For the millions of devotees who have been waiting, the news is finally here. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga — one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas, located in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district, Maharashtra — is officially reopening for public darshan from June 15, 2026.
Over the past several months, the most-searched question has been: ‘Is Bhimashankar Temple open or closed?’ Confusion spread across social media, WhatsApp groups, and travel forums. This article gives you the verified, updated answer for June 2026 — so you can plan your yatra without any guesswork.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple reopens for devotees on June 15, 2026.Confirmed by: Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust and In-charge District Collector Gajanan Patil, Pune.Phase 1 darshan: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Timings will be gradually extended in the coming days.
The temple had been closed since January 9, 2026 — a full 5.5 months — for major infrastructure renovation and redevelopment work. The closure was initially planned through May 31 but was extended to allow completion of the final construction phase. The reopening date of June 15 has now been officially confirmed.
| Detail | Information |
| Reopening Date | June 15, 2026 |
| Darshan Timings (Phase 1) | 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM (June 15–30) |
| Daily Capacity | 1,000 devotees per day (initial phase only) |
| Registration | Mandatory — shreebhimashankar.com |
| Registration Started | June 5, 2026 |
| Identity Proof | Valid government ID mandatory at entry |
| Temple Location | Bhimashankar, Khed Taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra |
| Distance from Pune | Approximately 125 km |
| Distance from Mumbai | Approximately 200 km |
| Official Website | shreebhimashankar.com |
| Temple Trust | Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust |
The temple management has made online registration mandatory for all devotees to manage crowd flow after the extended closure. Walk-in entry will not be permitted during the initial phase. This is a new, temporary rule introduced specifically for the post-renovation reopening period.
IMPORTANT: Online registration started June 5, 2026.Official website: shreebhimashankar.comDaily limit: Only 1,000 slots — book as early as possible.Registered devotee list will be published on the official website.
Pro tip: Slots for June 15–30 are likely to fill fast given the 5.5-month gap since the last public darshan. Register as early as possible to secure your preferred date.
The following rules are in effect for Phase 1 of the reopening (June 15–30, 2026):
District Collector Gajanan Patil’s Statement (June 1, 2026):”In the first phase, the temple will remain open from 7 AM to 11 AM from June 15. The darshan timings will be increased gradually in the coming days. We request devotees and local residents to cooperate with the temple trust, district administration and police authorities.”— Source: The Bridge Chronicle, June 1, 2026
The temple closed on January 9, 2026, for a planned infrastructure overhaul. This was not a short closure — it lasted 5.5 months. The initial deadline was May 31, which was later extended to June 15 as the final phase of work continued.
The primary driver behind this large-scale renovation was the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, which will be held in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. When pilgrims visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the Kumbh, a significant number also make the journey to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. The district administration anticipates a dramatic increase in footfall during the 2027 Kumbh period, and the infrastructure needed to be ready well in advance.
This work was carried out jointly by the Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust and the Pune district administration. The major congregation hall in front of the temple is expected to be completed by end of June 2026.
Yes — and this is an important clarification for devotees. Although public darshan was suspended for 5.5 months, all daily religious rituals inside the temple continued without interruption throughout the closure period.
Pooja, Abhishek, Kakada Aarti, Shringar Aarti, and all other puja ceremonies were performed by the temple priests as per tradition every single day. Only the physical entry of devotees was temporarily restricted. The Jyotirlinga was worshipped and tended to continuously.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga holds a unique position among Maharashtra’s Jyotirlingas. It is one of three Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra — the other two being Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) and Grishneshwar (Aurangabad).
The 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimage events in the world, drawing tens of millions of pilgrims. A significant proportion of those visitors are expected to extend their journey to Bhimashankar, given the proximity and spiritual connection between the sites. The district administration estimates that pilgrim numbers at Bhimashankar during the 2027 Kumbh period could reach unprecedented levels.
This is why the 5.5-month closure was not just a renovation exercise — it was long-term preparation to ensure that lakhs of pilgrims can visit safely, comfortably, and without overcrowding.
Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Khed Taluka, Pune district — a scenic and peaceful location surrounded by dense forests and rich biodiversity. The temple is also part of the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. The journey involves some ghat road, so plan accordingly.
Temple Address:Shivtirtha, Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar, Via Dimbhe Colony, Khed Taluka, Dist. Pune, Maharashtra — 410509
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is OPEN from June 15, 2026. It was closed since January 9, 2026 — a 5.5-month closure for major infrastructure renovation ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027. The reopening has been officially confirmed by the Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar Devasthan Trust and Pune district administration.
Online registration is available at shreebhimashankar.com. Registration started June 5, 2026. Select your date, fill in your personal details and ID information, and save your confirmation. Carry a valid government ID on the day of your visit. Walk-in entry is not permitted during the initial phase.
Phase 1 darshan timings are 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, applicable from June 15 to June 30. The temple management has confirmed that timings will be gradually extended in the coming days as the reopening phase progresses. Check shreebhimashankar.com for updates.
In the initial phase (June 15–30), entry is restricted to 1,000 registered devotees per day. This limit has been set for crowd management and safety. The daily capacity is expected to increase as the phase progresses and infrastructure settles.
The temple was closed from January 9, 2026 for major infrastructure development in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik. Key works included a new assembly hall, a new stairway route, upgraded crowd management systems, and expanded facilities. Given that Bhimashankar sees a large influx of Kumbh pilgrims, this preparation was essential.
Yes. All daily temple rituals — Pooja, Abhishek, Kakada Aarti, Shringar Aarti — continued without interruption throughout the 5.5-month closure. They were performed by the temple priests as per tradition every day. Only public darshan was suspended.
Bhimashankar is approximately 125 km from Pune, in Khed Taluka, Sahyadri hills. The road journey takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by private car. From Mumbai, the distance is approximately 200 km, taking 4 to 5 hours.
General darshan is typically free. However, online registration is now mandatory. Special darshan, Abhishek, and puja services have associated fees — check the latest details at shreebhimashankar.com before your visit.
The reopening of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga on June 15, 2026 is more than a logistical update — it is a spiritual homecoming for lakhs of Shiva devotees who have waited through a 5.5-month closure. The renovated temple now has better facilities, improved crowd management, and upgraded infrastructure built to serve pilgrims not just today but through the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 and beyond.
If you are planning a Bhimashankar darshan in June or July 2026, register today at shreebhimashankar.com. Slots are limited to 1,000 per day, and demand will be exceptionally high given the long closure.
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