Chaturshrungi
goddess is the reigning deity of the city of Pune. She is also known as Mahakali,
Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Ambareshwari. Her temple is situated on the
slopes of a mountain in the northwest part of the city of Pune. The temple is in the midst
of nature's scenic beauty. This ninety feet high and one twenty five feet wide temple is
looked after by Chatushringi Devasthan turstees, with full dedication.
There
is a very interesting story behind this temple. In Pune a banker i.e. money-lender and
mintowner of Peshwas, named Durlabhadas, was a great devotee of Saptashringi Devi. Every
year on full-moon day of Chaitra, he travelled from Pune to Vani, near Nashik for
the Devi's darshan. As he became old and physically weak he could no more continue
his visits. With a great sorrow he prayed to the goddess.
He
had a sakshatkar (meeting with the goddess). The goddess told him that for him, she
would come and stay on a mountain in the northwest direction of Pune. The place as
described by her was traced out and lo! Swayambhu devi was already there! This is
her temple. durlabhseth minted a Chatushringi rupee, to celebrate the occasion.
Day
after day this temple became an important place and had her devotees coming from all over
India. After durlabhdas, late Dastageer Gosavi and his disciples looked after the temple.
Later, it went to the Angal family and for the fifth generation now it is with them.
Devotees
are the real patrons of this devasthan. The steps to the temple, the dharmashalas, the
well, the roads and the devi's ornaments, etc have come from the bhaktas (devotees)
only. |