We started our new year with the visit to the temple of Wade Bolhai Goddess. This temple is located off Pune-Nagar road near Wagholi. We were stuck in heavy traffic as there was some rally/morcha kind of thing. We saw huge crowd travelling in tempos and different vehicles, people coming in from wrong directions and causing a traffic-jam. There were empty plastic cans and glasses thrown on the roadside. While travelling we were discussing among ourselves that we will be changing the year only on the calendar but there will not be any change in the mentality year after year. But we decided to keep this negativity aside and persisted on our path.

After taking right turn at Kesnand phata we continued for almost 4 kms and kept following the road. After passing through Kesnand village a road through hills started. Most of the hills were bare. There were few fields of Jowar in between. Not very picturesque as such but it was a great feeling driving on the traffic-less roads.The road is motor-able.

There is a school called Jogeshwari Mata and just next to the school, there is an arch where Wade Bolhai is written. We entered through that arch. Just few meters ahead there were some small shops selling Puja Thali.

We parked our vehicle and bought Puja Thali for Rs.40. It contained a coconut, some flowers and two small packets of some liquid. When I asked the lady shopkeeper what was it all about she told me that it contains some liquid with a medicinal value which relives us from skin diseases. As per the tradition it is offered to the goddess. I often think , what is the main purpose of these offerings? Will the God really be pleased with such materialistic things? But this gives them their bread and butter and there is no harm if you invest your bit in it.

We entered the temple through the back gate. It is considered that this Goddess is positioned in the temple facing backwards. The back gate was made up of wood.

When we entered the temple, we saw a huge courtyard, Homkund and behind that the main temple is situated.

Surrounding the main temple there are corridors.

On the walls of these corridors beautifully painted scenes from the life of Shivaji Maharaj are painted.

Many important incidences like Shivaji Maharaj Coronation, Afzal khan assassination etc are painted .

Every Sunday many people gather there to take darshan of the devi who is worshipped thrice during a day. Daily Aarti takes place at 6:00AM, 12 Noon and again at 8:00PM. Every Sunday many people visit this temple.

The main idol of Bolhai devi is at the centre. It is saffron in colour and decorated with Shendoor. On the either side of Bolhai devi there are two idols made up of black stone. One is Bhawaragiri devi and the other is Kashidevi. There is a metal statue made up of 5 metals kept in front of the main idol. It has eight hands. In order to keep the main idol intact, this metal idol is worshiped by Haldi kukkum by all devotees. Wade Bolhai devi is worshiped with Puranpoli.

The main entrance of the temple has Hanuman and Garud as Dwarpal, the door keepers and there are huge idols of them at the gate.

This temple is painted every year just before Navratri.

There is a huge hall near temple which is probably used for serving free meals to devotees and for organizing different related events.

Wade Bolhai is situated on the outskirts of many small villages and it is regarded as Gramrakshak. It means that this goddess works as a protector of the villages.

There is a water tank opposite the temple called Moti tank. It is believed that the sacred waters of this lake cure the skin diseases. This water tank is filled with water throughout the year and never dries out even in the summers.

Food: If your are a hardcore non-vegetarian, you would find plenty of eating options as this part is famous for Mutton and Bhakri on the traditional cooking stove.i.e Chulha (Chul)  Vegetarians would have a tough time if you don’t carry your food with you.

We found a very good south Indian restaurant called  Sambar on our way back (location just behind Phoenix mall on Nagar road).

If you are visiting Wade Bolhai from Pune I would recommend you to eat some snacks like Medu wada, dosa, uttapam and Rassam (this is a must). They start serving proper south Indian Thali at around 7:30 pm which consists of a mouthwatering south Indian meal. Puri, mix vegetable, papad, sambar, rassam, rice and a sweet dish. You can relish the wholesome meal on your way back. Surprisingly all items (even the Thali) cost less than Rs.100. Who says there is inflation?? 🙂

What a start to the new year!  We hope that Goddess Wade Bolhai will protect us and guide us on the right path in the coming years.

Quick Facts:

Distance from Pune city – 28 Kms

Approximately 4 to 5 hours would be sufficient for travelling and visiting,  if you are planning your travel from centre of Pune

You may plan a visit to Aga Khan Palace on your way back.