English: Shree Trishund Ganpati Temple

There are many ancient temples in Pune city, however the architecture of this unknown Trishund Ganesh temple is different than these temples in Pune. The reason why this temple which is alike the carved caves of Ellora could be the current social situation during the 18th century in Pune. In those times there was a big graveyard in somwarpeth and some part of mangalwar peth which were situated on the banks of the Nagzira River in East Pune. In 1600 ShahajiMaharaj set up a locality named Shahapura. In 1735 Bajirao Peshwa I developed this locality by encouraging business activities in this locality and renamed it Somwarpeth. The part of this locality which was predominated by the gosavi community was called gosavipura. This community was rich. They were Savkars and carried out business of gold and gems.Samadhis of many virtuous men from gosavi community were found in this graveyard.In those times they followed a custom of building a Shiva temple beside these samadhis.Remnants of many samadhis can still be found.Because of the graveyard very few people visited the temple. In spite of having excellent stone sculptures the trishundganpati temple remained neglected as this monument formed part of the Samadhi. While moving from Kasbapeth towards the hospital in Mangalwarpeth , after the toll plaza on your right hand side you will see the beautiful TrishundGanpati Temple decorated with stone carvings. You will rarely find a ganesha idol having three trunks in maharashtra. This temple was constructed with a Shiva Temple in mind hence the art looks like a Shiva temple.With passage of time we notice some change in the look of the deity and the temple. As per the historical noting about this temple a wealthy gosavi Mr.Bhimgirji residing in Dhampur near Indore built this temple on 26thAugust , 1754. The contruction work was carried out between 1754 to 1770. On the frame of the santumsantorum there are 2 sanskrit and 1 parsi inscriptions engraved on it. The Sanskrit inscriptions talk about the period in which this temple was built and the installation of the idol of Rameshwar or Shree Shankar. While the other inscription is the opening stanza of the Bhagwat Gita. The parsiengaving states that this place belongs to the dieties. The inscription mentions the date of construction of this temple as 26 august, 1754.These inscriptions are clear and legible. This entire stone temple is standing on a stone diya of a man’s height.The architecture is a mix of rajasthani, malwa and southern art. There are soldiers on both sides of the entrance.There is a sharp kamaan on the carved entrance door frame and on the very top is the image of lord Vishnu.Several auspicious symbols are carved on the entrance wall like demigod, peacock,parrot, dashavatar,etc. One of the sculptures is of political significance. The sculpture depicts the current political scenario in India. The artist has tried to beautifully depict that the British conquered Bengal and Assam after the battle of Plassey in 1757.An English soldier can be seen arresting a person representing Bengal and Assam. These sculptures forecast and forewarn about the British shortly conquering India. A monument depicting the political situation is rarely found among temples in India. On the entrance door of the sanctum sanctorum is a ganesha idol with a right trunk and below that is a ganeshchakra. Inside the south wall is a sculpture of Natraja and on the north there are artistic and beautiful sculptures of Vishnu and KaalBhairav. On the rear side of the south wall is a very rare and unique shivling. This sculpture is based on a story in the Puranas. The Ganesha idol in the sanctum sanctorum is of a different style. A diety in black stone with one face, three trunks and six hands is seated on a peacock. The right trunk touches the Prasad, the central trunk is placed on the mouse and left trunk is touching the chin of Goddess Shakti. On the sides are riddhisiddhi. On the wall behind the idol there is an image of Lord Narayan and Ganesha’sweapon is engraved on the wall. With passage of time Shakat community must have installed a Ganesh idol in the temple which was built like a shivatemple. But the exact period and historical reference for the installation of the ganesh idol is not found. The beautiful and historical monument was remain neglected during 1932 to 1952.Since the temple did not have a shikahr its existence was not noticed. There is a live spring in the basement. Every year on the occasion of Gurupoornima the basement is cleaned and opened to devotees. Several devotees are unaware about this awesome temple hence it remains less crowded. This architecturally important Trishund Ganpati Temple is truly awesome.

Reference: Pune Nagar SanshodhanVrutta and Gazette in bharatitihassanshodhanmandal