The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, commonly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo, is located in Katraj near the city of Pune in India. It is managed by the the Pune Municipal Corporation under direction of controversial director Neelimkumar Khaire .

It is spread over 165 acres (0.67 km2) ,which is divided into 3 parts- animal orphanage, snake park & zoo & also has a lake-Katraj lake spread over in 42 acres. It has been open to the public since 1999, earning over 1.3 million visitors during 2007-2008. Earlier, the animals were located at Peshwe Park inside Pune city, while the Katraj facility was primarily a snake park. Slowly the snake park became a rescue center for wild animals. Eventually the zoo was moved to Katraj and the rescue center and snake park were isolated to offer privacy to rescued animals. Peshwe Park was eventually closed down as it did not meet the needs of Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI). This zoo has good collection of reptiles, mammals & some birds.

This marble icon of Lord Ganesha has its trunk turned to the right, which is said to be very auspicious, and is situated in the lake at Sarabaug near Peshwe Park. Its height is 2 feet and it is four-handed, seated in a "Padmasana". In one right hand he holds the "Parshu", the other is resting on his lap. In one left hand is the "Modak"(a sweet condiment), and other holds a "Farash" (an axe like tool).

Shreemant Thorale(Senior) Madhavrao Peshwe, an ardent worshipper of Lord Ganesha, had a vision of the Lord in his dreams, befor he left for the battle with Haider Ali. The Lord asked him to rejuvenate the lake at the foot of Parvati. He followed the Lord's wish.
He dug up the lake and had it reconstructed. After that Sawai Madhavrao had a replica made of the right -trunked "Chintamani'(Lord Ganesha) of Theur, and got it ritually established in the Lake on 5/6/1784. However, the current icon is not the same historic one.