Sarasbaug Ganesh Temple - सारसबाग गणपती मंदिर

The Sarsbagh Ganapathi Temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Ganesha has a beautiful and rich historical past. The main worshiper of the temple, Shri Ganesh, is called Sri Siddhivinayak because its trunk is curved to the right. The temple is also popular by the name of Tyatala Ganapati, due to its position on the island in the middle of a lake.

Let’s learn about the rich historical past of Sarasbaug - soon after the completion of Sri Devadeveshwara Temple on Parvati Hills / Pahari in 18th century, Srimanta Balaji Bajirao thought of building a lake in the foothills of Parvati Hills as an extension of beautification did. And considering the dream of Shri Balaji Bajirao as his goal, Srimanta Nanasaheb Peshwa fulfilled it. An island of about 25 acres was kept in the middle of this lake. After a few years, a beautiful garden was built on this island. In 1784, Srimanta Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa built a small temple at Sarsbagh and installed the idol of Shri Siddhivinayak Gajanan.

Being a short distance from the Parvati temple, the temple was also used for discussion and implementation of military strategy by the Marathas against the Nizam and the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Peshwas, their commanders and advisors used to sail by boat in a secrecy manner, conducted by African natives, to discuss issues and plans. They chose non-native residents to operate the boat because they could not understand the local Marathi language. According to the initial format there was no space in the garden and in the center was a lake and a small temple. And the temple was called Tiyatla Ganapati (Ganesh Temple in the lake).

The murti of Shri Ganesh, the main presiding deity of the temple, is small but very beautiful, divine and white in appearance. The original statue was made of Kurud stone. The initial statue has been replaced twice, once in 1882 and the second time in 1990. A small idol of Shri Ganesh made of present white marble has been prepared by Rajasthani artisans. Despite being a small statue, the temple is designed in such a way that, one can visit the Deity even when it is about 600 meters away from the road, moving car or bus on the outside.

In 1995, a small museum has been built behind the temple complex, in which thousands of images and forms of Bhagwan Shri Ganesha are kept. A nominal fee of Rs 5 has been kept for entry into the museum. The old lake has now been converted into a paved pond around the temple. Water creatures such as fish, turtles and herons along with other creatures can also be easily seen in the pond. The lotus flower in the pond enhances its beauty even more.

The Sarasbaug Ganpati Temple is run under the auspices of the Sri Dev Deveshwar Institute, Parvati and Kothrud. This temple is sacred land for millions of devotees in Pune and around the world. On average, ten thousand devotees visit Ganapati daily in the Sarasbaug temple. This figure of daily reaches eighty thousand devotees on the occasions of Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi. A fair (Mela) is also organized in the temple premises on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi.