Dehu is a small town in Pune district, Maharashtra, India, that is famous for being the birthplace of Sant Tukaram, one of the most revered saints and poets of the Bhakti movement. Sant Tukaram was a 17th-century saint who composed and sang devotional songs called abhangs in praise of Lord Vitthal. His abhangs are considered to be the epitome of Marathi literature and culture. Visit during Pune To Dehu-Alandi One day Trip.
One of the most important places to visit in Dehu is the Gatha Temple, which is a temple dedicated to Sant Tukaram and his abhangs. The Gatha Temple is also known as the Abhang Mandir or the Tukaram Maharaj Mandir.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Gatha Temple, Dehu, such as its location, timing, entry fees, how to reach, things to do, must see, significance, FAQs, and conclusion.
Location of Gatha Temple
Gatha Temple is located in the heart of Dehu village, near the Indrayani river. It is about 30 km from Pune and 150 km from Mumbai.
Timing/ Entry Fees Gatha Temple
Gatha Temple is open from 6 am to 9 pm on all days of the week. There is no entry fee to visit Gatha Temple. However, you may have to pay a nominal fee if you want to perform any rituals or offerings at the temple.
How to Reach Gatha Temple
There are different ways to reach Gatha Temple from Pune or Mumbai. You can either take a bus, a train, a taxi, or a self-drive car. The nearest bus stop is at Dehu village, from where you can walk or take a local taxi or an auto-rickshaw to Gatha Temple. The nearest railway station is at Akurdi, from where you can take a cab or a bus to Dehu. The nearest airport is at Pune as well, from where you can hire a taxi or a car rental service to Dehu.
Things to Do/ Must See Gatha Temple
Gatha Temple is a sacred and historical place to visit the birthplace of Sant Tukaram and his abhangs. You can do the following things at Gatha Temple:
- See the idol of Sant Tukaram, which is made of marble and depicts him sitting on a rock with a veena in his hand.
- Read the abhangs of Sant Tukaram, which are inscribed on the walls of the temple in Marathi and Devanagari scripts. There are about 4,500 abhangs written by Sant Tukaram in his lifetime.
- Listen to the recitation of the abhangs by the priests and devotees, which are done every day in the morning and evening. You can also join them in singing and chanting the abhangs.
- Visit the samadhi of Sant Tukaram, which is located behind the temple. It is believed that Sant Tukaram attained moksha (liberation) here by boarding a celestial chariot that took him to Vaikuntha (heaven).
- Visit the house of Sant Tukaram, which is located near the temple. It is a simple and humble house where Sant Tukaram lived with his family and composed his abhangs.
- Visit the Indrayani river, which flows near the temple. It is a holy river where Sant Tukaram used to take bath and perform his rituals. You can also take a dip in the river or perform puja (worship) at its banks.
Significance of Gatha Temple
Gatha Temple is significant for several reasons. It is one of the most sacred and historical places in Dehu because of its association with Sant Tukaram and his abhangs. It is also a place where you can experience the spiritual and cultural heritage of Maharashtra and India. Gatha Temple is also a place where you can seek blessings and inspiration from Sant Tukaram and his teachings.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Gatha Temple:
- What are the festivals celebrated at Gatha Temple? The festivals celebrated at Gatha Temple are mainly related to Sant Tukaram and his abhangs. Some of the major festivals are:
- Tukaram Beej: This is the death anniversary of Sant Tukaram, which falls on the second day of the second half of Phalguna month (February-March) as per the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees gather at Gatha Temple and sing his abhangs throughout the night.
- Ashadhi Ekadashi: This is an auspicious day that falls on the eleventh day of the first half of Ashadha month (June-July) as per the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees undertake a pilgrimage called wari from Dehu to Pandharpur (the abode of Lord Vitthal) by walking for about 250 km. They carry palanquins (palkhis) with the padukas (footprints) of Sant Tukaram and other saints along with them.
- Guru Purnima: This is a day that falls on the full moon day of Ashadha month (July-August) as per the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees pay homage to their gurus (spiritual teachers) and seek their guidance and blessings. Sant Tukaram is considered to be one of the greatest gurus in India.
- What are some other places to visit near Gatha Temple? Some other places to visit near Gatha Temple are:
- Dehu Fort: This is an ancient fort that was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670. It is located on a hill near Dehu village and offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.
- Alandi: This is another town in Pune district that is famous for being the birthplace of another saint and poet of the Bhakti movement, Sant Dnyaneshwar. Alandi has many temples and monuments related to Sant Dnyaneshwar and his siblings.
- Bhimashankar: This is one of the twelve jyotirlingas (self-manifested shrines) of Lord Shiva in India. It is located in Khed taluka of Pune district and attracts many pilgrims and tourists.
Conclusion
Gatha Temple is a sacred and historical place to visit the birthplace of Sant Tukaram and his abhangs in Dehu. It offers a glimpse into the life and works of one of the most revered saints and poets of India. It also offers an opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural richness of Maharashtra and India. If you are looking for a divine and enlightening experience in Pune or Mumbai, you should definitely visit Gatha Temple
