Did you know that Chaturshringi Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Pune? Located on the slopes of a hill, this temple is a symbol of faith and power for the devotees of Goddess Chaturshringi, who is also known as the Goddess of Power. The temple complex consists of four shrines, each dedicated to a different aspect of the Goddess. The main shrine is situated at the top of the hill, and can be reached by climbing 100 steps.
The temple offers a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, and is especially beautiful during the festive season. If you are looking for a spiritual and serene experience in Pune, Chaturshringi Temple is a must-visit destination for you.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this divine place, including its history, architecture, festivals, timings, and how to reach it. We will also give you some tips and suggestions for finding the best places to stay and eat near the temple, and other places to visit in Pune. Whether you are a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group, you will find something to suit your interests and budget in this vibrant and cultural city. So, let's get started!
Temple Timings and Entry Fee
Chaturshringi Temple is open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The temple does not charge any entry fee, but you can make a voluntary donation at the donation box near the main shrine. You can also buy prasad, flowers, and other offerings at the stalls outside the temple. The temple has a dress code that requires visitors to wear modest and respectful clothing. You should also remove your shoes before entering the temple premises.
Photography is allowed, but you should be careful not to disturb the worshipers or the priests. The temple can get crowded during the weekends and the festivals, so you may have to wait in a queue to enter the main shrine. However, the wait is worth it, as you will feel a sense of peace and devotion once you reach the top.
Temple History and Architecture
Chaturshringi Temple has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the 17th century. According to legend, there was a wealthy merchant named Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan, who was a devout follower of Goddess Chaturshringi. He used to travel to various places to worship the Goddess, but as he grew old, he found it difficult to do so. He prayed to the Goddess to appear in his dreams and guide him. The Goddess was pleased with his devotion and appeared in his dreams.
She told him that she was present on a hill in the outskirts of Pune, and asked him to dig there. The next day, he went to the hill and started digging. To his surprise, he found a natural idol of the Goddess, along with three other idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Kali. He built a temple around the idols, and named it Chaturshringi, which means four peaks. The temple became a popular pilgrimage site for the devotees of the Goddess, and is still revered today.
The temple is built in a traditional Hindu style, with a shikhara (spire) and a mandapa (hall). The temple complex covers an area of about 125 feet by 60 feet, and is divided into four shrines, each dedicated to a different aspect of the Goddess. The main shrine is located at the highest point of the hill, and houses the idol of Goddess Chaturshringi. The idol is about 10 feet tall and 125 feet wide, and is adorned with jewellery and flowers. The other three shrines are located at the lower levels of the hill, and house the idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Kali. The temple also has a small shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is considered to be the remover of obstacles. The temple is surrounded by greenery and natural beauty, and offers a scenic view of the city and its surroundings.
Temple Festivals and Rituals
Chaturshringi Temple is the venue for many festivals and celebrations throughout the year, but the most important and grand one is the Navratri festival, which is celebrated in the month of September or October. Navratri means nine nights, and is dedicated to the nine forms of the Goddess. During this festival, the temple is decorated with lights, flowers, and flags, and thousands of devotees flock to the temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings.
The temple organizes various cultural and religious programs, such as bhajans, kirtans, aartis, and dances, to honour the Goddess. The highlight of the festival is the Durga Puja, which is performed on the eighth or ninth day of the festival. The puja involves the ritual worship of the Goddess, along with the offering of various items, such as fruits, flowers, sweets, and coconut. The puja is followed by the immersion of the idol of the Goddess in the nearby water body, which marks the end of the festival. The festival is a symbol of the victory of good over evil, and the power of the Goddess over the demons.
Another important festival celebrated at the temple is the Dussehra festival, which is celebrated in the month of October or November. Dussehra means the tenth day, and is the day when Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana. The temple celebrates this festival by burning an effigy of Ravana, along with his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad, in a bonfire. The burning of the effigy signifies the destruction of evil and the triumph of truth. The temple also distributes prasad and sweets to the devotees, and wishes them a happy and prosperous life.
The temple also performs daily rituals and ceremonies, such as the morning and evening aartis, which are the ritual waving of lamps in front of the idol of the Goddess. The aartis are accompanied by the chanting of hymns and mantras, and the ringing of bells. The devotees participate in the aartis, and sing along with the priests. The aartis are a way of expressing gratitude and devotion to the Goddess, and seeking her protection and guidance. The temple also offers prasad, which is the sacred food that is blessed by the Goddess, to the devotees. The prasad usually consists of coconut, sugar, and dry fruits, and is considered to be auspicious and beneficial for the devotees.
How to Reach the Temple
Chaturshringi Temple is located on the Senapati Bapat Road, in the Shivajinagar area of Pune. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as bus, car, taxi, auto-rickshaw, or bike. The nearest bus stop is the Chaturshringi Temple bus stop, which is just a few meters away from the temple.
The nearest railway station is the Shivajinagar railway station, which is about 4 km away from the temple. The nearest airport is the Pune International Airport, which is about 15 km away from the temple. You can also use online cab services, such as Ola or Uber, to book a ride to the temple. The temple has a parking facility for the visitors, but it may get full during the peak hours or the festivals. You can also find some paid parking spaces near the temple, or park your vehicle at a nearby mall or hotel.
Places to Stay and Eat Near the Temple
If you are looking for a place to stay near the temple, you have plenty of options to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury hotels and resorts. Some of the best hotels and resorts near the temple are:
JW Marriott Hotel Pune:
This is a 5-star hotel that offers a luxurious and comfortable stay for the guests. The hotel has spacious and elegant rooms and suites, with amenities such as air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, safe, and more. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a business center. The hotel has several dining options, such as Spice Kitchen, which serves Indian and international cuisines, Alto Vino, which serves Italian dishes, Paasha, which serves Persian and Mughlai delicacies, and Pune Baking Company, which serves bakery and coffee. The hotel is about 3 km away from the temple, and the room rates start from ₹10,000 per night.
The Pride Hotel Pune:
This is a 4-star hotel that offers a cozy and convenient stay for the guests. The hotel has modern and well-furnished rooms and suites, with amenities such as air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, safe, and more. The hotel also has a gym, a swimming pool, a salon, and a banquet hall. The hotel has several dining options, such as Puran Da Dhaba, which serves Punjabi and North Indian cuisines, Casablanca, which serves Mediterranean and Continental dishes, X’tasy, which serves snacks and beverages, and Cafe Treat, which serves bakery and coffee. The hotel is about 3 km away from the temple, and the room rates start from ₹4,000 per night.
FabHotel Rajwada Baner:
This is a 3-star hotel that offers a budget-friendly and comfortable stay for the guests. The hotel has simple and clean rooms, with amenities such as air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, and more. The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, a terrace, and a garden. The hotel has a restaurant, which serves Indian and Chinese cuisines. The hotel is about 2 km away from the temple, and the room rates start from ₹1,500 per night.
If you are looking for a place to eat near the temple, you have many options to choose from, ranging from street food to fine dining. Some of the best restaurants and cafes near the temple are:
Chaturshringi Misal:
This is a popular and famous place that serves the authentic and delicious misal pav, which is a spicy and tangy dish made of sprouted beans, onions, tomatoes, and spices, served with bread and yogurt. The place also serves other snacks and beverages, such as vada pav, bhaji pav, tea, and coffee. The place is about 500 meters away from the temple, and the average cost for two is ₹100.
Cafe Peter:
This is a cozy and trendy cafe that serves a variety of dishes and drinks, such as sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas, salads, smoothies, shakes, and more. The cafe also has a bakery section, which offers cakes, pastries, cookies, and muffins. The cafe is about 1 km away from the temple, and the average cost for two is ₹500.
Barbeque Nation:
This is a chain of restaurants that offers a buffet-style dining experience, where you can grill your own food on the table. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, such as kebabs, tikkas, biryanis, curries, desserts, and more. The restaurant also has a live music and entertainment program, which adds to the fun and festive atmosphere. The restaurant is about 2 km away from the temple, and the average cost for two is ₹1,500.
Other Places to Visit in Pune
Pune is a vibrant and cultural city, and a part of the Incredible India campaign, which aims to promote tourism in the country. Pune has a rich and diverse history, heritage, and culture, and offers many attractions and activities for the visitors. Some of the other popular and famous places to visit in Pune are:
Aga Khan Palace:
This is a historical and architectural marvel, built by Sultan Aga Khan III in 1892. The palace is a symbol of the Indian freedom struggle, as it was the place where Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi were imprisoned by the British in 1942. The palace has a museum, which displays the personal belongings and photographs of Gandhi and his associates. The palace also has a memorial, which marks the spot where Kasturba Gandhi was cremated. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains, and is a serene and peaceful place to visit. The palace is about 10 km away from the temple, and the entry fee is ₹25 per person.
Shaniwar Wada:
This is a historical and majestic fort, built by the Peshwas, who were the rulers of the Maratha Empire in the 18th century. The fort was the seat of power and politics of the Peshwas, and witnessed many events and battles in the history of India. The fort has a grand entrance, called the Dilli Darwaza, which is adorned with spikes and carvings. The fort also has a palace, which has several halls, chambers, and courtyards, decorated with paintings, chandeliers, and mirrors. The fort also has a garden, which has a fountain, called the Mastani Mahal, which was built for the love of Peshwa Bajirao and his second wife Mastani. The fort is about 7 km away from the temple, and the entry fee is ₹25 per person.
Osho Ashram:
This is a spiritual and meditation center, founded by the controversial and charismatic guru Osho, also known as Rajneesh, in 1974. The ashram is a place where you can experience the teachings and techniques of Osho, which are based on the principles of awareness, love, and celebration. The ashram offers various programs and courses, such as meditation, yoga, therapy, and workshops, for the seekers of inner peace and happiness. The ashram also has a resort, which provides accommodation, food, and wellness facilities for the guests. The ashram is about 8 km away from the temple, and the entry fee is ₹1,000 per person.
Chaturshringi Temple is a divine and beautiful destination in Pune, where you can experience the power and grace of Goddess Chaturshringi, who is the Goddess of Power. The temple has a long and fascinating history, and a stunning architecture, which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. The temple also hosts many festivals and rituals, which are a spectacle of faith and culture. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport, and has many places to stay and eat nearby.
The temple is also close to many other attractions and activities in Pune, which you can explore and enjoy. Chaturshringi Temple is a place where you can find peace and devotion, and also have fun and adventure. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Pune and visit this incredible place today!
We hope you enjoyed reading this article, and found it informative and helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. If you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family, and subscribe to our newsletter for more such articles. Thank you for reading, and have a great day!
