Maticha Ganpati Mandir-Pune

The ‘Maticha’ or earthen Ganpati is located along the Kelkar Road at Narayan Peth in the city of Pune. The deity is large in size. Similar to other temples other deities like Mahadev, Nagoba are also housed in the temple Opposite the temple is the old ‘deep mal’ or the stone column designed placing oil lamps. The temple is being maintained by the Shrotri family since the last few generations.

The idol installed at this temple is the biggest in Pune and is made from mud and clay. Maticha Ganpati Temple was built in the 1770s. As old Pune was situated at the bank of Ambil River, lots of clay soil was easily available. The idol was carved by small children and installed in brass shades. It is light orange in colour.

There is no accurate history as to when it was built but the temple finds its mention in 1774 when Sawai Madhavrao offered Dakshina here. This makes it clear that the temple was built before that.

It is believed that the place where the temple is located was a forest and Cowherds who used to halt at this place would make Ganesha idols of clay and later break them while leaving the place. Morya Gosawi, who was on a tour of Ganesh temples, advised the cowherds not to break the idols and offer prayers instead — hence it got the name Maaticha Ganpati.

In 1961, when the city has submerged in water due to the Panshet flood, the temple was also submerged and it was under water for over six hours. Many believed it would have been damaged as the idol was made of clay but nothing happened to either idol or temple.