Pune: Mandatory Online Registration Triggers Chaos at Bhimashankar Temple; Devotees Protest Limited Entry Rules
Bhimashankar, 16ty June 2026: Hundreds of devotees visiting the Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district complained of facing difficulties on the first day of the shrine’s reopening after authorities enforced mandatory online registration and restricted daily entry, leaving many pilgrims stranded outside despite travelling long distances for darshan.
The revered Jyotirlinga temple reopened to devotees on June 15 after remaining closed for nearly five months. However, the introduction of a compulsory online pass system caught many visitors unaware, resulting in confusion, arguments and protests outside the temple premises.
Several devotees who had travelled from different parts of Maharashtra and neighbouring states said they were denied entry because they had not completed the online registration process. Many claimed there had been inadequate publicity regarding the new rules.
“We came for Baba Bhimashankar’s darshan. If online registration is compulsory, there should also be an offline facility,” some devotees said while staging a sit-in protest on the road leading to the temple.
Pilgrims alleged that information about the mandatory pass system was not sufficiently displayed at transport hubs and key locations. Many elderly devotees and visitors from rural areas said they neither possessed smartphones nor had prior knowledge about online booking requirements.
The restrictions are being implemented in accordance with directions issued by the district administration. Under the current arrangement, only a limited number of devotees are being allowed entry during designated time slots each day. Temple authorities said devotees without prior registration would not be permitted to enter the shrine.
The situation led to disappointment among many worshippers who had spent considerable amounts on travel and accommodation to visit the temple. Some devotees questioned why access to the temple should be denied despite undertaking a long journey to seek darshan.
Temple authorities, police personnel and volunteers were seen managing crowds and explaining the registration process to visitors. Women, senior citizens and families with children were among those affected by the new system.
Meanwhile, sources said that even VIP visitors are required to complete online registration, leading to verbal disagreements in some instances between temple functionaries and persons seeking special access. Temple authorities maintained that the rules would be enforced uniformly.
The temple trust, police administration and volunteers are working in coordination to ensure smooth crowd management. Authorities said registration slots have already been filled up until June 26 and appealed to devotees to complete advance online registration before travelling to Bhimashankar for darshan.
“The same rules apply to everyone seeking darshan. There will be no discrimination between VIPs, elected representatives, government officials or ordinary devotees. Entry will be granted only after completing online registration,” said Suresh Kaudare, President of the Devasthan Trust.
Officials urged devotees to check slot availability and secure registration before planning their visit to avoid inconvenience.
