The throng of devotees seeking blessings from Bholenath at Ambernath's Shiv temple, which is around 1000 years old and was constructed in ancient times, the Thane Police has deployed heavy security in anticipation of the annual Mahashivratri festival on February 26. The route for heavy vehicles have diverted due to the large number of devotees coming here for prayer and blessings, said the police. 

Ambernath Shiv temple is one the biggest Shiv temple in the Thane district. Therefore, on the day of the Mahashivratri festival, several devotees come from Thane, Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and rural areas of Thane. Sources said that it is expected that around 3 lakh devotees will come seeking blessing on the day of Mahashivratri.

The police sources said that they deployed over 350 to 400 police personnel in and around the Shiv temple to prevent any untoward incidents during the prayer. However, two ACPs, eight Senior Police Inspectors, 37 APIs, and PSIs, 60 women police officers, and 150 home guards were deployed in the surrounding area of the temple.

Statement Of ACP Of Ambernath

Shailesh Kale, ACP of Ambernath, said, "We have deployed police security on the occasion of Mahashivratri. The roadmap for the devotees going to or coming from prayer was prepared by the team, which was led to prevent untoward incidents. We appeal to devotees not to use their vehicles to reach the nearby temple. However, they can come to the temple by walking to avoid vehicle crowds. Moreover, we appeal to devotees not to wear gold ornaments and other important belongings while coming to pray to prevent incidents of pickpocketing."

A historical gem, it played a key role in the formation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Shiv Mandir of Ambarnath is a historic 11th-century Hindu temple at Ambarnath, near Mumbai, in Maharashtra, India. It is also known as the Ambreshwar Shiva Temple and is referred to locally as Puratana Shivalaya. It is situated on the bank of the Waldhuni River, 2 km away from Ambarnath railway station (East). The temple was built in 1060 AD, carved in stone. It was probably built by Shilahara king Chhittaraja, and it may also have been rebuilt by his son Mummuni.