Pune: Bhimashankar Temple Draws Over 2 Lakh Devotees on First Day of Shravan Amidst Heavy Rainfall
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pune/Ghodegaon, 5th August 2024: Today marked the first day of the holy month of Shravan. This year, Shravan Somwar (Monday) holds special significance as it is the first day of Shravan after 71 years. Mondays are considered auspicious for Lord Shankara, and thousands of devotees flock to the famous Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple, the sixth of the twelve Jyotirlingas, located about 110 km from Pune in Khed taluka.
In recent days, Pune District has experienced heavy rainfall, leading to dams being filled and water being released, causing widespread flooding. Many of Lord Shankara’s temples located on riverbeds, including the famous Shree Omkareshwar Temple in Pune, have been submerged, preventing devotees from having darshan. Despite the heavy rains in Bhimpur, devotees remained undeterred and managed to visit the Bhimashankar Temple, with over 2,00,000 reported to have the Darshan today.
The heavy rains in the Bhimashankar area have enhanced the natural beauty, attracting devout tourists who stopped at Dimbhe Dam, Ganesh Ghat, and other scenic spots to enjoy the landscape.
To manage the traffic, the administration set up five parking lots. However, due to the large crowd, many vehicles were parked near the fourth and fifth stops. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) provided 8 minibuses and 22 large buses for the convenience of the devotees.
