Pune is the great land of the Peshwas and the Maratha rule in the past. And due to its rich past and historical significance the city still holds on to so much cultural relevance. From various monuments to historical structures you will find a bit of history at a lot of locations here. One such beautiful architectural marvel is the Omkareshwar Temple Pune. This is an important site of pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva. People from all over the world visit this temple to pay their respect to the deity here. However, not just spiritually the temple also holds a lot of importance historically and culturally as well. Moreover this temple in Pune is one of the popular sites to visit for tourists as well.
This temple in Pune is one of the oldest temples in Pune and has a very serene environment too. So if you are ever visiting Pune definitely plan a visit to the Omkareshwar Temple. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you need to know about the Omkareshwar Temple in Pune. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this temple anytime soon.
Omkareshwar Temple Pune
Omkareshwar Temple Pune address: Balgandharva Bridge, 233, near Chandra Shekhar Govind Apte Road, Shaniwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra
Omkareshwar Temple Pune timings: 5 am to 12:30 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
How to reach
By air
The Pune International Airport is the nearest airport to reach the Omkareshwar Temple Pune. From the airport the temple is 10.7 km away and you can reach there in about 27 minutes. You can take a cab or hire a car to reach the temple from the airport. However you can also opt for local transport like auto rickshaw to reach the temple from the airport in Pune.
By train
The Pune Junction Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach the Shree Omkareshwar Temple Pune. From the railway station the Omkareshwar Temple is only 4.3 km away and it would take around 15 minutes to reach there.
By road
The area is well connected to major cities and towns so you can take buses from anywhere to reach Pune. From Mumbai the distance of the temple is 147. 9 km and you can easily reach there in about 3 hours and 8 minutes via Bengaluru- Mumbai Highway. You can also take your own vehicle to reach the temple as well. Or you can also take a cab or hire a car to reach the temple from different parts of the city. Local transports like auto rickshaws are also good ways to communicate within the city. However keep in mind that the entry points to the temple have narrow points. So it would be more convenient to travel via local transport if you are reaching the temple.
Best time to visit Omkareshwar Temple Pune
You can visit the temple during any time of the year, but ideally the months from August to February are ideal in Pune according to the weather. During this time the weather is mostly pleasant and you will be able to explore the area well. The summer months can be too hot and humid in Pune, so that would not be the best time to make a visit here. Also the monsoon months can be a dampener due to the unfavourable and unpredictable weather. The colder months will be comfortable for a visit so plan your visit accordingly.
Omkareshwar Temple Pune History
The Omkareshwar Temple Pune located in one of the oldest localities of Shaniwar Peth is an important temple dating back to the 17th century. This temple is synonymous with the Marathas, the Maratha tradition as well as the Maratha culture. Chimaji Appa the commander of the Maratha Empire and one of the most important commanders of Peshwa Bajirao built this temple. The construction of this temple goes back to the period between 1740 and 1760. Located on the bank of the Mutha River this temple is a dedicated temple of Lord Shiva.
However, other than the shrine of Lord Shiva the temple also houses the Samadhi of Chimaji Appa and that is one of the major attractions of this temple. Also according to beliefs Chimaji Appa’s wife Annapurna had committed Sati after his death in 1741 in this premise itself.
Other than being an important site of pilgrimage and a symbol of Maratha heritage, this temple also holds a lot of importance in the Indian Freedom Struggle. Prominent revolutionaries like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Veer Savarkar had used this temple as a Taalim. They had used this as a site to burn British goods to show their non cooperation and discord towards British rule. Also this was a popular site for them where they held important meetings and planned their next moves.
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Architecture of Omkareshwar Temple Pune
The temple has a beautiful and splendid architecture that is one of the major highlights of this temple. You will find a very specific Maratha influence in the style of the architecture and design of the temple. The temple has a Nagara style of Sikhara that looks majestic with engraved deities on it. There are deities like Lord Ganesha, Makardhwaj, Dattaguru, Vyasa and Keerti Mukha. Furthermore there are spacious verandas along with columns which are ornamented that elevate the look of the temple. These columns are of different shapes like that of square, circle and polygonal. Also they have beautiful carvings on it.
In the sanctum sanctorum or the Garbhagriha the Shiva lingam is present. It has a very calming ambiance and has a very positive aura that will let you connect to your spiritual side. Apart from the main deity of Lord Shiva the temple also has shrines of other deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, Lord Hanuman and Lord Shani. There is a constant chanting of mantras or hymns in the temple that will take you into a different world altogether. This definitely adds up to the tranquility of the ambiance of the temple. Also this place is ideal for meditating and prayers and it will let you connect you to your inner self.
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Things to remember before visiting
1. The morning time is the ideal time for a visit to this temple as the temple is least crowded at that time. Also it would be more peaceful to visit the temple during that time of the day.
2. It is mandatory to wear clothes that are modest and cover the whole body and that applies to both men and women. Dresses like short skirts, shorts, mini dresses, and sleeveless clothes are not allowed here.
3. Inside the temple premises consumption of alcohol, tobacco and smoking is a strict no-no.
Wrapping Up!
Now that you have all the information about the Omkareshwar Temple in Pune, plan a visit there. If you are visiting Pune then you must pay a visit to this temple and you will instantly feel motivated. The ambience of the temple is really peaceful and the architectural structure will also win over your heart. So you must include visiting this temple while exploring the temples in Pune. Let me know when you are planning a trip to this temple. Also let me know if this article on the Omkareshwar Temple is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
