Pune: Dagdusheth Ganpati Celebrations To Feature Stunning Replica Of Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Pune: Dagdusheth Ganpati Celebrations To Feature Stunning Replica Of Padmanabhaswamy Temple
To mark the 133rd year of Ganesh Festival, the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Public Ganpati Trust and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal will recreate the grand Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Kerala. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, this Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the 108 Divya Desams—sacred abodes of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnav tradition. This sacred and magnificent replica will be a special attraction for devotees visiting the Dagdusheth Ganpati celebrations this year, said Trust President Sunil Rasane.
The decoration launch ceremony was held at the trust’s decoration department near Hirabagh Kothi, opposite Sanas Ground, and was inaugurated by art directors Vinayak Raskar and Sarita Raskar. Present at the ceremony were Trust President Sunil Rasane, Vice Presidents Dr. Ramchandra alias Balasaheb Paranjape and Manik Chavan, Treasurer Mahesh Suryawanshi, Secretary and MLA Hemant Rasane, Joint Secretary Amol Kedari, Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal President Prakash Chavan, Yatish Rasane, Saurabh Raikar, Rajabhau Chavan, and several other office bearers and volunteers. Trustees and representatives from various temples, religious organizations, and Ganesh Mandals across Pune were also in attendance.
For many years, the Trust has been committed to creating stunning replicas of iconic temples. This year’s replica of Padmanabhaswamy Temple will combine Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles, complete with a five-tiered Gopuram (temple tower). The decoration will feature scenes from Krishna Leela, the Ramayana, and include depictions of sages, horses, elephants, and lions. The sanctum will house idols of Vishnu-Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, Shri Krishna, and Narasimha. A massive reclining idol of Lord Padmanabha will be placed in an octagonal dome above the main shrine.
The replica will be around 100 feet tall and will reflect intricate temple features. Lord Padmanabhaswamy is depicted in Anantashayana (eternal yogic sleep) pose on the serpent Adishesha, with Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhudevi on either side, and Brahma emerging from the lotus from his navel. The sanctum of the original temple shows the Lord through three doors—one revealing the head and Shiva Linga, the second showing Vishnu with Lakshmi and Bhudevi, and the third displaying His feet along with Sage Markandeya and Bhudevi.
The 2025 Ganesh Festival in Pune will offer devotees from across India and abroad a chance to witness this captivating recreation. The replica will be 120 feet in length, 90 feet in width, and 100 feet in height, featuring 30 grand pillars and 500 sculpted deities, sages, and divine figures. The sanctum will be adorned in golden hues, and the ceiling will be constructed in an octagonal shape. The main hall will be designed with strategically placed pillars to allow clear visibility of Lord Ganesh from a distance.
The temple replica is being designed by art director Vinayak Raskar, while the mandap arrangements are handled by Kale Mandapwale.
