Neelkantheshwar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Neelkantheshwar Temple is situated about 40 km away from Pune. It is located between Khadakwasla Dam and Panshet Dam. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. Neelkantheshwar Temple’s main highlight is the display of various mythological stories in the form of life-size cement sculptures. It is an amazing place near Pune for a memorable getaway with friends and family.

The beautiful Neelkantheshwar Temple is perched atop a hill and houses a Shiv Ling. There is an uphill trek to reach the temple, which can be a little tiring. However, the hike is quite enjoyable as the views all around the hill are simply stunning, especially during monsoon. The entire landscape is covered in refreshing hues of green in rainy season. Once you reach the top of the hill, enjoy the spectacular views of lush green hills, deep valleys and the serene Panshet Dam backwaters.

On the top of the hill, you are greeted by majestic sculptures depicting various scenes from Hindu mythological stories. It is a delight to see the colorful statues illustrating the lives of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva, Lord Vitthoba, Goddess Kali, Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and more. Scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are also brought alive through these magnificent figurines. Some of the sculptures are life-size and some are extremely huge.

One can take darshan in the main Lord Shiva shrine and then spend an hour or two exploring and photographing all the incredible sculptures. The initiative is a great way to introduce kids to a number of mythological stories. Children are awe-inspired by these terrific sculptures.

Due to limited food options, it is advisable to carry to your own snacks and sufficient water. However, you might find a few local vendors selling buttermilk, lemon juice, etc. while climbing up the hill. There is one lone restaurant at the top of the hill serving snacks like misal pav, poha and tea. There is a temple canteen, but it is only open between 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm in the afternoon and in the evening between 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm.