One lazy monsoon Sunday, after waking up late, indulging in a Zomato-ordered breakfast, and enjoying a comforting homemade lunch, we found ourselves drifting into a relaxed afternoon nap. The overcast skies and gentle drizzle made it one of those perfect days for doing nothing—or so we thought. On a sudden impulse, we decided to take a quick one day trip to Shirwal, in search of peaceful, lesser-known spots away from the usual tourist crowd. We left Pune around 2 PM and explored three serene locations: Adbal Siddhnath Mandir, Shree Kedareshwar Temple, Shree Mandai ani Kondai Devi Mandir, and the scenic Veer Dam lake view point. By 7 PM, we were back home, refreshed and recharged. Here’s a detailed account of the tranquil places we discovered on this impromptu escape.
Shree Adbal Siddhanath Mandir
The Adbal Siddhanath Temple is located in Kikavi village along the Pune-Bangalore Highway, about 40 km from Pune. It takes roughly an hour to reach from the city. Nestled in serene natural surroundings, the temple offers a peaceful environment as it’s not a typical tourist hotspot. Ample parking space is available near the entrance.
A statue of a horse and a Hindu saint adorns the arched gateway in the compound wall. As you pass through this entrance, you’ll first encounter a Nandi shrine and a deepstambha, with a tortoise carved into the floor. The main temple structure is rectangular and includes just two chambers: a front porch and the sanctum sanctorum. The temple compound is enclosed and has arched gateways on three sides.
Within the premises, you’ll find shady banyan trees with benches beneath them, offering a place to rest. There’s also a shrine dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, which has led to a number of stray dogs taking refuge in the temple complex. Visitors are encouraged to treat them kindly and consider bringing food for them when they visit.
Shree Kedareshwar Temple, Shirwal, Pune.
The magnificent and beautiful temple of Shri Kedareshwar is located on the banks of a stream, to the west of Shirwal village. The temple is enclosed within a spacious and finely crafted stone fort-like wall (called a tat), which stands approximately 18 feet tall. Facing east, the temple’s main entrance is finely detailed, elegant, and solidly built. The archway above the entrance is slightly domed, with seven petal-like layers, resting on two intricately carved columns, all designed in perfect symmetry.
Upon entering, there are two small chambers (devdis) on either side of the entrance. It’s believed that these once served as the Nagarkhana (a drum house or music gallery). An elderly local mentioned, “When the nagara (drum) played here, its sound could be heard as far as Veergav, which is quite a distance away.”
Above the entrance and the devdi, directly facing the deity, is a sculpture of Lord Ganesha, flanked by partially damaged idols of Riddhi and Siddhi. Such a placement of Ganesha at the main gate, aligned directly with the sanctum, is a rare sight in Maharashtra.
Inside the entrance, in the outer courtyard, one first sees a small shrine for Nandi, Shiva’s mount, seated on an elevated platform. This shrine is known as Nandikeshwar. It features arches on all four sides and is topped with a tall dome. To the right, in the southern corner, stands an elegant, octagonal Deepmala (lamp tower), made of finely carved stone. In front of it, within the courtyard, are two small shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Vitthal.
Directly ahead, on a raised platform, stands the main temple of Shri Kedareshwar.
The first mandapa (pillared hall) is supported by 16 stone pillars. Despite being struck by lightning twice in the past, the structure endured because of its strong original construction. Beyond this hall, a neatly designed doorway leads into the inner sanctum.
This inner hall, measuring approximately 40 feet in length and 30 feet in width, stands on five rows of pillars. The entrance to the sanctum (garbhagriha) is located at the far end, adorned with a Ganesh motif above it. The sanctum itself is set at a lower level. The Shivlinga faces east, while the Somasutra (water outlet) is towards the north. The shikhara (temple spire) rises approximately 45–50 feet from the ground and is adorned with numerous well-preserved sculptures of various deities.
A circumambulatory path (pradakshina path) inside the courtyard highlights the temple’s grand scale. In front of the temple lies the sacred tank known historically as Kedarbav, built from well-cut stones. There are 13 finely carved steps leading down to the water. Another approach to the tank lies near the main entrance, with steps descending from the north, turning eastward as one nears the water.
The Kedarbav is rectangular in shape, matching the form of a traditional sacred tank.
The Nigade Deshmukh family reveres Shri Kedareshwar as their kuldaivat (family deity).
Shri Mandai Ani Kondai Mandir(मंडई आणि कोंडाई मंदीर), Shirwal, Pune.
Shri Mandai Ani Kondai Mandir in Shirwal are ancient temples dedicated to Hindu goddesses and serves as the family deity (kuldevi) for the Konde Deshmukh and Marane Deshmukh families. The temple houses the idols of Shri Kondai Mata and Shri Mandai Mata. The main shrine, along with a Mahadev (Shiva) temple adjacent to it and a Ganapati temple situated in front, is enclosed within a walled complex.
During the monsoon season, when the nearby tributary of the Nira River overflows, the entire temple complex gets submerged. On our visit during the rains, only the shikhar (temple spire) was visible above the water. The shikhar is built in the traditional Maratha architectural style.
Veer Dam lake view
Veer Dam offers a vast, tranquil lake that serves as a natural habitat for ducks, herons, and crows. Observing these birds from afar is truly captivating. The area is open and unregulated, allowing visitors to come and go freely. However, it’s important that visitors respect the space and avoid littering to help preserve its untouched charm.
You can park your vehicle along the shore and simply relax—take in the gentle sound of waves, enjoy some soft music, and perhaps bring a few snacks. One of the dam’s most appealing aspects is its peaceful setting. The wide stretch of water framed by rolling hills and an open sky creates a stunning, postcard-worthy landscape. Especially during the monsoon, the overflowing reservoir and lush surroundings make for a breathtaking view.
Selfie Point is a cozy little food truck on the banks of Veer Dam. It offers more than just snacks—it serves up stunning views of the reservoir with every cup of tea. It’s an ideal stop for nature lovers looking to enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters, especially during the early morning or late evening hours, when the light over the water is truly magical.
The food truck has a few tables and chairs set up facing the lake, allowing you to relax and soak in the surroundings. Their lightly sweetened chai paired with a hot, crispy vada pav is a local favorite and just the right treat while watching the calm waters. You’ll also find other classic street food options like bhel, making it a perfect pit stop for a quick bite.
The peaceful ambiance and view make it a pleasant hangout spot. Whether you’re just passing through or planning a quiet lakeside break, Selfie Point is worth a stop.
After spending an hour at Veer dam, we started the return journey to Pune. On the way, we stopped for some snacks at Kailas Bhel, Khed Shivapur. All the places that we visited were pet friendly including the eateries. We returned back home by 7pm.
