Omkareshwar Temple in Pune Submerged, Preventing Devotees from Darshan on a Significantly Rare First Day of Shravan

Pune, 5th August 2024: For the past few days, there has been heavy rain in Pune and across Maharashtra, causing all the dams in the Pune district to fill up. Due to the continuous release of water from the Khadakwasla Dam into the Mutha River, the Omkareshwar Temple, located in the riverbed in Pune, has been submerged.

This year, on the first day of the month of Shravan, devotees will miss darshan due to water entering the Omkareshwar Temple. Shravan Somwar, the Mondays of the Shravan month, are particularly holy, with people flocking to various Mahadeva temples in their area as Monday is traditionally the day of Lord Shankara. This year’s first Shravan Somwar is especially significant. It coincides with the first day of the Shravan month. This event is rare and is likened to Halley’s Comet. The last time it occurred was 71 years ago, in 1953.

The current floodwater has reached the core of the temple, preventing devotees from having darshan. However, if the floodwater recedes by evening, the temple may be opened for devotees to visit.