Temples in Pune are very famous and mostly visited by the people. Pune is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Capital of Pune district is the 8th largest urban conglomeration in India, with a population of 4.5 million. It is the second largest city of Maharashtra. It is located approximately 150 kilometres east of Mumbai, at an altitude of 560 metres above sea level. It is situated at the Western edge of Western Ghats on the Deccan plateau. Pune is widely considered as the cultural hub of the Marathi speaking Maharashtrians. It is known as the `Oxford of the East`, due to the location of several reputed educational institutions.
Popular Temples in Pune
There are many titles that Pune holds with much pride. Following are the five most famous temples in Pune:
Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple: Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati temple is one of the most famous Ganpati temples in Pune. It is known after the founder. It is situated together with a busy street on Budhwar Peth. The temple has a beautiful architecture and looks impressive and can be seen from faraway. The Ganesha idol is simply beautiful and stands 7.5 feet tall. It is also one of the richest Ganesha temples in India.
Omkareshwar Temple: Omkareshwar temple is not only one of the biggest temples in Pune but it is also one of the oldest as it was built in the Peshwa rule, on the banks of Mutha river. The major attraction of the temple is its wonderful architecture and huge domes. The temple premises also houses smaller temples of lord Ganesha, goddess Durga, lord Vishnu, lord Shani and lord Hanuman.
Kasba Ganpati Temple: Ganesh festival celebrations made the temple more famous in freedom struggle. Even today, the Ganpati at the Kasba Ganpati Temple gets the first inclination for all functions mainly in Ganpati engagements during the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.
Parvati Hill Temple: The Parvati hill temple was built in the 17th century and is one of the best attractions in Pune. There are 103 stairs to reach the temple. The temple is believed to have been built by Nana Saheb, the third Peshwa. Parvati hill temple is located near the Swargate bus station.
Chatushrungi Mata Temple: Chatushrungi Mata temple is dedicated to goddess Chatushrungi and is situated on a hill at the Senapati Bapat Road. It is 125 feet tall. Navaratri festival is the main attraction of this temple.
Bhimashankar Temple: Bhimashankar Temple Jyotirlinga was built in the 18th century, with the supervisation of mighty Maratha ruler Shivaji.
Bhuleshwar Temple: Bhuleshwar Temple was built in the 13th century, dating back to the era of the Pandavas.
Pataleshwar Cave Temple: Pataleshwar Cave Temple was built in the 8th century, spelling the word magnificence in rock from the very start.
Jejuri Temple: Jejuri Temple is the structural masterpiece in several aspects, having strong Islamic influences.
Alandi Temple: Alandi Temple was built in 1570, in the memory of Saint-poet Dnyaneshwar.
Dehu Temple: Known as the place of Saint Tukaram, the Dehu Samadhi Temple was built in 1723.
Nageshwar Temple: It is also known as Jnaneshwar Temple. It was built in 1730. The construction of the shrine is of a typical Yadava structure.
Datta Mandir: It is situated at a few kilometres distance from Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh Temple. Dutta Mandir is popularly known as Dagdu Halwai Datta Mandir.
Iskcon Temple: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Iskcon, has one of its centres in Pune. Iskcon Temple in Pune is located around 12 kilometres south of Pune.
Neelkantheswar Temple: Neelkantheswar Temple is a unique Hindu temple of Pune which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is assured that the Idol of Lord Shiva was found here and then the Temple was built. Each year Mahashivratri is celebrated with a mela with massive number of devotees visiting.
