Sarausbaug Ganapati: 225 years of its existence
Sarausbaug Ganapati completed 225 years of its existence last week. This temple also known as the Talyatla Ganpati is one of the most visited destination of the Punekars. The temple houses the idol of ‘Shree Siddhivinayak’, who is believed to make wishes true and receive a whopping 10,000 devotees everyday and also around 80,000 devotees on Ganesh Chaturthe day and other special occasions.
If we look back at its history then we find that it was in the 18th centuary when Shri Nanasaheb Peshwa, the great Maratha ruler soon after the completion of ‘Shree Devdeveshwar Temple’ on Parvati hills gradually shifted his attention to do something to add to the beauty of the environs of the hills. He came up with the idea of constructing a lake at the foothills of Parvati hills along the Ambil Oddha (stream). An area of 25,000 sq.ft was however retained in the middle of the lake which served as an island. A beautiful garden was later on created on this island and was named as ‘Sarasbaug’ by Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa.
Later on May 28, 1784, Shrimant Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa erected a small temple here in Sarasbaug and mounted the idol of ‘Shree Siddhivinayak Gajanan’. Sarasbaug then become a place of worship for people from all over the world and also a popular hang-out for Punekars.
It is believed that Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa along with his advisors carried out secret meetings as well as discussions while taking the boat ride in the lake. Again the persons who used to row the boat for them were said to be negros who didn’t understand a single word of Marathi or Hindi hence there was no way by which their secret discussions can be leaked. So besides being beautiful this place also was used to hold secret meetings of the Peshawas.
This place was taken over by the british in the year 1818 after they defeated the Maratha rulers. But with increasing anger and hatred among the people they had to hand it over to some group of people who then worked under the control of the collector. Now the temple is run by Shree Devdeveshwar Sansthan which has six trustees and a staff of around hundred people.
You are sure to get drenched in the mornings prayers and chanting once you get in there. The morning ‘aarti’ or the Sansthan Panchamrut Pooja starts right from 5:30 in the morning. The Panchamrut pooja includes snana and decoration of the idols in front of devotees. Thereafter the idol is decorated and prepared for darshan for whole day. The morning ‘aarti’ then starts from 6:40 onwards and you can even attend the evening prayers at 7:15 onwards.
The temple is a treat no doubt for the art lovers also. It houses a Ganesh museum which has a rare collection of Ganesh idols, huge and miniatures. There are also Ganesh katha paintings by various artists which soothes your eyes and senses. A rare Cambodian Ganesh idol is also kept in the museum.
Sarasbaug, hovering on top of a small hillock attracts a good number of tourists by its luxuriant green lawns as well with its thriving flowerbeds. The main attraction however remains the Ganapati temple situated inside its premises. It offers an impeccable view of the adjoining areas. This place is also being used as a picnic spot after the people finish offering their prayers. It is a treat for the joggers as well who drop in here in the morning and evening.
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