Around one lakh devotees visited the Nimgaon Khandoba temple in Maharashtra’s Khed taluka during the Somvati Amavasya pilgrimage, while potholes on the Rajgurunagar-Nimgaon road caused difficulties for people travelling to the shrine, according to a report by Sakal – Pune.
The pilgrimage at the temple, regarded as a major religious centre in Khed taluka and a family deity for devotees across Maharashtra, was held with traditional rituals and a large turnout. Visitors arrived from different parts of the state, taking advantage of the Diwali holiday period to seek darshan of Khandoba.
The day’s programme began with a formal early-morning puja. An aarti was held at 6 am, followed by the temple palanquin procession at 9.30 am. The procession travelled towards the Bhima river for the traditional royal bath, with devotees gathering along the route for darshan. Firecrackers were also used during the procession, the report said.
At around 11 am, the deity was given a ritual bath on the banks of the Bhima river. A maha-aarti followed, after which devotees performed the traditional tali-bhandara ceremony and scattered bhandara, a yellow ritual powder. Chants associated with Khandoba filled the riverbank as large crowds assembled to watch the royal bathing ceremony.
The pilgrimage arrangements were handled with the participation of the temple’s kh andekari and mankari groups, priests, service workers and local residents. The Jai Malhar Yatra Management Committee made arrangements intended to support devotees during the festival, while organisers and villagers worked to conduct the event peacefully.
However, the condition of the approach road emerged as a significant difficulty for visitors. Devotees travelling between Rajgurunagar and Nimgaon reportedly faced potholes at several locations. Drivers had to manoeuvre around the damaged stretches, creating inconvenience on a route used by large numbers of pilgrims heading to the temple.
The road issue highlights the operational pressure placed on local access infrastructure when a religious site receives a very large visitor surge within a single day. The report did not identify the authority responsible for the road repairs or provide a timeline for restoration. Devotees have demanded urgent repairs to the Rajgurunagar-Nimgaon road before future pilgrimage crowds arrive.
