Chatushrungi Devi Temple, Pune

Majestically set atop a four-peaked hill along Senapati Bapat Road, Pune, Chatushrungi Devi Temple is the city’s reigning Shakti Peeth and stands as a symbol of faith, strength, and local legend. The temple’s roots trace back 250 years to the Peshwa era, when Durlabhsheth Pitambar Das Mahajan—a prominent moneylender and mint owner—dreamed of bringing the goddess Saptashrungi from Vani to Pune, guided by her miraculous vision. Excavating on this hillside, he discovered a self-manifested (swayambhu) idol, sparking the foundation of this beloved temple and a new tradition in the region

The main shrine is dedicated to Chatushrungi Devi, also worshipped as Ambreshwari, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. True to her name meaning “four crests,” the temple complex stretches across four hillocks, with summits housing shrines for Durga, Lakshmi, and Ganesh—as well as eight miniature temples for the Ashtavinayak forms of Ganapati. Devotees ascend more than 170 easy-walking steps (with regular resting points) through red-and-white arched gateways to reach the sanctum, which is adorned with five to seven hundred kilograms of silver in its arches, trunks, and canopy. A grand saffron flag flies atop the shikhara, visible across Pune, and at Navratri the entire slope blooms with the festival’s vibrancy

The temple—spanning a vast 2.5-acre campus and rising 90 feet—was designed for natural beauty and convenience, now enhanced with gardens, fountains, dharmashalas, and an escalator for easier access. The silver-crowned self-manifested idol sits in a makhar, radiating divine presence. The lower level houses the unique Ganapati temple, with Ashtavinayak murals and replicas along the side walls.

Managed by the Chatushrungi Mandir Trust, the temple is a local pilgrimage hotspot. The Navratri festival draws a million devotees, with lamp-lighting traditions during Tripurari Purnima and daily aarti sessions that energize the spiritual pulse of the city. Visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., making it a serene retreat any time of day