Police beef up security as devotees flock to Grishneshwar Temple in Maharashtra

Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Grishneshwar Temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar of Maharashtra on Sunday to offer prayers on the occasion of Mahashivratri 2026The temple located in Ellora is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is regarded as the 12th Jyotirlinga in the countryDevotees began arriving early in the day with many standing in long queues for darshanAmid heavy police deployment the district rural police have enforced strict security measures to ensure smooth crowd managementA total of 450 personnel have been deployed in and around the temple premises This includes 32 officers 250 police personnel and 175 home guards officials said reported the PTIThey said that it is expected that nearly four lakh devotees to visit the temple for Mahashivratri celebrations till Monday morningA senior official said the temple will remain open for devotees throughout the night to allow continuous worshipTo avoid congestion near the shrine parking arrangements have been made at least one kilometre away from the temple this yearAuthorities have urged visitors to follow instructions and cooperate with security staffFestival of faith and devotionMahashivratri is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva It is marked by prayers fasting and nightlong worship across the countryDevotees believe that offering prayers on this day brings blessings peace and prosperityBhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple in Pune to remain closed due to constructionThe Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple in Pune district of Maharashtra will remain closed to devotees during Mahashivratri 2026 an official statement said on MondayThe decision comes amid ongoing construction work on the templersquos assembly hall sabhamandap and the stone steps leading to the shrine part of the Bhimashankar Development PlanEarlier the district administration had announced that the temple would be closed for three months from September 9 2026 to complete the construction but it had also stated that the shrine would reopen for devotees during the Mahashivratri period February 1218 2026However the latest update states that large stones have been brought into the temple premises for the construction work Because of the heavy materials and the risk of accidents due to crowds the temple cannot be opened even during the festival periodA press note announcing the closure has been issued by the District Planning Officer of Pune urging the devotees to stay informedOne of most sacred festivalsMahashivratri one of the most sacred festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva will be observed on February 15 2026 according to the Hindu calendar The festival holds deep religious and spiritual significance and is marked by nightlong prayers fasting and devotionMahashivratri falls on the Chaturdashi tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna Since the festival is centred on worshipping Lord Shiva throughout the night Mahashivratri will be celebrated on Sunday February 15Devotees observe the night with special rituals including offering milk water and bel leaves to the Shiva lingam chanting prayers and performing meditation The night symbolises gratitude spiritual awakening and the victory of light over darknesswith PTI inputs