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Maharashtra Sarasbaug Ganpati
The Sarasbaug Ganpati temple is operated by the Shree Devdeveshwar Sansthan, Parvati and Kothurd. The temple houses the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak and it is a popular religious spot for devotees from all over Maharashtra. On an average, the temple receives about ten thousand visitors per day and this number can easily reach eighty thousand during festivals. Dignitaries and politicians visit the temple regularly and the temple is very famous inside Maharashtra and all over the world.
History
The temple is commonly referred to as the Talyatla Ganapati or the Idol in the middle of the lake and the temple is surrounded by a beautiful pond. The temple dates back to the Peshwa Era and it is now dated to be about 229 years old. It also has a very interesting history. According to historians, the temple was actually built during the 18th Century. The Peshwa or the rule of the era, Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa started building a temple on Parvati Hills called the Shree Devdeveshwar Temple. As the temple neared completion, the Peshwa turned his attention to the surrounding hills and decided to implement beautification of the surrounding environs. He decided to set up a lake at the bottom of Parvati Hills. Originally, the lake was supposed to be for boating and to provide an easy supply of water for local gardens and fields. One of the most interesting stories surrounding the formation of the lake is that lake was planned in 1750 but construction was still going on till mid of 1753. The Peshwa who was visiting the area noticed that locals were working slowly and getting annoyed, he hopped off his horse and started moving stones faster to create the dam for the lake. The embarrassed local workers then accelerated their work and the dam was established quickly after that. However, he retained a small island in the center of the lake specifically to build a palace or a temple. The Island was originally about 25,000 sq feet and was named as Sarasbaug. Later on, in the year 1784, the Peshwa established a small temple on the island and installed an idol Shree Siddhivinayak Gajanan on the island and named it the Sarasbaug Ganpati Temple.
How To Reach
By Air
You will have to catch a flight from Mumbai to Pune and then catch a train or car to the temple.
By Rail
Mumbai-Pune trains are available all through the year and the temple is located about 6kms from Pune Railway Station.
By Road
Pune is located about 120 kms from Mumbai and it is connected with a very good roadway. Devotees can easily book buses or private transport from Mumbai to the temple. The temple is located about one minute distance from the City Swargate Bus Stand.
Important Shrines
The temple is located close to the Devdeveshwar temple atop Parvati hill. Tourists can also visit that temple during festival season.
Significance Of The Temple
The temple was originally built by the Peshwas a spiritual retreat for devotees. However, the Peshwa Shrimant Nanasaheb and his shrewd consultants used the lake around the temple as a secret area where they could discuss war strategy and state secrets. They would frequently visit the Parvati Temple and then go boating on the Sarasbaug Lake. According to legend, the boats were rowed by non-locals bought in from outside the state to prevent them from understanding what was spoken.
Weather And Time To Visit
The temple is open all through the year but the best time to visit is during Ganesh Chaturthi when the temple prepares for its annual festival. The dates of the festival depend on the Hindu calendar and we recommend you check the temple website for additional details. The best time to visit the temple is from July to February.
Accomodation
Pune is a cosmopolitan city and you will easily find accommodation in and around the temple area. We recommend booking your accommodation well in advance during the festival season to prevent disappointment.
Tips For Devotees
It’s very easy to reach the temple as it is well connected by road and railway. The temple regularly updates festival dates on its website and you can check with the website for additional details.
Rules And Rituals Of The Temple
There are no specific rules and regulations for this temple. However, Aarti times for the temple are at 5:30. 6:40 in the morning and at 7:15 in the evening.
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