Structure to house set of two Lord Ganesha, wife goddess Sharada idols, facing north and east respectively
The 118-year old Akhil Mandai Ganpati Mandal is constructing a permanent temple for Lord Ganesha and his wife goddess Sharada in the vicinity of Mahatma Phule vegetable market. The temple will be housing a set of two idols, facing north and east, respectively.
In good faith: The site near Mahatma Phule Vegetable Market where the construction of a permanent temple is in progress.
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This is the second permanent temple being constructed by a sarvajanik ganeshotsav mandal. Nine years ago Shrimant Dagdusheth Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal had constructed a temple in Budhwar Peth.
“The construction work started a few months ago and is expected to get over by the year-end. We are planning to open the temple on the auspicious day of Ganesh Janma (Ganesha’s birthday) in January 2013. Two deities under one roof will be the unique feature of this temple. While one set of idols will be placed in the main temple, the other one will be in the meditation hall,” Akhil Mandai Mandal treasurer Sanjay Matesaid.
The set of idols that will be placed inside the structure. Pics/Vivek Sabnis
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore, the structure is being built by Samarth Constructions. While noted interior designer Abhijeet Pawar is planning its interiors, noted craftsmen Deepak Naik is building the aesthetically carved dome. The temple is being built on an area measuring of 3,000 square feet.
“Apart from getting donations from devotees, major funding is being done by a big business house from Pune,” Mate said. “All the required permissions for constructing the temple have already been sought from the PMC.”
CCTV security
The temple will have its own security arrangements and a set of 12 CCTV cameras for monitoring suspicious movement on its premises. “We are sure that everything will go smoothly as per schedule,” Mate said.
Expertspeak
“Worshiping two deities in a temple are permissible. While one of the deities will be facing north, the second will be facing east. Both deities have their own importance and people have faith in both of them,” Sanskrit scholar Pandit Vasant Gadgil said.
Move well received
Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati Sarvajanik Mandal treasurer Mahesh Suryavanshi welcomed the move of constructing a permanent temple for Akhil Mandai Mandal.
“This is convenient for the devotees, as they can worship their respective deities whenever they want. Dagdusheth Ganpati temple was constructed in 2003 at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore. Devotees from outside the city visit the temple every Sunday and Tuesday,” said Suryavanshi.u00a0
Following suit
The 50-year-old Babu Genu Ganpati Mandal in Tulsibaug area too is planning to construct its own permanent Ganesha temple. The temple will be constructed in the same area soon said the mandal’s treasurer Dilip Jadhav.u00a0
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