Ganesh Festival

Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati

The most famous Ganpati of Pune, in Budhwar Peth. Open all year, with special decorations and lakhs of visitors during the festival.

Quick facts

Location:: Budhwar Peth, near Shaniwar Wada
Started by:: Dagdusheth Halwai, a sweet maker
Open:: All year
Darshan timings:: Check before visiting

History

Dagdusheth Gadve was a well-known sweet maker (halwai) of Pune. In the late nineteenth century, after the death of their only son, he and his wife installed a Ganesh idol on the advice of their guru. The temple and the mandal named after him grew into the most famous Ganpati of the city.

The temple and the festival

The temple is open all year and is visited by thousands of people every day.
The idol is richly decorated with gold ornaments.
Every Ganesh festival the mandal builds a large decoration, often a model of a famous temple.
The trust runs social work such as an old age home, help for children and health services.