District Court, Pune

These Judicial Building were declared open by the Hon’ble sir Charles Gordon hill

Fawcett Kt I C S PUISNE Judge of the High court of Judicature Bombay on Monday 5 th Nov

1928. The Buildings were designed 1st the office of the consulting architect to the Government of

Bombay and were constructed under the supervision of officers on the head quarters works

division of the public works department.

Estimate & sanctioned Rs.-20,00,000/- actual cost Rs. 19,50,000. The work was

completed on 24th nov 1923 & completed on 31st October 1928. The following officers were

responsible for the design & construction of the work. S Woods hill A.R.I.B.A., F.U.B. & J.

MERCER L.R.I.B.E. Consulting archicts.-E.P.Watson AMICE P.L.Bowers CIE MC AMICE &

A.E.SHARP, BSc AMICE Executive Engineers J.K.PANSE Assistant Engineers K.B. Mandke

contractor.

Additional Information about Pune District

Pune District is in the western region in Maharashtra in India. It is bounded by

Thane District to the northwest, Raigad District to the west, Satara District to the

south, Solapur District to the southeast, and Ahmednagar District to the north and

northeast.

Pune district lies in the Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountain range and it

extends on to the Deccan Plateau on the east. Pune stands on the leeward side of the

Western Ghats. Pune is at an altitude of 559m.(1863 ft.). Pune district is located

between 17.5° to 19.2° North and 73.2° to 75.1° East. In Pune district, there are two

municipal corporations, namely Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-

Chinchawad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

Pimpri Chinchwad is located at the West of Pune city, touching the Pune-

Mumbai National highway. The corporation covers the area of Nigdi, Akurdi, Pimpri,

Chinchwad and Bhosari. The said area is developed by MIDC as an industrial zone.

Rivers and lakes and Dams

Major rivers of the district are: Pushpavati, Krushnavati, Kukadi, Meena, Ghod,

Bhima, Bhama, Andhra, Indryani, Pavna, Mula, Mutha, Ambi, Mose, Shivganga,

Kanandi, Gunjavni, Velvandi, Neera, Karha, Velu etc.

Some major dams are:

Yedgaon (Kukadi), Pimpalgaon (Pushpavati), Manikdoh, Meena (Meena), Dimbe

(Ghod), Chas-Kaman and Ujani (Bhima), Andhra (Andhra), Valvhan (Indrayani), Pavna

(Pavna), Mulshi (Mula), Temghar, Khadakwasla (Mutha), Varasgaon (Ambi), Panshet

(Mose), Chapet (Kanandi), Bhatgar (Velvandi), Devghar, Veer (Neera)

Lonavla region (Wadgaon-Maval Taluka) can be called as lake district of

Maharashtra due to numerous lakes in this area viz, Bhushi, The Lonavla lake, INS

Shivaji, Pavna, Valvhan, Tungarli, Andhra, Shirawta lake. However the Sahyadris and

its branches offer lot of opportunity for damming the streams leading to large number

of lakes in Pune district.

Six Ashtavinayak Ganeshas In Pune

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of

India, The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage covers the eight holy temples of

Ganesha .All the Eight Ashtavinayak Templs are Swayambhu (self-originated) and

Jagrut.There are various names of Lord Ganesh for various places. The various

names of Lord Ganesh are Moreshwar, Mahaganpati, Chintamani, Girijatmak,

Vighneshwar, Siddhivinayak, Ballaleshwar and Varad Vinayak . These Temples are

situated at Morgaon, Ranjangaon, Theur, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Siddhatek, Pali and

Mahad. These places are at Pune, Ahamadnagar and Raigad district. Of the 6

vinayakas in Pune district area.

(1) Shri Siddhivinayaka

Ashtavinayak , Siddhatek

Significance of Siddhatek – Shri Siddhivinayaka

Ashtavinayak: God Vishnu is supposed to have vanquished the

asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here. This is the

only idol of the eight Ashtavinayakas with the trunk positioned to its

right.

Siddhtek is a remote little village along the river Bhima in the

Ahmednagar district and Karjat tehsil in Maharashtra. The

Siddhivinayak Ashtavinayak Temple at Siddhtek is considered an

especially powerful deity. It is believed that it was here on the Siddhtek

Mountain, that Vishnu acquired Siddhi.

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state

of India, The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage tour covers the eight

holy temples of Ganesha which are situated around Pune.

(2) Shri Chintamani Ashtavinayak, Theur

Significance of Theur – Shri Chintamani Ashtavinayak : Ganesha is believed to

have got back the precious Chintamani Jewel from the greedy Guna for sage

Kapila at this spot. However, after bringing back the jewel, sage Kapila put it in

Lord Ganesha’s neck naming him as the Chintamani Vinayak.

At Theyoor in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra is the

Ashtavinayak temple dedicated to Chintamani Vinayak. The village is along the

river Mulamutha. Lord Ganesha as Chintamani is god who brings peace of mind

and drives away all perplexities of the mind.

It is believed that Brahma the creator once felt tharva that is restive. To still

his mind he called upon Lord Ganesh. The place where Brahma achieved the

quietude he was looking for is known as the Sthavar region or as Theur.

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of India,

The Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage tour covers the eight holy temples of

Ganesha which are situated around Pune.

(3) Shri Girijatmajavinayaka Ashtavinayak,

Lenyadri

Significance of Lenyadri – Shri Girijatmajavinayaka Ashtavinayak : It is

believed that Parvati (Lord Shiva’s wife) performed penance to beget Ganesha at this point.

This temple stands amidst a cave complex of 18 caves of Buddhist origin. This temple is

the 8th cave. These are called Ganesh- Leni as well.

Lenyadri is to the North of Pune, along the Kukdi river. The Ganesh Puran calls this

place as Jirnapur or Lekhan Parbat. Girijatmaj Vinayak refers to the Ganesh as the son of

Parvati. Girija is another name for Parvati and Atamaj means son. This is the only temple

of the Ashtavinayak which is on a mountain and is set in a Buddhist cave-temple

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of India, The

Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage tour covers the eight holy temples of Ganesha which are

situated around Pune.

(4) Shri Mahaganpati Ashtavinayak , Ranjangaon

Significance of Ranjangaon – Shri Mahaganpati Ashtavinayak: Shiva is believed

to have worshipped Ganesha before fighting the demon Tripurasura here. Constructed so

that the rays of the Sun fall directly on the idol (during the southward movement of the

sun), the temple bears a distinct resemblance to the architecture reminiscent of the 9th &

10th Centuries.

The Maha Ganpati at Ashtavinayak is the most powerful representation of Lord

Ganesha. Maha Ganpati is depicted as having eight, ten or twelve arms. It is after invoking

this form of Ganpati that Shiva vanquished the demon Tripurasur and so he is also known

as Tripurarivade Mahaganpati.

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of India, The

Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage tour covers the eight holy temples of Ganesha which are

situated around Pune.

(5) Shri Moreshwara Ashtavinayak , Morgaon

Significance of Morgaon – Shri Moreshwara Ashtavinayak : The temple is

covered from all sides by four Minarets and gives feeling of a mosque if seen from a

distance. This was done to prevent attacks on the temple during Mughal periods. There is a

Nandi (Shiva’s Bull mount) sitting in front of the temple entrance, which is unique, as

Nandi is normally in front of only Shiva temples.

The Mayureshwar or Moreshwar temple is along the Karha river in the Morgaon

village . A temple that looks like a tiny fort from a distance, it is situated in the Baramati

Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. The idol of Mayureshwar is in the garbhagriha,the

sanctum in which only the head priest is permitted entry. The deity is three eyed, seated,

and his trunk is turned towards the left. The eyes and the navel of the deity are studded with

precious diamonds. On the head are seen the fangs of Nagaraj. The deity is flanked by

brass idols of Siddhi and Buddhi who are considered the consorts of Ganesh. In front of the

deity stand a mouse and a peacock.The original idol is actually much smaller than it seems

but continuous anointing of the idol with sindoor has resulted in the idol seeming much

larger than it actually is. It is believed that this layer of sindoor peels off on its own every

100 or 150 years, revealing the actual idol.

(6) Shri Vigneshwara Ashtavinayak , Ozar

Significance of Ozar – Shri Vigneshwara Ashtavinayak : The demon Vighnasur,

after being defeated by Lord Ganesha pleaded to show Mercy. Ganesha granted his plea,

but on the condition that demon should not go to the place where Ganesha worshipping is

going on. In return the demon asked a favour that his name should be taken before

Ganesha’s name, thus the name of Ganesha became Vighnaharta or Vighneshwara.

On the banks of the Kukdeshwar river, Ozhar Ashtavinayak is where Lord

Vighneshwar resides. Lord Ganesha is known as Vigneshwara or the remover of all

obstacles, this he achieved by vanquishing the demon Vighnasura .Vighneshwara's temple

is situated on the banks of river Kukadi. Among Ashtavinayak Kshetra Vighneshwara

Temple is the only temple with golden dome and pinnacle.

Ashtavinayaka or eight Ganeshas is located in Maharashtra state of India, The

Ashtavinayaka yatra or pilgrimage tour covers the eight holy temples of Ganesha which are

situated around Pune.

Forts in Pune

Shivneri fort

(Birth Place of Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj)

It is known as the birth place of Maratha king Shivaji. Shahaji

Bhonsale, Shivaji's father, was a general in the army of the Adil Shah,

Sultan of Bijapur. He was concerned for the safety of his wife Jijabai

during her pregnancy as there was constant warfare going on. He,

therefore moved his family to Shivneri fort. Shivneri is a highly

defensible location, with steep rocks on four sides and a strongly-built

citadel. Inside the fort is a small temple of goddess Shivai Devi, after

whom Shivaji was named so.

Dist From Pune: 94 Km.(Approx)

How To Go:

Buses are available for Junnar from Shivaji Nagar & Swargate. From

Junnar its 2 Km. by Road.

Torana Fort

This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.

In 1643, Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort at the age of sixteen, thus making it one of the first forts that would become the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort ' 'Prachandagad' ' as Torna, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.

In the 18th century, the Mughal empire gained control of this fort after assassination of Shivaji Maharaj's son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib (Language unknown: Divine victory), in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had

to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.

Location

The fort is about 100 km southwest of Pune in the Sahyadri mountain range. It is the highest fort in Pune district.

Sinhgad Fort

Simhagad meaning Lion's den, Previously called Kondana fort. It

is located in the south of Pune city, Maharashtra, India, situated on a

hill which rises 800 meters above the surroundings. The fort's location

has been strategically important since at least the 14th century and

has been the site of many important battles.

Dist From Pune: 25 Km.

How To Go:

PMPML Bus No: 50 ShaniwarWada To Sinhgad

Purandar fort

The history of the Purandar fort goes back to the 13th century.

The Bahamani Sultans in the 14th century built here some walls and

bastions. From 1484 AD, for about a hundred years, the fort remained

in the hands of the Nizamshahi rulers. In 1596 AD, the fort was given

as Jagir to Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Shivaji. However, Shivaji had

to struggle very hard to establish his control over the fort in 1646 AD.

In 1665 AD, Purandar was besieged by the mighty Mughal forces under

the command of Jai Singh and Dilir Khan. In the ensuing battle Murar

Baji Prabhu, the gallant commander of the fort, was killed.

Dist From Pune: 40 Km.

How To Go:

PMPML Bus No: 208 Hadapsar To Saswad

207 Swargate To Saswad

About Alandi

Alandi dewachi, a place located on the bank of river Indrayani.

Nearby Places:-

1. Saint Dnyaneshwar samadhi: Saint Dnyaneshwar, after

translating the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi attained samādhi in

front of LORD shri SIDDHESHWAR at Alandi. Alandi is thus a place

of pilgrimage and is venerated by many Hindus. A temple

complex has been built near the spot of Sant Dnyaneshwar’s

samadhi. It is visited by thousands of pilgrims, and in particular,

those of the Varkari Sect. On every Kartika Ekadashi (eleventh

day of the Hindu month of Kartik), a big festival is held at Alandi,

when the Yatra (procession of pilgrims) reaches the town.

2. Vitthala-Rakhumai Temple

3. Siddhabet: A place where family of Saint Dnyaneshwar was

living.

4. Jalaram Temple(Jain Mandir): Just like the one at Virpur Gujarat.

5. Dnyaneshwar’s Wall

6. Sant Tukaram Samadhi: The town of Dehu, where the samadhi of

Sant Tukaram is located, lies not far from Alandi.

7. Sambhaji Raje Bhosle Samadhi: Tulapur village is also lacated

near to Alandi (6 km) where samadhi of Sambhaji Raje Bhosle (Son

of Shivaji Maharaj)is located.

8.Sai Mandir: It is 4kms away from alandi on the alandi-pune rd.,

towards pune.

9.Gatha Mandir: Located in sidhhabet(Gopalpura), it is under

construction, where whole dnyaneshwari which was written by sant

dnyaneshwar, will be written on the walls. It will be the bigest

temple in the city.

10.Tulapur: A place known for chatrapati sambhaji maharaj samadhi

and sangam of three rivers bhima, indrayani and bhama

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