Pune: Online Darshan System, Better Facilities Planned for Bhimashankar Amid Rising Concerns Over Crime and Mismanagement

Manchar, 30th June 2025: In a bid to ease the growing inconvenience faced by thousands of devotees visiting Bhimashankar — one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas — the Pune district administration is preparing to introduce an online registration system starting from the holy month of Shravan. The move aims to reduce waiting times, improve crowd management, and provide upgraded facilities such as structured parking and security, similar to the systems in place at Shirdi.

The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting on Saturday (June 28) at the Pune District Collectorate. The meeting, held to discuss the ₹288 crore sanctioned for the development of the Bhimashankar region in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, was attended by former Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil, SDO Govind Shinde, and other senior officials.

Speaking at the meeting, Walse Patil emphasized the urgency of addressing the problems faced by pilgrims. “Currently, devotees are forced to stand in queues for hours and struggle with poor facilities, lack of parking, and rampant illegal activities. The new online darshan system will allow devotees to get darshan within 15 to 20 minutes,” he said. “The plan presented under the guidance of Collector Jitendra Dudi is praiseworthy,” he added.

Rising Crime and Illegal Activities Under Scrutiny
Walse Patil expressed serious concern over increasing criminal activities in the Bhimashankar temple area. “Illegal businesses are thriving, and miscreants are roaming freely, some even carrying country-made weapons. This is tarnishing the image of this sacred shrine. The police must act immediately. If the situation remains unchanged, the matter will have to be brought to the attention of the Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis,” he warned.

Administrative Response and Plans
Provincial Officer Govind Shinde assured the gathering that a detailed report on the measures being implemented will be submitted to District Collector Dudi soon. Collector Jitendra Dudi also laid out the roadmap for rapid improvements. “The administration and the temple trust will conduct joint meetings every fortnight to speed up development works. Health services, emergency medical stock, and security arrangements will be significantly enhanced,” Dudi stated.

Officials present at the meeting included District Surgeon Dr. Nagnath Yamapalle, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amol Mandve, Tehsildar Sanjay Nagtilak, Group Development Officer Archana Kolhe, and Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust President Suresh Kaudre.

Community leaders and local representatives such as Subhashrao Mormare, Prakash Gholap, Sanjay Gawari, Praveen Pardhi, Amol Ankush, Adv. Kiran Gabhale, and Nilesh Sable also contributed to the discussion.