Pune: Bhimashankar Temple to Extend Darshan Hours During Shravan Month
Pune, 11th August 2026: The Bhimashankar temple will extend its darshan hours during the Shravan month, allowing devotees to visit the shrine from 5 am to 9.30 pm. The revised timings will come into effect from the first day of Shravan.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Pune District Collector’s Office to review arrangements for the annual Shravan Monday pilgrimage at Bhimashankar. The extended hours are aimed at managing the large number of devotees expected to visit the temple during the holy month.
Darshan timings had earlier been restricted to 7 am to 11 am due to construction work on the assembly hall and steps being carried out under the Bhimashankar Area Development Plan. The work is currently suspended, and arrangements for darshan are functioning smoothly. In view of this, the administration has decided to restore extended visiting hours.
Additional Transport Arrangements
The administration has planned additional transport arrangements to manage the expected rush. Extra vehicles will be deployed as required instead of relying solely on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.
The police will make arrangements for transporting devotees between designated parking areas and the temple. The meeting also discussed ensuring that fares charged by private vehicles remain at par with MSRTC fares.
A police sub-inspector is proposed to be deployed at the parking area, while another is proposed to be stationed on the temple premises. The administration has also sought full-time police personnel for the sanctioned police outpost at Bhimashankar.
Plastic Ban and Water Supply
The Forest Department has been directed to take strict action against the use of plastic and ensure that the Bhimashankar area remains plastic-free.
Additional MSRTC buses will be planned from Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Narayangaon during the peak pilgrimage period to accommodate the increased number of devotees.
Officials have also been directed to restore the non-functional water supply scheme at Bhimashankar on an urgent basis.
