The revered Bhimashankar temple, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in India, is poised for a significant temporary closure. Located in Pune district, Maharashtra, this major pilgrimage site is likely to shut its doors for devotees for nearly three months to facilitate large-scale development and safety-related construction works.
Administration Weighs Final Decision on Closure Timeline
While the district administration has not yet issued a final order, discussions are actively underway. District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that the period for the proposed shutdown has not been finalized but an announcement will be made soon. The push for the temporary closure comes from the state archaeological department, which has formally requested the district authorities to allow the execution of critical work.
This includes the construction of the ‘Sabha Mandap’ and repairs to the steps leading to the ancient temple. A key meeting was held on Tuesday by Vilas Wahane, the assistant director of the state archaeological department, with Ambegaon and Khed revenue officials, temple trustees, and local representatives to discuss the plan.
Master Plan Aims at Infrastructure and Crowd Management
The proposed closure is intended to expedite the broader Bhimashankar development master plan. Vilas Wahane explained that the plan is comprehensively aimed at improving infrastructure, managing the heavy flow of pilgrims, and most importantly, ensuring the safety of all devotees. The temple attracts lakhs of visitors every year, with footfall peaking during festivals and weekends, making it difficult to carry out work with devotees present.
The extensive development plan encompasses several key upgrades:
- Repair and strengthening of the pathways leading to the temple.
- Development of viewing corridors for better sightlines and movement.
- Expansion of pilgrim amenities including rest areas and facility centres.
- Overall beautification and upgradation of the temple's immediate surroundings.
Strategic Timing and Link to 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela
Senior district officials have indicated that the most probable window for this closure would be after the Christmas-New Year holiday period. The goal is to complete the work swiftly with minimal disruption to devotees, with safety being the paramount concern. Authorities have also suggested that the temple would be temporarily reopened for the Mahashivratri festival in February 2026.
The urgency to complete these long-pending works is also driven by the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2027. This major religious event is expected to cause a significant surge in pilgrims visiting all prominent religious sites in the region, including Bhimashankar. The administration is therefore keen to enhance the infrastructure and safety measures well in advance to handle the anticipated increase in visitors smoothly.
The final decision from the Pune district administration is awaited, which will specify the exact dates for the three-month closure, marking a pivotal phase in the temple's development for future generations of devotees.
