3 weeks ago
Safety, Sanitation Concerns Surface Ahead of Shravan at Bhimashankar Temple
Many people visit a special temple called Bhimashankar in India to pray during a holy month called Shravan.
The temple is on a hill, and the road to get there can be very foggy.
But some things at the temple are not working properly.
Many streetlights along the road are broken, so the path can be dark and hard to see.
Some electric boxes are open and wires are showing, which can be dangerous, especially when it rains.
Some decorated poles shaped like the letters 'Om' and 'Trishul' are broken and lying on the ground.
The public bathroom near the temple does not have water and is not very clean.
There is also a lot of garbage left near the road.
Visitors and pilgrims are worried about these problems and want the local authorities to fix them.
They want everyone who visits the temple to be safe and happy.
Non-functional streetlights on the check-post-to-temple stretch leave the route dark, with dense fog further reducing visibility.
Open electrical switch boxes exposing live wiring along the route raise fears of accidents during the monsoon.
Damaged Om- and Trishul-shaped decorative poles lie on the ground instead of being repaired or removed respectfully.
The temple's public toilet is operational but lacks a regular water supply, with litter scattered around the premises.
Garbage sacks dumped beside the roadside and waste lying in the open raise hygiene concerns ahead of the Shravan rush.
- Who
- Devotees visiting Bhimashankar Temple from places such as Indore, Nashik, Hyderabad and Pune, along with the local administration responsible for the temple premises.
- What
- Civic shortcomings — broken streetlights, exposed electrical wiring, damaged religious poles, unclean toilets and poor waste management — raise safety and hygiene concerns for pilgrims.
- Where
- Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district, Maharashtra.
- When
- Ahead of the holy month of Shravan, during the ongoing monsoon season.
- Why
- Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit during Shravan, and pilgrims say the issues need immediate attention to ensure a safe, clean and dignified pilgrimage.
Key facts
- Temple
- Bhimashankar Temple, one of Maharashtra's most important pilgrimage destinations
- Location
- Pune district, Maharashtra
- Reported by
- The Free Press Journal (FPJ)
- Road lighting issue
- Streetlights from check post to temple damaged or non-functional; dense fog reduces visibility
- Electrical hazard
- Open switch boxes exposing live electrical wiring along the route
- Public toilet
- Operational but without regular water supply; premises unclean
- Waste management
- Garbage sacks dumped beside the roadside; some waste lying in the open
- Expected footfall
- Lakhs of devotees during the Shravan month
Quotes
Ramesh Sharma
Devotee from Indore
“It is painful to see damaged Om- and Trishul‑shaped poles lying on the ground. These symbols hold religious significance and should be treated with respect. Although the authorities have replaced them, leaving the old poles on the ground and near drains is unacceptable. They should be placed appropriately.”
freepressjournal.in
“The open electrical switch boxes are dangerous. There are children, elderly people and thousands of pilgrims walking on this route. The authorities should repair them immediately. It is a clear invitation for an accident.”
freepressjournal.in










