The Hidden Temple of Pashan: 900 Years of Mystery, Devotion, and the Shivaji Maharaj Connection
The Hidden Temple of Pashan: 900 Years of Mystery, Devotion, and the Shivaji Maharaj Connection
When you think of Pune, you might picture forts, colleges, or maybe its buzzing food spots. But did you know that hidden inside Pashan lies one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva, dating back nearly 900 years? The Someshwar Temple isn’t just another temple. It holds stories of miracles, Peshwas, and even Rajmata Jijamata and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Let’s take a closer look.
Why Someshwar Temple Is Special
For many devotees of Lord Shiva, a temple is not just a place of worship but also a retreat where one feels connected with the divine. Someshwar Temple in Pashan, Pune, is one such place. This isn’t just another shrine, it’s one of the oldest Lord Shiva temples in Maharashtra, still standing tall after almost nine centuries. Hundreds of devotees visit every year, but not everyone knows the fascinating legends attached to it.
What makes Someshwar Temple truly unique is its Swayambhu Shiva Lingam, which means self-originating. According to folklore, around 700 years ago, a cow was seen sprinkling milk over a snake hole in the forest every day. The cowherd looking after it was puzzled. That night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and told him to dig at that very spot. When he did, he discovered a Shiva Lingam that had emerged naturally from the ground. From then on, the site became a sacred place of worship.
The Story of the Peshwas
This temple also has strong ties to Maratha history. In the late 18th century, Shivrambhat Chitraswami, a spiritual preacher, found a pot of gold coins buried near the temple. He handed it over to Peshwa Nanasaheb (Balaji Baji Rao), who used the money to renovate the temple. Today, Nanasaheb’s samadhi can still be seen in the temple complex.
And that’s not all, history tells us that Rajmata Jijabai herself came here to worship Lord Shiva between 1640 and 1650, often accompanied by her son, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Imagine that, the same steps you climb today were once walked by Shivaji Maharaj and his mother.
Later, in 1884, the temple was rebuilt with public funds, adding white marble pillars. The temple trust again renovated it in 2012, using marble from Rajasthan to preserve its old stones.
Architecture That Stands Out
The Someshwar Temple is a beautiful example of Hemadpanti architecture, built using black stone nearly 900 years ago. Spread across 3.5 acres, it sits on the banks of the Ramnadi River, a tributary of the Mula River.
The temple has three entrances: one from Someshwarwadi, one from the side of the river, and another from the west. The walls are thick, almost like a fort, and as you step inside, you are greeted with stone stairs that look like ghats leading down to water. The entire structure feels both simple and grand at the same time.
Temple Timings
The temple is open every day of the week. Darshan is completely free for all devotees. The timings are from 8 AM to 7 PM. You may donate if you wish, but it is not mandatory.
How to Reach Someshwar Temple
Getting here is easy. Someshwar Temple is located in the neighborhood of Someshwar Wadi in Pashan, a short distance southeast of Baner-Pashan Link Road. From Pune Junction railway station, it’s about 10 km away, while Pune Airport is around 17 km. Autos, buses, and taxis are easily available. If you’re coming from Mumbai, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will connect you straight to Pashan.
Someshwar Temple isn’t just stone and marble, it’s a living piece of Pune’s history.
From the Swayambhu Shiva Lingam to the stories of the Peshwas and the footsteps of Shivaji Maharaj and Jijamata, every corner has something to tell.
