Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Reopens After Five-Month Closure: New Rules for Devotees
The famous Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Pune has reopened following a five-month closure for renovation. Devotees must now follow new guidelines, including mandatory online registration and a daily visitor cap of 1,000 to manage crowd levels effectively.
Highlights
- •The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple in Pune has reopened after a five-month closure for renovations.
- •Visitors are now required to register online for darshan slots via the official temple website.
- •The administration has capped daily attendance at 1,000 devotees with operating hours from 7 am to 11 pm.
- •Infrastructure upgrades, including a new assembly hall, are significantly complete ahead of the next Kumbh Mela.
After a prolonged closure spanning over five months, the revered Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple located in Pune has officially reopened its doors to devotees as of Monday, June 15. The sacred site, which is recognized as one of the 12 significant Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, had been inaccessible since January to facilitate extensive renovation and redevelopment activities.
New Guidelines for Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Darshan
To streamline visitor flow and ensure effective crowd management within the premises, the Pune district administration has implemented new protocols. A primary change is the requirement for mandatory online registration for all individuals wishing to have darshan. Visitors must book their designated time slots through the official website of the temple. Furthermore, the authorities have set a daily limit, permitting only 1,000 devotees to enter the temple for worship. The operating hours have been established from 7 am to 11 pm daily.
The extensive restoration project at the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga aims to modernize the facilities while preserving the spiritual sanctity of the site. During a recent inspection of the site, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed optimism regarding the progress of the infrastructure upgrades. He noted that a significant portion—approximately 90 percent—of the planned renovation is expected to be finalized before the upcoming Kumbh Mela next year.
Beyond the structural improvements, the Chief Minister participated in ceremonial activities at the site. He performed the foundation stone worship for a new assembly hall situated before the main temple and conducted the hoisting of the Brahmadhwaja. Emphasizing the project's scope, Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that these comprehensive efforts are set to transform the surrounding area and improve the experience for the countless pilgrims who visit the site.
While the focus remains on the reopening and infrastructure enhancements, the temple previously faced scrutiny earlier this year. In March, controversy arose regarding reports of preferential treatment, specifically involving allegations that Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP from Jharkhand, was granted special entry and 'VIP darshan' at the site. These reports caused public debate as the temple was officially closed to the general public for renovation work during that period. With the official reopening now in effect, the administration is prioritizing a structured and orderly process for all visitors returning to the historic site.
