingam is exactly in the center of the floor of the holy Garbha (Sanctum). The relic of the temple is of the Portuguese time and there is a huge and beautiful Roman style bell in the temple. This bell is hanging between two huge pillars in the temple.

There is a story behind the bells in the temple of Bhimashankar. This Bhimashankar bell has historic importance. Chimaji Appa brought two bells after he won a war against the Portuguese in Vasai. One bell is here at the Bhimashankar temple and the other one is at Menovali near Wai.

The Bhimashankar forest is dense and has a number of waterfalls. There is a small path behind the temple. This path leads to a natural Shiva lingam in the river bed. It is located a short distance down stream and is visible when water level is low. This place is called as Gupta Bhimashankar as there is a sculpted water Shiva linga under the fall

Apart from the Bhimashankar temple, there are many picturesque points like lakes Kamalja Devi and Hanuman point. Vanaspati point, Gupta Bhimashankar, Nagphani point, Bombay point are the other points from where you can experience different angles of the Bhimashankar beauty. Dimbe dam is another picnic spot near Bhimashankar. It is about 40 kms away on the Manchar-Bhimashankar road.

Devotees throng Bhimashankar temple during Mahashivratri and in the holy month of Shravan (July-August). There is a big fair here during those days and people from all over the country come here to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.

There is Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary, which is a home to a variety of rare species of birds and animals. The Giant Squirrel is one of the major attractions of this forest. You can find other species like the Panther, Sambar, Mouse Deer, wild boar and the Hyena. Many birds like the Malbar grey hornbill, Quaker babble, Malabar whistling thrust, black eagle and many other species of birds are found here.

The Bhimashankar sanctuary is also rich in fauna. The Jyotivanti trees are the main attraction. These trees glow in the dark during the monsoons and many nature lovers come here on Bhimashankar trek to experience it.