Chathur Shringi temple is ascribed for the worship of Sri Durga Devi, a manifestation of Sri Parvathi Devi. The temple is situated at Senapathi Bapat Road at Pune, Maharashtra.
Chathur Shringi means the hill or mountain with four peaks. The temple is on a hillock with nearly 170 steps. It is believed to be built during Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj’s time. The height of the temple is nearly 90 feet and the width is nearly 125 feet.
As per the legend, there was a merchant named Dhurlab Sheth Pithambardas Mahajan who was an ardent devotee of Sri Saptha Shringi Matha situated at Vani. On Chaitra Purnima day of every year, he used to travel from Pune to Vani (near Nasik) to have the darshan. Due to oldage, he could not go to the temple; but he was feeling sad for not being able to get the darshan of his favorite Goddess. He kept praying to Sri Durga Devi.
One day, he had a dream in which Sri Durga Devi told him that She would come to his place so that he could have Her darshan. She told him the place where the idol could be found (north-west side of Pune). On waking up, he rushed to the place mentioned by Sri Devi; He dug and found out the self-manifested Swayambu idol of Sri Durga Devi.
He had built a temple for Her at the same hillock and that place is now known as Chathur Shringi Temple. Sri Durga Devi here is considered to be the presiding Deity of Pune.
In the main sanctum, there are idols of Goddess Sri Durga (one in golden and the other in silver hue). There is also a sanctum for Bhagwan Sri Ganesh. Apart from these, there are miniature idols of Ashta Vinayaka.
The Goddess in the main sanctum is called as Chathur Shringi, Chattu Shringi and Sri Ambareshwari. She is considered to be the manifestation of Sri Maha Kali, Sri Maha Lakshmi and Sri Maha Saraswathi. The Goddess represents power and faith.
All Navarathri and Devi related festivals are observed with devotion at this temple. During festival times, fair is conducted at the foothills. On the Vijayadashami day of Navarathri, the Silver Goddess is taken out in procession on a silver chariot. Deepavali, Holi and Ganesh Chathurthi are the other festivals celebrated at the temple. During Vat Purnima Vrat, women offer worship at the Banyan tree situated in the temple premises.
The temple is governed by Chattu Shringi Mandir Trust. The archana and puja done to Sri Chathur Shringi Devi include Abhishekam, Vasthra Puja, Pancha Upachara Puja, Rudra Abhishekam, Maha Puja, Utsav Puja, Kumkum Archana and Shodasa Upachar Puja.
The temple is open from 06.00 a.m to 09.00 p.m on all days. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the temple is closed at 12.00 at night due to huge influx of devotees on those days.
The temple is easily accessible in Pune City through local bus / auto.
