Trishund Ganpati Temple

Within the maze of residential lanes in an older part of the city of Pune stands a fascinating temple from the 18th century. As one approaches the structure, the beautiful architecture stands out in its full glory. It is called Trishund Ganpati Temple.

The facade of the temple is one of its most striking features. It is decorated with a number of figures and animals. The rectangular main entrance is flanked on either side by statues of two Dwarapalakas (The guardian deities or gatekeepers of temple entrances).

The temple was built between 1754 and 1770, with the structure being a mix of Rajasthani, Malwa, and South Indian styles of architecture. The idol of Lord Ganesh within the temple complex is unique and interesting. It has three trunks, hence the name Trishund, which means “three trunks.”

The temple is constructed from Deccan stone basalt, while the idol is made from pure black basalt stone. On a wall in the inner sanctum, there are inscriptions in Devanagari, Sanskrit, and Persian, as well as verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The temple is a beautiful example of the fascinating heritage of India.