Places of Worship- Pune

After covering Mumbai Temples briefly, Lets go on a visit to Pune’s places of worship.
Around the Shaniwar Wada (famous Palace-fort in Pune) are various ‘peths’ or neighbourhoods created between 1713 and 1818 by the Peshwas- the Brahmin Administrators of the Maratha Kingdom. Of the 18 ‘peths’, 7 are named after the 7 days of the week like Raviwar Peth and so on while some peths are named after their founders.

Kasba Peth is the oldest peth (locality) in Pune and is very close to the historic Shaniwar Wada. Kasba Peth was the first Peth to be established somewhere in the 5th century and is called the "Heart of Pune City."

Kasba Ganpati the Gram Daivat (root deity) of Pune, is in Kasba Peth. This temple was built in Shivaji Maharaja's reign. Kasba Peth is the only locality in Pune where one can still find the existence of a "Wada (house)" or an old styled living apartment with unique architecture. Kasba Peth is mostly a residential area. A wide variety of shops surround Kasba Peth (Tambat Ali, Shimpi Ali, Vyavahar Ali, Bhoi Ali etc.) . It is well known for the Kumbhar Wada (area of earthen potmakers) and the Tambat Ali (area of brass/copper utensil manufacturers).

There is a story behind the Kasba Ganpati : Some children had brought cows there for grazing and found an idol of Ganapati. Then they colored this idol and started worshipping it. Shivaji Maharaja's mother Jijabai also visited there whenever she came to Lal Mahal. Hence Dadoji Konddeo built a pandal in front of the idol where the Kasba Ganpati Temple is today.

During the Annual Ganesh Chaturthi festivals, the various mandals in Pune are dressed up in all pomp and gaiety

Of all the mandals, there are 5 Ganpatis of great historical and traditional significance. Being the native Deity of Pune, Kasba Peth Ganpati is also known as the First honored Ganpati.( also called ‘Manache Ganpati”)

Shri Kasba Ganpati also has the honour of being the first Ganpati to be immersed in Pune city.
When the beloved Ganpati idol in immersed in the Mutha river on the 10th day of the Ganesh Chaturthi,devotees bid an emotional farewell..."Ganpati Bappa Morya...Pudchya Varshi Laukar Yaa.." (Dear Ganpati Bappa, please come back soon next year) :bowdown

http://www.kasbaganpati.org/english/default.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasba_Ganapati

 

The Front facade of the Kasba Ganapati Temple Pune

 

thanks Dear for your feedback...Will surely explore and write more...

I have also written briefly about Mumbai temples, if time permits please explore

 

thanks Dear for your fb...

I received your PM as well.. Highly appreciate your advise

I have heard breifly about Pune floods but didnt know about this temple...Thanks for sharing
hopefully I will visit it soon

 

Dear All

Lets now visit another of Pune's Landmarks- Chaturshringi temple. I got to know of this temple thru a collegue who used to fast on Tuesdays and visit this Devi temple dedicated Devi Ambareshwari, the presiding deity of the temple.

The temple is located on the busy Senapati Bapat Road ans has many ITcompanies, Hotels like Mariott, hospitals, Symbiosis college etc in the near vicinity. The temple thought to be built in Shivaji Maharaj's reign still retains its original grandeur.

The name chaturshringi is derived from 'chatur' (four) hillocks where the Devi is located

As legend goes, a local merchant used to visit the famous 'Saptashringi' temple in Vani, Nashik, (Saptashrungi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Maharastra for forshipping the goddess. However as he couldnt go there regularly due to old age, he was extremely worried. It is said the Goddess Saptashringi came in his dreams and directed him to the current hill from where he discovered the current idol of the Goddess.

The temple being on a hillock commands a good view of the Pune city and has 100 steps or so to climb. There is a temple dedicated to Ganesha and to Goddesses Saptashringi, Goddess Durga as well. The staue of Ganpati is imposing and also has murals of the 8 astavinayaks decorated on the walls.There is also a recent temple built in honour Of Goddess lakshmi



The main sanctum is simple and bereft of any 'classical' designs, the hall is covered with colourful images and portraits of the various forms of Goddess in Hindu religion

:: Welcome to Shri Chattushringi Devi Mandir ::

Another interesting thing I noticed was that a lot of women devotees offered Sari, bangles, Marathi style Gajra and chapatis as offerings

 

The image of the Goddess

 

Dear All,
On popular demand, let’s pay obeisance to one of the most famous Ganesha temples in India- the Dagdusheth Ganpati temple in Pune. Located close to the historic Shaniwarwada palace (administrative headquarters of Peshwas of Maratha Empire), this temple is also famous as Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple. It is one of the oldest temples founded in the year 1893 built by the famous Dagdusheth Halwai (Halwai in hindi means one who makes Halwa or Sweets. i.e. sweet maker) . As the story goes, Dagdusheth lost his young son to the dreaded Plague which resulted the state of depression in the mind of his wife. To overcome her from such trauma, he was asked by his Guru to make Lord Ganesha’s and Shree Dattatreya’s idol. It was believed that the making of idols will definitely bring out his wife from the state of depression.

Well known freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was also known to Dagdusheth, gave a public forum to the Ganesh festival celebrations as a way of getting around an order issued by the British Raj that barred public meetings. Shri Tilak by introducing the concept of “Sarvajanik Mahotsava” (public function) in the late 1800s succeeded in bringing all people together to show unity against the Britishers.
The idol of the Dagdusheth Ganpati is embellished with precious gold jewellery offered by devotes as the token of affection and love. The idol of “Ganpati Bappa” has gold ears which is decorated by almost 8 kgs of gold. The idol of Dagdusheth is considered as the richest in the city of Pune. The main Ganesh idol is insured for sum of 1 crore (US$199,500) and is visited by thousands of devotes throughout the day.
The temple and the inner sanctorum is well decorated in different themes during major festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankasti, Angarika, Gudi Padwa, Diwali, etc
The Halwai Ganpati Trust carries out philanthropic work from the donations received, and is one of the richest in Maharashtra. With the blessings of Lord Ganpati and philanthropy of the devotees, the trust operates an old age home in Pune and also provides housing and education for 40 destitute children. Other services provided by the trust include ambulance service for poor and health clinics in tribal belts of Pune District.
So if you are in Pune, do take a Darshan of Shree Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati

 

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Welcome to The Official Website of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, Pune.