Saras Baug

Saras Baug is a major landmark in City of Pune in India. The place where the park now stands was once occupied by a small lake. However, the lake got dried up and was later developed into Saras Baug. The whole 25-acre (100,000 m²) complex is known as Saras Baug. Pune is among the 10 largest cities of India with est. population over 5 million. The Ganesh temple in Saras Baug is also known as Talyatla Ganpati (in Marathi:तळ्यातला गणपती )

History

The Construction of the Temple started in 1750 under the direction of the Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa and Mahadji Shinde of the Maratha confederacy. The temple construction completed in 1784 with the idol of Hindu Lord Ganesh in the temple. The temple was built in the Lake near the Parvati Temple which was also the primary residence of the Head of the Maratha confederacy. The inscription in the temple reads

|| देवदेवेश्वर सुतं देवं | सारासोद्यान भूषणं || || कल्पद्रुमां त्वां भक्तानां | वन्दे सिद्धीविनायकं ||

Several renovations were done to the temple and the area surrounding it in the last 219 years. One of the renovation was done in 1842 with the help of East India Company of the British empire.

The last major renovation was done in 1969 under the direction Mahadev Kumthekar and Anandrao Mane. As part of the last renovation a Zoo called Peshwe Park was added to this 25-acre (100,000 m²) area. This garden, Temple & the Zoo are one of the primary landmarks of Pune.

In 1995 a small museum displaying over few hundred idols of Lord Ganesha was added to the temple premise.

Location

The temple was constructed within 3 miles (4.8 km) of Parvati Temple, which was the primary residence of the head of the Maratha confederecy in the 18th & 19th century.

The Saras Baug is located within a mile of the Swargate which is a ground transport station for Pune.

Interesting fact

The temple was also used for military strategy discussions by Marathas against the Nizam & British Empire in the 18th & 19th century as it was away from the Parvati Temple. The Peshwa, his commander & the advisors would go to the Saras baug by boat to discuss the issue & plans. Its also recorded that the boats were steered by the Non-Natives like Africans for complete secrecy, as they will not understand the local language Marathi.

See also

• Baug

External Links

Location of Saras Baug on Wikimapia [1]

Official Website [2]