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Places to visit near Baneshwar Temple offer a refreshing mix of nature, history, and calm escapes. Surrounded by hills and forest, this area is perfect for short trips, scenic drives, and peaceful getaways. From ancient forts and serene hilltop shrines to quiet dams and green trails, there’s something nearby for everyone. Whether you’re looking to explore the outdoors, enjoy a picnic, or soak in some local heritage, each spot has its charm. Ideal for a weekend break or a short detour, these nearby attractions complement the temple’s spiritual setting beautifully.
Discover Scenic Places To Visit Near Baneshwar Temple
Just a short drive from the temple, these places to visit near Baneshwar Temple offer a mix of history, nature, and peaceful escapes ideal for a one-day outing or weekend plan.
1. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
Photo: Darshak12Pandya / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj is one of the places when you’re looking for a spot that has both greenery and a variety of animal enclosures. The zoo is set across spacious grounds and has tree-lined walkways that give enough shade even during noon hours. As you move through the zoo, you’ll see separate areas for animals such as tigers, sloth bears, several species of deer, and common bird varieties kept in large open enclosures. The reptile house is one of the most visited spots here, featuring a wide variety of snakes like Indian cobras and massive pythons, each kept in well-marked glass enclosures.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 27 km
Nearby Attractions: Katraj Snake Park, Katraj Lake, Bhartiya Vidyapeeth Museum
2. Katraj Jain Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Katraj Jain Temple remains one of the calmest places to see near Baneshwar Temple if you’re drawn to detailed religious structures and quiet surroundings. Built along the slope of Katraj hill, the temple uses white marble throughout, including the floor, walls, and pillars. This keeps the structure naturally cool, even when the sun is strong in the afternoon. As you step inside, you will see a seated statue of Lord Mahavir placed under a domed ceiling made with carved marble slabs. The height of the dome draws your attention upward, while the detailing on the arches and pillars becomes more noticeable as you move towards the centre.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 28.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Aai Museum, Bharti Vidyapeeth campus, Katraj Ghat viewpoint
3. Sinhagad Fort
Photo: Kambletrupti / Wikimedia Commons
Sinhagad Fort is among the most significant historical places to visit near Baneshwar Temple, especially if you want to include a fort that played an active role in Maratha history. The site is linked to the legendary battle of 1670, when Tanaji Malusare recaptured the fort from the Mughals. The first structures you walk through are the old stone gateways, Kalyan Darwaza and Pune Darwaza. Some walls are standing, but most have broken edges or missing corners. A few watchpoints are still there, though the upper edges are chipped, and the steps are partly worn down. The fort sits on a hilltop.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 27.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Khadakwasla Dam, ISKCON NVCC Temple, National Defence Academy
4. Panshet Dam
Photo: Rishikesh Deshmukh / Wikimedia Commons
Panshet Dam counts among the more spacious and less crowded tourist attractions near Baneshwar Temple, especially if you’re drawn to wide natural landscapes with no heavy activity around. The dam holds back the flow of the Ambi River and plays an important role in supplying water and supporting farming areas across the Pune district. As you get close, you’ll notice long stretches of water on both sides of the road, and tree-covered hills rising behind them. Boating options are available on select days, and the platforms used for rides are located a short walk down from the dam wall.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 56.3 km
Nearby Attractions: Varasgaon Dam, Sahyadri Farms, water sports facility
5. Khadakwasla Dam
Photo: Rohit Paygyude / Wikimedia Commons
Khadakwasla Dam is one of the places if you want a short outing without too much walking involved. It holds back the Mutha River, and the long stretches of water run alongside the roadside for quite some distance. People often stop here because it’s easy to reach and has plenty of space to sit or stand along the side of the road.The area gets livelier in the evening, especially on weekends. There are several points where the water is visible right from the road, and you’ll often spot families taking short breaks or clicking pictures against the dam’s wide backdrop.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 34.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Peacock Bay, Garden Lake Point, Shantai Resort
6. Purandar Fort
Photo: Harshal / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you’re looking for historical attractions near Baneshwar Temple, Purandar Fort offers more than just scenic views. Spread across the twin hilltops of Purandar and Vajragad, the fort still bears traces of its Maratha legacy. The climb starts with a paved path, followed by a rougher trail of uneven stone-cut steps, some broken or missing. As you ascend, sections of the outer walls come into view, partly intact or collapsed. Inside, you’ll find roofless stone buildings and an open area once used by soldiers. A small temple for Lord Purandareshwar sits at the summit.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 27 km
Nearby Attractions: Narayanpur Datta Mandir, Balaji Temple, Saswad Market
7. Prati Balaji Temple
Photo: Shivajidesai29 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Prati Balaji Temple in Ketkawale is hard to overlook as it is built as a replica of the Tirupati Balaji Temple, and the layout closely follows the original in both structure and arrangement. From the entrance, the gopuram towers overhead, painted in soft brown tones with carved figures stacked layer by layer. The stone flooring leads you straight toward the inner sanctum, where the idol of Lord Venkateswara is placed. On both sides of the main structure, there are small garden patches with short hedges and fixed cement benches under shaded spots.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 11.7 km
Nearby Attractions: Narayanpur Hills, Saswad Village, Malhargad Fort
8. Nilkantheshwar Temple
Photo: Abhideo21 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nilkantheshwar Temple is among the hilltop places where the setting itself becomes part of the visit. The temple stands above the backwaters of Panshet, and reaching it requires a drive up a rough patch of road, followed by a short climb on foot. Unlike other temples, this one is open on all sides, with no main hall or closed structure. These include life-sized carvings of Shiva, Hanuman, Vishnu, and full episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, laid out across different corners of the hill. Some are placed on raised stone bases, others directly on the ground. The place remains quiet throughout the day.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 60 km
Nearby Attractions: Panshet Backwaters, Sardar Baba Hill Viewpoint, Khadakwasla
9. Bhatghar Dam
Photo: Bagdane Kailas / Wikimedia Commons
Bhatghar Dam is one of the quieter spots in the region, and that works in its favour. Built over the Yelwandi River, it’s located far from towns, highways, or commercial areas. Even on weekends, the surroundings remain peaceful, with a long stretch of water and open land on both sides. The final drive takes you through village roads that lead to wide views of the reservoir. There’s no official viewing point or entrance, but you can stop near the roadside where the dam wall is visible. Locals often visit for a short walk or to relax in the shade.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 22.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Velhe Village, Baneshwar Jungle Trail, Shivtharghal Trek Path
10. Narayanpur Datta Mandir
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Narayanpur Datta Mandir is one of the quietest places located right near the base of the Purandar hills. It is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya and remains active throughout the week without ever becoming crowded. The structure is small and plain with whitewashed walls, a sloping sheet roof, and an open area in front where people usually stand or sit during prayer. There is no gate or tower at the entrance, just a narrow path that leads straight up to the steps. The idol is placed on a low, square platform inside the main room, and most people just bow, leave flowers, or sit in silence.
Distance From Baneshwar Temple: 26.5 km
Nearby Attractions: Prati Balaji Temple, Purandar Foothills, Khandoba Mandir
If you’re planning a short escape from the city, the places to visit near Baneshwar Temple offer a balanced mix of history, natural beauty, and quiet surroundings. From ancient forts and hillside trails to peaceful dams and serene temples, each spot has something unique to explore. Whether it’s a day trip or weekend getaway, TripXL helps you plan effortlessly and discover scenic locations that remain both accessible and rewarding.
Cover Photo: Roman Saienko / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
