Bhimashankar - Holy and High Abode of Shiva!

Bhimashankar is an ancient shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. It is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune & located 110 km away from Pune in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the Bhima river, which flows south east and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar. Regular pilgrims near Mumbai visit Bhimashankar. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary located here is a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune.

There is a very interesting tradition here. Before you enter the main temple which houses the Lord, you pass through a small temple which houses 'Nandi' the faithful bull on which he rides. People whisper their wishes in the ear of Nandi and it is assumed that he will convey them to Lord himself.

When to go
Best Time to Visit is between August to February.

How to reach?
MSTC State buses go there from Pune twice a week with more than five hours of bus journey. It is also accessible from Karjat on the Pune - Bombay section of the Central railway.

The Nilgiris - 'Blue Mountains'

Forming the junction of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, the Nilgiris- the `Blue Mountains'. The hills, a part of the Nilgiri District of Tamilnadu, stretch across the borders of the state into the adjoining states of Kerala and Karnataka. The Nilgiris is better suited for novice trekkers.

When to go
The Nilgiris never get too hot or too cold for trekking. Summer, however, is when the area is pretty crowded, so winter - particularly between November and February - is a better time.

How to reach there?
All three main towns of the Nilgiris- Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor- are conveniently located, with good connections via road and rail. Coimbatore, which is linked to the rest of India by air, rail and road, is just 112 km from Ooty and 80 km from both Coonoor and Kotagiri. Regular buses to the Nilgiris depart from Coimbatore.
The train from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam, popularly known as the toy train, covers a distance of 46 km in five hours uphill, and in three and a half hours on the return journey. Mettupalayam is, in turn, connected by road to Ooty (54 km) and to Coonoor and Kotagiri (both 35 km).

If you're in southern India, probably the most viable route would be by rail to Mettupalayam, and then by road into the Nilgiris. From another part of India, a flight to Coimbatore, followed by a bus ride to Coonoor, Ooty or Kotagiri is best.