The temple is popular in Maharashtra and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. Devotees of the temple include celebrities and Chief Ministers of Maharashtra who visit during the annual ten-day Ganeshotsav festival.The main Ganesh idol is insured for sum of 10 million (US$160,000).
History Dagadusheth Halwai (Dagadusheth Gadve) was Lingayat trader originally from Karnataka and settled in Pune. His original surname was "Gadve" but later more renowned as Halwai (sweetmaker) as his surname due to his profession.Later h
e was known as Dagadusheth Halwai. Original Halwai shop still exists near by named Kaka Halwai (as franchise run by his posterity of "Gadve Family" ) near Datta Mandir in Pune.
He was very famous and rich sweet trader. He was a very virtuous and righteous man. Shri.. Datta Mandir placed in Budhwar Peth, Pune was their residential Building. During those times in the outbreak of plague Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai lost his son. Due to this episode he himself and his wife were very depressed and disturbed. During the same time his Guruji Shri.. Madhavnath Maharaj consoled him and advised him to make two idols of God Shri. Datta Maharaj and Shri. Ganpati and asked him to worship them and to take care of them like his own son. In future just as offspring brings radiance to his father´s name these idols would do the same for him. And as per his Guruji´s advice he made two idols of Shri.. Datta Maharaj and Shri. Ganpati, and this very idol is the first idol, now this idol is placed in Aakara Maruti Temple, Shukrawar Peth, this idol is worshiped everyday with detailed rituals and rites.
He later established the Halwai Ganapati Trust.Bal Gangadhar Tilak, during the British Raj, gave a public form to the Ganesh festival celebrations as a way of getting around an order that barred public meetings. The Halwai Ganapati Trust carries out philanthropic work from the donations received, and is one of the richest in Maharashtra. The trust operates an old age home called Pitashree at Kondhwa in Pune. The home was built at a cost of 15 million (US$240,000) and opened in May 2003. In the same building the trust provides housing and education for 40 destitute children.Other services provided by the trust include ambulance service for poor and health clinics in tribal belts of Pune District.
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