Pune: Shri Kasba Ganpati Temple Closed for Three Weeks for Idol Restoration
Pune, 11th December 2025: The iconic Shri Kasba Ganpati Temple, revered as Pune’s gramdaivat (presiding deity), will undergo the removal of the sindoor layer from the idol for the first time in its recorded history. The restoration work will begin on December 15, and the temple will remain closed to devotees until the process is completed, temple trust chairman Vinayak Bajirao Thakar announced during a press conference on Wednesday.
Temple treasurer Heramb Thakar and trustees Sangeeta Thakar, Swanand Thakar, Ashapurkar Thakar, Mihir Thakar, Mandar Thakar, Tejas Thakar and Harshad Thakar were also present.
The ancient self-manifested idol has recently shown signs of the sindoor coating peeling off. Considering Shri Kasba Ganpati’s importance as the fulfiller of devotees’ vows and its deep cultural and spiritual significance for the city, the trust decided that immediate restoration was necessary to prevent damage to the original idol.
The trust has sought guidance from idol conservation experts, religious scholars and the Archaeology Department. The restoration will be carried out in a traditional, ritualistic manner under expert supervision, focusing specifically on the main idol in the sanctum.
The sindoor removal and subsequent restoration are highly sensitive procedures and are expected to take around three weeks, though the duration may vary depending on progress, Thakar said. The management has assured that the temple will reopen for devotees as soon as the work is safely completed.
The Shri Kasba Ganpati Temple is among Pune’s oldest and most historically significant shrines, with references dating back to around 1614. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have praised the deity as “Jayati Gajanan,” underscoring its revered place in Maratha history.
