Dagdusheth Temple of Pune is dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha. The temple is very much renowned in the region of Maharashtra and every year thousands of pilgrims pay a visit here. The annual Ganeshotsava festival of India which is the most esteemed ceremony in the Hindu culture, witnesses the priced presence of Maharashtra State’s Chief Ministers. The Ganesh idol of the temple is insured with an amount of Rs. 10 million.

History

Originated from Karnataka, Dagdusheth Gadve was one of the Lingayat traders who found a settlement in Pune. His surname was originally “Gadve”, but being a sweet maker by profession, he was known as Dagdusheth Halwai. Gadve was very much famous and a wealthy trader of sweets. Being a righteous and virtuous man, he resided in the vicinity, Shri Datta Mandir of Budhwar Peth. During that period, people experienced a severe plague outbreak and Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai unfortunately lost his son. After this episode, both the husband and wife were very disturbed. This was the time when Dagdusheth Halwai’s Guruji, Shri Madhavnath Maharaj came to him for consolation. He had advised him to create Shri Datta Maharaj’s and Shri Ganpati’s idols and worship them. He also asked him to treat them like his own son and take the required care. He assured that these idols would bring the radiance to a father’s name just as the offspring does in the future days. This being the very first idol, is placed in Shukrawar Peth’s Aakara Maruti Temple and worshipped daily with rites and rituals.

The authenticate shop still is located in the vicinity being named as Kaka Halwai (a franchise run by Gadve family’s posterity). Further, he established the trust called Halwai Ganpati.

Dagdusheth Halwaai Trust

The trust of the temple is involved in the philanthropic work being carried out from the donation that the temple receives. This trust is one of the richest trusts all over Maharashtra region. An old age home which is known as Pitashree is operated by this trust in Kondhwa area of Pune. The home was raised in May 2003 at a cost of Rs. 15 million. The trust also offers education and residence for 40 children who are destitute. Apart from this, multiple services like offering health clinic services in the down trodden areas of Pune and for tribal community is taken care of by this trust.

Best Route

• Almost 4kms from Shivaji Nagar Bus Stand
• Almost 7kms from Pune Railway Station
• Almost 27kms from Pune Airport

During the public festival of Ganeshotsav, the temple is decorated in a most serene and eye catching way with lots of people gathered to seek blessings. All the traditional rituals are performed from the dawn till the dusk and the temple is the talk of the town.