SHRI OMKARESHWAR DEVASTHAN ,PUNE

Vedmurty Shivrambhat Chitrav

Peshwa’s philosophical Guru Vedmurty Shivrambhat Chitrav is the builder of Omkareshwar temple. He was Civil Engineer by profession. Shivrambhat was a great enlightened Guru of Peshwa era. Chimaji appa Peshwe, Nanasaheb Peshwe, Babuji Naik Baramatikar, Nagpur’s Raghuji Bhosle, Bhor’s Raja Pant Sachiv & many leading persons held him in status of Guru and would go for his Darshan. He built & restored several temples such as Someshwar of Pashan, Nageshwar & Kedareshwar of Pune, Uddhar Remeshwar of Raigad dist. Ganesh Temple of famous Ganeshkhind of Pune was built by him. Shivrambhat installed a new Shivling in Someshwar temple, Pashan. Siddi of Janjira had gifted Shivrambhat village Uddhar with 3500 acres of forest where he had constructed Rameshwar temple. Raghuji Bhosale of Nagpur had gifted him Jagir of Ramtek which he declined to accept. Babuji Naik Baramatikar gifted him 48 acres of land at Pimpri, the place where colony of Hindustan Antibiotics stands now.

History of Omkareshwar Temple

Omkareshwar is historic temple of Mahadev of Peshwa era. It is protected by Law as “HERITAGE GRADE I” monument. This is the biggest temple of Pune city.
It is recognised as “C” Grade Temple of Maharashtra. It is registered with Charity Commissioner Pune as Public Trust.

Omkareshwar temple was constructed earlier than present day Kashi Vishwanath temple. Rani Ahilyadevi constructed Kashi Vishwanath temple in the years 1777 to 1780. Shivrambhat constructed Omkareshwar temple in the years 1736 to 1738. Shivrambhat was of philosophical nature. In search of a quiet place for meditation, he reached Ganeshkhind temple at the foot of Chatushrungi hill. The temple was in dilapidated condition. Sometime between 1730 to 1734 Shivrambhat restored and renovated that temple. Thereafter, he would meditate at the same temple. He built many temples in Maharashtra, to name a few, Someshwar Pashan, Nageshwar, Kedareshwar, Uddhar Rameshwa and restore many others.