Pune: Dagdusheth Ganpati Trust To Recreate Kerala’s Iconic Padmanabhaswamy Temple For This Year’s Ganeshotsav Celebration
Pune, 31st May 2025: The revered Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust will recreate a grand replica of the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, for this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations. Known for blending Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles, the replica is expected to be a major attraction for devotees.
The decorative work began on Saturday at Hirabagh Kothi, opposite Sarasbaug grounds, under the artistic direction of Vinayak and Sarita Raskar. The announcement was made by Trust President Sunil Rasne, who was joined by Vice President Balasaheb Paranjape, Manik Chavan, Treasurer Mahesh Suryawanshi, MLA and General Secretary Hemant Rasne, and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal President Prakash Chavan.
According to Rasne, the replica will feature a five-tier gopuram (temple tower) depicting various mythological themes, including Krishna Leela, the Ramayana, the Saptarishis, as well as intricately carved figures of horses, elephants, and lions. Inside the sanctum, idols of Vishnu-Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, Lord Krishna, and Narasimha will be placed. Above the main altar, in an octagonal structure, a majestic reclining idol of Lord Padmanabhaswamy will be installed, capturing the temple’s spiritual grandeur.
The idol will be viewable through three symbolic doors, reflecting the unique tradition of the original temple. Through the first door, devotees will glimpse Lord Padmanabha along with a Shiva Linga beneath his hand. The second will showcase golden idols of Padmanabha, Shri Devi, and Bhoo Devi, along with a silver Utsav Murti. The third door will reveal the divine feet of the deity alongside representations of Bhoo Devi and the sage Markandeya.
The replica will be an architectural marvel, measuring 120 feet in length, 90 feet in width, and rising to a height of 100 feet. It will feature 30 grand pillars and nearly 500 intricately sculpted statues of deities, sages, and seers. The sanctum will be adorned in golden hues, with the ceiling crafted in an octagonal design. The spacious main hall will be constructed in a way that allows devotees to view the idol clearly even from a distance.
