Pune
Today Pune is one of the best-known cities of India. It is also known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra. The origin of Pune starts with the settlement area which is presently known as Kasabe.
Kasabe of earlier days was completely destroyed and during Shivaji Maharaj's time, the city was recreated with Kasabe Pune. Kasabe Ganapati temple and Lal Mahal were built for his mother.
For more about Pune’s origin and its name CLICK
Ganeshotsav of Pune
Thinking of community puja for Lord Sri Ganesh, the city of Pune comes to flash memory, the way we remember the city of Kolkata for Durga Puja. In Pune, funds usually come from administration from Shivaji’s time for Ganesh puja. While the practice was discontinued during Peshwas rule at Pune, this practice was continued by the Maratha rulers of Gwalior. Having seen a grand Ganeshotsav at Gwalior, Krishnajipant Khasgiwale shared this celebration with his friends in Pune in 1890. Inspired by this in 1892, Bhausaheb Lakshman Javale, one of his friends organized a community Ganeshotsav at Pune.
Balgangadhar Tilak saw the participation of all communities without difference in caste and he organized one such Ganeshotsav in 1894. Thus began the community of Ganeshotsav at Pune. Today there are many such community Ganeshotsav organized in Pune. The ten-day festival attracts a huge number of people.
Interestingly the first Ganapati for the sarvajanak [community] utsav is made of paper mache by Dagdu Sheth Halwai and Balagangadhar Tilak is still under worship and we can have darshan of the same. He gives darshan at Sri Akra Maruti Temple in Shukarawar Peth.
Shukarawar Peth
Pune is known to have its geographical area demarcated and such sub-divisional areas were named 'peth'. When Bajirao I made Pune his headquarters, the town already had six ‘Peths’ namely, Shaniwar, Raviwar, Somwar, Mangalwar, Shukarawar, and Budhwar apart from Kasba. Visapur has been in existence since the early 17th century and was converted to Shukarawar Peth. A small temple of Maruti called 'Panchamukhi Hanumant' was built on the extreme southern border of Peth Shukrawar.
Sri Akra Maruti Temple
This temple is located at 245, Shukrawar Peth. There are two structures in the ‘Heritage List’ published by Pune Municipal Corporation of the same complex. It has been listed in the Grade II list at serial 2 under the caption ‘Akra Maruti and Ram Mandir complex’ and then at serial 16 under the caption ‘Ganpateshwar mandir’.
In Shukarawar Peth near Akara Maruti Chowk, you can locate a small board stating ’Sri Akra Maruti mandir, 245 Shukrawar peth, Paranjpe wade, Pune 2’. Once we enter the complex which has many small tin-roofed houses surrounded by trees and green plants. It feels like entering a serene place away from the noisy city. Wooden pillared construction all around contributed more to the serenity of the surroundings.
There are two structures in the ‘Heritage List’ published by Pune Municipal Corporation of the same complex. It has been listed in the Grade II list at serial 2 under the caption ‘Akra Maruti and Ram Mandir complex’ and then at serial 16 under the caption ‘Ganpateshwar mandir’.
Akra in Marathi means eleven. Maharashtra is known for the eleven Maruti installed by Sri Samarth Ramadas at different kshetras of Maharastra as ‘Akra Maruti’. In the same way, Akra Maruti mandir is known in Pune for the eleven Maruti deities present in the mandir.
Akra Sri Maruti
The eleven Marutis are positioned in a circular way one beside the other. All the Maruti are seen with a demon under His left foot. As we make parikrama of these deities:
The first Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head and His eyes are seen meditative.
The second Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right hand holding Sanjeevi Parvat. His tail is raised above His head and His eyes are seen blessing His devotees.
The third Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head and His open eyes are blessing His devotees.
The fourth Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head and at the end with a curve and His eyes are seen meditative.
The fifth Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head going up to his left shoulder takes a turn and ends above his right shoulder. His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees.
The sixth Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head going up to his left shoulder takes a turn and ends near the left side of his neck. His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees.
The seventh Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head and His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees.
The eighth Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head and His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees. The demon under His feet is seen with his head towards the right foot of the Lord.
The ninth Maruti is seen holding gada in his left hand while His right-hand shows abhaya mudra. His tail is raised above His head going up to his left shoulder takes a turn and ends near his left ear. Lord is seen wearing a kundal in His ears. His eyes are seen as meditative.
The tenth Maruti is seen resting His left hand on His left thigh and holding a manuscript. He is holding gada in his right hand. His tail is raised above His head and His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees.
The eleventh Maruti is seen holding Sanjeevi Parvat in his left hand while His right-hand gada is seen. His tail is raised above His head. His open eyes are bestowing blessings on His devotees.
Sri Rama mandir
After offering prayers to these eleven Marutis, we enter a huge mandapam built with wooden pillars where we can see sannidhi for Sri Rama on the left. Once we enter, Sri Ganesha sannidhi is seen. This is the Ganapati who had brought sarvajanak [community] Sri Ganesh Utsav in Pune. Offer prayers to both Sri Ganesha and Sri Rama. On the right side, life-size statues of Sri Balagangadhar Tilak and Dagdu Sheth Halwai who are instrumental in making Sri Ganeshstov, community function, and Utsav can be noticed.
Location of the temple: "Akra maruti mandir of shukrawar peth, Pune"
Experience
The cool serene environment and fragrance of fresh flowers are well suited for offering our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for whatever we have achieved so far. This offer to the Lord itself is bound to keep us composed and achieve more righteous things.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [July 2024]
Updates: [Jan 2025]