Bhimashankar: Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Temple will be opened for all devotees from April 10, 2026. No extension will be given in this. District Collector Jitendra Dudi, while attending the government worship of Mahashivratri in Bhimashankar, said that he is confident that all arrangements will be completed by the month of Shravan.
Shri Bhimashankar Devasthan, including President Suresh Kaudre and Deputy Executive Trustee Madhukar Gawande, closed the temple on January 9 for renovations. Dudi expressed gratitude for the public's cooperation. The digging and demolition, expected to last three months, will be followed by the temple's reopening for darshan, with remaining work continuing thereafter. The Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Development Plan is being implemented in consultation with locals, promising financial benefits. An annual Bhimashankar festival is planned to further support the local tribal community, with expectations of a fourfold increase in devotees upon the plan's completion.
Addressing prior issues of polluted water, the Wildlife Department recently approved a drainage solution. Concurrent with the renovations, water supply and drainage improvements are underway. Additionally, a ropeway from Khandas to Bhimashankar is planned. Shekaru conservation has been fully considered in the Bhimashankar plan.
In 2021, there were 1800 Shekarus in the Bhimashankar Sanctuary, while currently there are 2340 Shekarus here. The number of Shekarus here has increased due to the good work done by the Wildlife Department. The mascot of the recent Purna Grad Tour was Shekarus. Due to this competition, Shekarus from our area reached the world. Many wildlife researchers are expressing their desire to come here to study Shekarus. This will increase the number of Shekarus and promote conservation.
Three major roads leading to Bhimashankar will be improved before the Kumbh Mela. In this, the road from Talegaon toll plaza to Bhimashankar, the road going through Chakan Rajgurunagar and Manchar Ghodegaon will be completed. Also, the small and big roads leading to Bhimashankar at Taleghar, Shirgaon, Bhorgiri, Nigdale will also be improved.