Shri Dhundiraj Ganpati Temple

Sometimes, ‘to find something, you have to loose yourself ‘, this is exactly the case with this age-old Dhundiraj Ganpati Mandir, to find it you have to first loose yourself in the lanes and by-lanes of the old city. The temple is one of the oldest Ganesh Temples of Gujarat and has a sense of serenity and seclusion to it, despite of being situated in the middle of the crowded area.

Earlier a part of a much larger scheme, the temple was built by Gopalrao Mairal in the year 1844. A beautiful specimen of the regional woodwork, the temple is painted in muted tones of “firozi” (green) and ocean blue, brought to life by the wooden carvings.

A Cobra and a Basement full of riches :

Placed inside a huge courtyard and a now obsolete garden and water fountain, the temple has long been associated with a myth that adds to its mystic aura and old world charm. It is said that beneath the temple is a vast basement full of treasure and riches. But to get to the treasure you have to face an obstacle, a huge Cobra, that guards the riches.

There are different versions as to how one can get past through this guardian to the wealth. Some people say that one has to chant a “mantra” (prayer/hymn) to get past it. Others say that earlier, people used to keep a huge vessel full of milk, so that while the “Bhujang”(huge serpent) is feasting on milk, one used to take as out as much treasure as they could !!!!!

Architecture :

The temple is placed inside a courtyard, which is entered through a triple storeyed structure which acts as a gateway and is connected to the main temple via a bridge supported on iron girders. Right after entering, one comes upon a small shrine sitting atop a tall pedestal, dedicated to the “Mushak”(the vehicle of Lord Ganesha). Beyond this, is the temple itself. Standing on a high stone plinth the temple displays all it’s glory carved into the beautiful patterns of wood. Despite of  all it’s glory and grandeur, it has a sense of homeliness and peace to it, that roots it to the ground.

Once inside, one comes across a grand Sabha Mandap/Hall which has two rows of beautiful wooden columns which divide it into three parts. The central part is a double heighted portion with balconies looking down on it from above. The portion to the left has a row of windows, while the portion to the right is actually like a semi open veranda that looks out onto the fountain. This veranda acts as a source of light and keeps the temple always flooded with warm daylight.

After this hall, the restricted area starts, beyond this only the priests are allowed. A small area preceeds the “Garbha Griha” where the the Lord Ganesha is enshrined along with his wives, Riddhi & Siddhi and two sons Shubh & Labh.

In all temple shows an amalgamation of the regional wooden architecture of Gujarat and the Maharashtrian Wada Architecture. Gujarati elements such as ornately carved wooden brackets, architraves and eaves boards are seen decorating the columns and the overhanging “Chajjas”. The upper storeys display the usual long balconies on the exterior, running across the length of the building typically seen in the Gujarati Architecture. The typical Marathi elements would be the elaborately carved cusped arches placed between the columns. Curiously enough, an element that does not fall into the above categories is the unusual shape of  the marble bases of wooden columns.

Painted in bright shades of yellow, pink, green and orange, over muted shades of ocean blue and green, the temple is not in a very healthy state now and needs conservation. The wooden elements as well as the iron girders are corroding away on account of weathering. Even the small garden and the marble fountain that was in working state some 15-20 years ago have now become obsolete.

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The temple is visited by tons of locals everyday seeking the blessing of their very own god “Vighnharta Ganesha” (Remover of Obstacles). The best time to visit this little peaceful refuge is probably during the afternoons, when one can admire the serene glory of the temple it’s environs and of course their beloved Lord Ganesha.