Sarasbaug is an important historical landmark near Parvati Hill in Pune. In the center, there is an 18th-century temple of Lord Ganesh, which is called Sarasbaug Ganpati Temple. It is also known as Talyatla Ganpati which means “Ganpati of the Lake.”

In the temple complex there is a museum with a fantastic collection of Lord Ganesh idols. It is called Shree Ganesh Darshan Sangrahalaya (sangrahalaya means museum). As per an information plaque near its entrance, it was inaugurated on April 28, 1996.

The museum hosts an impressive display of around 500 idols of Lord Ganesh, which have been made from an assortment of wide-ranging materials such as precious stones, wood, brass, copper, ceramic, porcelain, sea shells, coconuts, ivory,  and glass to name a few. 

Quite of few of them have been gifted by individuals, organizations, and trusts. There are a few that are from countries like Nepal and Cambodia

Lord Ganesh has been depicted in a variety of poses such as sitting on a swing, standing with an umbrella, writing the Mahabharata, playing a musical instrument, or dancing. Some idols portray him with multiple heads while some have multiple arms. The variety in the representation is fascinating.

The museum also has a collection of paintings depicting Sarasbaug and the Sarasbaug Temple. There is a portrait of Nanasaheb Peshwa, a painting of the court of Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa at Shaniwar Wada, a mural of Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa and Mahadji Shinde at Sarasbaug Lake.