Birla Ganapati/ Mangal Murti Morya Ganapati Temple

It was way back in 2014 while travelling to Talegaon I first saw the Ganesh Murti. The idol sits near the old expressway providing blessings to the people who are about to start their journey. A visit to the place had been in my list so long.

We planned to visit the Birla Ganapati temple along with Prati Shirdi. After visiting Prati Shirdi we visited Birla Ganapati. One can see the murti from the highway but to reach it we need to take the road towards Shergaon. There is a road towads left side that takes you to the temple. The road is very small. There is parking place near the temple. There are quite a number of steps leading to the top. Need to take care of elderly.

On top there are few shelters and benches to sit. If interested you can do Pradakshina too as there is space around the idol. There is a small park behind but it is closed. The view from the top is good. By the time we reached the temple it was raining, luckily we were prepared for it hence no problem. The kids enjoyed the open place.

Someshwarwadi Shiva Temple and Gram Sanskruti Udyan

An evening at Someshwar wadi near Pashan is well spent with a visit to the temple and village park. The village park aka Gram Sanskruti Udyan in Someshwarwadi is a best way to reminiscence your childhood days.

Main Attractions:

1. Shiva Temple

2. Dwadasa Jyotirlinga temple replicas

3. Gram Sanskruti Udyan

Shiva Temple

The temple is small but peaceful, the sanctum sanatorium is a few feet below the ground level. The Shiv linga here is Swayambhu. There is another Shivalinga placed in the temple where devotees can perform rituals. The temple has around 700 years of history behind it. This temple was famous since Shivaji Maharaj period. It is said the Shivaji's mother Jijabai used to visit this temple. Inside the temple on the dome are the pictures of gods presiding each direction. The entry wall into main temple is painted with war scene. The temple is very clean. The premises also boast of a havan mandap and bhairavnath temple. 

When visiting during monsoon season raincoats and umbrellas are a must. We completed the visit and were strolling around when a light drizzle has started.The temple has a small lawn adjacent to it. Good place for kids to enjoy in summer. The temple premises has huge peepal and other trees. From the temple premises you can see the miniature replicas of various jyotirlinga temples.

Dwadasa Jyotirlinga temple replicas

The work is in progress. The replicas are beautiful but there where no indications about the temples, we googled to know about the temples. When we enquired we were told that the work is still going on. The concept will be a instant hit once its completed. We could get to know the temple details and architecture right here. It would be great if they include the temple location and its prominence.

Gram Sanskruti Udyan

The park contains everything that one expects from a village. If you have experienced village life before you can correlate. Nice place for kids to enjoy and learn. The craftsmanship is good. the features are life like.

The statues are sculpted to depict all the professions, you can find a goldsmith, a tailor, a weaver, a merchant and many more. Even minute details were taken care while developing these..like the gate used for cow shed is the similar one that we find in real life scenarios. The way water is drawn from the well, the pressure exercised while drawing water from well. The torans on the door or the photos displayed on the wall, they are of same type and are displayed in the same way which we see at a village house.

All the festivals we celebrate, all the professions we follow are covered. I couldn't remember anything that was missed. 

Overall an evening well spent.

Marigold Balaji Temple

This weekend after a nice snack of pakodas and sweets, we wanted to go out. With kids and time constraints we want to go to a nearby place. Many options were thrown in, among them I was surprised to hear that there is a gold Balaji Temple in Pune.