Chaturshringi Temple Pune

Introduction to the Chaturshringi Temple

Chaturshringi Temple is an ancient temple in Pune, Maharashtra. It lies on the slope of a hill on Senapati Bapat Road. The presiding deity of the Chaturshringi Temple is Chaturshringi. She is also known as Ambareshwari, Mahakalee, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswatee. She is the ruling and guardian deity of Pune. Residents in and around Pune worship her. Chaturshringi refers to a mountain with four peaks. The Chaturshringi Temple is under the management of Shri Devi Chaturshringi Mandir Trust.

Legend of the Chaturshringi Temple

The primary reason for the creation of the temple was the supreme devotion of a devotee toward the deity Chaturshringi.

The legend of Chaturshringi Temple follows the story of a rich merchant, Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan, who lived 250 years ago. He was wealthy and religious. Durlabhsheth was an ardent devotee of Saptashringi Mata. He used to travel 300 km from Pune to Vani to worship the temple's presiding deity on the full moon day of Chaitra month every year.

As he grew older, he lost the strength to travel and worship the deity. She appeared in his dream after seeing his true devotion. Saptashringi Mata asked him to bring her idol from the north-western mountains of Pune.

Following her command, he went to that place, and to his surprise, Durlabhsheth found the natural statue (swayambhu devi) of his deity, Saptashringi Mata. Then, he started constructing the temple at that place to mark this event. The entire event led to the construction of the Chaturshringi Temple. Since then, the temple has been renovated several times.

The Architecture of the Chaturshringi Temple

It is said that the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle built the temple. It stands at 90-foot-high and 125-foot-wide. Pilgrims have to climb over a hundred steps to reach the Chaturshringi Temple. The steps are not steep, so the ascent is not arduous. After every six steps, a resting spot is available for the people to sit, relax, and restart their journey. As its name signifies, "four peak mountains," the temple was built across four ranges.

Chaturshringi Mata is sitting inside the sanctum sanctorum, adorned with jewelry and flower garlands.

Durga and Ganesha bless devotees from their separate shrines. One can see eight miniature idols (Ashtavinayaka). All these small shrines and miniature idols are on four separate hillocks. It also includes the shrine of Vetal Maharaj. People can find potable water spots throughout the temple area.

The Chaturshringi Temple Trust has been maintaining dharmashalas for night stays, waterfalls, water banks, and nagarkhanas to support the pilgrims. One of the most captivating features of the Chaturshringi Temple is that it has a smaller version of the main temple at the right side of the temple entrance. Devotees can pray and make their offerings at the mini-temple, also.

The Shri Devi Chaturshringi Mandir Trust introduced a new development plan that made it convenient for the visitors to do Sadhana (disciplined learning practice), get Darshan, and listen to Katha-kirtan (devotional stories and songs).

Festivals in the Chaturshringi Temple

Navratri is grandly celebrated in the Chaturshringi Temple. As per the Marathi calendar, Ashwin Poornima Navratri Mahotsav is celebrated yearly in Ashwin month. On Vijaya Dashami (Dashahara) evening, the temple conducts a silver chariot procession that carries the silver statue of Chaturshrungi, which is the main attraction of the 15-day Navratri festival.

People across the country come here to pay homage and offer prayers to the deity. During Vat Purnima, women visit the temple, offer prayers and perform rituals to the banyan tree. Diwali, Holi, and Ganesh Chaturthi are well celebrated every year here.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Chaturshringi Temple

Devotees pray to Chaturshringi to fulfill their desires and wishes. They believe that sincere devotion and prayers offered at the Chaturshringi Temple can help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.