Wagheshwar Temple in Wagholi Pune

I am writing this post after a long time, and added old pics to showcase one of the best temple in Pune and around. This place is quite frequently visited by nearby people and from across Pune. It has its own charm during Mahashivratri. It is known as 'Wagheshwar Temple' in Wagholi, Pune. I have visited this places quite many times in past. So you should be able to see photos during day, evening, and night times. 

As of now due to local restrictions, simply take a visit through this online post. Please follow all guidelines as set by local authorities and government all the times. Don't forget to wear mask all the times, and go out only if it is very much needed and mandatory. 

This is very special photo taken from roadside, where you can see reflection in the water. The beauty of the image is, it looks upside down also the same. I have moved this image clockwise twice (180 degree). So in this image, It is having upper side under water, which is reflection, and lower side is the real temple. Please watch it closely or download to understand it. :)    

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Sant Tukaram Maharaj - Gatha Temple, Dehu near Pune

Gatha temple (Mandir) is situated in a village named Dehu which is around 30 Kms from Pune. It is made up of white marbles and located on the bank of Indrayani river near old temple of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj. The views are simple awesome, specially during rainy (monsoon) season. This temple looks even more beautiful during evening time. I visited the temple with my family while my parents visited us. We all loved this place and will try to visit this place frequently. 

If you are coming from Pune by bus, It will drop you near old temple of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj. One must visit this place, we visited too. From there you can easily get the auto. Even if you coming by your car or any other personal vehicle, simply follow the google maps. There are enough sign boards to guide you to reach this famous temple. Due to its popularity, Many prominent personalities has also visited this place. At back side of the temple at Indrayani river, there are wonderful ghats across the river, don't forget to visit that place. We parked our car near this place, and sat near riverside for more than an hour, and inhale fresh air.

As soon as you enter the outer gate, you will easily figure out the temple, with two giant elephants statues guarding it. Once you reach up after taking few steps, you will see an attractive idol of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, sitting with a Veena in his hand in the middle of the temple. Once we enter the place, we feel full of positive energy. He was a great saint. All his Poti printed on the walls for public to read. This is one of the main attraction, that's why it is called Gatha temple. More than 4000 Abhang (gatha) are scripted on the white marbles walls. There are also paintings of Gods on the walls surrounded by statues, which narrate few mythological and old famous stories. There is also a small garden to sit and relax. Pathik also had a fun and playful day.  

There is also a Bhakt Niwas for pilgrims to stay here. Don't miss the chance to have Mahaprasad, The temple offers Mahaprasad in between 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. We loved it, which was served with immense love. Outside this temple, small shops are available for snacks and other items to eat. We loved the temple environment a lot. I must say that entire temple is very calm, serene and spiritual, where people can relax and meditate. Overall very neat and clean surroundings. Everyone must visit this place, if want a good spiritual experience.

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Prati Balaji Temple Ketkawale near Narayanpur, Pune

Across different regions of India, there are numerous God and Goddess and their dedicated temples in Hindu religion. Everyone can't always visit the main sacred place. So some of the Indian states are building the replicas of major Hindu temples such as:

Replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas at Siddhesvara Dham, Sikkim

Replicas of Char dham at Namchi, Sikkim

Replicas of 51 Shaktipeeth at Ambaji, Gujrat.

Replica of the most famous Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (Prati Shirdi) at Shirgaon village near Pune.

Other replicas of famous monuments and major places of pilgrimage such as the Taj Mahal and Replica of Angkor Wat Temple in Bihar were under construction at the time of writing. 

Near Pune we have replica of most famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (Tirupati Balaji) named "Prati Balaji Temple" near Ketkawale-Narayanpur. If you have limited time and want to visit Balaji temple near Pune, this could be right place. For us, It was a short and half day trip from Pune. I have visited this place twice so far. There are multiple routes to reach this place. If you can come early, you can also trek for nearby Purandar Fort on same day. 

Address: Prati Balaji Temple, Saswad-Kapurhol-Bhor Road, Ketkawale, near Narayanpur, Pune, Maharashtra

It was built by the V.H.Group at a cost of 27 crores. It is located outskirts of Pune and also known as Shri Venkateshwara Temple. The priests of this temple have come from Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh. Balaji temple at Pune is constructed under the guidance of Tirumala Tirupati Temple Devasthan. It took almost 7 years to built this temple during 1996 to 2003 and it is one of the best religious places in Maharashtra. The temple premises is quite clean and very well maintained. 

Prati Balaji Temple Ketkawale Timings: Daily 5:00 am to 8:00 pm. At the time when we visited, there was not much crowd at this temple. Even during the weekend, there were limited people, and within 5-10 minutes we got to see the replica of the Balaji idol inside. This place also has timings and Pooja details alongwith Darshan (visit) closing timings. 

No photography is allowed inside the temple, though Balaji Idol is pretty visible once you are inside the temple. They do not allow mobiles, cameras, leather waist belts and wrist watches inside the temple for security reasons. The lockers are available to deposit all these things. However, visitors can take photographs outside the main temple. We had few photographs during the 'Parikarma Marg' & Pathik also enjoyed this place during my second visit. This place in itself is beautiful amidst lush green hills, and all the color carvings are pretty amazing all around, which depicts lots of stories of Hindu Gods. After the visit don't forget to have Prasadam near exit. 

During both the visits, We relaxed here for an hour. Near the parking area of the temple, there are few shops, where one can buy souvneirs and also have snacks. Just outside of the temple, and near to main entrance there are quite many shops, and small market, that make this place more lively. As per current situtation, parking space seems to be good enough. Do visit this place, If you are in Pune or nearby. 

Other Famous Replicas Visit: 

We had visited "Prati Shirdi" at Shirgaon village near Pune as well. 

We had also visited "Mini Siam" - "The miniature world", place with most of the wonders at one place named "Mini Siam" in Pattaya, Thailand. We had a couple of hours around Mini Siam with a quick tour of most of the landmarks of Thailand and replicas around the world. 

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Treasure temple Neelkatheshwar in Kondhur

Quote of the Post: "This hilltop is one of the best treasure for temple and nature lovers" - Quote about Neelkantheshwar Temple near Pune by Sachin Kumar Gupta

One can reach Neelkatheshwar temple from Pune via either side of Kadhakwasla Dam. There are two ways to reach Neelkantheshwar Temple (in Kondhur) from Pune. One covering one side of the Khadakwasla Dam, while another covering other side of Khadakwasla Dam.
Route1 (dam being on your left side) - On this route you'll find beautiful resorts and waterfronts alongside the dam. (~50 KM)
Swargate - Anand Nagar - Khadakwasla Village - Kudje - Mandvi - Jambhali - Neelkantheshwar Road - Temple
Route2 (dam being on your right side) - This route gives a closer look of dam and Khadakwasla Chaupati road. (~60 KM)
Swargate - Anand Nagar - Khadakwasla Village - Sinhagad Road - Khanapur - Sonapur - Velhe Panshet Road - Cross Mutha River by Bridge - Neelkantheshwar Road - Jambhali - Temple

It was Independence day, when we finally started for this much awaited trip. We started late morning from Pune and wanted to spend sometime at Khadakwasla dam, so we took Route2 while going, and Route1 while returning, so we covered whole circumference with monsoon views of Khadakwasla Dam. Neelkantheshwar road is in little bad condition for nearly 5-6 kms, but Ok to move with 2 or 4 wheelers. It goes straight at the base of Neelkantheshwar. We also saw few autowalaas from Jambhali to temple base point. It took approximate 2 hours (approx 50-60 kms) to travel from Hadapsar Pune to Neelkantheshwar Temple near Kondhur. It’s a very pleasant and scenic drive till Neelkantheshwar parking point. Lush green surround the place specially during monsoon.

This hidden treasure temple is situated at hilltop of triangle dams:
Khadakwasla Dam
Panshet Dam
Varasgaon Dam

Notes and important points while visiting Neelkatheshwar temple:

• From the parking point, you have to climb up the steep hill approx 1.5 KM, so plan accordingly. Wear sports shoes or floaters and plan well, while being with toddlers.
• The climb is really steep at few places (though wide) and this can prove to be a good exercise for all ages. :) With all high spirits we were gald to see many old age people climbing up the temple. 
• During summers plan to climb early in the morning when it isn't too hot and while returning, walk carefully else you may skid and fall.
• Bring water bottles and other snacks as per your choice.
• During monsoon, don't forget to bring an umbrella as there are no shops on the top except for a small restaurant.
• It is a huge temple, with lot of open space to sit and enjoy the beauty of exquisite sculptures that tell different Hindu mythological tales, located between lush green hills and breathtaking views. 

It was quite a lucky day, as we could capture many beautiful photographs throughout the day, specially from the hilltop. Unfortunately, there is not much promotion or maintenance done by Government. I hope someday, there will be motor-able road right up to the temple.  Two big idols welcome everyone at the temple entrance and the walls of the temple are decorated with many other Hindu Gods. We saw backwaters of Panshet, Varasgaon and Khadakwasla dams. The views were just amazing and this was pure rendezvous with nature. Neelkantheshwar temple is full of beautifully crafted cement sculptures depicting various Indian mythological stories from the great Indian epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. 

Few sculptures are of:
Ashtavinayakas
Shiv Parvati Family
Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu
Sagar Manthan
Royal Court of Indra
Fierce battle between Bhim and Duryodhan
Mace Battle between Vaali and Sugreev
Waking up Kumbhakaran from his sleep
Sant Dnyashwar, Sant Ramdas, Shivaji Maharaj stories
Many stories depiction, unknown to my knowledge

I have never seen so many sculptures in one place, this is one of the best temple I have seen. I couldn't cover all the pictures to tell the complete story. Enjoy some of the photographs to get a sense of what you are missing, if you haven’t been to this place yet. We visited this during the month of Shravan, this temple of Shiva attracts thousands of devotees in this month and on the occasion of Maha shivratri. If you are a temple or nature lover and looking for a weekend retreat near Pune in the lap of nature then Neelkantheshwar is your place. You can visit Neelkantheshwar at any point of time during the year but monsoon would be the best time.

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