My first outing in Pune was to the Balaji temple near Narayanpur village. I didn’t take my camera with me at that time, but the place/route was good enough to make a second visit within 2 months. The balaji temple near narayanpur is meant to be a replica of the Tirupati temple in all aspects. The priests there have come from Tirupati and every “sevai” done is similar to the one in tirupati. They even give out one laddoo to every visitor!
The temple is very well maintained and if you visit quite early in the day (they open at 5 AM) , you can see the main deity in a matter of minutes whereas on a weekend or in the later half of the day, quite a queue builds up. In summer, the ground gets really hot and it can be quite an experience to reach the comfort of the shade from the point where you leave your slippers.
Route from Pune to Narayanpur: I stay in Magarpatta, so all the routes mentioned start at Magarpatta! Go towards hadapsar market. Do not go over the flyover, go tothe left of it. Once you see the hadapsar bus stand (to the right, when going from magarpatta), you have to go around it . You have to go on this quite a long distance to reach Saswad village. You will cross a Ghat section to reach Saswad. Once you reach here, you would see a bus stand (a bigger bus stop to be precise!) and also a Sivaji Statue (not a good landmark, as there are hundreds of Sivaji statues all over Maharashtra). Beyond this bus stand, you will see sign boards for Narayanpur. The moment you take this turn, you will enter a maze of extremely small streets. After crossing this village, the greenery starts to open up. This road will take you right into Narayanpur and to the Balaji temple beyond that.
One of the landmarks you will see on the way is the structure below while crossing a narrow bridge. I somehow get reminded of Angkor Wat whenever i see this photo, dunno why!
The first time when i visited here, the surroundings were pretty dull, but everyone told me that things drastically change with the onset of the monsoons and they were right! The whole route was bathed in green with numerous small waterfalls and streams dotting the sides of the road.
A trip which should normally take around an hour one-way ended up taking almost double the time, because the temptation to stop the car and go out and take photographs was too much to overcome.
Just a few kilometres ahead of the balaji temple is the fort hill of Purandar. A small road goes to the left (with clear signs, albeit in Marathis). If yo don’t know Marathi/Hindi, look for the Sivaji photo! We had not planned a visit to this fort, but i drove towards it just to see the demo version so that i can plan an exclusive trip later. The road was in a pretty bad condition. We met one passer-by and confirmed that this indeed was the road up to Purandar. He confirmed that and said that road condition is much worser further on. It had also started raining heavily by then. So, we turned back. But a walk/trek up to Purandar (a drive, if your car is well insured) is a must on the to-do list!
Similar places around Pune:
December 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Nice photos
December 25th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
is der any accomodation available der at the balaji temple….
can i get sum contact no. wherein i can contact n get d further info…
plz can u help me as soon as possible….
December 26th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
hi ..to my knowledge, there is no accommodation at the temple. But this place is just an hour and a half drive away from pune. I guess you can use Pune as your base.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
nice pics sir,
pls inform torist places to pune
January 11th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
hi chal ta hey kya?
February 16th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
good photos , now I’m tempted to visit here soon !
February 21st, 2010 at 9:09 am
Hi…thanks for the post was really helpful ….
February 26th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Good photoes nice environment.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
thanks so beatiful
govinda govinda govinda
February 28th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
thanks so beatiful
govinda govinda govinda
March 11th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hi,
I am Bhavika,software engineer.Beautifull scenes and u took nice photographs really.This photos are very helpful for my websites.Thanks………….
March 20th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
hi…..verry beatiful photo and balaji tempel
April 16th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Good Clips. m more excited to visit this place. Nice briefing up.
April 20th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
plz send all photographs on my email id plzzzzzzzzzzzzz all r the vry beutiful pictures very preety pics
May 4th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
nice photo
May 4th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
send all photo to my email id sir
June 8th, 2010 at 11:16 am
how many distence form mumbai to balaji temple, narayanpur to jejuri to dagdusheth halwai ganpati to ekvira
July 6th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Good Pictures
July 19th, 2010 at 2:37 am
Nice
August 11th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Hi,
I would like to go to this Balaji Temple from Magarpatta City using public transport. I’m assuming a Saswad bus is available from Hadapsar-Gadital Bus Depot. Do you’ve any idea whether any shuttle/bus available for narayanpur from Saswad bus stop?
Thanks,
Ari
>>>
Ari, there are buses directly to Narayanpur. From there, a share auto would take you to the temple.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Do you mean direct buses are available from Hadapsar-Gadital Bus Depot only? If not, any idea from where I can get this bus? Also if you can give clue about the frequency of these buses, would be of great help.
>> Ari, no idea about the frequency, but i have seen on many forums that many buses are available to Saswad/Narayanpur from Hadapsar/Swargate.
August 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
plz send all that photographs,its really too nice plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz send me all photos soon
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:35 am
Yesterday I did a drive via this route and believe me it wa pretty good compared to highway driving! Not much traffic beyond Hadapsar. few KM from Hadapsar the road was damaged but drivable. Also after Saswad, the road was kind of problem due to a bridge construction.
But once you are out of Saswad, the drive is real beauty. I highly recommend.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Hi all,
There is direct bus to temple available from Swargate (Pune) to Balaji Temple (Ketkawale),, From 0700, 0715, 0845, 0945 & 1045,
As my experience 0845 is good, you’ll reach around 1045, no big queue, will get Darshan in 20-25 minutes. Get prasad, and you can move to you have your free lunch offered by Trust. (Typical andhra Rice Sambar we’ll be available – taste is also good),,,,,,,,,,, (but don’t forget to take coupons from prasad counter which is inside the temple, they will issue you the same time while you take you laddu (prasad) – present this @ lunch counter then you will get your free food)
Now ,, back,,,, best option will be,
take any mode to come Kapurvol, just 4 km away. then in a minutes you will get direct bus to swargte……………
Direct bus is also available @ 1515 from temple to swargate .
September 6th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Dear Mr. Rajaram
I have been watching your blog for a year and half now… surprizingly after every trip I complete (almost every trip) I see information from you. I am a great lover of travelling and exploring places. I really enjoy your descriptions and pictures too… I have few more plate for you to visit if you have not been to as of now… I am trying to figure out your location in magarpatta too… as I stay in kharadi. I will meet you sometime for sure…
By the way,
The places you can visit:
1. Shivneri fort
2. Malshej Ghat
3. Dapoli (konkan)
4. Shrivardhan (konkan)
5. Murud (Konkan)
6. Amboli
and many more….
I couldnot afford for a good camera as on today and also a car, ofcourse I did all the rounds in my car which I had to sell for some reasons after marriage… I covered all the places in borrowed cars
I have a few favourite places which I would like to see from your camera… awesome descriptions….
I have a lot to say to you… I will keep saying…
……
Sukumar
September 18th, 2010 at 11:50 am
could you please tell the nearest railway station for narayanpur balaji temple?
i want to come from thane. whether can i catch satara train?
November 11th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Hi Arvind,
thanks a lot for the detailed info abt the buses which ply betn ketkawale and swargate. I was looking for the same:)
thank u again:)
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 pm
hiii
please wil you help me by giving contact number of balaji temple pune.
November 23rd, 2010 at 11:59 am
very good photographs , and feed back is indeed good , would like to visit very soon . Thanks to all
December 4th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Beautiful place… i have not yet vsited but this weekend surely going to visit there… nice pics.
i just got the perfect required info regarding the place..
thanx.
December 4th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
The photographs and the narrative are attractive and interesting. Well, I am a travel buff too, so would like to interact with you more over email. I live in M.Patta too, incidentally.
Nice work!
December 13th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
People who are planning from Magarpatta or Hadapsar ca follaw this.
1) Go to Swargate from Hadapsar.(Charge Rs 10-15 by Bus). Journey 20mins.
2) Outside the Swargate BusStand you can find no.of Sumos going to Balaji Mandir. they wil drop you at the entrance of the NarayanPur.(Charge Rs 30-35).
Journey 60-90mins
3) From the entrance of NarayanPur U can get Mini Vans.(Charge Rs 5-10). Journey 10-15mins
This is the easiest ways who are traveling by Public transport.
December 14th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Nice & descriptive route mentioned…..especially for the ones starting from Magarpatta.
January 4th, 2011 at 11:49 am
very good photographs
Plz send all photographs on my email id
Its really too nice
January 6th, 2011 at 11:52 am
I LOVE TO GO AT BALAJI TEMPLE AND PHOTO TEMPT ME TO GO AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
January 8th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Nice Description.Now it is for me to go there.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Hey, Buddies tnx for sharing such a aswsome details .is it possible to go by bike/scooter?
February 24th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
yes, it is just over an hour’s drive from pune. You can easily go by bike/scooter.
March 20th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
can u pls send me the contact no of this trust
March 23rd, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Can someone plz share the contact information of Narayanpur Balaji temple.
April 10th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Hi
Nice desription, but only one comment on comparison between Shivaji Maharaj and Mayavati. The place of Shivaji Maharaj is incomparable to anybody, thats why he is worshiped by fellow Maharastrian and with immense proud we create statues of Him in all the places in Maharashtra. But your comparison of his statues with Mayavatis has hurted the feelings. If you can remove that statement, it will be really great! I respect the freedom to talk your mind, but still its my humble request to you.
Thanks,
Pravin.
April 10th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Ok, changed it.
It is not because i wrote it with wrong intentions and have backtracked, but because u have politely asked me to do so while respecting my freedom of speech
I got few other messages swearing, shouting, cursing me and obviously i didnt respond to those nerds!
Anyway, i had originally written in a lighter vein only.
April 25th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I m eager 2 get tirupati balaji’s add of pune can u guys help me 2 get this plzzzz
send me the add on devesh_graphic2007@yahoo.com
Ty 4 helping me !!!
April 26th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Devesh, as written in the post, it is very close to the village of narayanpur which is close to Saswad. If you want the postal address, i dont have it
May 20th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Dear Friends,
The route to Balaji temple in PUNE is not clearly listed anywhere. I visited Balaji temple last week 7th May 2011. Distance from Vashi to Pune Balaji is 177km. There is no clear indication of road or temple in this road. Once you are in New Expressway, drive straight proceeding towards Satara road. After Pune exit bypass road it is approximately 40kms. The temple road appears on your left. there will be lot of chaos on that road as it is busy junction. Village name is Ketkawale. From that Junction take left and drive 3KM. parking is available near temple. You can park, keep your shoes in rack, wash your feet then proceed. Near Shoe rack counter there is Kalyanakatta wherein you can get tonsure done. Not a single paisa has to be paid anywhere. Everything is free. Darshan will take max 15mins. It is generally not crowded. Kindly collect food coupon in the temple after darshan. Food is simple like plain rice and some type of Sambhar & Rasam combination with red chutney. They do offer multiple servings. For Sr citizen Dining table is available. Wheel chair is also available. During Summer the entire stretch is very hot since it is stone based path. Carry your children upon your shoulder to avoid foot burning
May 29th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Hi all,
Mr. Aravaind’s information dt. 24.08.2010 on the temple route and bus timings are useful and I shall try to visit.
thanks,
Raghunathan
June 3rd, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I visited the temple two days ago, Its Marvolous, the paintings are beutiful, every one should visit this place.
June 3rd, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Hi, i want to visit balaji temple of naranpur near pune. Can anyone tell me the route from solapur? Does anyone know about the bus nos. & timings from solapur? Is there any way to go there directly from solapur or i will have to go first to pune?? Pls reply soon.
June 23rd, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Dear Mr.Rajaram,
It is indeed a good narration about the temple and the surroundings. we also visited the Balaji temple in 2006. It is really a worth place to visit and we can have good dharshan of Balaji without any chaos.
Thanks for the detailed write up.
July 6th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Hi. Thanks for giving information about this lovely place… Next month i am visiting pune… I am now desperetly waiting to see this place.
July 15th, 2011 at 8:00 am
THE BEST REPLICA – WELL MAINTAINED- PRIVATE TEMPLE- WORTH VISITING MANY TIMES
July 31st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Very good photos , I liked it. Thanks
August 1st, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Hi,
can anyone let me know whether kalyanostavam is also conducted as in tirupati..
August 1st, 2011 at 8:19 pm
is there any accomodation available there at the balaji temple….
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:44 am
not sure ..but pune is just 1 hr away…
August 5th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
i want to visit to this place hw i can reach from mumbai by train
August 14th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
hi,
thnx for the info of the route.
n really nice pics
–Ankit
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
We have visited the temple once and would like to visit again in December,
We would like to know whether is there any facility for Mundan to be done at Tirupati Balaji temple at Naryanpur – will be highly oblige to receive your reply as early as possible.
Regards
Rasik Karia
August 31st, 2011 at 5:37 pm
the balaji temple photo is very creative and naturally buitifull photo,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
August 31st, 2011 at 5:44 pm
NARAYANPUR DATTA DHAM, KETKAVALE BALAJI TEMPLE,AND JEJURI KHANDOBA MANDIR IS THE VERY FAMOUS PLACE IN PUNE DIST,,,,,,,,,,
SPECIALIST IN BALAJI TEMPLE IS CLEARITY CLEANING, AND SYSTEMATICS PLANNING IN DARSHAN LINE IS VERY CREATIVE NIND,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
YOU MUST VISIT TO THE THREE PLACE IN PUNE,,,,,,,,,,
SHRI. SANJAY B. PAWAR, NANDWAL, KOREGAON, SATARA,
“JAY MAHARASHTRA”
“JAY BALAJI”
JAY GURUDEV DATTA”
JAY KHANDOBA”
September 7th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Hello,
Very good pictures and the narration is good as well
Kamal
September 29th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Hi, my family want plan to visit Pune Balaji temple in diwali vacations & i want to know about any other places near that area & accommodation also.
Thanks
October 30th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Hi, my family want plan to visit balaji mandhir pune please will you help me by sending d information about accomodation we r cuming frm kandivali (mumbai)
November 4th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Hi, my family planing to visit balaji mandhir, narayanpur. will you please help me by sending information about Bhakt Niwas or Hotel ? we r coming from mumbai any direct tours or travel company available for journey?
November 7th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Class, Zakasss, ultimate location & very Beautifully photograpy.
November 11th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Excellent post! Is this the same temple that’s listed at http://sribalajimandirpune.com?
November 11th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
just checked the link. It is a different one. The one in Narayanpur is run by the same trust as that of the Tirupati temple.
November 18th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
i would like to work in the temple at any post can any1 tell me its procedure where to submit the c.v? and whom to contact?
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hi,
Excellent Temple. I went 3 times to Balaji temple in Pune. That was memorable experiences to me. I like to there again again again………..
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:36 am
Very nice holy place. I would like this temple.
December 10th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
hi, very good photos
December 10th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Hi, Nice coverage with beautiful photographs. I am tempted to visit this temple now.
December 14th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
is there any facility for senior citizens like wheel chairs for those who cant walk from car parking to temple..
please reply soon.
December 14th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Yes, i remember seeing such facilities.
December 24th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Any body knows the telephone number of the temple. I would like to take my 82 year old father. SO I want to know the darshan timings. Does it close in the afternoon?
December 29th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Just visited Balaji Temple Narayanpur. Lovely place very well maintained Very neat and clean – not only the temple, but the surroundings, Annadanam hall and chappal stands even toilets. Need not pay a single paise for anything . The temple is open all the time from morning 6 to evening 8 or so. No mobiles and cameras allowed inside the temple but we can lodge them for safe keeping near the entrance to the temple and take pics of the places outside the temple. But we don’t get to see the regular karpoora arathis, holy water – theertha prasadam or shadari or not even kumkum or haldi powder. So I did not get the feeling of visiting a temple.A donnai (leaf cup) of boondhi was given as prasad and we can not buy extra prasad. There are several sannidhis – Lakshmi, hayagreevar, hanumar, Garuda, chakkarathazwar, padmavathy and Andal. But no archakas only gaurds just asking us to move forward. No Agarbatti smell or any smell typical of south indian temples. Food was hot – it is free – but onlyone cup of plain rice and rasam, a little bit of sheera and quarter teaspoon of some chutney and we get second helping of rice and rasam ONLY and Nothing else. We had to stand in the queue for 45 minutes for that – longer than we stood for Darshan. No comparison to Tirupati.
December 29th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Yes, They provide wheel chairs for disabled persons and senior citizens. Staff are very polite.
December 29th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
thanks Sumathy for providing the details. I am sure that it will be helpful to many.
December 31st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Beautiful photos
January 10th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Could any one give details the distance from Pune to visit the Temple, and if travelling by taxi, what would be the cost ?
January 14th, 2012 at 10:43 am
It is about 50 kms. We went by car. But from Pune swargate you get buses, share autos and taxis
January 14th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
” JAY BALAJI,SHRI BALAJI,
THIS MANDIR IS BUILT IN YEAR 2006, VERY CREATIVE MIND PERSON BUILT THE MANDIR, “THE GOD BALAJI IS VERY LORD GOD,,,,,,,,,,,IS CALLED SECOND TIRUPATI IN MAHARASHTRA,,,,,,,,,, AND 5 KM. FROM BALAJI, THE GOD DATTA BHAGWAN, MANDIR IN NARAYANPUR IS VERY POWERFUL GOD IN OUR MAHARASHTRA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, “VISHWACHAITANYYA SADGURU ANNA MAHARAJ” IS THE GREAT SADGURU IN MAHARASHTRA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
IIT IS THE SECOND AVTAR OF DATTA MAHARAJ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
“DATTA MAJHARAJ BLESS TO OUR ALL DATTA BHAKT,,,,,,,,,,,
MR. SANJAY PAWAR, NARAYANPUR DATTA BHAKT,,,,,,,,,,,
January 14th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Common people believed that something good will happen in their life if he visits Tirupati Balaji temples. Many businessmen give a share of profit to this temple, on a regular basis. By the grace of Lord Balaji, the impossible things are made possible and the delighted people want to thank him in the form of putting some money in the Hundi at the temple. The daily Hundi collections exceed Rupee one crore and some people put gold, silver coins and jewellery also in the Hundi. The people stand in long queues patiently, to have the darshan for few seconds. People believe that Lord Venkateshwara will come to our rescue if we give him a call and relieve us from our problems, whether we are a strong devotee or not. Many people give a vow to the Lord Balaji that they will visit Tirupati temple and leave the ego by tonsure, which is giving away the prestigious hair. Some people engage in fasting and do prayers to Lord venkateshwara to win his grace.
MR.SANJAY PAWAR,SATARA, NANDWAL,
January 14th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Tirupati Balaji Temple is the holiest place and one of the largest temples in the world. It is situated in the Eastern Ghat in Chittoor district. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara mean Hindu God Vishnu. It is believed that in this Kalyuga, one can get mukti only by worshipping to Shri Venkateswara at Tirupati.
MR.SANJAY PAWAR, NANDWAL ,SATARA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
January 14th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
BALAJI NAMES
Vaikuntanatha
Vaikuntavasa
Venkata
Venkatesa
Venkateswara
Vrushadhri
Vrishabhaachala
MR.SANJAY PAWAR,SATARA,,,,,,,,
January 17th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Its amazing! I am planning to visit this place on my bike.
I don’t have no company but still i will go there.
I wish that i should visit almost 90% of the historical places in Maharashtra.
Jai Maharashtra.
Aai bhawani cha ude ude