Jul 20

Balaji_Temple_Narayanpur_Pune_10

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!

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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.

View Larger Map

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!

Balaji_Temple_Narayanpur_Pune_01The 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.

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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.

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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!

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Similar places around Pune:

  1. Ramdara temple near Loni Kalbhor village

written by Rajaram S


86 Responses to “Balaji Temple at Narayanpur Village”

  1. 1. Ajat Says:

    Nice photos

  2. 2. preeti Says:

    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….

  3. 3. Rajaram S Says:

    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.

  4. 4. shridhar Says:

    nice pics sir,
    pls inform torist places to pune

  5. 5. rohit Says:

    hi chal ta hey kya?

  6. 6. Ajay S: Says:

    good photos , now I’m tempted to visit here soon !

  7. 7. Chetan Says:

    Hi…thanks for the post was really helpful ….

  8. 8. santosh shripathi Says:

    Good photoes nice environment.

  9. 9. b nilesh Says:

    thanks so beatiful
    govinda govinda govinda

  10. 10. b nilesh Says:

    thanks so beatiful
    govinda govinda govinda

  11. 11. Bhavika Says:

    Hi,
    I am Bhavika,software engineer.Beautifull scenes and u took nice photographs really.This photos are very helpful for my websites.Thanks………….

  12. 12. navnath Says:

    hi…..verry beatiful photo and balaji tempel

  13. 13. Aru Says:

    Good Clips. m more excited to visit this place. Nice briefing up.

  14. 14. vishal patil Says:

    plz send all photographs on my email id plzzzzzzzzzzzzz all r the vry beutiful pictures very preety pics

  15. 15. abhijeet tandale Says:

    nice photo

  16. 16. abhijeet tandale Says:

    send all photo to my email id sir

  17. 17. atish Says:

    how many distence form mumbai to balaji temple, narayanpur to jejuri to dagdusheth halwai ganpati to ekvira

  18. 18. Narasinga Says:

    Good Pictures

  19. 19. Goykar Says:

    Nice

  20. 20. Ari Says:

    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.

  21. 21. Ari Says:

    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.

  22. 22. vishakha Says:

    plz send all that photographs,its really too nice plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz send me all photos soon

  23. 23. Ramana Says:

    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.

  24. 24. Arvind Says:

    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 .

  25. 25. Sukumar Says:

    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

  26. 26. Ram Says:

    could you please tell the nearest railway station for narayanpur balaji temple?
    i want to come from thane. whether can i catch satara train?

  27. 27. Kanchan Says:

    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:)

  28. 28. leena Says:

    hiii
    please wil you help me by giving contact number of balaji temple pune.

  29. 29. shanti Says:

    very good photographs , and feed back is indeed good , would like to visit very soon . Thanks to all

  30. 30. Harshad Says:

    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.

  31. 31. Murthy Pamidi Says:

    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!

  32. 32. Srikanth Says:

    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.

  33. 33. PRATYUSH Says:

    Nice & descriptive route mentioned…..especially for the ones starting from Magarpatta.

  34. 34. ramdas Says:

    very good photographs
    Plz send all photographs on my email id
    Its really too nice

  35. 35. SETU Says:

    I LOVE TO GO AT BALAJI TEMPLE AND PHOTO TEMPT ME TO GO AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

  36. 36. mallesh b Says:

    Nice Description.Now it is for me to go there.

  37. 37. Harish Says:

    Hey, Buddies tnx for sharing such a aswsome details .is it possible to go by bike/scooter?

  38. 38. Rajaram S Says:

    yes, it is just over an hour’s drive from pune. You can easily go by bike/scooter.

  39. 39. kapil patil Says:

    can u pls send me the contact no of this trust

  40. 40. Mahi S. Says:

    Can someone plz share the contact information of Narayanpur Balaji temple.

  41. 41. Pravin Says:

    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.

  42. 42. Rajaram S Says:

    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.

  43. 43. DEVESH (GRAVITY) Says:

    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 !!!

  44. 44. Rajaram S Says:

    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

  45. 45. Anand Says:

    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

  46. 46. Raghunathan Says:

    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

  47. 47. Uma Kant Says:

    I visited the temple two days ago, Its Marvolous, the paintings are beutiful, every one should visit this place.

  48. 48. Pallavi V Says:

    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.

  49. 49. Mala Says:

    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.

  50. 50. Nisha Says:

    Hi. Thanks for giving information about this lovely place… Next month i am visiting pune… I am now desperetly waiting to see this place. :-)

  51. 51. kailash Says:

    THE BEST REPLICA – WELL MAINTAINED- PRIVATE TEMPLE- WORTH VISITING MANY TIMES

  52. 52. R N Kushwaha Says:

    Very good photos , I liked it. Thanks

  53. 53. krishna Says:

    Hi,

    can anyone let me know whether kalyanostavam is also conducted as in tirupati..

  54. 54. krishna Says:

    is there any accomodation available there at the balaji temple….

  55. 55. Rajaram S Says:

    not sure ..but pune is just 1 hr away…

  56. 56. DEVJANI Says:

    i want to visit to this place hw i can reach from mumbai by train

  57. 57. ankit Says:

    hi,
    thnx for the info of the route.
    n really nice pics :)

    –Ankit

  58. 58. RASIK KARIA Says:

    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

  59. 59. SANJAY PAWAR,SATARA Says:

    the balaji temple photo is very creative and naturally buitifull photo,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

  60. 60. SANJAY PAWAR,SATARA Says:

    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”

  61. 61. Kamalraj Says:

    Hello,

    Very good pictures and the narration is good as well

    Kamal

  62. 62. Madan Says:

    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

  63. 63. lata hanjankar Says:

    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)

  64. 64. Vinay Raut Says:

    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?

  65. 65. Sandeep Patil Says:

    Class, Zakasss, ultimate location & very Beautifully photograpy.

  66. 66. Debashish Says:

    Excellent post! Is this the same temple that’s listed at http://sribalajimandirpune.com?

  67. 67. Rajaram S Says:

    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.

  68. 68. anuja mahtre Says:

    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?

  69. 69. Harish Shinde Says:

    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………..

  70. 70. Jayram Says:

    Very nice holy place. I would like this temple.

  71. 71. muralidhar menon Says:

    hi, very good photos

  72. 72. V. Ravikumar Says:

    Hi, Nice coverage with beautiful photographs. I am tempted to visit this temple now.

  73. 73. rekha raichur Says:

    is there any facility for senior citizens like wheel chairs for those who cant walk from car parking to temple..
    please reply soon.

  74. 74. Rajaram S Says:

    Yes, i remember seeing such facilities.

  75. 75. RMohan Says:

    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?

  76. 76. Sumathy Mohan Says:

    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.

  77. 77. Sumathy Mohan Says:

    Yes, They provide wheel chairs for disabled persons and senior citizens. Staff are very polite.

  78. 78. Rajaram S Says:

    thanks Sumathy for providing the details. I am sure that it will be helpful to many.

  79. 79. Sumathy Mohan Says:

    Beautiful photos

  80. 80. ganesh iyer Says:

    Could any one give details the distance from Pune to visit the Temple, and if travelling by taxi, what would be the cost ?

  81. 81. Sumathy Mohan Says:

    It is about 50 kms. We went by car. But from Pune swargate you get buses, share autos and taxis

  82. 82. SANJAY PAWAR,NANDWAL Says:

    ” 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,,,,,,,,,,,

  83. 83. SANJAY PAWAR,NANDWAL Says:

    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,

  84. 84. SANJAY PAWAR,NANDWAL Says:

    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,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

  85. 85. SANJAY PAWAR,NANDWAL Says:

    BALAJI NAMES

    Vaikuntanatha
    Vaikuntavasa
    Venkata
    Venkatesa
    Venkateswara
    Vrushadhri
    Vrishabhaachala
    MR.SANJAY PAWAR,SATARA,,,,,,,,

  86. 86. Vijay Says:

    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

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