Trishunda Ganapati Temple, Pune: A Rare 3-Trunked Ganpati Shrine

Home > Ganpati Temples > Shree Trishunda Ganapati Temple

Shree Trishunda Ganapati Temple

Pune, Maharashtra

Quick Answer
Trishunda Ganapati Temple in Pune houses a rare three trunked Ganesha idol seated on a peacock. It was built in 1754 and is known for its unusual cave style stone carvings.
At a Glance
DeityTrishunda Ganapati, a rare three-trunked, six-armed Ganesha seated on a peacock
LocationPune, Maharashtra
Built / Origin1754 CE
TimingsGenerally open through daylight hours, roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM; being a smaller, quieter temple, exact hours are best confirmed locally.
Entry FeeFree entry.
VIP / Special DarshanNot applicable; this is a smaller heritage temple with light, manageable footfall outside major festivals.
Nearest AirportPune International Airport, about 10 to 13 kilometres away.
Nearest Railway StationPune Junction railway station, a short distance away in central Pune.

About This Temple

This is one of the most distinctive Ganesha temples in India, both for its unusual idol and for its carved stone architecture resembling an ancient rock cut cave shrine, though it was actually built in the eighteenth century.

History and Puranic Background

The temple was constructed in 1754 by Bhausaheb Rangari, a devotee known formally as Dhonduji Wamanji Rangari, who is also remembered in Pune's history as an early figure connected with public Ganesh worship in the city, well before the more widely known public Ganeshotsav of the later nineteenth century.

The idol here is unusual because it has three trunks, called trishunda in Sanskrit, rather than the single trunk seen in most Ganesha idols across India. He is shown seated upon a peacock rather than the more common mouse vahana, and is depicted with six arms. Such distinct iconographic forms of Ganesha are described across various Puranic sources, including the Mudgala Purana, which lists several forms and incarnations of Ganesha beyond the single popular image most devotees know.

The temple walls are carved with scenes showing the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and several other mythological figures, giving the shrine a rich visual record of Puranic stories carved directly into stone, in a style deliberately built to resemble much older rock cut cave temples of India.

The temple's link to Puranic literature on Ganesha's varied forms is offered here as general background, since no surviving inscription at the temple names a specific verse describing this exact three-trunked form.

Sacred Sloka

एकदन्तं महाकायं लम्बोदरं गजाननम् । विघ्ननाशकरं देवं हेरम्बं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥

Ekadantam Mahakayam Lambodaram Gajananam, Vighnanasakaram Devam Herambam Pranamamyaham.

Meaning: I bow to the One-Tusked, mighty-bodied, large-bellied, elephant-faced God Heramba, the remover of obstacles.

Source: A traditional dhyana (meditation) verse used for Ganesha's various forms described across the Puranas, including the Mudgala Purana, which lists eight incarnations of Ganesha and several distinct iconographic forms.

Why Devotees Visit

The temple is valued today mainly for its rare iconography and stone craftsmanship, drawing both devotees and visitors interested in temple art history.

[Image needed: Wall carvings depicting Puranic scenes]
Suggested alt text: "Shree Trishunda Ganapati Temple Wall carvings depicting Puranic scenes"

How to Reach

By Air: Pune International Airport, about 10 to 13 kilometres away.

By Train: Pune Junction railway station, a short distance away in central Pune.

By Road: Located in Somwar Peth, Pune, close to the city's old market areas, reachable by city buses, autos and taxis.

Pooja and Rituals

  • Daily Aarti, on a smaller and quieter scale than Pune's larger Ganpati temples
  • Occasional heritage and temple-art focused visits, given the rare iconography carved into the walls

VIP Darshan

VIP darshan isn't a relevant category here, as this quieter heritage temple sees light, easily manageable footfall outside the major festival period.

Travel Tips

  • Located in Somwar Peth, Pune, close to the city's old market areas.
  • The temple is smaller and quieter than Pune's more famous Ganpati shrines, suitable for an unhurried visit.
  • Can be combined with a heritage walk covering Kasba Ganpati and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati on the same day.

Live Darshan

There is currently no official 24x7 live darshan video stream available for Trishunda Ganapati Temple. In the meantime, here is a video of the temple:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Trishunda Ganapati temple timings?

The temple is generally open through daylight hours, roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, though it is worth confirming locally as it is a smaller shrine.

Why is the Trishunda Ganapati idol unusual?

The idol has three trunks instead of the usual single trunk, six arms, and is seated on a peacock rather than the more common mouse vahana, making it one of the rarest Ganesha iconographic forms in India.

How do I reach Trishunda Ganapati temple?

It is located in Somwar Peth, Pune, close to Pune Junction railway station and Pune International Airport, both reachable within a short city ride.

Who built Trishunda Ganapati temple?

It was built in 1754 by Bhausaheb Rangari, formally known as Dhonduji Wamanji Rangari, an early figure in Pune's public Ganesh worship history.

Explore More Ganpati Temples of India

Continue exploring more sacred Ganpati shrines across India:

Advertisement