PUNE: The Bhimashankar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is gearing up for the upcoming Mahashivratri celebrations on February 26, 2025. Anticipation is building as thousands of devotees are expected to flock to the temple for this auspicious occasion.
To cater to the expected surge of visitors, the temple will remain open for 48 hours starting from today, ensuring easy access for all those wishing to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The temple premises have already been adorned with beautiful decorations to welcome the faithful.
"Today marks the beginning of our grand preparations," said local authorities. "The temple has been beautifully decorated, and we are prepared for the Maha Aarti and special rituals to take place throughout Mahashivratri."
Following the Maha Aarti and milk abhishekam, conducted early this morning, the main shrine is now open for public viewing. This allows devotees to participate actively and witness the celebrations firsthand.
Local MLA Dilip Walse Patil attended the morning ceremonies and expressed his commitment to ensuring infrastructure improvements around the temple area. "We are making every effort to complete pending works around Bhimashankar Temple at the earliest,“ he stated to the media. "We’re addressing local water issues as well, as the influx of visitors could strain resources. We aim to provide pilgrims with uninterrupted access to water and other facilities during the festivities."
Devotees traditionally observe fasts during Mahashivratri, engaging in extensive prayers and rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to astrologers, the most auspicious times for worship on Mahashivratri will be from 12:23 PM to 1:12 PM on February 27, 2025, and the recommended time to break the fast will be from 6:55 AM to 8:54 AM.
The rituals for Mahashivratri start with morning preparations, including taking baths and wearing clean clothing, followed by performing Abhishek on the Shiva Lingam with holy substances such as Ganga water, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar. Devotees typically offer bilva leaves, dhatura, cannabis, and white flowers during their prayers, chanting the powerful mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya," to invoke divine blessings.
Given the preparations and the growing anticipation for the celebrations, authorities are taking no chances. A significant influx of pilgrims is expected, particularly because many devotees who attended the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj are also partaking in the Jyotirlinga yatra.
To facilitate transportation, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation has scheduled over 950 bus trips from local areas, accommodating people traveling to the temple during this sacred period. Notably, there will be special discounts available for women traveling by ST buses, ensuring the journeys are accessible and affordable for all.
"We have organized multiple trips from bus stations to support the throngs of attendees expected for Mahashivratri," said transport officials. "Each station will see ten buses departing regularly to manage the heavy passenger load effectively."
Temple management and local government have expressed confidence about the extensive arrangements made to handle the large crowd. They reassured the public about routing, increased bus services, and ensuring safety measures are enforced during the festivities.
Overall, the Mahashivratri celebrations at the Bhimashankar Temple are shaping up to be extraordinary, reflecting the devotion and faith of the thousands who will participate. With continued preparations and community support, this sacred event promises to be memorable for all involved.