As a host, this was my first meet up. So I am happier to write recap of this meet up.
Venue: Birla Ganesh Temple, Somatane Phata, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune
Date & Time: Sunday, 28 July 2024 @ 10.30am
Total number of attendee: 10
Cover Photo Credit: @AjitThite dada.
As I mentioned in this meet up post (Meetup Post Link) , we can reach at the temple by our own vehicle or by cab or by city bus. Since the most convenient way to travel here is our own vehicle, I reached here by my car. I reached at the meeting spot (Parking area) at 10.15am. LG @TusharSuradkar , LG @NERKARAMIT were already reached at the meet up point. All other Local Guides joined shortly.
What we did :
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Meet and greet with Local Guides from Pune
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Exploring the Birla Ganesh Temple (Ganesh temple and hillside)
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Taking various photos
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Discussion about features of Google Maps and LG Connect portal
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Trying Maharashtrian popular food item ‘Misal Pav’ at Rupesh Misal
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Having tea at Hotel Saileela Pure Veg and playing fun quiz based on posts and features of LG Connect
Meet & Greet:
Once all attendees reached at meet up spot, we greeted with each other. As this was first physical meetup in Pune after a month’s time, all were very excited. I had been to this temple 2 weeks ago. I briefed information about it to other members.
After greeting we started climbing the hill at 10.35am. It took just 10-15 minutes to climb 179 stair steps and reach at the top of hill. While climbing, we captured various photos of the surroundings.
Everyone was amazed to see the magnificent statue of Lord Ganesh. We clicked a lot of photos of the statue of Lord Ganesh and the temple area. We also took a group photo of all meet up attendees.
Information about The statue of Lord Ganesh:
This 72 feet tall idol of Ganapati Bappa is erected on a small hill in the Sahyadri mountain range. One has to climb about 180 steps to reach here. The idol is situated on a square 18 feet high and 54 feet wide. Iron, concrete, cement and copper have been used to make this idol. The weight of the idol is about 1000 tons. It took 2 years to make the idol.
The number 9 is considered auspicious in Hindu culture. Hence the height of the idol is kept at 72 feet ( 7+2 = 9). The plinth on which the idol is erected is 18 feet high (1+8=9) and 54 feet wide (5+4=9). The number 9 is deliberately included in all this.
From top of the hill, we can see the traffic on Mumbai Pune highway in distance. The view is very spectacular. We clicked many photos of the same.
Facilities available Onsight:
- A small garden behind Ganapati statue: A small but well maintained garden is there behind the statue of Lord Ganesh. A lot of plantation is done by temple authorities on the hill and around the temple. So the whole area looks spectacular.
- Shoe racks: Shoe racks are available near temple for visitors.
- Sitting Area: Plenty of space is available for sitting. Many benches are there for visitors.
- Washroom: A clean washroom facility with adequet water supply is there in the temple premises.
- Drinking water: A drinking water tank and a glass is provides for visitors.
- Parking: Pay and park facility is available for visitor’s vehicles. They charge Rs 10 for two-wheelers and Rs 15 for four-wheelers.
After exploring this beautiful temple, we descended the hill. The we went to one of the famous ‘Misal-Pav’ joint Rupesh Misal . Everyone enjoyed ‘Misal-Pav’. We also took many photos there.
We also enjoyed tea at Hotel Saileela Pure Veg which is situated besides Rupesh Misal . Whle having our tea, we enjoyed playing fun quiz based on posts and features of LG Connect. All the credit of this quiz goes to LG Tushar and LG Ajit Thite who had taken all efforts of preparing quiz questions. All attendee LGs participated enthusiastically. Finally LG Shubham became the winner of this quiz. A lot of congratulations to Shubham. LG Amit Nerkar announced a special prize of coaster badge having LG Connect logo on it. I am very grateful to LG Tushar, LG Ajit Thite and LG Amit Nerkar for this enjoyable and precious experience.
Review about Birla Ganesh Temple: My Review about Birla Ganesh Temple
Review about Rupesh Misal : My Review about Rupesh Misal
Review about Hotel Saileela Pure Veg: My Review about Hotel Saileela Pure Veg
I sincerely thank all attendees of this meetup and all my LG colleagues who supported me time to time and made this meet up successful and memorable. Special thanks to LG Tushar, LG Amit Nerkar and LG Ajit Thite for their valuable support during all the process from announcing this meet up to write this recap.
Tagging to the meet up attendees: @Pratikmukkawar , @Rushikesh_joshi , @ShubhamWaman , @MerlinThomas , @nithinthomas , @its_royal_kp13
and really amazing experience today because me and other some local guide’s first meet-up. 
And thanks to all senior Local Guide’s for your suggestion, ideas,… 
. Next time, I will surely make it.
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