MIND MAPPING

CURVES

LANDSCAPE CLIMATE

ARCHITECTURE

FORMS
ARCHES

TOURISUM

AHAMADNAGAR BHIMASHANKAR

- MOST OF HISTORICAL PLACES -HISTORICAL HOLY PLACES

- TREKING -WILD LIFE SANCTUARY.

-MOST OF GREENY PLACES

BHIMASHANKAR

-HISTORICAL HOLY PLACES

-WILD LIFE SANCTUARY.

-MOST OF GREENY PLACES FOR TOURIST ATTRACTION

 AIM - TO STUDY THE CHANGE IN FOOT FALL
OF TOURIST IN PRE COVID AND POST COVID SCENARIO.

OBJECTIVE - 1.To Identify The Existing Tourist Foot Fall At

Bhimashankar.
2.To Identify The Tourist Attractions And Religious
Places At Bhimashankar.
3.To Find Present Tourist Footfall At Bhimashankar Post
Covid.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS – 1.Why Is The Need To Study Tourism Of Bhimashankar?

2.What Is The Importance Tourist Attraction At

Bhimashankar?

3.How Was Covid Affected The Tourisum Of Bhimashankar?

RESEARCH METHEDOLOGY – 1) Primary data is collected by visiting

Bhimashankar. 2) Questionnaire was prepared and filled by tourists, residents and
employers at Bhimashankar. 3) Interviews of few tourists, residents, employers in the field
were taken.4) Secondary data is collected from district census handbooks and available
published and unpublished materials. Then collected information is finally tabulated,
analyzed, interpreted and conclusions are given.
BHIMASHANKAR TOURIUM STUDY AREA

POPULATION INCREASES NEAR SANCTUARY IN YELLOW ZONE

INTRODUCTION -Tourism is a basic and most desirable human activity deserving the
praise and encouragement of all people and government. Due to the Unprecedented and
Continuous growth during the last few years tourism has now been recognized as a major
industry in many countries of the world. According to the latest World tourism
organization estimation, it is accounted for more than 10 percent of the world's export.
Tourism is the largest service industry in India. The origin, growth and development of
tourism in India are associated with the history of human settlement and civilization. The
history of tourism in India in the ancient and medieval period is closely associated with the
trade and religion, although political embassies and good will missions also played some
significant role. Visitors and travelers have been coming to India from Europe, Russia, Tibet,
China and other countries for diverse reasons. Maharashtra is one of the most
industrialized states of India. Besides Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur
complete the urban sprawl of the state. Maharashtra offers quite and beautiful hill stations
like Mahableshwar, Panchagani, Chikldara and golden beaches lapped by the blue water of
Arabian sea and rivers such as Bhima, Godavari, Mula, Mutha, Nira, Kaveri, Tapi,
Panchaganga. In these places Bhimashankar from Pune is the most beautiful and attractive
place therefore here attempt has been made to study this tourist place.
REGION - Bhimashankar is located at 19º06´ N. latitude and 73º53´ E. longitude about
134 km. northwest from Pune. It lies in Khed tehshil of Pune district, having area of 11,000
hectares of Bhimashankar Sanctuary. It is found on an altitude of 945 Meters.
Bhimashankar is having pleasant climate across the year. The local population of
Bhimashankar mostly depends upon tourism industry by providing accommodation, food
marketing facilities. It is observed that in Bhimashankar in primary and tertiary sectors, the
female population is found more than male population. The females are mostly engaged in
agricultural sector and also working in hotels and shops. The field work is very significant
and accepted Approach of study. It provides the required data about the destination. Most
of the study of Bhimashakar is based on the schedule and questionnaires which are
filled by researcher personally. Bhimashankar is a famous as religious place as well as for
the origin of the “Bhima” river. Therefore a large number of tourists visit to this place
frequently. It is observed that most of the population of Bhimashankar depends upon the
tourism industry.Bhimashankar, one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' is at a distance of around
200 km from Mumbai. It is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and
merges with the river Krishna
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION:- The Bhimashankar is well connected
only with Pune. It is observed that from Pune to Bhimashankar the bus frequency is more
than other places. It is observed because Pune is big city and it near to Bhimashankar. There
is one bus per hour from Pune to Bhimashankar.There is 1 bus per day from Kalyan,
Mangalweda, Solapur and Kagal to Bhimashankar. As transportation facilities are
comparatively less, tourists from a long distance come by private vehicles. Basically they are
from Kolhapur, Solapur, Pune and Mumbai.

SOCIO – ECONOMIC STATUS OF INCOMING TOURIST:- Bhimashankar is

famous religious place located on the Bhima River in Pune district. The tourists are coming
to Bhimashankar from various districts of Maharashtra. The study of incoming tourists is
very useful for making assessment of socio-economical development of the tourism
destination. It helps to make future plans for tourism development at Bhimashankar.
Hence 100 tourists were contacted and schedules were filled by them. It also gives
an idea about the distribution of tourists coming from various places.

INCOMING TOURISTS OF BHIMASHANKAR- Tourists have mostly come from

Maharashtra. 91 percent tourists have come from Maharashtra. 4 percent tourists have
come from Karnataka, 2 percent are from Gujarat and other states and only 1 percent are
from Madhya Pradesh. They all are having religious purposes and want to Worship the God
'the Shiva'. The maximum number of tourist's has come from Pune district and they are 30
percent. 22 percent tourist s has come from Kolhapur district. It is seen that maximum
number of tourists has come from these three districts due to easy available transportation
facilities. 6 percent tourists have come from Dhule, 12 percent are from Satara, Nanded,
Vashim and Sangli. 4 percent tourists are from Jalgaon and A. Nagar. 2 percent tourists are
from Thane and Latur. some international tourists are also observed in Bhimashankar. Some
tourists from other states of India are also observed in Bhimashankar.

Madhya Pradesh 1
Other states 2

TABLE NO. 1
TABLE NO. 2 RELIGION WISE TOURIST:-

Source: Field Work - The above table shows that 96 percent tourists are belonging
to Hindu religion that are strongly believed on the God Shiva. Only 1 percent tourists are
Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and other religion. It is observed that mostly tourist come
here for both reasons.The two pillars outside the 'Shani' temple, one comes across an
ancient huge Portuguese bell. Behind the temple, there is a small pathway that leads us to
the banks of a river. Stepping out from the Temple one is awed with a bewitching view of
the virgin wilderness occasionally interrupted by the glimpses of the majestic forts on the
surrounding mountains greets us.The above figure shows that 44 percent tourists are
engaged in different services. It is also observed that 23 percent persons are engaged in
agriculture and they have come to Bhimashankar because they are having much faith on
God Shiva's. The tourists engaged in Business are 17 percent. 14 percent tourists are
engaged in education and builders or contractor. The remaining 2 engaged in other activities
such as house workers, laborers, factory workers, tailor etc. MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION:-
To reach the destination, the means of Transportation are very important. In case of
Bhimashankar mode of transportation is only roadways. Name OfReligion No. Of Tourist
Percentage Hindu 96 96 Muslim 1 1 Buddhist 1 1 Christian 1 1 Other 1 1 Total 100 100
The above figure shows that 44 percent tourists are engaged in different services. It is also
observed that 23 percent persons are engaged in agriculture and they have come to
Bhimashankar because they are having much faith on God Shiva's. The tourists engaged in
Business are 17 percent. 14 percent tourists are engaged in education and builders or
contractor. The remaining 2 engaged in other activities such as house workers, laborers,
factory workers, tailor etc. MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION:- To reach the destination, the
means of Transportation are very important. In case of Bhimashankar mode of
transportation is only roadways
The above figure shows it is observed that 64 percent tourists have come to Bhimashankar by
private buses. 24 percent tourists have come by state transport buses. The tourists having low
income have come by this means of transport. The bus facility is very convenient and frequency of
buses is also enough from various districts. Bhimashankar is well connected with Pune by road
INCOME OF TOURISTS:-

It is clear from the table that about 42percent tourists whose annual income is below
20000rupees. 38percent visitors have income ranging from Rs. 20000 to Rs. 30000. 8percent
tourists have ranging from Rs.30000 to Rs. 40000. 3 percent tourists have income above
Rs.40000. It is clear that near about 42 percent tourists visiting Bhimashankar are from low
income group. 46 percent tourists are from middle income group. 3 percent tourists are in
high income group. 9 percent tourists are in Unemployed.

TOURISTS EXPENDITURE AT BHIMASHANKAR:- Trade in Bhimashankar is

mainly of the devotional goods of Shiva's Murty and other traditional food product s like
Kokum, Poli, Bhaji, Fruits etc. Devotional goods include kumkum, haldi, flowers, pedhas
(sweets), coconuts, agerbatti, and kapur etc. which are used as Prasad of God Shiva's.

TABLE NO. 2 TOURISTS EXPENDITURE AT BHIMASHANKAR

 Source: Field work

The above table 2 shows expenditure of the tourists at Bhimashankar. First category reveals
that about 5 percent tourist's expenditure is below 100 rupees. Tourists spend the second
category between 100-200 rupees. They are about 10percent. The expenditure made by the
tourists of the third category ranges between 200-300 rupees. They have mostly come from
distance place and about 60percent of the tourists are included in this category. The fourth
category ranges between 300-400 rupees and they are about 20percent. The last category
consists of the tourist's expenditure which is above 400 rupees. They are about 5 percent
only.

ACCOMODATION OF TOURISTS:-
Accommodation at the destination plays very important role in tourism. Good
accommodation facility at any place helps to increase tourists towards the place. From
above figure it is observed that about 79 percent tourists are return and 12percent live in
the lodge or hotel. 7 percent tourists live in the pujaris house because it is in cheap rates.
Near about 10 percent pujaris houses are there who provide an accommodation facilities as
well as food facilities. 2percent tourists live in Dharmashala. Generally some rural middle
and low income visitors prefer to take haults in the Dharmashala and Pujaris house which is
a traditional costume. They do not think much about more facilities because they have
mainly come for worshipping the god
TOURIST DURATION OF STAY IN BHIMASHANKAR:
Mostly tourists visit to Bhimashankar on Mahashivratri.
They visit the temple of Shiva's.

The above figure shows that 79 percent tourists stay in the town for only one day. They
want to take rest for one day. About 15 percent tourists stay in the town for two days. 5
percent tourists stay in Bhimashankar for three days and about 1percent tourists stay for
more than three days in Bhimashankar.

SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS- Bhimashankar is

located in Khed tahsil of Pune district this is the attraction located on origin of Bhima River.
This location having pleasant climate through out the year. Local people of Bhimashankar is
mostly depend on tourism industry mostly they are having shops transport and some of are
paddlers. About 30 percent population is engaged in the services related to tourism.
Bhimashankar is the accessible place. Mostly number of buses are available from pune some
of the buses are available from Kolhapur Pune & Satara. Bhimashankar, one of the twelve
'Jyotirlingas' is at a distance of around 200 km from Mumbai. It is also the source of the river
Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the river Krishna. Another attraction of
Bhimashankar is Bhimashakar wildlife sanctuary which is attraction for tourists. The area
under forest is 10000 hectares. The young tourists always come there for traking activity.
There is Sakshi Ganesh temple near shiv temple and it is only about 2km away from shiv
temple which is found in the forest. There is also source of hidden Bhima River. At this
location mostly tourists are coming from Pune because it's near to Pune but some of the
tourists also coming from Kolhapur and Solapur because of the religious importance. Even
tourists also coming from neighboring states. This is religious place so tourists are frequently
visiting this destination. This is religious place so Hindu tourists are more. The tourists who
are visiting Bhimashankar they are mostly religious or middle class. Mostly tourists are
coming here by state transport bus or who is coming from Pune they are coming by their
own vehicle. People who is visiting Bhimashankar they are high income group. Mostly
tourists are coming from Pune so they are not taking accommodation they are returning in
one day to their home. Mostly tourists are satisfied with the shopping facility which is good
and the attraction means temple and natural location.
This location is famous for religious as well as natural attraction. But this is only famous in
near by areas so people are not taking stay here
they are coming and going back in one day so here publicity is necessary in all over India so
people can visit and take stay here.
Regular tourist's bus facility should be there from Pune so daily large number of tourists can
visit this place.
Signing board and information board should be there on the road.
Tourist's information centre should be there in Pune and even in Bhimashankar.
Here forest safari and other camp should be organized for young people so they can attract
towards this place.Ecotourism project should be established here.
Accommodation and food facility should be increase here.It is a potential for the ecotourism
which can attract number of domestic as well as international tourists. But wide publicity is
necessary