Everybody living in Pune & even some living outside Pune is familiar with this place, Saras Baug or Saras Garden.
Saras Baug is famous for its talyatla Ganpati meaning the Ganpati in a pond or Ganpati of the pond (don't know how exactly to say it). So basically, there is a Ganpati Temple built in the middle of a pond, thus the name talyatla Ganpati. This is the main source of attraction. Many people and devotee come to Saras Baug to seek blessings from the deity.
If there are children in your house- Saras Baug, want a place to study- Saras Baug, you have guests over, take them to- Saras Baug, want to hang out with friends- Saras Baug, want to spend time with someone special- Saras Baug. Because Saras Baug has a garden and hawkers and a khau galli (a lane with food stalls all over) it becomes a perfect option for people to spend time.
Saras Baug or Saras Garden wasn't always a garden though. An artificial pond was built on the banks of the Ambil canal in 1750 during the reign of Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa. At that time it was at the base of Parvati Hills. It took a total of three years to complete the work of the pond. While building the pond an artificial island was also created and kept reserved for a temple and garden. The pond spreads in approximate 25 acres of area. This pond was used to row ferrys. After sometime a garden was created on the island and Shrimant Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa named the place Saras Baug. In 1784 Madhavrao built a small temple and established an Ganpati idol there.
In around 1869 many places in the city were handed over to the municipal corporation, at that time everything except the island on which the temple is, was transferred to Pune Municipal Corporation from Mumbai Municipal Corporation. In 1966 Pune MNC developed a garden in place of the lake.
Saras Baug is completely different now, than what it was 100-150 years ago. Now there is no pond, just a garden and the temple. However, keeping the significance in mind the temple is still surrounded by water from all sides. Now if one goes to Saras Baug, the first thing that comes at sight from the entrance is the temple. Since the traffic in Pune has become crazy, a bridge is built to help people cross the road. While one goes from the bridge, you can see atleast 4-5 tota maina (couples) either hugging or pecking. This is quite a shame as Saras Baug has an historical importance and is also a home to a deity. But as my research says, couples are most likely found on historical sites.
The garden is filled with people. Many come to spend time and some come to sleep. Yes, you can see people sleeping under the shade of a tree. The water around the temple has many fishes in it. So people stand besides the water either watching the fishes of feeding the fishes.
The Ganpati Temple is quite big. There is also a museum which displays different Ganpati idols. Saras Baug is lit up with diyas and floating lanterns in Diwali during the Diwali Pahat. Diwali Pahat is a program celebrated every year on Padwa. It begins at around 5 AM. Almost all Punekars are seen here. The place is so filled that even mobile networks have congestion. During Diwali Pahat diyas are kept is several shapes and forms and people light them up, there are also orchestras and celebrity visits to entertain the people. This is the time when the place is the most crowded.
Other than Diwali Pahat there isn't much rush in Saras Baug. It is a quiet place with people spending time there.
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