Kasba Ganapati

Last updated

Kasba Ganapati Temple
KasbaganpatiMandir.JPG
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Pune
Deity Ganesh
Location
State Maharashtra
CountryIndia
India Maharashtra location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Maharashtra
Geographic coordinates 18°31′08″N73°51′25″E / 18.51889°N 73.85694°E / 18.51889; 73.85694

The Kasba Ganapati refers to both a particular murti of the god Ganapati in Pune, India, as well as to the temple built around the murti. The Kasba Ganapati is the presiding deity (gramadevata) of Pune. [1] Kasba Ganpati is considered the first Manacha Ganpati, or most revered Ganpati, in Pune, Maharashtra. The idol was established in 1893 and is located in the Kasba Peth area of Pune, an ancient part of the city. It is patronized by Ganapati Bapurao Bebhan Durbar and is considered the presiding deity of Pune. The idol is said to be self-made and was originally the size of a grain of rice, but is now larger due to a layer of red sandalwood.

Contents

History

The temple was commissioned by Jijausaheb, after Dadoji Konddeo reported to her that a murti of Ganpati had been found in Pune. [1] The murti's status as the premier murti in Pune was decided by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. [2]

In the year 1630, the Maratha Aristocrat and wife of Sardar Shahaji Bhosale, Jijaubaisaheb Bhosale arrived in Pune with her then infant son, Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire. Around this time, along with other seven families, the Thakar Family migrated to Pune from the village of Indi, Bijapur district in present-day state of Karnataka. Shri Vinayak Bhatt Thakar also carried his Family deity, Lord Gajanan along with him. All these families settled near River bank around the current place of Kasba Ganapati Temple which was close to the residence of Jijabai. Jijabai perceived this as an auspicious moment[ citation needed ] and promptly decided to build a temple, which is popularly known as the Kasba Ganpati Mandir. [3]

Since then, Pune is also known as the city of Ganesh. The Peshwas were ardent followers of Lord Ganesh. During their regime Shaniwarwada witnessed grand celebrations for Lord Ganesh. [4]

In 1893, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Indian Nationalist Leader, initiated the now famous Ganesh Festival. His intention was to gather people sharing similar ideas and exchange thoughts to deal with the British ruler. He started celebrating Ganesh Festival from his own house called Kesari Wada. Due to his personal popularity and initiative, Ganesh Festival became a public festival soon afterwards. [5]

There was rivalry among the various mandals regarding the privilege of immersing the murti first on the last day of the Ganpati festival. Bal Gangadhar Tilak resolved the rivalry and declared the privilege of first immersion to Shri Kasba Ganpati, as it is the local deity of Pune. [1]

Annual Ganesh Festival

Until 1925, Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal celebrated the festival within the premises of the temple and from 1926 it has been celebrated in an enclosed mandap. Presently, the ten days of the festival is a platform for local artists to display their talents through various cultural programs thus allowing a large number of devotees to participate in the celebrations. On the last day, Shri Kasba Ganpati plays the leading role during the immersion procession. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bal Gangadhar Tilak</span> Indian independence activist (1856–1920)

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, endeared as Lokmanya, was an Indian nationalist, teacher, and an independence activist. He was one third of the Lal Bal Pal triumvirate. The British colonial authorities called him "The father of the Indian unrest". He was also conferred with the title of "Lokmanya", which means "accepted by the people as their leader". Mahatma Gandhi called him "The Maker of Modern India".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashtavinayaka</span> Pilgrimage to eight Hindu temples in Maharashtra, India

Ashtavinayaka is a Sanskrit term which means "eight Ganeshas". The Ashtavinayaka Yatra refers to a pilgrimage to the eight Hindu temples in the state of Maharashtra, India, centered around the city of Pune. The eight temples house eight distinct idols of Ganesha, the Hindu deity of unity, prosperity, learning, and removing obstacles. Each of these temples has its own individual legend and history, as distinct from each other as the murtis in each temple. The form of each murti of Ganesha and his trunk are distinct from one another. There are other temples of eight Ganesha in various other parts of Maharashtra; however, the ones around Pune are more well known and visited. To complete the Ashtavinayaka Yatra, one must revisit the first temple after visiting all the eight temples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narayangaon</span> Town in Maharashtra, India

Narayangaon is a town in the Junnar taluka of the Pune district of Maharashtra state, India. Water is abundant because of its proximity to the major dams, the western ghats, and the Sahyadri mountain range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganesh Chaturthi</span> Hindu religious festival

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi or Vinayagar Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival birthday of Hindu deity Lord Ganesh. The festival is marked with the installation of Lord Ganesha's clay murtis privately in homes and publicly on elaborate pandals. Observances include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, such as prayers and vrata (fasting). Offerings and prasada from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modak as it is believed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesha. The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the Murti is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called visarjana on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi. In Mumbai alone, around 150,000 Murtis are immersed annually. Thereafter the clay Murti dissolves and Lord Ganesha is believed to return to his celestial abode.

<i>Kesari</i> (Marathi newspaper) Marathi newspaper

Kesari is a Marathi newspaper which was founded on 4 January 1881 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader of the Indian Independence movement. The newspaper was used as a spokes piece for the Indian national freedom movement, and continues to be published by the Kesari Maratha Trust and Tilak's descendants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wai, Maharashtra</span> Town in Maharashtra, India

Wai is a town in Satara district of Maharashtra state in India. Located on the Krishna River, Wai was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. Two important Marathi Brahmin from ruling families had their origins here: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Gopikabai, wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pune district</span> District in Maharashtra, India

Pune district is a district in Western Maharashtra with Administrative Headquarters in Pune city. Pune district is the most populous district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is one of the most industrialised districts in India.

Budhwar Peth is one of many commercial localities in the old city of Pune, India. The area is located in the heart of the city has a high number of electronics shops, and is known for its red-light district. Three out of the five important Ganesh Mandals i.e. Jogeshwari Ganpati, Guruji Talim Mandal, Tulshibaug Ganpati are located here, as is Appa Balwant Chowk, known as ABC.

Indapur is a town and a municipal council in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Indapur is known for Jahagir of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's father and grandfather. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's grandfather Malojiraje died in battle in Indapur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasba Peth, Pune</span> Neighbourhood in Pune, India

Kasba Peth or Kasba is the oldest residential part, "Peth " (locality), in Pune, India. It is adjacent to the historic Shaniwar Wada palace-fort. Kasba Peth was the first Peth to be established sometime during the 5th century, and is the oldest area in Pune. It is called the "Heart of Pune City". In the history of Pune, the city was once known as "Kasbe Pune".

The Dashabhuja Temple is a Hindu temple in Pune, in the Maharashtra state of India. This temple was once owned by Sardar Haripant Phadke, a Sardar of Peshwa and was later donated to the Peshwas as dowry. Dashabhuja Ganapati temple is visited by thousands of devotees every day and the number increases during Ganesh Chaturthi. The idol of Ganpati or Ganesh seen here has his elephant trunk resting on his right-hand side, which is supposed to be rarer and more sacred than other forms of the Ganesh idol.

Pune is the 9th most populous city in India and one of the largest in the state of Maharashtra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple</span> Ganesha temple in Pune, India

The Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple is a Hindu Temple located in Pune and is dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesh. The temple is visited by over one hundred thousand pilgrims every year. Devotees of the temple include celebrities and chief ministers of Maharashtra who visit during the annual ten-day Ganeshotsav festival. The main Ganesh idol is insured for sum of 10 million (US$120,000). It celebrated 130 years of its Ganapati in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjangaon Ganpati</span> One of the Ashtavinayak temples of the Hindu deity Ganesha

Ranjangaon Ganpati also known as Shri Mahaganpati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Situated in the village of Ranjangaon within the Shirur taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples venerating Lord Ganesha, bearing immense religious importance in Hinduism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shivajinagar, Pune</span> Neighbourhood in Pune, Maharashtra, India

Shivajinagar is an inner suburb of the city of Pune, India.

Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar was a Maratha General during the Peshwa Period. He is renowned as the builder of the Varadvinayak temple in Mahad.

Tulshibaug is an area in Pune City in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is located in the old city area. Its main features are a historic temple precinct and a large market.

Sadashiv Peth is an area located in Pune, Maharashtra. It was founded by Madhavrao Peshwa in honour of Sadashivrao Peshwa. It was initially planned for the military and laid out in squares with broad streets.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Phadnis, Ashish (28 August 2017). "Meet Pune's most revered Ganeshas and people's 'Manache Ganpati'". Hindustan Times.
  2. "Kasba Ganpati". Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  3. Palande-Datar, Saili K (16 June 2021). "Sutradhara's tales: Pune rises from ashes as young Shivaji enters the scene". Hindustan Times.
  4. "Peshwas celebrated with splendour". Times of India. 8 September 2011.
  5. 1 2 Nath, Dipanita (9 September 2019). "Lokmanya Tilak turned Ganeshotsav from private celebration to community festival, says historian". Indian Express.