Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Bhavnath Mahadev temple in Junagadh on Sunday for Mahashivratri, the culmination of the annual Bhavnath fair. Patel performed rituals at the temple and explored various akhadas as part of the festival traditions. Minister of State for Energy Kaushik Vekariya also joined in offering prayers at the shrine.
The Bhavnath Mahashivratri fair attracts saints and ascetics from all over the country. During his visit, the Chief Minister met with several sadhus and saints at the Satsang Hall, presenting them with traditional stoles and flower garlands. Notable attendees included Muktanand Bapu, Shernath Bapu, and others.
Patel engaged in prayers at the temple’s ‘Akhand Dhuna’ and Mrigi Kund, interacting with devotees and exchanging greetings. Prant and Fair Officer Charansinh Gohil briefed him on the fair’s arrangements and religious significance. The Ravedi procession, a key ritual of the celebrations, featured saints and Digambar sadhus, with public representatives like Junagadh Mayor Dharmesh Poshiya in attendance.
This year’s Bhavnath Mahashivratri fair saw a significant turnout, with an estimated 10 to 15 lakh devotees and pilgrims participating in the five-day festival. Families, devotees, and ascetics flocked to the temple, leading to long queues for darshan and active involvement in the Ravedi procession and other rites.
