Pune Then:
Today Pune is one of the best-known cities in India. It is also known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Human dwellings and settlements always bloom adjacent to a river normally. In the same way from time immemorial, there was a settlement on the banks of river Mutha. The river Mutha confluences with the Mula River and the settlement on the right bank of Mutha is the seeding or beginning of present-day Pune. This settlement area is presently known as Kasabe.
Kasabe of earlier days was destroyed completely by Murar Jagdeo, commanding the Adil Shahi force in 1630. It was during Shivaji Maharaj's time that the city was recreated with Kasabe Pune. With Kasabe Ganapati temple and Lal Mahal, for his mother to reside in, Pune once again became habitable.
The real development of Pune started once Bajirao Peshwe settled down with Pune as his headquarters of administration. New areas were developed and were known as Peth. Peth is a business location. [We could see that even Bangalore was developed with many Pet.] New peth was either named after the person who had developed it or it was called by the name of a day of the week.
An important feudal family from the Maratha Empire earned the Raste title which means one who displays fairness [in Marathi], from the Bijapur monarchy for their integrity and honesty. Rasta Peth a locality of Pune originally called Shivpuri Peth, was founded by and named after the family. Raste assisted the Peshwa in their Gujarat, Malwa, and Karnataka military campaigns.
Name Pune:
According to historians, a Puneshwar Shiva temple existed along the banks of the river Mutha in Pune. Along with Puneshwar, another temple named Narayaneshwar existed. In the late thirteenth century, the Puneshwar temple was pulled down and converted into a dargah now called Younger Sheikh Salla Dargah, which stands in its place to this day. This place might have got the name Pune from Puneshwar.
Raste Peth:
Raste Peth is a familiar location in Pune. It is at a walkable distance from the Pune Railway station. The King Edward Memorial Hospital is one of the famous health centers of the city. This location was developed by the Raste family. This is the surname of a family which was an important feudal family from the Maratha Empire. Their original surname was Gokhale. They earned the Raste title which means one who displays fairness [in Marathi], from the Bijapur monarchy for their integrity and honesty. Rasta Peth a locality of Pune originally called Shivpuri Peth, was founded by and named after the family. Raste assisted the Peshwa in their Gujarat, Malwa, and Karnataka military campaigns. Rastes built several Temples, Ghats, and Palaces in Wai and Pune. Their family house in Pune, the Raste Wada, was built by Thorale Madhavrao the son of Nanasaheb, between 1779 and 1784 and later given to Rastes. Raste Wada located in Rasta Peth of Pune is one of the largest remaining Wadas.
Rastes' cavalry retinue:
Rastes’ had maintained a cavalry that included camels [camelry] and horses. Their force included people from all faiths and beliefs. They had built many temples for worship. While many temples were built near the Raste Wada there were few built by the troops where they had camped. One such temple built by the men of camelry is very famous today.
Untade Maruti mandir:
The mandir is right in the center of the Sardar Moodliar Road [in Google map it is Mudaliar Road]. Moodliars are popular people of Pune and Sardar Moodliar is the person who donated land for KEM hospital way back in 1912.
Right at the northern entrance of the Raste Path is the temple for Sri Maruti, the guardian of the Raste Path. It is believed that the camelry force of Rastes’ were staying here and established Sri Maruti here for worship. It has become Untade Maruti Unt [उंट] in Marathi means camel. Sri Maruti established by the Rastes’ camel cavalry is now fairly a big temple. Over time many devotees of Sri Maruti had contributed their might and had developed the mandir. Today this temple is managed by a committee of locals. All festivals are celebrated with gay and gaiety.
Untade Maruti:
The murti of Sri Maruti is about nine feet tall. Sri Maruti is facing west. Lord is seen kneeling, His right knee resting on the ground. Lord’s left leg is folded with His lotus left feet firm on the ground. Lord's left hand is resting on the left knee of the Lord and showing ‘Apana Mudra’. With His right hand with ‘Abhaya Mudra’ Lord is giving ‘Abhaya’, don’t be afraid - I am here to protect you. Lord’s tail is resting near His left foot with a small curve.
Lord’s alluring radiant eyes are bestowing blessings to His devotees.
Location of the temple: "Untade Maruti Mandir, Raste Peth, Pune"
Experience
Just standing in front of the Lord, looking at His glowing eyes, and praying will surely bring out the best in His devotees and take them to new heights.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [October 2018]
Updates: [Jan 2025]