Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

Introduction to the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

The Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple is one of the most revered temples in Pune, Maharashtra.

History of the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

A confectionery businessman named Dagdusheth Halwai traveled to Pune from Calcutta for his business. He settled in Pune with his wife and two sons. Dagdusheth Halwai lost his sons to the deadly plague that ravaged Pune at the time. A Pandit Ji advised Dagdusheth to construct a Ganapathi Temple to bring peace to his sons' souls. With his advice and guidance, he built the Ganapathi Temple and gave it his name.

Tilak and Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

The Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust, Pune, was established in 1893 and has served devotees for 108 years.

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak gave the Ganesha festival a public identity in 1893 and made it a people's festival. The Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust has existed since the inception of the Sarvajanik (public) Ganesha festival.

The main Ganesha idol of the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple is insured for a significant amount, and it celebrated its 132nd anniversary in 2024.

The Architecture of the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

Shri Dagdusheth Halwai Gadve, a famous confectioner, and his wife Lakshmi Bai built the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple in the 18th century. It was renovated in 1983, and his family members are the main contributors to this temple.

This three-story marble temple has a large hall that houses three Ganesha idols. Babu Rao Naik made the first Ganesha idol with paper and sticky jaggery glue. It is now housed in the Akra Maruti Mandir in Shukrawar Peth. Dagdusheth Halwai installed the second idol in 1896. The third idol, commissioned in 1967 on the 75th anniversary of Dagdusheth, was made with plaster of Paris. In 2006, the Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust made a silver idol of Ganesha. It is 7.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. His face is made of 8 kilos of gold, and his ears are golden. A golden crown weighing over 9 kg and expensive jewels beautify him further.

Other attractions outside the temple's main entrance include Ganesh's Vahana, a silver rat, and two marble idols of sentinels Jay and Vijay on each side of the main door. Next to the Ganesh temple is a small Shiva shrine.

The Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple organizes various social services, cultural programs, and charitable activities throughout the year. It is also active in healthcare, welfare projects, and educational initiatives for the underprivileged.

Festivals in the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is grandly celebrated in Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple. It comes alive with elaborate rituals, vibrant decorations, and cultural events, including immersion on the final day. Akshaya Tritiya, Vasantik Utee, and Shahale Mahotsav are other festivals celebrated here.

On the second day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the tradition of reciting the Atharvashirsha is held in the Dagdusheth Ganapathi Temple. This annual recital of prayers has been practiced for over 33 years, and over 25,000 women gathered for the recitation in 2019.