Heritage Shri Ram Temple of Pune

The Temple City

Pune is a city of Gods and Temples. Many Deities have temples dedicated to them. This article explores the heritage Shri Ram Temples in Pune that go back to the Peshwa period or earlier based on the historical records that I have been able to access. Pune then was a relatively small town compared to the huge expanse it has transformed into today. Pune was located on the southern bank of the Mutha River (northen bank comprising of Shivajinagar, Deccan Gymkhana was not part of Pune) comprising of approximately an area of four square kilometers. The nearby villages of Parvati, Bhambavde, Wananvdi, Erandwane. Ganeshkhind surrounded it. However these villages were distinct and not considered as part of Pune. In this small town there were more than three hundred shrines and temples dedicated to various Deities in the early 1800s.

The oldest temples in Pune around the16^th Century were Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Kedareshwar and the now non-existent temples of Puneshwar and Narayaneshwar. It is surprising that there was no prominent Shri Ram Temple that finds a mention among them. As late as 1774 we find no mention of a prominent Ram Mandir in Pune at all. Most of the Ram Mandirs were built in the later era of Peshwa Rule.

Tulshibaug Ram Mandir

The Tulshibaug Shri Ram Mandir is among the most prominent Ram Temples in Pune. The Temple complex is set up about an acre, quite large considering that it is quite rare to find such large land parcels in the most central part of Pune where it is located. The murtis of Shri Ram Laxman and Sita are most beautiful. At the far end of the Sabhamandap is the Daas Maruti murti made in black stone. It is easily among the most real life murtis of Maruti in Pune. The Temple was built by Naro Appaji Khire the subhedar of Pune during Madhavrao Peshwa’s time. It was during the period post Panipat when the city had grown despondent that this cheerful temple was constructed and it is very likely to have lifted the spirits of the city then. Though the Shri Ram Temple was completed in a year or two, around 1763, work on extending the temple structure and the complex continued for well over twenty five years. The Shikhar or superstructure of the temple is tall and goes up 43 meters with chhatris and upshaikhar organised in multiple layers. Till the time Mandai was built in 1885, this was the tallest structure in Pune. The Shikhar is rectangular as its base and morphs into a conical structure as it rises up. Stucco figures decorate the shikhar as it rises up. The wooden Sabha-Mandap in front of the Deities, built with timber is a very elegant structure. The high wooden ceiling is decorated with designs typical of the Peshwa era. Such decorative ceilings are referred as the ‘takhta-poshi’ meaning the embellished ceiling. The Ram Janma Utsav is very special and attracts devotees from Pune.

The beautiful murtis at Tulshibaug -pic credit Smita Deshmukh

The Two Joshi Ram Mandir

Murti at the Joshi Ram Mandir, Shaniwar Peth pic credit Abhishek Muglikar

In Pune there are two Shri Ram Mandirs with the name Joshi Shri Ram Mandir. One of them is in Shaniwar Peth about a hundred meters from the wall of the Shaniwar Wada while the other is at Kasba Peth. Two distinct Joshi Families own the two different temples. The Ram Temple at Shaniwar retains some of its Peshwa era decorative wood work in the form of decorative pillars and patti.

The beautiful ‘suru’ pillars at Joshi Ram Mandir, Kasba Peth

Murti at Joshi Ram Mandir at Kasba Peth – pic credit Abhishek Muglikar

The temple at Kasba Peth is built in stone with the typical ‘suru’ pillars. The temple has recently been renovated faithfully retaining the heritage structure.

Ram Zopdi

Ram Zopdi pic Abhishek Muglikar

Raviwar Peth has been the ‘market district’ of Pune since the last two centuries. This Peth or ward was developed by the Peshwa to attract and settle the traders in the city. Within Raviwar Peth is an area called ‘Kapad-Ganj’ meaning the ‘cloth-quarter’ that had a large number of shops trading in cloth and textiles. The Someshwar Temple is located here. In a small area within this complex is the ‘Zopdi Shri Ram’ or the ‘Ram Zopdi’ temple. Zopdi in Marathi means hut. The name is quite modest for a temple. As narrated to me by my grandfather, this temple was historically nearby, but not within the Someshwar Temple complex premises where it is located now. The temple was located nearby, modest and similar to a small hut giving the temple this name. Later for for some reasons, the temple was relocated to the Someshwar Temple complex probably over a century ago. As per the Peshwa records there is a mention of Ramachandraji Devalaya south of Mansaram Badhai house in Raviwar Peth. Badhai or carpenters were important craftsmen who helped in construction wadas or homes in Pune. The lane adjacent to the Someshwar Temple Complex is Badhai Ale or Badhai Lane where this temple was probably located earlier. The Ram Zopdi has been cared for by priests who migrated to Pune many generations ago from the northern part of India.

Ram Temple: Amruteshwar-Siddheshwar Complex

Ram Temple at the Amruteshwar Siddheshwar Temple Complex by Abhishek Muglikar

As you cross the road across the Shaniwarwada to the west and approaches the Mutha river, you can see the Amruteshwar-Siddheshwar Temple Complex of Temples. Temples of Amruteshwar, Siddheshwar, Vishnu and Shriram are located in this complex. A ‘sati’ platform in the memory of a lady from the Dhadphale family who committee sati is also seen here. The Siddheshwar temple was built by the Naik-Joshi Baramatikar, the family into which Bihubai the sister of Bajirao-I was married. This temple was built in Bihubai’s memory after her death around the mid 1700s. The Shri Ram temple here is much smaller than Amruteshwar and Siddheshwar temples located in this complex. The present structure of the Shri Ram temple seems to have been re-built much later in the modern era. The murtis of Ram Laxman and Sita are very beautiful and quite different compared to most temples. Given its proximity to the Shaniwar Wada it is very likely that the Peshwas may have visited the temple often.

Vaidya Ram Mandir

Vaidya Ram Mandir at Cholkhan Ale

The Vaidya Ram Mandir is away from sight and behind closed doors of a wada at the Khan Ale. Only those who know of it or a few knowledgeable locals may be able to find it in the busy market where it is located. Vaidya was the Peshwa vakil or representative at the court of Bhonslas of Nagpur. Vaidya had acquired the property where the temples stands to recovery an unpaid loan that they had given to a person named Vinze, the earlier owners. The murtis of these Deities were brought from Varhad or Vidarbha region in 1811. The area where the temple is located underwent a lot of changes over the two hundred years, since the temple was established. Most of the property has been converted for commercial use. The Deities continue to be installed at the original location however in a considerably smaller place.

Kala Ram Mandir

Kala Ram Temple, Pune – typical Peshwa era entrance structure.

Murti at Kala Ram Mandir

Kala Ram Mandir at Nashik is quite well known. However the Kala Ram temple at Pune is relatively unknow. Peshwa era records refer to the Ram temple in Somwar Peth. Though it was not referred to as the Kala Ram, most likely the records refers to the same temple. The entrance of the temple is typical of the late Peshwa era. Similar entrances are seen at the Khunya Murlidhar and the Kameshwar Temple. The Deities at the Kala Ram are beautiful murtis made from black coloured stone giving it the name Kala Ram. The Sabha Mandap is timber and within it stand a beautiful murti of Daas Maruti. The temple has retained the old word charm that brings peace and calm to the devotee.

Ram Mandirs in Guruwar Peth

Ram Mandir at Phulwala Chowk at Guruwar Peth Pune

Historical records mention two Shri Ram Temples in Guruwar Peth during late Peshwa era. The old historical landmarks no longer exist. However it is possible to reasonably conclude the identity of these two temples. One of the temples is located at the Phulwala Chowk and appears like a wada from the outside. There are two temples when you enter inside – one is Mahadev and the other is Shri Ram.

The other Shri Ram Temple from Guruwar Peth is most likely the Madiwale Ram Mandir. This temple at Guruwar Peth is in the same lane as the Vetal Temple. The Ram Mandir cannot be identified from outside as it is behind a modern building. Inside, the Sabhamandap is reasonably spacious despite being ensconced within the modern building. This is a private temple and open to public on Ram Navmi.

Ram Mandir at Ganj Peth

Godse’s Ram Mandir at Ganj Peth with the typical Maratha pillars

The small and beautiful murti at the Godse Ram Mandir

At Ganj Peth, in small lane that leads to Mahatma Phule Wada is a small Shri Ram Temple. The temple cannot be easily seen since the temple is located with its back to the lane. The Peshwa era document refers to the temple as the Ram Temple in Bhagwandas Bairagi Math. The temple is known locally as Godse’s Shri Ram Mandir after the family who owns the temple. As per the Godse family Bairagi was indeed the surname that the family used till a generation ago and that this temple has been with their family since a long time. The temple interiors are modest yet comfortable. Old style ‘suru’ pillars is a clear identification of the earlier era.

Ram Temple at Bhambawde Village

Ram Mandir at Shivajinagar

Historical records mention the Ram Mandir at Dwarkadas Bairagi House at Bhambawde or present day Shivajinagar. One can see a Shri Ram Temple opposite the Rokdoba Temple at the ‘gaothan’ area in Shivajinagar. It is said that this temple was established by a ‘shishyaa’ of Jangli Maharaj. Jangli Maharaj resided in an era after the Peshwas. If indeed the temple was established by the shishyaa this may not be the Deity referred in the Peshwa era document. However the possibility of the Deities existing from earlier times cannot be denied. More research would be needed to conclude on this either ways.

Akra Maruti

Akra Maruti Ram Mandir at Shukrawar Peth Pune

At Shukrawar Peth stands the Akra Maruti temple. The temple gets the name from eleven murtis of Maruti just outside the Ram Temple. The property where the temple stands was owned by Bapu Gokhale the last commander of the Maratha forces. This Ram Mandir there is not mentioned in the Peshwa era list I have referred in this article. It may be possible that the temple may have been built a few years later after the list was compiled. The temple is a simple single storied structure with Shri Ram at one end and Maruti at the other. The ambience has old era, simple, small town vibes.

Temples I have been unable to identify and locate

There is a mention of many temples from the Peshwa document that I have not been able to identify or locate. Information on these temples is given below. Information or leads should anybody know, would be most helpful and welcome.

• Shri Ram at the wada of Naik Thatte. This Wada was at present day Laxmi Road near the City Post office. I had found reference on the Internet that the murti were moved to Subhash-nagar Pune, however I have lost that reference and unable to find the reference again. Hence unable to back this up this claim.
• During the reign of Bajirao II there was a nobleman by the name of Rupram Choudhari. His wada was within Shukrawar Peth then and had a temple to Shri Ram and there were other Deities also. I have been able to identify possible locations of the wada. It may have been opposite the Jedhe Mansion or a bit further down the same road on the way to Panch Houd Mission. This wada was purchased by a prominent lawyer Mr Bhajekar, about a century ago. It is possible that we may be able to find somebody who may know Bhajekar Wada and thus conclusively identify the location. On the same road is a temple where Deities that find a mention as being located at Rupram Choudhari Wada, are seen. Is this merely a coincidence or were the actual Deities from the wada moved to this temple. I know not but someday I hope to find the answer.
• At Kasba Peth there is mention of a Ram Mandir near Tatyashet Majukar House. It is difficult to identify the location based on this description. I know of two Shri Ram Temples in Kasba – one near the Kal Bhairav Temple and the other in the lane behind Kedareshwar (Chavan Ram Temple). Could it be one among them, unless there is specific information we would not be able to say.
• At what was Shivpuri then or Rasta Peth of today there is a mention of Ram temple at Devbhat Apshingekar Wada. After more than two hundred years it would not be easy to locate it based on this description, however if we are able to identify a Shri Ram Temple near the KEM Hospital it may give us some leads for further investigation.
• Between the Daruwala Pul of today and Raste Wada was the Nyahal or Nagesh Peth. This Peth has been subsumed into Rasta Peth since then. There is a mention of a Shri Ram and Vitthal Rakhmai Temple in close proximity there. Any leads would be worth investigating.
• Behind the Dulya Maruti temple there is a mention of Shri Ram Temple belonging to Baba Vidwajan. I have not been able to locate the temple yet.
• At Hanumant or Nana Peth of today is mention of a Shri Ram Temple. There is a temple at a lane parallel to Laxmi Road near the Nana Chavdi Chowk. The temple is called Maheshwari Ram in the present era. Is it the same temple, we would need to find out.
• At the Ganeshkhind Ganpati Temple there is a mention of Ram. I have not been able to locate the Ram Mandir at the Ganpati Temple. Any inputs would be most welcome.

Other Heritage Shri Ram Temples

After the Peshwa Era too there were many Ram temples that were established. Some of them are about two hundred years old and all of them atleast a hundred years old. These include –

At Sadashiv Peth : Raste Tai Ram Mandir, Gadgil Ram Mandir, Rahalkar Ram Mandir, Pandit Ram Mandir, Sadavarte Ram Mandir

Gadgil Ram Mandir at Sadashiv Peth

Unique murti at the Rahalkar Ram Mandir at Sadashiv Peth

At Narayan Peth: Bhaji Ram, Likte Ram Mandir,

Bhaji Ram Mandir, Naraya Peth

At Shaniwar Peth: Agashe Ram Mandir

Agashe’s Ram Mandir, Shaniwar Peth

At Raviwar Peth: Sarnaik Ram Mandir

At Rasta Peth: Raste Ram Mandir

Ram Mandir at the Sardar Raste Wada

At Shukrawar Peth: Ramchandraji Temple (Naik)

Ramachandraji Mandir

The heritage temples have a stories to narrate. There is much history that awaits to be told. Stories and history that remains undiscovered or remains to be narrated decays and is also lost. Each passing moment adds to the loss. The city of Pune has lost most of the older structures that have witnessed the times gone by. It is the temples that largely remain. If we lend an ear to what the temples tell us it opens up our undiscovered or forgotten history and heritage.

A Tour to the Heritage Ganpati Temples in Pune

Ganpati Festival evokes a special feeling in Maharashtra, all the more so in its cultural capital of Pune. Many know the five ‘Manache’ or privileged Ganpati Deities worshiped during the days of the Ganesh Festival. In addition to these, there are other ‘special’ Ganpati Deities in Pune that derive a special status from their vintage or age. They have blessed the city of Pune for more than two centuries. Some of the Deities are even older.

The list of Deities from the Peshwa times from 1774 to 1810 provide insights into the Deities that are significant historically as well as from an heritage perspective. As at 1810 there were 62 Ganesh or Ganpati Deities in the city. There are temples where Ganpati has been been the main or presiding Deity at the temple. At other temples Ganesh is not the presiding Deity of the temple but is given due respect as an additional Deities in the temple. Of these 62 Ganpati that find mention, we were able to locate 45 heritage Ganpati Deities. Most of the Deities are from from the Peshwa list mentioned above. A few are not in the list but are believed from historical times. Ashwin Gandhi, Ajey Godbole, Sonali Malvankar and myself, we set out on our cycles to discover the Heritage Ganpati Temples. We enjoyed this discovery, hope you would enjoy it too.

L to R : Ashwin Gandhi, Sonali Malvankar, Sandeep Godbole and Ajey Godbole

This writeup lists the temples from the list of temples available from the Peshwa period that we have been able to identify and visited as part of the tour.

1. Kasba Ganpati : This temple undoubtedly is the most important temple in Pune. As the Gram Daivat or Village Deity of the city, it receives prominent position in the social, religious and cultural lives of the city and its citizens. Located behind the Lal Mahal, it is believed that the temple was resurrected by Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Deity is not a man made Murti but a natural ‘tandala’ or a form found in the natural form. The temple has a timber Sabhamandap and the main temple built in stone. Shri Kasba Ganpati Temple – Google Maps

2. Parvati Nandan Ganpati : The Deity is also referred to as the temple at the Ganesh Khind or the hill pass. The temple was restored a few years ago by a team of restoration architects and local citizens. https://goo.gl/maps/7CTcW7yE3438ef4U9

• Ganpati at the Chatushringi Temple : The Deity is Located at the Chatushringi Temple. On the way up to the Chatushringi temple it is located to the left along the steps that lead to the top. https://goo.gl/maps/hHN3QuFU6SmbbMvr8

3. Dashabhuja Ganpati : The Dashabhuja Ganpati is located on Karve Road. The Deity is not mentioned in any of the Peshwa Era lists. However it is said that the Deity was installed by Haripant Phadke. It is possible that being far away beyond the village of Erandwane it may not have been considered as a Deity in the city then. https://goo.gl/maps/ctAsEJNy1nWdDnbD9

4. Phadke Ganpati at Sinhagad Road : The temple is nestled at the foot of the hills that run parallel to the Sinhagad Road opposite the Rajaram Bridge. The location in historical records is referred to as the temple at Ganeshkhind ( this is different than the Ganeshkhind near the University). https://goo.gl/maps/hj9cLLda2CTwsyDQ8

5. Wadacha Ganpati: Wad in Marathi means the Banyan tree. The temple is next to a large banyan tree giving it the name. The temple was also referred to as the Phule Ganpati. The cornerstone of the existing temple refers to it being built in 1970 ! The reason for including it in the Heritage Ganpati list is that the Murti appears to be from an earlier era. Further some people do believe it to be old, though we need to examine whether evidence to the effect does exist. https://goo.gl/maps/kXuaHGnwRVFPRc5eA

6. Sarasbaug Ganpati: The Ganpati Temple at the Sarasbaug was built during the reign of Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa in 17XX. It was then on an island in the middle of the Parvati lake. The temple was renovated and expanded later in the mid 1970s. https://goo.gl/maps/3gdD4g8Cwu8f8fb46

7. Ganpati at Navloba/Narmadeshwar Temple: Navloba is considered to be the village Deity of the Parvati Village. The Murti is unique in its way. Unlike most Ganesh Murti that are seen, this Deity is standing upright. There is mention of a Ganpati in what was then Parvati Village. However whether this was the same cannot be ascertained with certainty. That the Deity is about a 100 year old atleast can however definitely by said from published information available. https://goo.gl/maps/WpnRmQAten7rWa4n7

8. Ramana Ganpati : At the foothills of Parvati is the Ramana Ganpati Temple. The Deity was earlier on an open platform there. The Ramana was an enclosure created by the Peshwas to hold congregation of the learned scholars. The congregation was held to test their scholarship and grant them a dakshina in line with their scholastic abilities. The temple for the Deity was built later by the Dev-Deveshwar Sansthan. Https://goo.gl/maps/JCTQWQT214P7GeY87

9. Ganpati at Parvati Dev-Deveshwar Sansthan: Nanashaeb Peshwa considered as the architect of Pune built the Dev-Deveshwar Temple. This temple atop the Parvati Hill is one of the most iconic temples. At four corners of the courtyard of the temple are small temples or shrines dedicated to different Deities- Ganpati, Vishnu, Suryanarayan, Devi (Bhawani), Parvati. Historical records also refer to the Ganesh in the Sadar or veranda. Photos of these Deities are not available since photography of the Deities is not permitted at this complex. https://goo.gl/maps/xNETB6VfDGHQdGDRA

10. Ganpati at the Bhikardas Maruti: The Bhikardas Maruti is one of the more popular Maruti Mandirs in Pune. The Deities were located in the garden of one Bhikaridas, a rich businessman during the Peshwa days. The Ganpati is in the same temple and placed adjacent to the Maruti. https://goo.gl/maps/q1mVvak3g9QvTpB98

11. Ganpati at the Narsimha Mandir: The Narsimha Mandir is from the later decades of the 1700s. The Ganpati is placed in the Sabha-Mandap of the Laxmi Narsimha Temple. One of the earliest revolutionaries in the country -Vasudev Balwant Phadke resided in the precincts of this temple. https://goo.gl/maps/R7MMwRtGh6d6C2F99

12. Junya Jaicha Ganpati: The history of this temple is not known to us. It appears to be one of the Ganpati mentioned in the Peshwa List. We cannot however state with complete certainty. The Deity is located in a building on the ground floor at Shukrawar Peth and is near Raja Kelkar Museum. https://goo.gl/maps/R7MMwRtGh6d6C2F99

13. Chimnya Ganpati: The Deity was earlier placed on a platform. As per locals, the offering to the Deity attracted sparrows who used to flock there giving it the name. Chimni in Marathi means sparrow. How is it cannot be said with certainty, however it is likely to be one of the temples mentioned in Sadashiv Peth as per the Peshwa list. https://goo.gl/maps/Gg2VsyGRL3V3nxRj9

14. Ganpati at Johari Mahadev: The temple is hidden in the midst of modern buildings at Sadashiv Peth. The main Deity is Mahadev. The temple has Murti of Parvati behind Shivalinga. The temple also has Murti of Virbhadra and Ganpati.https://goo.gl/maps/vGqbgsSqc8ACZXSS7

15. Maaticha Ganpati: Maati means soil or earth. Since the Deity was cast from earth this Deity got its name. The Murti is large in size. This is one of the more important temples in earlier times since it is mentioned in all the three Peshwa lists. https://goo.gl/maps/e2PqQfoM5e4Cc32s7

16. Modi Ganpati: The Modi Ganpati get its name since near it once stood a garden that belonged to Khrushet Modi. The teample has a traditional look with the shikhar and sloping roof. https://goo.gl/maps/vmdog747TGjU2bSk7

17. Pawaskar Ganpati: We are unaware of the exact year when the Ganpati was established, however likely to be in the later 1700s. The Ganpati is not mentioned in the Peshwa list. The head of the Joshi Pawaskar family is said to have accurately predicted the birth of Sawai Madhavrao when the Maratha power was in turmoil and desperately seeking a male heir. The traditional Murti was earlier housed in a temple inside the wada or old house. A few decades ago when the property was rebuilt this new temple for the Deity was constructed at the location. https://goo.gl/maps/ZNUZYhW1HTGCJENT6

18. Ganpati at Harihareshwar Temple: This Ganpati is located at the Harihareshwar Shiva Temple. The Ganpati is adorned with semi-precios stone and placed in the sabhamandap of this temple. Harihareshwar being the family Deity of the Peshwas, it is likely that the temple may have received patronage from the the Peshwas. The location as per the link is not fully accurate, the temple is a 100 meters away from this location https://goo.gl/maps/HAzbKr1asisnhAA2A

19. Ganpati at the Amruteshwar Temple: The Amruteshwar Temple near the Shaniwar Wada is likely to have been built around the mid-1750s.The temple has a beautiful shikar that is tall, however the Sabhamandap is quite small. The appearance of this Ganpati is a bit different. The Ganpati is located outside the Gabhara at the Sabhamandap. https://goo.gl/maps/NLKCsmYRAUs5vNan6

20. Ganpati at Siddheshwar: This Siddheshwar temple is located at the Amruteshwar Temple complex. This Ganpati is quite unique and is located in the square sabha-mandap of this temple. https://goo.gl/maps/NLKCsmYRAUs5vNan6

21. Ganpati at at the Ashtabhuja (Nava Durga) Temple: The temple located at Narayan Peth near the river finds mention in the Peshwa list. https://goo.gl/maps/Z65ks5tU3NZ7Rz6q7

22. Ganpati at the Omkareshwar Temple: The Omkareshwar Temple was built around 1736 by Chimajiappa, the younger brother of Bajirao-I. The temple is well maintained and the main Deity is the Omkareshwar – Mahadev. Outside the Gabhara or the Garbhagriha is an old Murti of Ganesh with distinctive features. https://goo.gl/maps/My7N1EGs1BkkWHo96

23. Ganpati at Vruddheshwar Temple: The Vruddheshwar was an important temple of what was the Bhambawde Village during Peshwa period. The temple is situated at the Mutha river. In the Garbhagriha of the temple is located a this Ganesh Murti. https://goo.gl/maps/1AJsYCQAPp3M4hfe6

24. Ganpati at Nilkantheshwar: The Nilkantheshwar is a small temple and possibly a temple from the early Peshwa period. This small temple located near the Mujumdar Wada also has a Ganpati Murti. https://goo.gl/maps/bK7ZNUUcZ1W33SWg6

25. Peshwa Ganpati: The Peshwa Ganpati is located at the Ganesh Darwaja of the Shaniwar Wada. Earlier records refer it to the Ganpati at the Ganesh Darwaja of the ‘sarkar wada – juna wada’. https://goo.gl/maps/kN9TLdvNvkQ94bdu6

26. Ganpati at the Kedareshwar Temple: The Kedareshwar is one of the oldest temples in Pune. Though the present temple structure is from the 1730-40 period, the Deities are believed to be over 700 years old. There are two Ganesh Deities, one located in the Sabhamandap and the other in the courtyard outside, behind the other Shiving located outside. https://goo.gl/maps/NULyPzomn4XFnHQ36

27. Phadke Wada Ganpati: Sardar Haripant Phadke was a prominent nobleman and army general during the times of Madhavrao and Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa. The temple was located in his huge mansion or wada. After reconstruction of the mansion, the old temple is in the premises of the apartment. https://goo.gl/maps/pTf1uHq8M8NLVeHi7

28. Gundacha Ganpati: The name of the Deity is derived probably from the name of one ‘Nagoji Gund’ whose house was then nearby. The Murti of the Deity was replaced a few decades ago. The old Murti is placed on the circumbulation or ‘pradakshina’ path in side the temple. https://goo.gl/maps/86J1UxJ2epJNWHHs6

29. Ganpati at the Phadke Mahadev Temple: The Temple has been referred to as the Rameshwar Temple in the historical records. This is yet one more temple associated with Sardar Haripant Phadke. The Deity is located in the Sabhamandap outside the Garbhagriha. https://goo.gl/maps/oA3o91x4rWcfL52A9

30. Ganpati at the Nageshwar Temple: The Nageshwar temple is one of the oldest Mahadev temples in the city. The older part of the temple is the Garbhagriha and the stone mandap while the newer parts are the timber Sabhamandap. The older potions or parts of it are believed to be from the late Yadava period and the Sabhamandap is from the Peshwa period. In the Garbhagriha of the Nageshwar is a very unique Murti of Ganpati. https://goo.gl/maps/1vR7fetd2muqzWzE7

31. Ganpati near Trishunda Temple: This Ganpati is between the Nageshwar and Trishunda Ganpati Temples. The Deity has been referred to the ‘Ganpati in the devli near Dadambhat Vateshwar house’ in the Peshwa list. https://goo.gl/maps/ZxhnrKawAttQCVsU9

32. Trishunda Ganpati: The temple is one of the most ornate temples in Pune. It was built in the 1760s by Bhimgiriraj Gosavi. The Deity is quite unique in that it has ‘tri-shund’ or three trunks. https://goo.gl/maps/UEc9fQWNFSybPW2s5

33. Ganpati at the Laxmeshwar/Laxmaneshwar: The temple was built by the Rate family, probably by Anadrao Raste from the family. The presiding Deity at the temple is Mahadev. The Ganpati is in the Sabhamandap. https://goo.gl/maps/PKZQBUHszwVxymz39

34. Ganpati near Dulya Maruti towards Nagjhari: There is a mention in the Peshwa list of the Ganpati on the banks of the Nagjhari stream, behind Dulya Hanumant. The temple location matches this description. Deity is located in a small temple opposite the Kal-Bhairav Temple next to the the old Alpana Talkies building. https://goo.gl/maps/5MDmpn7AJNrGEL1u5

35. Ganpati Adjacent to the Dulya Maruti: As mentioned in the Peshwa list, the temple is adjacent to the Dulya Maruti temple and to it’s north. https://goo.gl/maps/v4yHNo8ZXq474V1M8

36. Ganpati at the Someshwar Temple: The Someshwar temple complex at Raviwar Peth has many temples in addition to the presiding Deity – Someshwar. The Ganpati is established in its own shrine just next to the main Someshwar Sabhamandap. https://goo.gl/maps/xdHjLsRhC8hKvQoF7

37. Ganpati at the Kali Jogeshwari: There are three well known Jogeshwari temples in Pune – The Tambdi, Kali and Pivli Jogeshwari. The Ganpati at the Kali Jogeshwari Temple is at the opposite end of the temple facing the Murti of Kali Jogeshwari. https://goo.gl/maps/RgWJAqvSmTxR8vm5A

38. Ganpati at the Rameshwar Temple: The Rameshwar Temple was built by the Khasgiwale (Limaye) family in the mid 18^th Century. The Ganpati is located in the Sabhamandap of the temple. https://goo.gl/maps/Ji5GyTLXeDfQkupa7

39. Tulshibaug: The Tulshibaug Temple Complex is probably the biggest Heritage Temple Complex in the city. There are temples dedicated to various Deities in the complex. The main temple is that of Sri Ram. There is a temple dedicated to Ganpati too in the Tulshibaug Complex. https://goo.gl/maps/z5aat3jZYfkBq8Wb

40. Ganpati to the north of Tulshibaug: This small Ganpati Temple was described in old records ar located to the south of Naro Shivram Chakradeo wada. At present the temple is behind the huge Murti of the Sarvajani Ganeshotsav. https://goo.gl/maps/PRBebNiSkUJJqPYv7

41. Ganpati in the Mahadev temple Near Ganpati Chowk: This Mahadev Temple is said to have been built in memory of Ramabai Peshwe the wife of Madhavrao. Ramabai committed ‘sati’ when Madhavrao died. This quaint temple has two Murtis of Ganpati https://goo.gl/maps/qNhKx2vK5hWoN8j97

42. Ganpati at Laxmi Road: Located at the Ganpati Chowk, this Ganpati temple was once located in the middle of the road from where it was shifted to the side. The Guruji Talim Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav is held near this temple. In historical records it is referred to as the Ganpati in the middle of the reoad near the Chopdar House. https://goo.gl/maps/7qrgWWgp8vw3z87M9

43. Ganpati at Tambdi Jogeshwari: The Tambdi Jogeshwari Deity has the privilege as the ‘Gram Devtaa’ of Pune. At four corners of the temple courtyard are four small temples. One of the temple is dedicated to Ganpati. https://goo.gl/maps/7qrgWWgp8vw3z87M9

44. Ganpati at Vitthal Mandir at Phadgate: The Vitthal Mandir opposite the Phadgate Police Chowky has Deities in addition to Vitthal also. One of the Deities there is Ganpati. https://goo.gl/maps/6ruNPEg1vbY8egmp6

We have compiled this list for the benefit of citizens who want to visit Heritage Temples and Deities. Visiting all the Deities mentioned in this list is possible over a period of one week on cycle by riding about 1.5 hours on each of the days. We have shared Google Map locations to easily locate the Deities. Happy Exploring !