Lakhs of devotees turn up at Trimbakeshwar

Nashik: People from across Maharashtra and other states visited the Trimbakeshwar temple for the grand celebration of Mahashivratri. Last year, due to the pandemic, the devotees had been barred from coming to the temple for the Mahashivratri celebrations.
Umesh Karnik, a resident of Goa, said he had contracted Covid and had prayed for his recovery. “I had decided that if I got better, I would visit at least seven Shiva temples,” he said.
Over 300 police personnel and home guards were on their toes at Trimbakeshwar from Monday afternoon to ensure there was no untoward incident and Covid-appropriate behavior (CAB) was being followed by the devotees.
SP Sachin Patil of Nashik rural police said, “There is a constant stream of devotees for darshan at the temple. According to our estimate, more than 2.5 lakh devotees are expected to come for prayers throughout the day. We have maintained strict bandobast to prevent overcrowding and ensure that all -Covid related norms are followed.”
Free masks were distributed to every devotee stepping inside the temple and constant sanitation was carried out throughout the day. The temple was closed for public for almost two years. People from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and various parts of the state visited the temple as Trimbakeshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
“This year, I planned to visit three Shiva temples during the Mahashivratri week. Trimbak is the first temple,” said Priti Singh, a 75-year-old woman from Udaipur, Rajasthan.
The temple premises was decorated with colourful lights, garlands and diyas.
“Kadam Foundation-Arogya Suvidha of Pimpri Chinchwad took care of the health related issues of any devotee feeling unwell during the darshan or the palanquin ceremony,” said Prashant Gaidhani, chairman of Purohit Sangha and trustee of Trimbak temple.
Meanwhile, all Shiva temples in Nashik city saw a beeline of devotees from early Tuesday morning.
Taking into account the rush of devotees at the Kapaleshwar temple along the riverbanks, the Panchavati police had made traffic diversions and parking arrangements at the Gauri Patangan.