Ghodeshwar temple the hidden gem in pune

‘Ghorwadeshwar’ (मराठी: घोरवडेश्वर) was on my mind since quite some time. Last month, I visited this place with my friends. We reach there  in the dusky evening and drove to Ghorwadeshwar base. We parked our vehicle there and started climbing the mountain.

To reach Ghorwadeshwar:

Start from Pune and take old Pune-Mumbai highway.
Cross Dehu, Shelarwadi to reach village called ‘Somatane’.
On left hand, you will see entrance of ‘Ghorwadeshwar’ and stone steps on the huge mountain.
Total distance is 35-40 Kms.

There are stone steps till the half way and rest of the steps construction is still in progress. It was good trek and we climbed the mountain to reach the top. Cold breeze refreshed us and we rested for a while below the tree. And then we began to explore…

Total 11 caves and many water tanks date back to 3rd or 4th century. There is a Chaitya gruha which has 3 small rooms dug on left side, 4 on right side and similar 2 on back side. The main stupa is now turned into ‘Ghorwadeshwar’ temple. The sabha mandap is big to accommodate devotees. The Gabhara is extension to it and has no door. I found the shivlinga quite unique in shape from the rest. The base of this shivlinga is squared and not circular in structure. Some of the wall has carved messages in Brahmi lipi.
The panorama of Shelarwadi, Dehu, Talegaon, Somatane was on front side and on back side there were traces of concrete jungle in Hinjewadi. We sat on the rock for some time to figure out these places with our bino.
I must say a must visit place in Pune if you really fond of serene ambiance with sunset view.