If all goes well as per the plan then before the onset of Kumbh Mela 2021, the historical Bhimgoda Kund will regain its original form and be in full glory for all to see. The State Government has approved a budget of Rs 65 lakh for the restoration and beautification of the site. The Kumbh Mela administration is making an attempt to provide water from the Ganga to this Kund so that the pilgrims coming from across the world can take holy dip as it used to be in the bygone days.
Bhimgoda is among the well known sightseeing places and legendary temples of the holy city but it has been facing neglect for the past many decades. The current situation is that neither Ganga stream which is just a few metres away touches it nor is there a system for water discharge from the Kund, even if filled artificially. The pipeline laid down from Ganga river is damaged at many places and the water discharged also gets blocked. It is said that till 2010 Kumbh Mela this Kund was filled from Ganga water but by and by the situation deteriorated. When the Kund used to be in good condition, the pilgrims came for holy dip after having dip at Har ki Paidi.
Following the demand of the local people, the Kumbh Mela officer Deepak Rawat has made a plan for revamping of this pond and out of the money sanctioned for Kumbh Mela, Rs 65 lakh has been approved for this task. For long, the maintenance of the Kund was overlooked which led to its present state say the priests of ISKCON temple located nearby. In the process of revamping of this historical site a new pipeline shall be laid down from Ganga River to Bhimgoda. The chief secretary of the state Utpal Kumar Singh has accorded his approval to Rs 65 lakh for this project.
It is pertinent to mention here that Bheemgoda is mentioned in the historical scriptures. In an old photograph of dating back to 1858 the kund was depicted in its earlier form. This photograph is available in Gurukul Library.
It is also said that during Mahabharata period, after renouncing their kingdom, the Pandavas along with Draupadi came to Haridwar while ascending for the Himalayas and Mana Gaon for heaven. When Draupadi felt thirsty, Bheem dug at this place and took out the stream of water to quench her thirst.