Bhavnath Mahashivratri Fair Underway in Junagadh With New Website and Tight Security
The five-day gathering centers on Shaiva rites at Bhavnath Mahadev, with midnight processions of sadhus plus the Shahi Snan at Mrigi Kund as focal rituals.
Overview
- Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi launched a Bhavnath Temple website offering live darshan with details on lodging, parking and medical support for visitors.
- Festival operations feature nearly 3,500 security personnel, 570 CCTV cameras, drones, a dedicated control room, bomb squads, and 108 ambulances, with 800 volunteers aiding crowd management.
- The fair opened with a 55‑kg flag hoisted atop the temple, following large pilgrim arrivals and vehicle restrictions at entry gates to regulate traffic.
- Sanghavi walked 3.5 km from Girnar Darwaza to the temple on opening day, performed the Maha Aarti, and inaugurated the Girnar CCTV camera project at the Bhavnath Police Station.
- A first‑ever Damru Yatra took place on February 11, while expanded facilities include a German dome shelter for up to 850 devotees, increased parking points, accessibility services, and added water, toilets and medical counters.