Pune

[ Bhimashankar | Alandi | Dehu | Chaturshrungi | Bhuleshwar | The Fire temple | Velhe Taluka | Ozar | Pataleshwar Cave Temples | Parvati Hill And Temples | Lal Deval Temple | Other Temples | Jejuri ]

Bhimashankar
(Tal. Ambegaon, District Pune. Mumbai. Telephone 8815000, 8835577)

A major pilgrim center, Bhimashankar houses one of the five Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. Constructed by the eminent Nana Phadnavis, the Shiv Temple has gorgeous carvings.

Other attractions at this place include the famous Mahashivratri fair, the fascinating bird and game sanctuary and of course, the pleasant climate and natural scenery.

Getting There:

• By Air: Nearest airport in Pune, 95 kms.
• By Rail: Nearest railhead is Pune.
• By Road: Mumbai - Bhimashankar, 265 kms via pune.
• Accommodation: 4/6/10 - bed Self-contained rooms (8 blicks).
• Checkout time: 10.00 a.m.
• Reservation: Mumbai.

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Alandi is situated on the banks of river Indrayani and the ghat behind the samadhi temple is very beautiful. Samadhi temple is worth to see and creates a pleasant atmosphere. This temple was built in 1570. You can also see the famous wall in Alandi on which Dnyaneshwar sat and flew the wall to meet Changdev.

The other famous places in Alandi are Muktai temple, Ram temple, Krishna Temple, Math of Swami Hariharendra, Vitthal-Rakhumai temple and the famous wall.

Alandi - a clean and nice pilgrim center makes Pune district a landmark for the pilgrims in the country.

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Dehu
Dehu is a place of Sant Tukaram - well known saint in Maharashtra. He lived here and taught people how to pray the god. He and Sant Dnyaneshwar was the popular saints and both worshiped Lord Vitthal. The 'Palakhi' in the month of 'Ashadh' from Dehu is one of the main attractions of Dehu. Many people are taking part in it from so many years till now.

Dehu is a place where the 'Abhang 'of Sant Tukaram can be remembered. One can see his temple here on the banks of river. This temple was constructed by his younger son Narayanbaba in 1723. Various other temples near the worth to see. A rock where Sant Tukaram was on fast is also here.

Sant Tukaram will always be remembered for his Abhang and Gatha.

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Chaturshrungi
The Chaturshringi Temple is a small hillock dedicated to Goddess "Durga". The Presiding deity is Goddess "Ambreshwari". An annual Navaratri Fair is held here in the month of "Ashwin" This temple was built in Shivaji's era.

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Bhuleshwar
Just about 50 Kms. from Pune. Bhuleshwar is a nice and cool place to visit. Bhuleshwar is famous for the temple of Lord Shiva. The temple situated on a hill, was built during the era of Pandavas. Originally , it was a fort called as 'Mangalgadh'. The temple was built in 13th century. Here beautiful carvings dominate the walls from the beginning enhancing it's stone structure. Bhuleshwar has historical significance as it is the place where Devi Parvati danced for Lord Shiva and after they went to Kailas and get married. Thus this place is very important both historically and mythologically. Though this is place is having such importance, Bhuleshwar is one of the ignored places in Pune region. This is place is crowded in Shrawan and Mahashivratri only. You can see Jejuri on south and Purandar on south-west and Dhavaleshwar on West. Truly Bhuleshwar is a place worth to visit and spend a day.

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The Fire temple
A Fire temple or Agiary is of the place of worship of the Zoroastrian inhabitants. The temple is built by Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy in 1844, the Fire Temple in Pune is situated along the Dastur Meher Road, which was once known as Agiary Street. The temple has the Atesh Adaran Saheb ( the Holy Fire and Sacred Holy Book) enthroned in it. According to the rites and ceremonies prescribed by the true Mazatayasni religion and assembled by the Anjooman or Parsee community, on the 9th November 1844 of the Christian era, the Holy Fire was lit in this place, and the flame has never been extinguished since. In front of the temple is a fountain in a triangular enclosure. This has also been erected by Sir Jamsetjee as a reservoir to provide a never-failing water supply for Pune. The temple is situated amidst Cyprus trees. Even as far back as 1860, these trees were a subject of comment. The trees are always planted around any fire temple as monuments of the greatness of Zoroaster, who is said to have brought the cypress down to earth from heaven in a silver palanquin.

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Velhe Taluka
This area receives Heavy Rainfall. This is to the western side of Pune. This is the hilly region of Pune, with one of the biggest of mountain ranges in Maharashtra i.e. Sahyadri. Most of the area is covered with Forest. Sag, Teak, Oak, Mango, are the trees found in the forest. Rabbit, Deer, Wolf, Fox, Tiger and Leopards are the wild animals found in this areas. Peacock, Bulbul, Parrot are some of the birds found in this area. Rice is grown in this region on a large scale. The forts over here like Rajgad and Torana are very famous.

Baneshwar is just 35 kms. to the south of Pune. This place can be enjoyed within a day. It is developing as a picnic spot having an old but beautiful temple of Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in dark woods - known as Ban (or Jungle) - and hence it is called as 'Baneshwar'. Though the temple is very simple, it is very pretty. The main entrance, light stand, Dharamshalas , 2 clean water tanks, a big bellare good to see. There are idols of Devi Laxmi , Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahadev in the temple

There are five Shivlingas here in trench which can be easily seen with the help of light. Behind the temple there is a garden and a small stream which adds to the beauty of the nature. Many people enjoy playing and swimming here. Truly, Baneshwar is a place where you can enjoy with family and friends.

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Ozar (Shri vighneshwar)
Shri Vighneshwar situated at Ozar near Junnar town.Ozar is around 102 kms from Pune and 10 kms. from Junnar.The idol is believed to be "Swayambhu" as was found or not sculpted by human hands. The Shri Vighneshwar temple was built in 1833. The temple is famous for its Deepmala's and its Golden dome.According to legend King Abhinandana performed many sacrifices to become Indra, Indra after hearing this sent Kala ( Time as destroyer) himself in form of Vighnasura to obstruct he sacrifices. At this all the world also halted and suffered. All Vedic rites also halted so the gods prayed to Ganpati. Ganpati defeated Vighnasura Making him one of the Gana's, Vighnasura requested Ganpati to use his name as prefix and stay at Ozar to which Ganpati agreed.

How to get there

• Air : Airport is situated in the Lohagaon area, about 12-km from the city. Indian Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. and Jet Airways provide regular Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. to Pune from Delhi, four flights a week to Chennai and Bangalore, two to three flights daily from Mumbai and to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Goa.
  
• Rail : Pune has excellent railway services connecting all major cities. Reservations should be made at the New Reservation Centre next to the station (Monday-Saturday 8.00am-2.00pm & 2.15pm-8.00pm, Sunday 8.00am-2.00pm).
  
• Road : Pune is well connected by road with the all major cities within the state as well as outside the state. Daily private and MSRTC buses ply from Pune to Mumbai (4hrs)
  
• Local Transport : Pune has a very good transport system. There are trains, auto-rickshaws, buses and also private taxis for sightseeing.

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Parvati Hill and Temples
This 17th century Parvathi temple lies on the southern outskirts of the town on a hill top. The Parvati museum houses portraits of heroes of the Peshwa dynasty, besides old manuscripts, weapons and coins. There are also temples of Ganapati and Kartikeya.

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Lal Deval Temple
Lal Deval situated on Moledina Road was built by philanthropist David Sassoon in 1867. The red-brick-and-stone structure built in the English Gothic style, resembles a church.

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Other temples
Khunya Murlidhar Temple This Krishna temple in Sadashiv Peth was built in 1797 by a famous merchant of the Peshwa regime, Dada Gadre. The radhakrishna idol here is in marble. Omkareshwar Temple lies on the banks of the Mutha river. Chaturshrungi Temple is situated on a hillock off Senapati Bapat Road. This temple of the goddess attracts hundreds of devotees during the nine-day Navaratri festival in October.

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Jejuri
Jejuri Situated 48 kms away, Jejuri is known for its Khandoba deity and is considered a religious place by the Hindus. Large congregations attend the annual fair held here. There are eight Ganesh temples or `ashtavinayakas' in Maharashtra where the idol is Swayambhoo or self formed. Five of these are in and around Pune Sri Moreshwar, Sri Chintamani, Sri Mahaganapati, Sri Wighnahar and Sri Girijatmak. Khandoba, the deity at Jejuri is the fighter God of the Marathas. He is shown astride a horse and has a angry warlike look. This was reason enough for the Muslims to repeatedly destroy the temple. Even Aurangzeb attempted to destroy the temple a second time in 1690. He however was thwarted in this attempt when the Mughal soldiers while trying to attack the temple disturbed a nest of hornets. The hornets so harassed the besieging Mughal soldiers that Aurangzeb was forced to lift the siege and spare the temple. The Bigoted but God-fearing Aurangzeb is said to have placated the angry bees by offering One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Silver Coins to the God Khandoba.

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