Junagadh: The long-standing management dispute at the sacred Bhavnath Dham in Junagadh city has finally come to an end. Following the expiry of Mahant Harigiriji Maharaj’s tenure, the local administration has formally taken charge of Bhavnath Temple and appointed an administrator to oversee its affairs.

On Friday, under tight police security, administrative officials officially assumed control of the temple and the properties managed by its trust. Until now, Mahant Harigiriji Maharaj had been serving in this role, but with his term ending, responsibility for the temple’s administration and assets has now immediately shifted to the local authorities.

Earlier in the day, Junagadh Prant Officer Charansingh Gohil visited the temple premises. Speaking to the media, he said, “As per the instructions of the district collector, steps have been taken to ensure complete cleanliness and order in Bhavnath Temple and the surrounding area. Special cleaning agencies and staff have begun work on this.”

He added that a detailed inventory of the temple’s properties and assets would be prepared, and their supervision and maintenance would now fall under the administrative department. “Work has begun to ensure that devotees can worship in a grand and spiritually uplifting atmosphere,” he noted.

According to Gohil, “In the coming days, additional focus will be placed on continuous cleanliness, security, water, lighting, and crowd management facilities in the Bhavnath area, to create a truly devotional environment for worshippers.”

A special Maha Aarti will be held this evening in the temple complex, during which administrative officials, staff members, and devotees will collectively offer prayers to Lord Bhavnath Mahadev.

With this transition in temple management, authorities have signalled that immediate steps will be taken for the temple’s development with greater transparency and a service-minded approach. For devotees, this change is expected to bring hope and reassurance. DeshGujarat