Ancient Palasnath Temple - Hidden Temple in Ujjani Dam Near Pune

Palasnath Temple, located around 120 km from Pune, is a unique seasonal destination situated in the backwaters of Ujjani Dam on the Bhima River, near Ujjani village in Madha Tehsil, Solapur district.

What makes this temple special is that it remains submerged underwater for most of the year due to the dam reservoir. The temple becomes accessible only during summer months or in periods of severe drought, when water levels drop significantly.

Palasnath Temple is ideal for travelers looking for offbeat places near Pune and rare, time-sensitive experiences.

Ancient Palasnath(Palasdeo) Temple

How to reach Palasnath Temple from Pune?

Drive through Solapur Highway - Cross Bhigwan - After a few kms, there is Palasdev village arch on left - Take a left in Village - Follow the road and park your vehicle. You may have to take a small boat ride to cross the backwater and Boats are available when the temple is accessible.

Drive through Solapur Highway - Cross Bhigwan - Cross Dalaj (both No. 1 and No. 2) -  Reach to Kalewadi No. 1 and take left  - drive through backwater towards temple. 

This route is preferred during May when there is no water  in the dam in this area. But before driving through this area please check if it is completely dry. 

The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva as Palasnath and it is situated near Palasdeo village. The temple has 1000-year-old history and its a masterpiece of architectural style. This ancient structure created in a Hemadpanthi style in 11th century, was built by Chalukya Kings.  The temple has beautiful stone carvings and temple structure is very similar to Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur, Sangameshwar temple and Bhuleshwar temple near Pune.  

The temple is west facing and there is Lord Hanuman idol kept at the entrance of main temple (Garbhgruh - inner room where the idol is kept).

Lord Hanuman

Way to enter Mandap

Palasnath Temple

There is no Shivpindi(Shivlinga idol) in the temple, it was relocated in the village and new temple was built there during Ujjani Dam construction. 

Entrance of Garbhgruh

Garbhgruh

As per the pillar structure, temple was built under Yadav era. 

Pillar

Pillars

Carving on the pillar

You can see the beautiful carving on the walls.

Carving on the wall

Ceiling

Due to the water of the dam, the temple has been damaged a lot but still this temple in the water looks very attractive. If you look closely, you can see that the temple has been renovated during different times, during any of the renovation the 'Sharbh Shilp' sculpture made in limestone is placed there. 

The kalasa of the temple is also seen to have been renovated and newly built and so looks different than base temple. 

Sharbh Shilp

Kalas

Palasnath temple is known for its serene ambiance and intricate carvings. This temple is also mentioned in Dnyaneshwari, is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by the Sant Dnyaneshwar in 1290. 

The backwaters of Ujjain Dam is also famous for bird watching, it is home to various migratory birds such as the Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Bar Headed Goose, Collared Pratincole, and the Osprey, bird of prey. Bhigwan is also home to the many birds, one can find more than 230 species of birds here.

We took blessing of Siddhivinayak from Siddhetek village.  It is third Ganapati from Ashtavinayak. After darshan we had lunch at Siddhivinayk hotel, its a small shack in which they serve you maharatrian thali which includes Pithale, Bhakri, Batata Rassa, Thecha, Pickle and Dal Rice at Rs.150. Food was very tasty. There are many such hotel close to bank of Bhima river, and all of those nearly serve same menu.

We reached home around 5pm. 

Maharashtrian Veg Thali

Ramdara Temple, Pune - Good place to spend 2-3 hours!!

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape close to Pune, Ramdara Temple is a hidden gem that beautifully blends spiritual charm with natural beauty. Located just a short drive from the city, this temple becomes especially magical during the monsoon season, when lush greenery, misty surroundings, and fresh air create a perfect setting for a relaxing day trip.

The best time to visit Ramdara Temple near Pune is undoubtedly during the rainy season. As the rains breathe life into the surroundings, the temple is enveloped in:

• Vibrant green landscapes 
• Cool, refreshing weather
• Peaceful and serene vibes perfect for unwinding

It’s an ideal spot for families, couples, and anyone seeking a quick nature retreat.

We had originally planned to spend a quiet weekend at home, but things took an unexpected turn when Aaravya saw pictures from his friend’s Diveagar trip. Instantly inspired, he started insisting that we plan a trip too!

Since it was a Saturday and we couldn’t explain work commitments easily, we decided to give in and plan a quick outing instead of spending hours convincing him.

At first, we were confused between visiting Ramdara Temple or Kanifnath Temple, but after a quick discussion, we finalized Ramdara as our destination mainly because of its accessibility and calming environment.

In the spirit of making it a wholesome family day, I quickly asked my in-laws if they would like to join us. Without hesitation, they agreed! After staying indoors for so long during the lockdown period, this seemed like the perfect opportunity for them to step out and enjoy some fresh air.

We were hopeful that the place wouldn’t be too crowded, so everyone including the elders could comfortably enjoy the trip without having to stay confined to the car.

We visited Ramadara Temple on 28^th November 2020. 

Ramdara Temple as seen from walkway

How to get at Ramdara?

Located around 30 km from Pune, Ramdara Temple is a serene and scenic destination easily accessible by road. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a peaceful spiritual visit, reaching Ramdara is quite straightforward with proper directions.

The most convenient route to Ramdara is via the Pune–Solapur Highway.

✅ Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Start from Pune and head towards Hadapsar
2. Continue further towards Manjiri and then Loni Kalbhor
3. After crossing the toll booth, you will encounter a bridge, cross it
4. Once you cross the bridge, slow down and watch for a right turn
5. Take the right turn towards the village road
6. At the next chowk (junction), take another right turn
7. Continue straight, and you’ll reach Ramdara Temple

📍 Travel Time: Approx. 1 to 1.5 hours from Pune depending on traffic

🚫 Avoid Phursungi route:

The road condition is poor, and there are very few signboards. GPS may also not work properly in certain stretches, making navigation difficult.

🛠️ Railway Crossing Diversion:

The road near the railway crossing close to Ramdara is sometimes under construction, so you might encounter a diversion. This may add a little extra travel time.

📱 GPS & Network:

Most mobile networks work well, and GPS generally shows accurate directions.

✅ Ample parking space available near the temple
From the parking area, you need to walk for about 5 minutes to reach the temple entrance

One of the most unique things about Ramdara Temple is that you won’t see it until the very last moment, it is beautifully hidden amidst lush greenery, hills, and dense trees, adding to its charm.

The first glimpse of Ramdara Temple is almost magical.

Set beside a calm lake and connected by a small bridge, the temple complex looks like it’s gently resting on water. The reflection of the structure in the lake, accompanied by surrounding trees and hills, creates a picture-perfect scene. 

The temple complex is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva, along with shrines for Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, giving the place its name, Ramdara. It is very colorful as it has beautiful paintings of Indian mythology such as Lord Ganesh, Shri Krishna, Hanuman, Arjun, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram etc.  There is a Royal Nandi that catches the attention so no one can stop themselves from taking photos. The area is very peaceful away from the crowds but still very lively. You can see a lot of birds there.

Bull (Nandi)

Lord Shankar and Parvati

Lord Krishna

Adjacent to the temple lies the  Ashram of Shri Mangalpuri Maharaj, also fondly known as Dhundi Baba. This serene ashram adds a spiritual depth to the Ramdara visit, offering a calm and meditative atmosphere for devotees and visitors alike.

One of the most captivating features of Ramdara Temple is the serene lake located right beside the temple, which enhances the overall beauty and tranquility of the place. The reflection of the temple and surrounding greenery on the calm waters creates a truly picturesque setting, making it a perfect spot for photography and quiet moments.

A well-laid walking trail around the lake allows visitors to stroll leisurely and soak in the natural surroundings. It’s an ideal place to relax, enjoy the peaceful ambiance, and connect with nature.

However, during our visit, the walkway was temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions to prevent overcrowding and ensure visitor safety. Authorities were quite strict about managing the flow of visitors, once darshan was completed, a guard (priest) politely instructed everyone to move ahead and avoid gathering near the temple premises.

It’s advisable to carry your own food and water, as there are very limited dining options available nearby, hardly 2–3 small eateries in the area.

After spending about an hour soaking in the peaceful surroundings, we noticed the crowd gradually increasing. To avoid the rush and keep the experience calm and enjoyable, we decided to leave before it got too crowded. On our way back to the parking area, we came across a few local vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables. It was lovely to see this simple village charm, and we picked up some fresh produce before heading back.

We wrapped up our trip with a delicious lunch at Hotel Vaishali in Manjari, and reached home comfortably by 4:30 PM, ending a short yet refreshing family getaway.

Thanks for reading my blog, hope you liked it.

Happy travelling!!

Highlights - 

Trip duration - 1 day (6 December 2020)

Distance travelled - 80Km

Budget - 3-4K