Pune can also be called Punya-Nagari meaning city of virtue which city holds the legacy of traditions, culture and etiquettes. Pune being the epi centre of the Maratha kingdom, a Hindu state, one cannot neglect the temples built by them. One such place is the Chaturshringi temple. This literally means four peaks. Dedicated to Godess Ambareshwari, it is built on the hill slopes currently marked as the Senapati Bapat Road, SB road in short.
This place is easily visible once you take the turn from University circle to SB road. You are greeted by huge arcs once you enter the complex. One needs to climb 100 odd steps from the base to get to the temple. As soon as you start the climb, you first see the Ganesha temple on your left. There are other small temples which are there in the same complex.Once you reach the top it gives you a spectacular view of Pune city.
The legend associated with the temple is that, once there was a rich and prosperous merchant who was an ardent believer of Goddess Chaturshringi and visited all Her temples everywhere. But as he grew older, he could no longer travel and this hindered him from visiting the temples. But one night the Goddess Chaturshringi appeared in his dream and this left a lasting presence in his mind. He built the temple dedicated to the Goddess at the place where it stands today.
You are greeted with this huge gate which leads to stairs and the main temple.
The stairs leading to the temple.
I happened to visit the palce during the Navratri and there was a huge Rangoli done depicting Shree Swami Samarth. Must say, it was beautifully done!
Godess Ambareshwari is also considered as the presiding deity of the city of Pune. The temple is maintained by the Chaturshringi Devasthan Trust. Every year a fair is held at the foothills on the eve of Navratri. Thousands of people gather to worship the Goddess Chaturshringi.
