Ganesha Temple, Prati Balaji, Pune, India
The Ganesha Temple at Prati Balaji in Pune, India, is a popular temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, also known as “Shree Ganesha Rajaram Maharaj Devasthan”. The temple is a replica of the famous Balaji Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
The story behind the construction of this temple dates back to the 17th century. It is believed that a wealthy merchant named Durlabhsheth Pitambarsheth visited the Balaji Temple in Tirupati and was deeply impressed by the deity’s power and presence. He decided to bring a replica of the temple to Pune so that the people of the region could also experience the divine grace of Lord Balaji.
However, as he was transporting the idol of Lord Balaji from Tirupati to Pune, he was informed by a local sage that he had committed a grave mistake by taking the idol out of Tirupati. The sage advised him to perform a ritual and consecrate the idol of Lord Balaji at the very spot where he was standing, which was on a hill called Ketkawale, near Pune.
Durlabhsheth Pitambarsheth followed the sage’s advice and performed the ritual. The idol of Lord Balaji was consecrated on the hill and a temple was built around it. The temple came to be known as “Prati Balaji” or “Replica Balaji”.
Over time, the temple gained popularity as a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Ganesha. The temple’s presiding deity, Lord Ganesha, is believed to have a divine connection with Lord Balaji, and it is said that worshipping Lord Ganesha at Prati Balaji brings blessings from Lord Balaji as well.
Today, the Prati Balaji temple is one of the most visited Ganesha temples in India and attracts a large number of devotees from all over the country.
The Ganesha Temple at Prati Balaji is located in the town of Ketkawale, which is about 30 kilometers from Pune city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Here’s how you can reach the temple:
- By road: You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Pune to Ketkawale. The temple is located on the Pune-Bangalore highway, and there are frequent buses that run between the two cities. You can also drive down to the temple as it is easily accessible by road.
- By train: The nearest railway station to Prati Balaji is the Pune Junction, which is well-connected to all major cities in India. From Pune, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.
- By air: The nearest airport to Prati Balaji is the Pune International Airport, which is about 40 kilometers away from the temple. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.
Once you reach Ketkawale, you can easily reach the temple by climbing up the hill. There are steps that lead to the temple, and the climb takes about 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle service that operates from the base of the hill to the temple. The shuttle service operates from 6 am to 6 pm and charges a nominal fee for the ride.
