Parvati Hill and Temples

Parvathi temple is situated 5km away from the city centre, on the southern outskirts of the town on the top of a hill called Parvati hill. Parvati hill is situated at a distance of approximately 1 km from Swargate and 4 km from Deccan Gymkhana. It is one of the most beautiful sites in Pune. Located at a height of 2100 feet above the sea level, one has to climb about 103 steep and narrow steps to reach the hill top. The steps are said to be the fine stonework of Maratha period. By standing on the top of the hill one can get a clear view of Pune. Main attractions on this hill are the 'Nagarkhana' drum house, temples of Parvati and Devdeveshwar.  

Parvathi temple was built by the 3rd Peshwa Nana Saheb in the 17th century. There is a story behind the construction of the parvathi temple. The history says that, once when Kashibai, the mother of the third Peshwa was suffering from a rigorous ailment in her right foot, one of her advisors said her about the temple of Goddess, which was located on the top of a hill in pune that has a miraculous healing power. She went to the temple and prayed for her recovery. She promised to build a temple on the hill if she gets cured of her ailment. Kashibai recovered from her desease and her son Nana Saheb built the renown Parvati Temple.

The temple was once used as the shrine of the Peshwas and also said to be the ultimate resting place of Nana Saheb Peshwa. Legend says that it was at this place where Balaji Bajirao, the Peshwa ruler watched the defeat of the British at the Battle of Kirkee. The main idol of the temple carved out of gold by the Karnataka craftsmen was stolen in 1932 and then a silver idol plated with gold was placed in the temple. The temple houses a museum, which exhibits the portraits of heroes of the Peshwa dynasty, old manuscripts, weapons and coins. The Samadhi Sthan of Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa, who lived here in his last days can be found near the museum. The small temples of Vishnu, Ganapati and Kartikeya are the added attraction. The temple opens from 5. 00 am - 8. 00 pm