Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple

One of the most revered temples of India, the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple invites devotees from across the globe. The idol of Lord Ganesha, who is the main deity here, was brought in by Shri Dagdusheth Halwai and his wife Lakshmibai, in mourning for their son whom they lost to the plague. This idol became one of the most revered in Pune when the temple became a place of gathering for Ganpati celebrations during the struggle for Independence. The temple is also a social institution working towards the welfare of society as well as cultural development through the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust. The Trust provides financial and educational support to small businesses and runs an old age home as well.

History

Shri Dagdusheth Halwai was a famous sweet maker in Maharashtra who was originally from Karnataka and had migrated to Maharashtra in the mid-1800s. He was a successful Halwai and a rich businessman. Tragedy struck when he and his wife lost their son to the plague epidemic. The couple was devastated by their loss, and that was when they were advised by their Guru Shri Madhavnath Maharaj to build a temple devoted to Lord Ganesh. The temple was completed in the late 1800s over 125 years ago today. People like Shri Tatyasaheb Godse, Shri Mamasaheb Rasne, Shri Shankarrao Suryavanshi, and Shri Kashinath Rasne who were the founding trustees of the temple had a great role in making the temple a grand place for celebrations of festivals in Maharashtra.

Architecture

Like its history, the temple architecture is equally magnificent. The marble statues of Jay and Vijay catches a lot of attention. Inside the sanctum of the temple, there is a 7.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide Ganpati idol, decked up in 8 kilos of gold. According to the trustees, the Ganesh idol is insured for a sum of ?10 million (US$150,000). When on a visit to the temple, make a point to try some sweets from Dagdusheth halwai sweets.