Shri Siddhivinayak Gundacha Ganapati Temple is located at Kasba Peth, one of the oldest and most historic parts of Pune city, Maharashtra.
The temple is believed to date back to the Peshwa era, and historical records suggest that the idol originally found here belonged to the 12th or 13th century. However, since the old idol was damaged, a new idol was made and consecrated in 1976. Over the years, the temple structure and sanctum have been renovated, while carefully preserving their traditional design.
The presiding deity is Lord Ganesha in the form of Shri Siddhivinayak Gundacha Ganapati. The idol is about 4 to 5 feet tall, carved completely out of stone, and painted in saffron color. Its trunk turns to the right side, which is considered especially powerful and auspicious. The idol is four-armed: the left hand holds a modak, the lower right hand shows the Abhaya Mudra of blessing, while the two upper hands hold a noose and a goad. A sacred serpent-thread (nagayajnopavita) and a yellow garment (pitambara) are carved into the idol. The expressive eyes, broad cheeks, and large elephant ears give the idol a divine and majestic presence.
Architecturally, the temple is built in the traditional Peshwa style. The sanctum was constructed in 1892 with stone and the temple features wooden ceilings, a dome, and a spacious assembly hall.
The temple got its name because many families in Kasba Peth carried the surname Gund, and it was associated with Nagoji Gund, who was linked to Nana Phadnavis. Over time, the deity became known as Gundacha Ganapati. In 1975, when the covering of the idol was removed, a broken but ancient idol was discovered inside, believed to date back to the 12th–13th century. Since it could not be reinstalled, a new idol was made the following year.
Originally, the idol of Gundacha Ganapati was a small stone murti (1–1.5 feet tall) with four arms. Over the years, continuous application of vermilion (sindoor) by devotees caused the idol to grow in size. Eventually, the outer vermilion shell detached, measuring around 3.5 x 3.5 feet. This detached shell is now preserved in the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune as an artifact of cultural importance. A new murti was then created based on the shape of the old shell, retaining the same look with vermilion covering and the right-turned trunk. Since then, this new idol has been worshipped in the temple and continues to receive great devotion.
Long ago, during the Peshwa period in Pune, Kasba Peth was a busy locality filled with merchants, craftsmen, and noble families. Among them lived a man named Nagoji Gund, whose house was close to the present-day temple site. His family was deeply devoted to Lord Ganesha.
It is said that one night, a local trader had a divine dream in which Lord Ganesha appeared before him. The Lord had a large belly, four arms, and a trunk curved to the right side. In the dream, Ganesha instructed the trader to build a temple in Kasba Peth and worship him in that form. The trader, taking this as a divine order, shared his vision with the community.
Since Nagoji Gund’s residence was close by, and he was an ardent devotee of Ganapati, the idol installed there came to be affectionately known as “Gundacha Ganapati”.
The main festivals here are Ganesh Chaturthi and Maghi Ganesh Jayanti, celebrated with special pujas, decorations, and offerings of modaks and durva. Devotees also visit regularly on Sankashti Chaturthi, seeking blessings to remove obstacles.
