Gatha Temple

Introduction to the Gatha Temple

Gatha Temple is in Dehu, a small town in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is famous for being the birthplace of Sant Tukaram, one of the most revered poets and saints. Sant Tukaram composed and sang devotional songs called Abhangs, praising Lord Vitthal. The Gatha Temple is near the Indrayani River. Abhang Mandir and Tukaram Maharaj Mandir are its other names.

History of the Gatha Temple

Tukaram was born in Maharashtra and Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile was his full name. Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of the Bhakti movement was his master. This 17th-century poet-cum-saint lived in the ages of Maratha King Shivaji and saints such as Ramdas and Eknath. He dedicated his poetry to Lord Vitthal or Vithoba, an avatar of Vishnu. His Marathi Abhangs (dohas) are popular. He insisted on community-based worship through spiritual melodies called Kirtanas. He promoted forgiveness, inner tranquility, and piety.

The Architecture of the Gatha Temple

Narayanbaba, the younger son of Tukaram, built the Gatha Temple in 1723. This pristine white temple is an architectural beauty with a marvelous design and has multiple dome-like structures on the top. Two elephant statues are on either side of the entrance. A stone Deepasthamba is before the temple. It sprawls over a vast area.

At the entrance is a vast hall where people sit and meditate. This modern Gatha Temple houses a giant marble statue of Sant Tukaram sitting with a Veena in his hand. His 4,500 Abhangs (poetry) carvings are engraved on the walls. It is one of the most prominent temples in Pune. The temple's cleanliness, spaciousness, and serene environment attract visitors.

The walls here are adorned with various carvings from all the Gathas (verses) on Sant Tukaram. It is said that tourists who visit the Gatha Temple must read at least three Gathas.

The Gatha Temple also has a miniature, which explains the structure in detail. On the first floor, the walls are engraved with religious literature and verses of Sant Tukaram. Pictures of many saints and religious figures are also seen here. Multiple colorful and intricate carvings on the walls add beauty to its appeal.

A rock where Sant Tukaram was fasting is also here. His house is near the temple, and the Samadhi of Sant Tukaram is behind the temple. People believe that Sant Tukaram attained Moksha here by boarding a celestial chariot to Vaikuntha. The saint used to bathe and perform rituals in the Indrayani River. People take a dip here before performing a Pooja.

Priests and devotees recite the Abhangs every day in the morning and evening. Visitors stay at Bhakta Nivas, near the Gatha Temple. They have lunch at Annapurna Bhavan between 12.30 pm and 2 pm.

Festivals in the Gatha Temple

The Gatha Temple's annual Palkhi (Palanquin) procession in Ashadh (June-July) draws a large crowd of his faithful followers. Tukaram Beej, Sant Tukaram's death anniversary, is observed between February and March. On Guru Purnima (July-August), devotees pay homage to Sant Tukaram and receive his blessings.