ગુજરાતી
English
Ahmedabad, February 9, 2026
Maha Shivratri will be celebrated in the Bhavnath area of Junagadh from February 11th to 15th. The BJP government of Gujarat has declared the Bhavnath fair a “mini Kumbh” to attract 500,000 people, allegedly to convert religion into votes.
Years ago, 57 acres of land were reserved at the foothills of Bhavnath for organizing the fair. BJP leaders have illegally encroached upon 29 acres of this 57-acre plot. This land is no longer available. The system has been forced to hold the fair on only 24 acres of land.
The fairground land was surveyed by the DILR (Department of Land Records). The survey revealed that 29 acres of the 57-acre plot had been encroached upon. Allegations of pressure from local people and saints have surfaced. There has been no reaction from the authorities so far.
Utra Mandal
Bhavesh Vekaria, President of Utra Mandal, said that the administration has sold off some of the land, leaving only 20 acres for the 1.5 million people expected to attend the fair. He said that if a stampede or accident occurs due to the limited space and overcrowding, the Collector and the government will be fully responsible.
Despite the pressure, the Collector has not taken any action. This problem persists because BJP members have encroached upon the land.
This is hindering the arrangements for Utra Mandal and the community kitchens (Annakshetra). Scenes of chaos and scuffles are likely. The chances of an accident in the massive crowd have also increased.
The saints are demanding that vehicles necessary for reaching the ashrams and akhadas (religious centers) be given free access.
Dispute over Mahant Post
In July 2025, a dispute arose over the post of Mahant (head priest) of the Bhavnath temple. The appointment to the Mahant post is made by the District Collector. This time, the demand for the appointment of the Mahant according to the Guru-disciple tradition gained momentum. The demand for the appointment of the Mahant according to the Guru-disciple tradition was raised. If the current Mahant were to be re-appointed, two saints had threatened to commit suicide in front of the Bhavnath temple. The saints had leveled serious allegations against Mahant Harigiri Bapu. Documents were also released which revealed that Harigiri had paid crores of rupees to collectors to become the Mahant.
Mahant Harigiri Bapu’s term was to end on July 31, 2025.
Mukeshgiri Guru Kamalanandji and Rajugiri Guru Kamalanandji of Muchkund Cave had released a video.
The appointment should be made according to the Guru-disciple tradition. Harigiri has both money and power. It will be interesting to see what happens if he is appointed. Earlier, Harigiri had obtained the post of Mahant of Bhavnath temple through money and power.
Government Officials
On August 1, 2025, for the first time in the history of Junagadh, government rule was implemented at the Bhavnath temple. It was decided to place all festivals, including the Mahashivratri fair, under government control.
For years, the management of this center of ancient cultural tradition was handled by saints and sadhus. For the first time, the state government handed over the administration to a government administrator.
Now, the government is handling all the management of the temple, including registration of donations, celebration of festivals, and daily worship.
Most of the saints and sadhus called this move unwarranted government interference. Hopes of the Mahant’s post being handed back to the sadhu community according to the Guru tradition in the coming days also faded.
A temple trust may be formed.
The income and expenditure and details of the temple’s assets were collected.
Government Takeover
All the assets of the Bhavnath Temple Trust have been handed over to the administrator. A regular governance system has been implemented for income-expenditure and other arrangements. A Deputy Mamlatdar, clerk, and accounts officer have been appointed for the temple management. An office has been set up. A contact number, 95100 92220, has been announced for this purpose.
After independence, the then administrator, S.W. Shiveshwarkar, announced that “since the government is secular, the fair is permitted, but no food grains will be provided. Anyone attending the fair should bring their own rations to avoid any inconvenience.”
Sanghavi’s Fatwa
The BJP government makes grand and false claims about Hindutva. It has been perpetrating injustice against Hindus. Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi held several meetings regarding the Bhavnath fair. It was decided in these meetings that no vehicles would be allowed inside the Girnar gate.
Harsh Sanghavi has taken an anti-Hindu decision regarding the Junagadh Mahashivratri fair. Devotees will have to walk 8 kilometers. The distance from the Girnar gate to Bhavnath is approximately 3.3 km.
The BJP government has not given any specific reason behind this decision.
Vehicles belonging to those who stay at the fair and run food and beverage stalls have also been restricted, with very few exceptions.
Meeting in Gandhinagar
On January 31, 2026, a meeting was held in Gandhinagar, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Present were Youth Services and Culture State Minister Jayaram Gamit, sadhus and saints from the Junagadh Bhavnath area, officers from Junagadh district, officers from the Pilgrimage and Tourism Department, and officers from the Junagadh district administration.
The Provincial Officer of Junagadh is Charansingh Gohil.
BJP Intervention
On February 8, 2026, State Ministers Pradyuman Vaja and Kaushik Vekariya visited the Bhavnath fair route. BJP officers, the District Collector, SP, other administrative officers, and others were also present.
Protest
Bhavish Vekariya, President of Uttara Mandal, said that MLAs and ministers were present, but Uttara Mandal was excluded, causing an uproar. Uttara Mandal provides free food and accommodation in Uttara, along with other services.
The system is being forced to provide basic facilities like water, sewage, and sanitation.
The Utra Mandal is always vigilant. However, the government ignores the charitable organization Utra Mandal every year during the fair and under the guise of taking credit for the event. Utra Mandal was excluded from the meeting held in Gandhinagar.
Live Streaming
Live streaming of the Mahashivratri fair will also be done during the royal bath. A page for Bhavnath Temple will be launched on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and live Aarti darshan will be available on social media.
Royal Bath
Consultations were held with Indrabharti Bapu of Junagadh Akhara, Bharadwaj of Avahan Akhara, and representatives of Agni Akhara and other saints regarding important events including the royal bath. The government is considering inviting local and international artists to this fair and organizing this year’s fair in such a way that it gains international recognition.
Invitation from the Country
This will be the biggest and most memorable fair. The BJP government has invited saints and devotees from all over the country. A special song has been launched for the Mahashivratri fair. In 2026, a newly made 55 kg brass flag was installed on the spire of the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple with a classical ceremony.
Naga Sadhus
Thousands of Naga Sadhus stay at the foothills of Bhavnath for three days. Sadhus from all over India gather at this fair.
Ravadi
On the last day of the fair, people are also allowed to see the departing sadhus and saints. According to the tradition of Ravadi, the Ravadi route is 1.5 km. It has been extended by 500 meters to 2 km so that devotees can get maximum benefit from seeing the Naga Sadhus.
Some Naga Sadhus live in the caves of Girnar, who participate in the Shivratri Ravadi. Apart from this, there is no clear information about where these Naga Sadhus come from and where they live. Neither do any experts have clear information about this. But it is clear that these Naga Sadhus participate in the fair.
Especially the sadhus from Junagadh and its surrounding areas participate in the ‘Ravery’ which takes place at midnight on Shivratri.
These sadhus, riding on horses, carts, carriages, and elephants, proceed in a procession with conch shells and music to bathe in the deer pond, which is known as ‘Ravery’.
Mahamandaleshwars, Mandaleshwars, and millions of sadhus from different akharas participate in the Ravery. They perform physical exercises along the way. With their magnificent physiques and long hair, they display sword fighting and wrestling.
In Junagadh, the royal bath during Shivratri is led by the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. Some sadhus from other akharas also participate in it.
The Naga Sadhus proceed with bands playing. In recent years, DJs have also been seen.
What is the Shivratri fair?
This five-day fair begins in the month of Maha according to the Hindu calendar and continues until the new moon day, ending on Shivratri.
The Raveries are a combination of ‘bhajans and food’. Raveries are performed on the night of Shivratri and include performances by Naga Sadhus.
R.K. Trivedi, the then Census Superintendent of Gujarat, in the 1961 Census of Gujarat, according to the Census of India, hoisted a new flag at the Bhavnath temple at the foothills of Girnar on the first day of the month of Maha.
The Suvarnarekha river flows about two and a half kilometers from here. This is the mythological Shiva Lingam.
The Bhavnath fair is one of the 11 special fairs held throughout the year in Junagadh district.
Parvati’s divine ornament fell near the Bhavnath temple, due to which it is known as ‘Vastrapoot Kshetra’.
The folk festival at the foothills of Bhavnath begins with the hoisting of a new flag. There are mentions of fairs being held for 200-250 years, but they weren’t given the name ‘fair’. Such events took place during the Vedic and Mauryan periods.
The Bhavnath fair has been popular for a century and a half, and its size has also increased. The Bhavnath fair is mentioned in writings from approximately 150 years ago.
In 1822 AD, the English military officer Colonel Tod, and in 1869, James Burgess, mentioned Girnar, but they don’t say anything about the fair.
A tax of one anna was levied on visitors to the Bhavnath fair, known as ‘Mundka Veer’. Government employees, Brahmins, Charans (bards), and beggars were exempted from this tax.
During the time of Nawab Mahabat Khan III, the system of the Bhavnath fair began to improve. Various games, magic shows, and entertainment options were offered, and their prices were fixed so that people could enjoy them freely.
In 1919, approximately 57,000 people gathered during the five days of the fair.
It is reported that in recent years, 10 to 15 lakh people have been attending the Bhavnath fair.
What to expect at the fair:
A procession will be held in the city.
The police force has been increased from 1600 to 2900. CCTV cameras, parking facilities, roads, dormitories for accommodation, road decorations based on the theme of Lord Shiva, city lighting and decorations, selfie points, information centers, 1,000 volunteers, 300 social organizations providing food and lodging for devotees, Mahapuja (grand worship) of Girnar Maharaj by guests, arrangements for shoe and slipper storage, guidelines for darshan (viewing) lines, and water offering rituals.
Obstructions removed:
Approximately 50 small and large road obstructions were removed in the Bhavnath area. 84 shops were demolished after notices were issued to remove encroachments. Encroachments are visible on the Girnar steps. The Forest Department does not remove encroachments on Girnar mountain. The encroachment was removed. India’s first Sudarshan Lake in the Bhavnath area dates back to the time of Ashoka. The ashram of the sadhu Shivgiri Jaydevgiri (Shivgiri), who was illegally residing near it, was demolished with a bulldozer.He was arrested. A sword, spear, axe, and dagger were seized from his house. Sixty sharp weapons, including swords, knives, daggers, and maces, were recovered. Sadhu Shivgiri was taken into custody under the Arms Act. On February 4, 2023, 84 encroachments were removed from Bhavnath Dutt Chowk to the Girnar steps. (Translated from Gujarati using Google Translate)
