Beautiful Baneshwar

Pune is located in the western ghats and this amazing location not only ensures a cool and salubrious climate to the city, but also provides for the many different weekend getaways all around Pune.

Dried out waterfall at Baneshwar near Pune View at Picasa Dried out waterfall at Baneshwar near Pune22-Mar-2009 18:38, Canon Canon PowerShot S3 IS, 4.0, 9.1mm, 0.008 sec

Baneshwar is located nearly 35 kms away from Pune and is a wonderful place for a small picnic. Baneshwar is named so as it is located in a thickly wooded area and Ban means “Forest” in the local parlance.

Baneshwar temple was constructed by Bajirao Peshwa. Inspite of being this old, the temple surroundings are serene and clean. The temple at Baneshwar has five shivlingas and two idols of Lord Vishnu and goddess Laxmi inside the inner sanctorum. There is an ancient bell, a dharamasala and a tank of water besides a small garden behind the temple.

Baneshwar near Pune View at Picasa Baneshwar near Pune06-Jun-2009 18:42, Canon Canon PowerShot S3 IS, 3.2, 9.0mm, 0.013 sec

Just a short distance from the temple is a waterfall, which when we visited was nearly empty, but is usually full of water and a great place to relax. The stream and waterfalls are the major attractions of Baneshwar temple. Baneshwar is surrounded by verdant greenery on all sides, with small huts and fields dotting the landscape.

Beautifully painted hut at Baneshwar near Pune View at Picasa Beautifully painted hut at Baneshwar near Pune22-Mar-2009 18:32, Canon Canon PowerShot S3 IS, 3.5, 26.8mm, 0.008 sec

Apart from the small eateries that you find in the town adjacent to the temple, there is not much foood available around Baneshwar. Best option is to have food before you leave from home or pack your tiffins and eat in the pleasant shade of the trees around Baneshwar temple.

Small lake at Baneshwar around Pune View at Picasa Small lake at Baneshwar around Pune22-Mar-2009 18:27, Canon Canon PowerShot S3 IS, 4.0, 6.1mm, 0.002 sec

How to Reach Baneshwar:
Baneshwar can be accessed by state transport buses from Shivaji Nagar and Pune station.

If you decide to drive down to Baneshwar, you can take the Pune Blore highway – NH 4 and move on the same till you reach Narsapur village and pass by BPCL Coco Petrol Pump. Turn right and move on the approach road to Baneshwar temple.