Chaturshringi Temple

Chaturshringi Temple is one of the most visited temples in Pune. It is not only gigantic as the very name suggests but it is also considered to be one of the most visited sacred places of Maharashtra.

The term Chatur stands for four and Chaturshringi literally signifies “mountain with four peaks.” The temple is gigantic and it stands at 90 feet high and 125 feet wide. The temple depicts  “power and faith.” The Chaturshringi temple is located on the gradient of a hill on Senapati Bapat Road.

The supervising deity of Chaturshringi temple is Goddess Chaturshringi who is also known as Goddess Ambareshwari. It is said that one has to climb 100 steps of Chaturshringi temple to reach out to the shrine of Goddess Chaturshringi. Apart from the presiding deity Goddess Chaturshringi’s temple, the premises also include temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha respectively and this includes eight diminutive idols of Ashtavinayaka. However, these respective temples are located on the four detached mounds. It also includes the temple of Vetal Maharaj at the baner pashan end.

History and Legend of Chaturshringi Temple

Chaturshringi Temple is one of the oldest temples of Maharashtra and is said to have been constructed during the time in power of the Maratha king Shivaji and the temple is taken care of by Chaturshringi Devasthan trustees.

The Chaturshringi temple is considered to be a symbol of power and faith. Numbers of devotees from all over the world often come to visit the temple with love and devotion for the presiding deity every year on a daily basis. The temple has abundant of beauty and importance that even the aged people coup their intricacy and climb 100 steps to reach out to the holy memorial of Goddess Chaturshringi.

It is also believed that the primary purpose for the creation of the temple was the utmost devotion and worship towards the supervising deity Goddess Chaturshringi.

The legend of Chaturshringi Temple follows the story of a rich merchant named Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan. This man was very rich and religious and was also a passionate devotee of Saptashringi Mata. It is also said that he used to travel all the way from Pune to Vani only for the sake of worshipping the presiding Goddess of the temple every year on the full moon day of Chaitra.

However, as he grew older his age somewhat hindered him to travel and visit the temple. Following this, because of his true devotion the supervising Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to bring to light her idol from a mountain in the northwestern region of Pune so that she can stay near her devotee.

Following the command of his beloved Goddess, he went there and mapped out that place and in due course experienced miracle when he found an ordinary statue of his beloved Goddess. He then settled on to construct the temple at that place and the entire event led to the foundation of the Chaturshringi Mandir and since then it has been renovated several times.

Significance of Chaturshringi Temple

The Chaturshringi Temple is of immense significance and is also the centre of attraction for the people and this is why thousands of pilgrims and visitors appear in large numbers everyday for the sake of offering their prayers to the presiding deity. The temple is significant for the following reasons:

• Maa Chaturshringi temple is devoted to Goddess Chaturshringi who is also known as Goddess Ambareshwari, Mahalakshmee, Mahakalee, Mahasaraswatee. This is also considered to be one of the most popular temples in Pune along with Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai temple. This temple is also one of the oldest temples and is believed to be 250-300 years old.
• Goddess Chaturshringi and Lord Ganapati are considered to be the benefactor deities of Pune.
• Chaturshringi Temple is positioned at the slope of a hill on Senapati Bapat Road in aundh, Pune.
• This temple is preserved and maintained by the Chaturshringi Devasthan Trust. The temple has been maintained in such a manner that each and every bit and piece of the temple appears as new and as fresh as the first time.
• At the very first visit, the temple offers spiritual and positive vibes to each and every visitor and lures all the visitors with its beauty.
• The most fascinating feature of the temple is that the Chaturshringi Temple consists of a diminutive scale model of its intact premises exhibited at the entrance.

Chaturshringi Temple Timings

• Chaturshringi Temple is open for visitors and pilgrims on all days from 6:00AM to 9:00 PM.
• On Tuesdays the temple closes at 12:00 PM. This is so because Tuesdays and Fridays are considered to be the days of Goddesses and maximum number of devotees visit the temple on these days for worship.

Festivals celebrated at Chaturshringi Temple

• The most important festival of the Chaturshringi temple is the celebration of Navratri. This festival is filled with vibrance, energy, enjoyment and dedication. This festival is celebrated for nine days where devotees from across the country and world come to offer prayers and homage to the presiding Goddess. This occasion is one of the most auspicious celebrations of Chaturshringi Temple. During this festival, thousands of devotees have the propensity to wait in line for hours till they derive the opportunity to offer their prayers and adorn the Goddess in the main hall.
• Chaturshringi Temple is embellished in the traditional style enlightened with lights and it literally enthrals the worshippers and visitors.
• Apart from the traditional rituals, the celebration is also accompanied with a fair that takes place throughout the night at the peak and also adds on to the spirit of the festival.
• Apart from the mega celebration of Navaratri, festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi are also celebrated every year here.
• Another important festival celebrated in the Chaturshringi Temple is the “Vat Purnima” during which many women visit the temple and offer prayers to the banyan tree.

How To Reach: Road, Rail, Air

By Road : Buses are available everyday from Mumbai and also from nearby areas. Buses are also available from Satara, Raigad and Ahmednagar.

By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Sivajinagar railway station, Khadki railway station, Dapodi railway station.

By Air: The nearest airports to Chaturshringi Temple are Lohegaon Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Gandhinagar Airport, Kolhapur Airport.

Where to stay

There are many hotels and lodges nearby Chaturshringi Temple which are quite reasonable and avails all the facilities.

Nearby Temples

• Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangham : This temple is one of the most visited and popular temples in Pune. Thsi temple is located on the peak of the towering hillocks. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The place where the temple is positioned is also termed as “Sastha Hills” This temple is considered to be one of the most consecrated temples of Maharashtra.

• Kanifnath Temple : Talking about all the famous and most visited temples in Pune, Kanifnath temple cannot be missed out. The famous temple of Shri Kanifnath Maharaj is positioned around a beautiful fort and this is the reason that the temple is a centre of attraction for all the visitors.

• Parvati Hill Temple : The Parvati Hill Temple is said to be the highest point of Pune city. One has to climb 100 steps to reach the place of pilgrimage. This temple was built by the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao alias Nana Saheb in 1749 and clearly depicts the traditional form of Maratha style of temple architecture. The place also consists of temles dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Bhavani, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya.

• Bhuleshwar Temple : This is a hindu temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Like some of the temples in Pune, this temple is also positioned on a hill and was constructed on the 13^th The most significant feature of th temple is that it has classical carvings on the wall and the temple has also been declared as a confined monument. The temple is mostly popular because of the famous folk-tale associated with it. It is believed that when a bowl of sweet pedhas is offered to Shiva Ling, one or more of the sweets tend to disappear. The temple was constructed in 1230 AD during the period of Yadava Rulers by King Krishnadevray and the fort on which the temple is located on Daulatmala Fort which is also referred to as Mangalgad. This fort was built by Murar Jagdev in 1629. The temple also consist of an idol of Lord Ganesha uin a feminine attire and the idol is known as Ganeshwari, Ganeshyani or Lambodari.

• Ghorwadeshwar Cave Temple : This temple is positioned around 40km from Pune and contain statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. It is believed that the caves were sculpted out of a single rock formation around the 3^rd and 4^th century CE. The temples consists of nine rooms for meditation along with the Griha. An inscription on one of the walls in Brahmi script says that Chhaityagriha is devoted with affection by Buddha and Sagha- the daughters of Dhapar who was a disciple of Bhadantsingh. A large cave contains a Shiva Linga that is most visited during the time of Mahashivratri.