Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple in Pune, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesh. The temple is located a short distance from the historical Shaniwar Wada fort, which was administrative headquarters of Peshwas of Maratha Empire.

The temple was founded in 1893 by Dagadusheth Halwai, and has thus been in the service of devotees since 117 years, a sweetmeat seller who became a wealthy businessman. Halwai had lost his son the previous year, and at the request of his guru created murtis (image of a deity) of Ganesha and Dattatreya. He later established the Halwai Ganapati Trust. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, during the British Raj, gave a public form to the Ganesh festival celebrations as a way of getting around an order that barred public meetings.

The beautifull idol of Ganesha is adorned with gold and precious jewellery which have been offered to the Elephant God by the devotees as a token of their love and affection. The idol of Ganpati has a solid gold ear and is decorated with nearly 8 kilos of gold.

The festivities of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati festival attract people from all over India and now in this age of liberalization and globalization, from all around the world.

The goal of the trust is to make the celebration of Ganeshotsav based on the principles set out by Tilak and the path of devotion shown by saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. To make it a celebration of morality and humanity and nationalism.

Source: http://dagdushethganpati.com

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