Mahabaleshwar Temple in Panchgani is one of the most popular Shiva temples in India, with people from all around the world visiting the temple to seek blessings. The temple is considered sacred because of its location, which is right at the confluence of five rivers near the old village of  Mahabaleshwar. As a result, it is more than just a place of worship – it is a stunning tourist attraction surrounded by beauty.

Visiting the Mahabaleshwar Temple is one of the top things to do when you visit Panchgani. The sanctorum consists of a five-foot high stone wall behind which  the deity sits, carved out of black stone. Here, the lingam sits in the ‘Garbh’ of the temple. Outside the sanctum, there is a large space in which devotees can sit and pray with ease.

Interesting facts about the Mahabaleshwar temple:

• The inner room is called the God room and the outside area is called the central hall.
• The temple is more than 800 years old. Built in 1215 AD, the temple’s architecture has a Hemadpanti style.
• The temple has Shiva’s bed, trishul and damru inside the inner sanctum. 
• One of the most popular beliefs here is that Lord Shiva visits the temple every night as the bedsheets here look crumpled every morning.

About the Mahabaleshwar Temple:

Located in the popular hill station of Panchgani, the temple has been hailed as one of the best examples of Hemadpanthi style architecture. As a result, it not only attracts devotees, but also historians from all over the world. 

How to get to Mahabaleshwar Temple:

The nearest airport to the temple is the Pune airport with daily connections to all major cities in India. From the airport, you can take a bus or car to reach the hill station of Panchgani. You’ll also find direct buses that take you to the Mahabaleshwar Temple

If you want to travel by bus or car, you must start your journey from a nearby city like Mumbai or Pune to get here. 

There is a railway station at Panchgani, which is well connected to the Pune railway station. 

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit the temple is during the winter season because of its pleasant climate. Due to its location at a high altitude, the weather conditions are almost perfect throughout the year. You can expect intermittent rainfall during all the seasons here. 

Temple timings and entry fees:

The temple opens daily at 8 AM and remains open till 8 PM. It does not close on public holidays or any other day. Entry is free as it is a place of worship, rather than a sightseeing spot. 

Mahabaleshwar temple is one of the most sacred and architecturally supreme temples in the whole country and a place that you should definitely visit when you explore the town of Panchgani. Check out our travel packages to visit this lovely temple!