About
Pune has a number of lush green hills which are frequented by visitors for exercising, jogging and rejuvenating. On many of these hills are located very old temples and shrines which hold cultural and spiritual importance to the devotees.
One such place is the Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple complex in Yerwada. Situated on a hilltop right next to Bund Garden Bridge, this temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahadev is another name for Lord Shiva). The main temple has been built around a cave which has a low stone ceiling and is most fascinating. There are other temples and shrines within the complex dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and other deities. Devotees believe the temple to be thousands of years old and call it a Pandavkalin Temple (a temple which is believed to have existed since the time of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata).
There are fascinating ancient stone idols of Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita, which were once within the main temple and have now been shifted under a large tree which stands right next to the temple within the same complex. One of the idols has a bow and an arrow carved on it.
Near the main entrance, there is an artistic Tulsi Vrindavan, which is a sacred stone podium or pedestal which houses the Tulsi plant which is also known as Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Next to the Tulsi Vrindavan is a Deepstambh, which is a stone pillar for lighting lamps.
Know Before You Go
The temple is located on the hill just north of Bund Garden Bridge. There are two approaches. If one wishes to walk up the hill, there is an archway at the base of the hill from where one can take the steps which lead to the temple entrance. If one has a vehicle, there is another approach, next to the steps. A road goes uphill and leads to the parking space next to the temple. There is sufficient space for parking vehicles.
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Published
June 19, 2026
