Bhimashankar Temple Sees Huge Rush On First Shravan Somwar

Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district witnessed a massive influx of devotees on Monday, as the first Shravan Somwar coincided with Nag Panchami.

The temple premises were filled with pilgrims from early morning, with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' echoing through the area. To manage the large crowd, the administration extended the temple's opening hours from 5 am to 9:30 pm.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) arranged additional buses for devotees traveling to Bhimashankar. Over 250 police personnel and Home Guards were deployed to maintain law and order in and around the temple area.

Shravan Somwar is a significant day for devotees of Lord Shiva, where they visit Shiva temples and offer water, milk, flowers, and other items to the Shivling. Many devotees also observe a fast on these Mondays. The first Monday of Shravan is especially important for those who observe the Solah Somwar vrat.

The rush at Bhimashankar is particularly high during Shravan, as the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Maharashtra has three Jyotirlingas: Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar. Special rituals, including Rudrabhishek, are performed at the temple during Shravan.

The heavy rush comes soon after the temple reopened following a prolonged closure for renovation. The temple had initially closed on January 1, 2026, for major redevelopment work costing around ₹288 crore. The work was linked to preparations for the 2027 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela and included a new assembly hall, staircase, and crowd-management infrastructure.

The temple finally reopened on June 15 after being closed for around five-and-a-half months. Following its reopening, devotees have been required to register online for darshan through the temple's official system. Walk-in entry was not allowed during the initial phase.

The administration had also limited daily darshan to 1,000 devotees, with the temple operating from 7 am to 7 pm. However, with the surge in devotees, the temple has extended its darshan hours till 9:30 pm.

The large turnout of devotees at Bhimashankar Temple highlights the significance of Shravan Somwar and the importance of the temple as a sacred site for Lord Shiva devotees. The extended hours and additional arrangements made by the administration and MSRTC aim to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the devotees.

In conclusion, the Bhimashankar Temple's reopening and the coincidence of the first Shravan Somwar with Nag Panchami have resulted in a massive influx of devotees, showcasing the temple's importance in the Hindu faith.