tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61929131725062122352024-03-19T02:31:21.085-07:00Travelogue UnlimitedThis blog contains travelogues and photo features of various travel destinations.Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-7985027201090243612013-05-03T04:59:00.001-07:002013-05-03T05:36:47.261-07:00Mahalaxmi temple, Kolhapur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Va5ErjdvW4o/UYOkPPxviZI/AAAAAAAABkU/aDp09b2cm8c/s1600/406577_10200317202163461_350520652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Va5ErjdvW4o/UYOkPPxviZI/AAAAAAAABkU/aDp09b2cm8c/s400/406577_10200317202163461_350520652_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Mahalaxmi or Ambabai temple as it is locally known is situated in the heart of the Kolhapur city in South Maharashtra.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcT95XZSCBo/UYOtn_ajDOI/AAAAAAAABok/PRlPtnl-Yio/s1600/163303_10200317196283314_228000060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcT95XZSCBo/UYOtn_ajDOI/AAAAAAAABok/PRlPtnl-Yio/s320/163303_10200317196283314_228000060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple was constructed sometime in 6-7th cen. AD.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xznl0YDxMq4/UYOttisOiLI/AAAAAAAABos/x4n3NRXl0P8/s1600/184404_10200317202683474_2059969204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xznl0YDxMq4/UYOttisOiLI/AAAAAAAABos/x4n3NRXl0P8/s320/184404_10200317202683474_2059969204_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The style of construction is distinctly Chalukyan as can be seen from the other Chalukyan temple located in the neighboring state of Karnataka.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAj3miFM20s/UYOt3wo4IOI/AAAAAAAABo0/KLOQICldiwM/s1600/200476_10200317196563321_29558637_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAj3miFM20s/UYOt3wo4IOI/AAAAAAAABo0/KLOQICldiwM/s320/200476_10200317196563321_29558637_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi and has been patronised over the years by various ruling dynasties like the Marathas, Yadavas, Silharas etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3OEVvksv3s/UYOt9fyDZQI/AAAAAAAABo8/UGfCiV8FyFw/s1600/537328_10200317197083334_721422913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3OEVvksv3s/UYOt9fyDZQI/AAAAAAAABo8/UGfCiV8FyFw/s320/537328_10200317197083334_721422913_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNjpvzg6zkU/UYOuATDmRFI/AAAAAAAABpE/lqqEKgXyI_s/s1600/429082_10200317203323490_419104320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNjpvzg6zkU/UYOuATDmRFI/AAAAAAAABpE/lqqEKgXyI_s/s320/429082_10200317203323490_419104320_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The entire temple is built in blackstone and probably in the male female conjoint type construction without use of mortor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jRk1ZRXok8/UYOuG9mTNzI/AAAAAAAABpM/Rn4dkm-MnTc/s1600/544997_10200317195483294_1952371263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jRk1ZRXok8/UYOuG9mTNzI/AAAAAAAABpM/Rn4dkm-MnTc/s320/544997_10200317195483294_1952371263_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The sabhamandapa appears to have been built during the maratha period and has a wooden construction typical to that period.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vEi-BOplXg/UYOuOB7VoBI/AAAAAAAABpU/PFvHVXRLnng/s1600/735015_10200317200163411_1310117879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vEi-BOplXg/UYOuOB7VoBI/AAAAAAAABpU/PFvHVXRLnng/s320/735015_10200317200163411_1310117879_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple has a stellate plan and its walls are ornate with several motifs and figurines of Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas etc.<br />
<br />
Photos :<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhdWv7yLh8Q/UYOuU6qIlnI/AAAAAAAABpc/3KMxysxiZpw/s1600/75327_10200317194803277_148627888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhdWv7yLh8Q/UYOuU6qIlnI/AAAAAAAABpc/3KMxysxiZpw/s320/75327_10200317194803277_148627888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rKoJyAnuFo/UYOuYT9QbbI/AAAAAAAABpk/9kHBkX3Owys/s1600/268534_10200317198363366_1929527515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rKoJyAnuFo/UYOuYT9QbbI/AAAAAAAABpk/9kHBkX3Owys/s320/268534_10200317198363366_1929527515_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjwcLuUFT-A/UYOubBW2f1I/AAAAAAAABps/YDCBELFro7M/s1600/320980_10200317195563296_1669163454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjwcLuUFT-A/UYOubBW2f1I/AAAAAAAABps/YDCBELFro7M/s320/320980_10200317195563296_1669163454_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5x4UvxXxOI/UYOubyCjQJI/AAAAAAAABp0/RQit82mL1aA/s1600/427754_10200317198603372_845086277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5x4UvxXxOI/UYOubyCjQJI/AAAAAAAABp0/RQit82mL1aA/s320/427754_10200317198603372_845086277_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3jj8nzmwMM/UYOudvwFqtI/AAAAAAAABp8/1qlW-yBCG8k/s1600/551254_10200317195843303_314504885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3jj8nzmwMM/UYOudvwFqtI/AAAAAAAABp8/1qlW-yBCG8k/s320/551254_10200317195843303_314504885_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYD0YmgDVp0/UYOufNb9PUI/AAAAAAAABqE/OIOdXrY9pZI/s1600/734338_10200317195283289_1634210634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYD0YmgDVp0/UYOufNb9PUI/AAAAAAAABqE/OIOdXrY9pZI/s320/734338_10200317195283289_1634210634_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bV67DWtprM/UYOugHsB72I/AAAAAAAABqM/-mJnq_ZOpE4/s1600/407935_10200317196323315_2095016110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bV67DWtprM/UYOugHsB72I/AAAAAAAABqM/-mJnq_ZOpE4/s320/407935_10200317196323315_2095016110_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Misc. photos of Kolhapur:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lpvIjnThVI/UYOuxtnrQOI/AAAAAAAABqU/WeqnXPFgJzU/s1600/320950_10200317193643248_296621283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lpvIjnThVI/UYOuxtnrQOI/AAAAAAAABqU/WeqnXPFgJzU/s320/320950_10200317193643248_296621283_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOpHCsZ8cYk/UYOu0G9dmdI/AAAAAAAABqc/PBKekzhyD2c/s1600/3883_10200317194283264_687294766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOpHCsZ8cYk/UYOu0G9dmdI/AAAAAAAABqc/PBKekzhyD2c/s320/3883_10200317194283264_687294766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOHM2J-B_0g/UYOu1G1VWnI/AAAAAAAABqk/CnRUwubyy60/s1600/63684_10200317193683249_320509707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOHM2J-B_0g/UYOu1G1VWnI/AAAAAAAABqk/CnRUwubyy60/s320/63684_10200317193683249_320509707_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Misc photos - Shalini palace and Rankala lake:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qS6tqFy_Hs/UYOu9znCcfI/AAAAAAAABqs/Cj5GbGF3Bt0/s1600/385309_10200317315766301_2095071196_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qS6tqFy_Hs/UYOu9znCcfI/AAAAAAAABqs/Cj5GbGF3Bt0/s320/385309_10200317315766301_2095071196_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeeJyfAezLE/UYOvBS63khI/AAAAAAAABq0/phGJBuVDz0Y/s1600/282996_10200317223083984_940599533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeeJyfAezLE/UYOvBS63khI/AAAAAAAABq0/phGJBuVDz0Y/s320/282996_10200317223083984_940599533_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZOHHXpTbKs/UYOvEYqVYHI/AAAAAAAABq8/5MVAfJBJ2C8/s1600/734121_10200317223203987_333629554_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZOHHXpTbKs/UYOvEYqVYHI/AAAAAAAABq8/5MVAfJBJ2C8/s320/734121_10200317223203987_333629554_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80IgSnVh2CM/UYOvO9QpSbI/AAAAAAAABrE/4gTnlXYlZqE/s1600/184560_10200317220523920_1366629213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80IgSnVh2CM/UYOvO9QpSbI/AAAAAAAABrE/4gTnlXYlZqE/s320/184560_10200317220523920_1366629213_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue3dWoypujU/UYOvQ-xpITI/AAAAAAAABrM/jileYhOLpJ0/s1600/196976_10200317222163961_1407085258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue3dWoypujU/UYOvQ-xpITI/AAAAAAAABrM/jileYhOLpJ0/s320/196976_10200317222163961_1407085258_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Text & Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>
</div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-56308857169205467722013-05-02T09:28:00.000-07:002013-05-02T10:11:26.751-07:00Bhigwan Lake : A Photologue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6UlCvHczhc/UYKOurKoB1I/AAAAAAAABfU/dfqSlFBcpt8/s1600/Presentation1babl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6UlCvHczhc/UYKOurKoB1I/AAAAAAAABfU/dfqSlFBcpt8/s400/Presentation1babl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bhigwan lake lies near the town Bhigwan off Pune-Solapur
highway (90kms from Pune). It is a favourite destination of birdies from all
over India and is famous for its migratory birds, especially in the winter
season. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G16_V09cWvc/UYKPVd8BCTI/AAAAAAAABfc/wocQwa7xXKU/s1600/Presentation1bbnasbabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G16_V09cWvc/UYKPVd8BCTI/AAAAAAAABfc/wocQwa7xXKU/s400/Presentation1bbnasbabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A boat can be hired at village Diksal , 15kms near Bhigwan ,
which takes one around the lake. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHRRJnAQP30/UYKPwRGjfSI/AAAAAAAABfs/MzLpTkWaS8s/s1600/Presentation1fbabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHRRJnAQP30/UYKPwRGjfSI/AAAAAAAABfs/MzLpTkWaS8s/s400/Presentation1fbabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One gets to see birds like flamingoes, demoiselle cranes,
open billed storks, painted storks,grey heron, king fishers, harriers,purple
herons, egrets,gulls, ducks etc.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBLQWCHyR18/UYKQn3uGAeI/AAAAAAAABgM/Rx_CEbcXtn8/s1600/Presentation1nabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBLQWCHyR18/UYKQn3uGAeI/AAAAAAAABgM/Rx_CEbcXtn8/s400/Presentation1nabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photos:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIGm-S5npc/UYKRjq8GgVI/AAAAAAAABg0/MdXKE60_7-o/s1600/Presentation1fsabl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIGm-S5npc/UYKRjq8GgVI/AAAAAAAABg0/MdXKE60_7-o/s400/Presentation1fsabl1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFreU0_6bpY/UYKRaBUa9MI/AAAAAAAABgs/3UYH8_apQTU/s1600/Presentation1fsabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFreU0_6bpY/UYKRaBUa9MI/AAAAAAAABgs/3UYH8_apQTU/s400/Presentation1fsabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic: Flamingos</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLIvrP7ZtNo/UYKRLPAKwnI/AAAAAAAABgk/svio_wh61is/s1600/Presentation1uwbsabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLIvrP7ZtNo/UYKRLPAKwnI/AAAAAAAABgk/svio_wh61is/s400/Presentation1uwbsabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiYiAN3xA_c/UYKPhFLeqzI/AAAAAAAABfk/ianqHR_Od7E/s1600/Presentation1dcsabl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiYiAN3xA_c/UYKPhFLeqzI/AAAAAAAABfk/ianqHR_Od7E/s400/Presentation1dcsabl1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic: Demoiselle crane</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9xgsgrLYhY/UYKQGWNNqCI/AAAAAAAABf8/Uos-nsuUUJM/s1600/Presentation1esiwiabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9xgsgrLYhY/UYKQGWNNqCI/AAAAAAAABf8/Uos-nsuUUJM/s400/Presentation1esiwiabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Egret</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlmf9tWKdDw/UYKP-fpnjcI/AAAAAAAABf0/Ul9u8AG8lcs/s1600/Presentation1bfababl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlmf9tWKdDw/UYKP-fpnjcI/AAAAAAAABf0/Ul9u8AG8lcs/s400/Presentation1bfababl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Egret</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYsZauok25o/UYKQbEHjGWI/AAAAAAAABgE/9gC7OH5KXdg/s1600/Presentation1ibsabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYsZauok25o/UYKQbEHjGWI/AAAAAAAABgE/9gC7OH5KXdg/s400/Presentation1ibsabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Ibis</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-WFaRKYQqU/UYKQ0A-LWNI/AAAAAAAABgU/GQSo9dTy5pI/s1600/Presentation1sbsabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-WFaRKYQqU/UYKQ0A-LWNI/AAAAAAAABgU/GQSo9dTy5pI/s400/Presentation1sbsabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Spoon bill stork</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btSxXvP2H0s/UYKQ57iFijI/AAAAAAAABgc/TFPaUlVmSJY/s1600/Presentation1psrkcsablnp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btSxXvP2H0s/UYKQ57iFijI/AAAAAAAABgc/TFPaUlVmSJY/s400/Presentation1psrkcsablnp.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Painted stork</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHX4bi6s2Kw/UYKS2KOMqVI/AAAAAAAABhA/eqKv6CLZDwM/s1600/Presentation1aosbabl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHX4bi6s2Kw/UYKS2KOMqVI/AAAAAAAABhA/eqKv6CLZDwM/s400/Presentation1aosbabl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Open billed stork</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSSBUmBIreQ/UYKTE4GRGMI/AAAAAAAABhI/YOwZ0VEHni0/s1600/Presentation1eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSSBUmBIreQ/UYKTE4GRGMI/AAAAAAAABhI/YOwZ0VEHni0/s400/Presentation1eb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9jDf4H5jpc/UYKWVXSFZzI/AAAAAAAABhk/2Z1PthAwPLY/s1600/11289_10200594231769028_830201104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9jDf4H5jpc/UYKWVXSFZzI/AAAAAAAABhk/2Z1PthAwPLY/s400/11289_10200594231769028_830201104_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94gWx_SF6PE/UYKWTzrPtoI/AAAAAAAABhc/jHX9WuvQIAo/s1600/217576_10200559246894428_1828145611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94gWx_SF6PE/UYKWTzrPtoI/AAAAAAAABhc/jHX9WuvQIAo/s400/217576_10200559246894428_1828145611_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGZqXtLgWa0/UYKdrARyD4I/AAAAAAAABkE/JDbQ_jP8J90/s1600/217453_10200562540216759_1952005240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGZqXtLgWa0/UYKdrARyD4I/AAAAAAAABkE/JDbQ_jP8J90/s400/217453_10200562540216759_1952005240_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdYc6ZawCO4/UYKbW0XDs3I/AAAAAAAABjk/lEa6YPSyyCU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdYc6ZawCO4/UYKbW0XDs3I/AAAAAAAABjk/lEa6YPSyyCU/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Gadwall duck<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZntDcgPmHg/UYKWVjQG-DI/AAAAAAAABho/40GMqe8v69I/s1600/24432_10200559084530369_1823901413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZntDcgPmHg/UYKWVjQG-DI/AAAAAAAABho/40GMqe8v69I/s400/24432_10200559084530369_1823901413_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Grey heron</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uasUdVALb2Y/UYKWXiCSHhI/AAAAAAAABiE/cNqmfVY4JT8/s1600/294945_10200559268254962_1631604247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uasUdVALb2Y/UYKWXiCSHhI/AAAAAAAABiE/cNqmfVY4JT8/s400/294945_10200559268254962_1631604247_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJLe-TSY-Q/UYKWW9gqUaI/AAAAAAAABh8/OX70XL9MMzQ/s1600/2961_10200559214373615_1145631227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmJLe-TSY-Q/UYKWW9gqUaI/AAAAAAAABh8/OX70XL9MMzQ/s400/2961_10200559214373615_1145631227_n.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Gull<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YM6BJ5dZV8w/UYKcSCNzoUI/AAAAAAAABjs/M4CeOVMrt2A/s1600/419646_10200558388952980_1592933495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YM6BJ5dZV8w/UYKcSCNzoUI/AAAAAAAABjs/M4CeOVMrt2A/s400/419646_10200558388952980_1592933495_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Black winged stilt<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PziSpqghsq4/UYKdGElM_II/AAAAAAAABj8/1sfY3923owI/s1600/556482_10200565321846298_463549250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PziSpqghsq4/UYKdGElM_II/AAAAAAAABj8/1sfY3923owI/s400/556482_10200565321846298_463549250_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: White browed wagtail<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTRriGIGNc0/UYKcTsA05NI/AAAAAAAABj0/2IuNBd2oQCk/s1600/539931_10200562540896776_657509026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTRriGIGNc0/UYKcTsA05NI/AAAAAAAABj0/2IuNBd2oQCk/s400/539931_10200562540896776_657509026_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdUn1IKIE4/UYKWXvjYzUI/AAAAAAAABiM/hPh3Dmdp3hw/s1600/321323_10200559075130134_1424642639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdUn1IKIE4/UYKWXvjYzUI/AAAAAAAABiM/hPh3Dmdp3hw/s400/321323_10200559075130134_1424642639_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Marsh harrier</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7j-oSWU9zI/UYKWYjibhoI/AAAAAAAABiU/dR-bBwyf-Q0/s1600/321435_10200559088810476_1475067406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7j-oSWU9zI/UYKWYjibhoI/AAAAAAAABiU/dR-bBwyf-Q0/s400/321435_10200559088810476_1475067406_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7qiOpX3hPo/UYKWcmT4U7I/AAAAAAAABic/iSG7LzfmdUQ/s1600/734525_10200559109570995_615250487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7qiOpX3hPo/UYKWcmT4U7I/AAAAAAAABic/iSG7LzfmdUQ/s400/734525_10200559109570995_615250487_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Pond heron</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Diek7XDQdSI/UYKbJ0i978I/AAAAAAAABjU/6-Ap6nRlMnc/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Diek7XDQdSI/UYKbJ0i978I/AAAAAAAABjU/6-Ap6nRlMnc/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alBaOoh6zUo/UYKbKMEJUcI/AAAAAAAABjc/rttmp_lmO3M/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alBaOoh6zUo/UYKbKMEJUcI/AAAAAAAABjc/rttmp_lmO3M/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TU7bCse4iU/UYKWsrbXN4I/AAAAAAAABi4/65ROCiHH-TQ/s1600/205805_10200559163972355_465963410_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TU7bCse4iU/UYKWsrbXN4I/AAAAAAAABi4/65ROCiHH-TQ/s400/205805_10200559163972355_465963410_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Purple heron</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEPBWVZB67I/UYKWsZ637fI/AAAAAAAABi0/7BiZPByyY8k/s1600/71814_10200559125491393_2133608973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEPBWVZB67I/UYKWsZ637fI/AAAAAAAABi0/7BiZPByyY8k/s400/71814_10200559125491393_2133608973_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic: White throated kingfisher</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RP7k4U_Yj8Q/UYKYP-utR_I/AAAAAAAABjI/bkC8xjRU9fU/s1600/72957_10200559276495168_1320420615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RP7k4U_Yj8Q/UYKYP-utR_I/AAAAAAAABjI/bkC8xjRU9fU/s400/72957_10200559276495168_1320420615_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Text & Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-69435606415463879572013-04-30T10:51:00.000-07:002013-05-08T07:31:38.934-07:00Panhala : A Photologue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83KcsYNrGRU/UX_5u4Vht0I/AAAAAAAABXk/Dcyp5PFk5MA/s1600/184492_10200318892325714_725157680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83KcsYNrGRU/UX_5u4Vht0I/AAAAAAAABXk/Dcyp5PFk5MA/s400/184492_10200318892325714_725157680_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Panhala is one of the most historically significant places in Maharashtra. It once acted as the capital of the Karveer sansthan (Kolhapur).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtiA95DfBAI/UX_535-f9vI/AAAAAAAABXw/uWiVM0NAfSU/s1600/298974_10200318896245812_1612720400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtiA95DfBAI/UX_535-f9vI/AAAAAAAABXw/uWiVM0NAfSU/s400/298974_10200318896245812_1612720400_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
It holds the famous Panhalgad fort,which is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolhapur . Panhala is situated 20 kms NW from Kolhapur in Maharashtra.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dRJr974Eb8/UX_6AHJEhgI/AAAAAAAABX4/bLMGuN2HKyM/s1600/550747_10200318887605596_1428910351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dRJr974Eb8/UX_6AHJEhgI/AAAAAAAABX4/bLMGuN2HKyM/s400/550747_10200318887605596_1428910351_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was said to have been built in the 12th century by the Silhara ruler Bhoja II. Since then it passed hands with the Yadavas, Bahamani sultanate, Bijapur sultanate , Marathas, Mughals, the English etc.<br />
The Bijapur sultanate built several constructions on the fort and many of which stand till date.<br />
The maratha king Ch.Shivaji maharaj captured the fort in 1659. Later it was beseiged by Siddi Johar a powerful commander in the Bijapur army.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2C8UINpsvps/UX_6J6oWMyI/AAAAAAAABYA/8lz3CiADyqM/s1600/46119_10200320016553819_2047226441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2C8UINpsvps/UX_6J6oWMyI/AAAAAAAABYA/8lz3CiADyqM/s400/46119_10200320016553819_2047226441_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The fort witnessed a miraculous escape by Ch.Shivaji thanks to the valiant efforts of his men Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shiva Kashid.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36GqfqGUMB8/UX_6ffqCRxI/AAAAAAAABYI/BqdkWYXsfAU/s1600/538459_10200320017353839_1330204533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36GqfqGUMB8/UX_6ffqCRxI/AAAAAAAABYI/BqdkWYXsfAU/s400/538459_10200320017353839_1330204533_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ch.Shivaji had also imprisoned his son and crown prince Sambhaji for a brief time on this very fort after he rebelled against his father.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3saWjV_3bDQ/UX_6tdKovOI/AAAAAAAABYQ/4_C1D08l8_A/s1600/47604_10200318866165060_1375416326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3saWjV_3bDQ/UX_6tdKovOI/AAAAAAAABYQ/4_C1D08l8_A/s400/47604_10200318866165060_1375416326_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ch Shivajis younger son Ch.Rajaram also escaped to Gingee from this very fort after it was beseiged by the Mughals. Ch. Rajarams queen Tarabai also made Panhala her capital .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwb0BpoMePQ/UX_-2boeMQI/AAAAAAAABbY/ANYW29KBs2c/s1600/603228_10200318904926029_1312564880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwb0BpoMePQ/UX_-2boeMQI/AAAAAAAABbY/ANYW29KBs2c/s400/603228_10200318904926029_1312564880_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It later became the seat of power fr her stepson Sambhaji II. In 1827 the fort was handed over to the English after the erstwhile ruler of Kolhapur accepted English vassalage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zS913aZ_2Kk/UYKDLU2vjdI/AAAAAAAABfE/s_M9CL4Aw1U/s1600/320956_10200318905166035_145365783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zS913aZ_2Kk/UYKDLU2vjdI/AAAAAAAABfE/s_M9CL4Aw1U/s400/320956_10200318905166035_145365783_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The famous locations on the fort are:<br />
<br />
Andhar bavdi or the dark well<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wY5ieuI5as/UX_65UPCrFI/AAAAAAAABYY/utLGKhYe5y0/s1600/603135_10200318855724799_835704938_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wY5ieuI5as/UX_65UPCrFI/AAAAAAAABYY/utLGKhYe5y0/s400/603135_10200318855724799_835704938_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11MdHPEFSbA/UX_69U1sMrI/AAAAAAAABYg/WagHh7_p9OA/s1600/320984_10200318846084558_845204779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11MdHPEFSbA/UX_69U1sMrI/AAAAAAAABYg/WagHh7_p9OA/s400/320984_10200318846084558_845204779_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kalavantinicha mahal or the courtesans mansion<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Br4Aw_ceOuo/UX_7GkuxKZI/AAAAAAAABYo/uoLVsuvlVFI/s1600/385248_10200318883725499_426911132_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Br4Aw_ceOuo/UX_7GkuxKZI/AAAAAAAABYo/uoLVsuvlVFI/s400/385248_10200318883725499_426911132_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh3cyhf-nNc/UX_7P7tKiTI/AAAAAAAABYw/Y5Alyl5IF58/s1600/75365_10200318884285513_156001128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh3cyhf-nNc/UX_7P7tKiTI/AAAAAAAABYw/Y5Alyl5IF58/s400/75365_10200318884285513_156001128_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ambarkhana or Grainery<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fp360cLIflI/UX_7bGVwb7I/AAAAAAAABY4/NqQkPDIXBM4/s1600/197011_10200318874645272_1043500188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fp360cLIflI/UX_7bGVwb7I/AAAAAAAABY4/NqQkPDIXBM4/s400/197011_10200318874645272_1043500188_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoZbNZttLYY/UX_7fChOUUI/AAAAAAAABZA/oZZ-8M8zmu8/s1600/293548_10200318876685323_2098407531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoZbNZttLYY/UX_7fChOUUI/AAAAAAAABZA/oZZ-8M8zmu8/s400/293548_10200318876685323_2098407531_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sajja kothi where Ch.Sambhaji maharaj was imprisoned<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dc1a38fSwHo/UX_7mJvf92I/AAAAAAAABZI/gfZIL4567Dw/s1600/63690_10200318866085058_1192122078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dc1a38fSwHo/UX_7mJvf92I/AAAAAAAABZI/gfZIL4567Dw/s400/63690_10200318866085058_1192122078_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVv8HGOtV7A/UYKCqWP6O7I/AAAAAAAABe8/yjxnlYmn3io/s1600/543399_10200318865005031_40770347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVv8HGOtV7A/UYKCqWP6O7I/AAAAAAAABe8/yjxnlYmn3io/s400/543399_10200318865005031_40770347_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dharma kothi where alms were given to the needy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjJPIMZBXz4/UX_73JmCNPI/AAAAAAAABZQ/OQsffVeTfHY/s1600/dharmakothi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjJPIMZBXz4/UX_73JmCNPI/AAAAAAAABZQ/OQsffVeTfHY/s400/dharmakothi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cattlehouse</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpidRZWqEXM/UX_8A1b3UkI/AAAAAAAABZY/JflkAOh1GKY/s1600/cattlehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpidRZWqEXM/UX_8A1b3UkI/AAAAAAAABZY/JflkAOh1GKY/s400/cattlehouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Tarabai palace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qXVQ9E78-I/UX_8IKQYCqI/AAAAAAAABZg/0GRt482E3Ek/s1600/284830_10200318891725699_666963446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8qXVQ9E78-I/UX_8IKQYCqI/AAAAAAAABZg/0GRt482E3Ek/s400/284830_10200318891725699_666963446_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ramchandrapant Amatya (minister of Rani Tarabai) samadhi<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8p9-oWIQpw8/UX_8XYmnKgI/AAAAAAAABZo/HkOi5jjcV8I/s1600/602944_10200318870085158_181073810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8p9-oWIQpw8/UX_8XYmnKgI/AAAAAAAABZo/HkOi5jjcV8I/s400/602944_10200318870085158_181073810_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kali tower where allegedly human sacrifices were made at the behest of Jijabai the widow of Ch.Sambhaji II and regent queen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QzbKIrPBxMc/UX_8m3qeEEI/AAAAAAAABZw/YKOuT3mljtg/s1600/582513_10200318887325589_2061742121_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QzbKIrPBxMc/UX_8m3qeEEI/AAAAAAAABZw/YKOuT3mljtg/s400/582513_10200318887325589_2061742121_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Teen darwaza .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oHJIBMt83Q/UX_8wQVfXlI/AAAAAAAABZ4/DBN8xXYmdZE/s1600/23334_10200318844644522_1954035084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oHJIBMt83Q/UX_8wQVfXlI/AAAAAAAABZ4/DBN8xXYmdZE/s400/23334_10200318844644522_1954035084_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dp4FRRoqc8A/UX_815O7eMI/AAAAAAAABaA/a7QoU9dyh_A/s1600/268550_10200318838364365_817111944_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dp4FRRoqc8A/UX_815O7eMI/AAAAAAAABaA/a7QoU9dyh_A/s400/268550_10200318838364365_817111944_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6E55w0G0gY/UX_849aEAbI/AAAAAAAABaI/0u_V6vA_DVM/s1600/270297_10200318816323814_1528844456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6E55w0G0gY/UX_849aEAbI/AAAAAAAABaI/0u_V6vA_DVM/s400/270297_10200318816323814_1528844456_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kokan darwaza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7L0gMukomK0/UX_9Dr1GoEI/AAAAAAAABaQ/EBbvBCxONzc/s1600/185694_10200318845164535_609528750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7L0gMukomK0/UX_9Dr1GoEI/AAAAAAAABaQ/EBbvBCxONzc/s400/185694_10200318845164535_609528750_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Wagh darwaza .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMMEZ1DVlR8/UX_9W8M9_nI/AAAAAAAABaY/lpSsqDEE-Cg/s1600/23748_10200318859084883_1113567240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMMEZ1DVlR8/UX_9W8M9_nI/AAAAAAAABaY/lpSsqDEE-Cg/s400/23748_10200318859084883_1113567240_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ZPwYvNM4g/UX_9W97ACnI/AAAAAAAABac/3EyRq0w69Vo/s1600/407820_10200318862804976_745078682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2ZPwYvNM4g/UX_9W97ACnI/AAAAAAAABac/3EyRq0w69Vo/s400/407820_10200318862804976_745078682_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Way to Tabak udyan bird sanctuary</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULW4Go6zpqE/UYAGwdWtUXI/AAAAAAAABd8/vCkEzSiuJzQ/s1600/71587_10200318862444967_1273757363_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULW4Go6zpqE/UYAGwdWtUXI/AAAAAAAABd8/vCkEzSiuJzQ/s400/71587_10200318862444967_1273757363_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dutondi buruj</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz81QGOCWUY/UYAGnqHeeAI/AAAAAAAABd0/rAHIZuWWMhA/s1600/dutondi+buruj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz81QGOCWUY/UYAGnqHeeAI/AAAAAAAABd0/rAHIZuWWMhA/s400/dutondi+buruj.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Raj dindi bastion used by Shivaji for his escape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viqYgO7Mv_I/UX_9hJLT-mI/AAAAAAAABao/Kl5Ycxd-b3E/s1600/shivaji+exit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viqYgO7Mv_I/UX_9hJLT-mI/AAAAAAAABao/Kl5Ycxd-b3E/s400/shivaji+exit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Parashar caves where sage Parashar meditated.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROkpaVQFPi0/UX_9pQZA2uI/AAAAAAAABaw/6m-xn9vqQXM/s1600/parashar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROkpaVQFPi0/UX_9pQZA2uI/AAAAAAAABaw/6m-xn9vqQXM/s400/parashar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Temples like the ones dedicated to Mahakali, Someshwar, Sambhaji II etc<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzqpFMyGK50/UX_91-a8wvI/AAAAAAAABa4/ZoNHQqQrLXE/s1600/sambhaji+mandir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzqpFMyGK50/UX_91-a8wvI/AAAAAAAABa4/ZoNHQqQrLXE/s400/sambhaji+mandir.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwzn11aOo7M/UX_93CRaVjI/AAAAAAAABbA/7QvN6RIBAPw/s1600/sambhaji+mandir11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwzn11aOo7M/UX_93CRaVjI/AAAAAAAABbA/7QvN6RIBAPw/s400/sambhaji+mandir11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9oQ_urws28/UX_9_TjRRTI/AAAAAAAABbI/7lWT_cXEW4Q/s1600/shivaji+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9oQ_urws28/UX_9_TjRRTI/AAAAAAAABbI/7lWT_cXEW4Q/s400/shivaji+temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKBKKxOZ0_Y/UX_-__a7l0I/AAAAAAAABbg/1jg2JI6i3mY/s1600/299070_10200318902445967_350193316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKBKKxOZ0_Y/UX_-__a7l0I/AAAAAAAABbg/1jg2JI6i3mY/s400/299070_10200318902445967_350193316_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXqk_HtcxOw/UX_-YT-D0LI/AAAAAAAABbQ/jsBU3-O7mI4/s1600/75303_10200318904126009_1892873669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXqk_HtcxOw/UX_-YT-D0LI/AAAAAAAABbQ/jsBU3-O7mI4/s400/75303_10200318904126009_1892873669_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Panahala is also a home for several bird varieties like Orange headed thrush, Paradise flycatcher, Green leafbird, small Minivet etc (including at Tabak udyan near Wagh darwaza).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeVifZkT0xk/UYAAoNPNjoI/AAAAAAAABb0/lQDvFXyNc20/s1600/Presentation1csbap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AeVifZkT0xk/UYAAoNPNjoI/AAAAAAAABb0/lQDvFXyNc20/s400/Presentation1csbap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: white cheeked barbet<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6n7qNlJPqY/UYASkahyaQI/AAAAAAAABes/KeI9HkiJ81w/s1600/63588_10200326168947625_526361960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6n7qNlJPqY/UYASkahyaQI/AAAAAAAABes/KeI9HkiJ81w/s400/63588_10200326168947625_526361960_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pic: Coppersmith barbet</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7j0t0cCRL4/UYAQOqhLbNI/AAAAAAAABeM/qgMd-UUuhVc/s1600/Presentation1map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7j0t0cCRL4/UYAQOqhLbNI/AAAAAAAABeM/qgMd-UUuhVc/s400/Presentation1map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AeyMfTNJSH4/UYAQc0EiYoI/AAAAAAAABeU/oMDBN95JppY/s1600/Presentation1map9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AeyMfTNJSH4/UYAQc0EiYoI/AAAAAAAABeU/oMDBN95JppY/s400/Presentation1map9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Blackfaced monkey<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqDFrfWh6Tc/UYAQhB4KmBI/AAAAAAAABec/MPt3lJU5wDI/s1600/Presentation1mbap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqDFrfWh6Tc/UYAQhB4KmBI/AAAAAAAABec/MPt3lJU5wDI/s400/Presentation1mbap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pic: Tickels blue flycatcher<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDEdk2ct9uU/UYAAw-8AN6I/AAAAAAAABcE/ucJdyo1k_cs/s1600/Presentation1ebbap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDEdk2ct9uU/UYAAw-8AN6I/AAAAAAAABcE/ucJdyo1k_cs/s400/Presentation1ebbap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Eurasian blackbird<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2wPNBfxO-I/UYAA6YjPtjI/AAAAAAAABcM/dHhV7DJHzAY/s1600/Presentation1gbsapanf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2wPNBfxO-I/UYAA6YjPtjI/AAAAAAAABcM/dHhV7DJHzAY/s400/Presentation1gbsapanf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Iora<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LVOf402Md4/UYAA9eTcPvI/AAAAAAAABcY/2LXKkGSmB2A/s1600/Presentation1gflap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LVOf402Md4/UYAA9eTcPvI/AAAAAAAABcY/2LXKkGSmB2A/s400/Presentation1gflap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Gold fronted leafbird<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WW3ysw10udg/UYABfVQjRYI/AAAAAAAABco/BQ3qeE2g874/s1600/Presentation1pfsap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WW3ysw10udg/UYABfVQjRYI/AAAAAAAABco/BQ3qeE2g874/s400/Presentation1pfsap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Asian paradise flycatcher female<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etMrP4XEZu8/UYABpB8R8lI/AAAAAAAABcw/B7cDJYgrm7g/s1600/Presentation1obap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etMrP4XEZu8/UYABpB8R8lI/AAAAAAAABcw/B7cDJYgrm7g/s400/Presentation1obap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Small minivet<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10EvCt8gLMY/UYAB0Dt9edI/AAAAAAAABc4/O8s5lKdGNwA/s1600/Presentation1pp+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10EvCt8gLMY/UYAB0Dt9edI/AAAAAAAABc4/O8s5lKdGNwA/s400/Presentation1pp+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Rose ringed parakeets<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNtfhx3nbQo/UYAB7xnPI5I/AAAAAAAABdA/cvvjtat9Zk0/s1600/Presentation1psboabfmw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNtfhx3nbQo/UYAB7xnPI5I/AAAAAAAABdA/cvvjtat9Zk0/s400/Presentation1psboabfmw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Purple sunbird<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgCSuQ8zA_w/UYACRTpaTTI/AAAAAAAABdI/5j3bXYlaacc/s1600/Presentation1webap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgCSuQ8zA_w/UYACRTpaTTI/AAAAAAAABdI/5j3bXYlaacc/s400/Presentation1webap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: white eyed bird<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUsyrrZ8sps/UYAChu1xfLI/AAAAAAAABdQ/mOmPJp2p4d8/s1600/Presentation1ubsap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUsyrrZ8sps/UYAChu1xfLI/AAAAAAAABdQ/mOmPJp2p4d8/s400/Presentation1ubsap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pic: Orange thrush bird<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNKvEfHqyfc/UYphm2tRCTI/AAAAAAAABrc/T8Nvnc54SOQ/s1600/Presentation1ubllcap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNKvEfHqyfc/UYphm2tRCTI/AAAAAAAABrc/T8Nvnc54SOQ/s400/Presentation1ubllcap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pic: Black lored yellow tit bird</div>
<br />
Panhala is also the summer home for several film, political , business personalities from Kolhapur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTHTsUR2W4M/UYADdwcT8WI/AAAAAAAABdc/bcF_Z6L4bc0/s1600/408419_10200429032679154_1399335724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTHTsUR2W4M/UYADdwcT8WI/AAAAAAAABdc/bcF_Z6L4bc0/s400/408419_10200429032679154_1399335724_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZlLuPweLJ4/UYADemLo6dI/AAAAAAAABdk/0YABWqxuHYw/s1600/545216_10200429046199492_1863217802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZlLuPweLJ4/UYADemLo6dI/AAAAAAAABdk/0YABWqxuHYw/s400/545216_10200429046199492_1863217802_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The lodging boarding arrangements on the fort are excellent with several hotels, resorts being located here.<br />
<br />
Text and Photographs by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha<br />
<br /></div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-79484618094791535412012-02-13T20:54:00.002-08:002012-02-20T13:21:15.227-08:00Lonavala Wax Museum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3eQiklbGYQ/T0K4lRBh-aI/AAAAAAAABTM/GaOs8v4moC0/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3eQiklbGYQ/T0K4lRBh-aI/AAAAAAAABTM/GaOs8v4moC0/s320/IMG_2055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Lonavala Wax Museum displays the wax works of sculptor artist Sunil Kandaloor. It is built on the lines of the Madame Tussauds museum London and the Paris wax museum. It is located at Lonavala (60 kms from Pune) at the start of the Lonavala Karla road. He has already established a similar museum in Kanyakumari. The museum displays wax statues of several famous personalities like Anna Hazare, Mahatma Gandhi,Babasaheb Ambedkar,Ch.Shivaji Maharaj,Swami Vivekananda,Kapil Dev,Sri Sri Ravishankar,Sai Baba,Ma Amrutanandamayi,Jackie Shroff,MS Subalakshmi,A R Rehman,Michael Jackson,Saddam Hussain,Hitler etc.<br />
Some of the statues have a almost perfect likeness to their original counterparts and are difficult to distinguish apart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3eC0Tfxl1Y/Tznmd6VtMWI/AAAAAAAABSE/ApzVm1_uZrM/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3eC0Tfxl1Y/Tznmd6VtMWI/AAAAAAAABSE/ApzVm1_uZrM/s320/IMG_2061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRt8OSZux-w/Tznm1tplFdI/AAAAAAAABSM/ukzFIM0c0pc/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRt8OSZux-w/Tznm1tplFdI/AAAAAAAABSM/ukzFIM0c0pc/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgXSk5VQEn8/Tznnm4acM8I/AAAAAAAABSc/o5b6ylPmGPs/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgXSk5VQEn8/Tznnm4acM8I/AAAAAAAABSc/o5b6ylPmGPs/s320/IMG_2079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ubeTJcxpzs/TznoA8pI-II/AAAAAAAABSk/yPCWlKf_fJs/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ubeTJcxpzs/TznoA8pI-II/AAAAAAAABSk/yPCWlKf_fJs/s320/IMG_2056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPV07DqNfi8/TznnJKJMUII/AAAAAAAABSU/l7jW75FRH6M/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPV07DqNfi8/TznnJKJMUII/AAAAAAAABSU/l7jW75FRH6M/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HyI8YGlc-EA/TznoayD9zkI/AAAAAAAABSs/LEb_D_z_YaQ/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HyI8YGlc-EA/TznoayD9zkI/AAAAAAAABSs/LEb_D_z_YaQ/s320/IMG_2078.JPG" width="147" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4PjXoIV7A/TznpAfaxVyI/AAAAAAAABS0/SwoDNI41FYs/s1600/IMG_2088+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4PjXoIV7A/TznpAfaxVyI/AAAAAAAABS0/SwoDNI41FYs/s320/IMG_2088+-+Copy.JPG" width="132" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NtvLxCbysw/TznpaHeqIOI/AAAAAAAABS8/Pp7GPg3gz6A/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NtvLxCbysw/TznpaHeqIOI/AAAAAAAABS8/Pp7GPg3gz6A/s200/IMG_2096.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uTV5Q0kVb0/TznqIYeC-FI/AAAAAAAABTE/Zf7lgixr6HI/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uTV5Q0kVb0/TznqIYeC-FI/AAAAAAAABTE/Zf7lgixr6HI/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" width="110" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLnmTW9T0N8/TznlkiLVTGI/AAAAAAAABR0/r7zL1AXFbVg/s1600/Waxmuseum_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLnmTW9T0N8/TznlkiLVTGI/AAAAAAAABR0/r7zL1AXFbVg/s320/Waxmuseum_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">pic source (above pic) : ekpravas.blogspot.com</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Also refer <a href="http://www.celebritywaxmuseum.com/index.php">http://www.celebritywaxmuseum.com/index.php</a> <br />
<br />
Photographs: Abhijit Rajadhyaksha (except the ones credited).</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-53351578308153911612012-01-26T11:23:00.000-08:002012-01-30T10:20:53.202-08:00Miscellaneous churches of Goa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci4WOWdXk4w/TyGnscDU8uI/AAAAAAAABPE/YA4ZqeEYq2I/s1600/_DSC8386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci4WOWdXk4w/TyGnscDU8uI/AAAAAAAABPE/YA4ZqeEYq2I/s400/_DSC8386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Mae de deus (mother of god) church was built in 1873 in Gothic architectural style at Saligao (10kms from Panjim), North Goa.<br />
<br />
Miscellaneous churches in Goa:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsdLYm92nc0/TyGqUZ2fkcI/AAAAAAAABPM/EuXoXf7FHm8/s1600/cajetan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsdLYm92nc0/TyGqUZ2fkcI/AAAAAAAABPM/EuXoXf7FHm8/s320/cajetan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"> St Cajetan church (prev.known as Church of our lady of divine providence) built in the 18th century in Corinthian architectural style by Italian friars of the Theatine order.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfB4EE9Vbls/TyGqgaPu_dI/AAAAAAAABPU/LvEquPxGp0M/s1600/_DSC8241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfB4EE9Vbls/TyGqgaPu_dI/AAAAAAAABPU/LvEquPxGp0M/s320/_DSC8241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuqwHeic04/TyGqwLKSbbI/AAAAAAAABPc/lpWEn8KUpG8/s1600/_DSC8244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuqwHeic04/TyGqwLKSbbI/AAAAAAAABPc/lpWEn8KUpG8/s320/_DSC8244.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our Lady of Merces , a.k.a Nossa Senhora de merces ,Colva built in 1630-5. Its statue of infant Jesus was brought from the Mozambique coast by a Jesuit priest Bento Fereira and placed in the church in 1648.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INL0q3eA8tU/TyGq8tc-10I/AAAAAAAABPk/erwvWxxvAsY/s1600/_DSC8344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INL0q3eA8tU/TyGq8tc-10I/AAAAAAAABPk/erwvWxxvAsY/s320/_DSC8344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Se Cathedral, Old Goa built in 1619 to commemorate victory of Alfonso de Albureques army against the moslems. It is built in the Portuguese Manueline architectural style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcpZ3rjtvYU/TyGrPoS3LnI/AAAAAAAABPs/BKS4QQI8NTk/s1600/_DSC8289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcpZ3rjtvYU/TyGrPoS3LnI/AAAAAAAABPs/BKS4QQI8NTk/s320/_DSC8289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa built in 1604 in Baroque style architecture.It holds the mummified body of St Frances Xavier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6MlZmRnLiI/TyGrfTWUkCI/AAAAAAAABP0/6EVxLAK9qxs/s1600/_DSC8336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6MlZmRnLiI/TyGrfTWUkCI/AAAAAAAABP0/6EVxLAK9qxs/s320/_DSC8336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Se cathedral, Old Goa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQyRcXNYTQM/TyGryF1Y1PI/AAAAAAAABP8/7poW3xq0krA/s1600/_DSC7611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQyRcXNYTQM/TyGryF1Y1PI/AAAAAAAABP8/7poW3xq0krA/s320/_DSC7611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Church of our lady of immaculate conception, Panjim built in 1543-7 (rebuilt in 1619) in Manueline architectural style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN60QTLC52A/TyGsaogLQAI/AAAAAAAABQE/NLJHAUkW_ks/s1600/st.++joaqim+chapple+margao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN60QTLC52A/TyGsaogLQAI/AAAAAAAABQE/NLJHAUkW_ks/s320/st.++joaqim+chapple+margao.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">St Joachim church, Margao</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Photographs : Nitin Pai</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-69815112777475854332012-01-26T08:45:00.000-08:002012-01-26T08:45:20.823-08:00Narsobachi wadi, Kolhapur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2sVgx09xZs/TyGBO_ZjtPI/AAAAAAAABN0/au2IOxSId18/s1600/narsobachiwadi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2sVgx09xZs/TyGBO_ZjtPI/AAAAAAAABN0/au2IOxSId18/s320/narsobachiwadi.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Narsobachi wadi is famous for its Dattatreya temple and the samadhi of the saint Swami Narsinha Saraswati .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XnhHbY0xcpY/TyGBb5EoNlI/AAAAAAAABN8/zwmpzNXocDo/s1600/narsobachiwadi+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XnhHbY0xcpY/TyGBb5EoNlI/AAAAAAAABN8/zwmpzNXocDo/s320/narsobachiwadi+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It is located near Kurundwad, 40 kms from Kolhapur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ1zc7XYIRo/TyGBvSg-vqI/AAAAAAAABOE/TvySA0XbeAc/s1600/narsobachiwadi+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ1zc7XYIRo/TyGBvSg-vqI/AAAAAAAABOE/TvySA0XbeAc/s320/narsobachiwadi+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The original temple was built almost 600 years ago and has undergone several renovations since then.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4YgXJbBlEM/TyGC4xya1BI/AAAAAAAABO8/MEyzgZ2QV0I/s1600/narsobachiwadi7a+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4YgXJbBlEM/TyGC4xya1BI/AAAAAAAABO8/MEyzgZ2QV0I/s320/narsobachiwadi7a+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zEDX1LEVwfI/TyGB41OknoI/AAAAAAAABOM/H4kDQEGmaW4/s1600/narsobachiwadi7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zEDX1LEVwfI/TyGB41OknoI/AAAAAAAABOM/H4kDQEGmaW4/s320/narsobachiwadi7a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The temple exists at the confluence of the Krishna Panchaganga rivers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73POUz07di0/TyGCBII-tPI/AAAAAAAABOU/qDK-ubsllZM/s1600/Photo-0607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73POUz07di0/TyGCBII-tPI/AAAAAAAABOU/qDK-ubsllZM/s1600/Photo-0607.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Being a very popular holy site, Narsaobachi wadi has state transport buses plying at a regular frequencies from Kolhapur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDqhqYIC-EM/TyGCNMrc6cI/AAAAAAAABOc/6yTPimGlFig/s1600/Photo-0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDqhqYIC-EM/TyGCNMrc6cI/AAAAAAAABOc/6yTPimGlFig/s1600/Photo-0605.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXDcoWNMkec/TyGCNnDsLiI/AAAAAAAABOk/Un1C3veJgn4/s1600/Photo-0604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXDcoWNMkec/TyGCNnDsLiI/AAAAAAAABOk/Un1C3veJgn4/s1600/Photo-0604.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAaC-jetJok/TyGCOdGeY9I/AAAAAAAABOs/crbILZARzRM/s1600/Photo-0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAaC-jetJok/TyGCOdGeY9I/AAAAAAAABOs/crbILZARzRM/s1600/Photo-0600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlVoNPIz1JA/TyGCO0ag6FI/AAAAAAAABO0/GDaOGH-hSOI/s1600/Photo-0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlVoNPIz1JA/TyGCO0ag6FI/AAAAAAAABO0/GDaOGH-hSOI/s1600/Photo-0601.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Text and photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-26127094202818953222012-01-25T01:12:00.000-08:002012-01-25T10:58:09.385-08:00Ancestral Goa (Big Foot) Museum : Loutelim, Goa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMMHt7izDpg/Tx_EgKUqqKI/AAAAAAAABME/kxoTA4PV3ks/s1600/ancestralgoa+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMMHt7izDpg/Tx_EgKUqqKI/AAAAAAAABME/kxoTA4PV3ks/s320/ancestralgoa+%25287%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Ancestral Goa museum is the brainchild of artist Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umUt5uJP8jY/TyBM3IXiukI/AAAAAAAABNk/4pleovvdPHU/s1600/ancestarlgaohouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umUt5uJP8jY/TyBM3IXiukI/AAAAAAAABNk/4pleovvdPHU/s320/ancestarlgaohouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDjJovpVpiE/TyBM4LwFXAI/AAAAAAAABNs/wij4qbLWiK8/s1600/ancestarlgoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDjJovpVpiE/TyBM4LwFXAI/AAAAAAAABNs/wij4qbLWiK8/s320/ancestarlgoa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pics(above): Sachin Dinde</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Built on a sprawling estate of 9 acres in 1994, Ancestral Goa acts as a showcase for Goan culture and history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIazKWC5Glc/Tx_FBpfYDlI/AAAAAAAABMc/sQzs2xMBDio/s1600/ancestralgoa+big+foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIazKWC5Glc/Tx_FBpfYDlI/AAAAAAAABMc/sQzs2xMBDio/s1600/ancestralgoa+big+foot.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The museum is situated at Loutelim and is also known as the Big Foot museum, because of the presence of a stone imprint of a large foot which the locals believe to be that of a local saint.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiinQSmF4u4/Tx_Es5D1OYI/AAAAAAAABMM/i1X-ZP9EAcM/s1600/ancestralgoa+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiinQSmF4u4/Tx_Es5D1OYI/AAAAAAAABMM/i1X-ZP9EAcM/s320/ancestralgoa+%25284%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Butnh-FQmxo/Tx_Gyfr9REI/AAAAAAAABMk/qTPZTg8ZTQw/s1600/ancestarlgoa111sachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Butnh-FQmxo/Tx_Gyfr9REI/AAAAAAAABMk/qTPZTg8ZTQw/s320/ancestarlgoa111sachin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlLrLreDADg/TyBLz8JJ_rI/AAAAAAAABMs/KSe2T4bi_1k/s1600/ancestralgoatoddysachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlLrLreDADg/TyBLz8JJ_rI/AAAAAAAABMs/KSe2T4bi_1k/s320/ancestralgoatoddysachin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XR-xWlD57M/TyBL0t0iBuI/AAAAAAAABM0/438o18tjYa0/s1600/ancestralgoa11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XR-xWlD57M/TyBL0t0iBuI/AAAAAAAABM0/438o18tjYa0/s320/ancestralgoa11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXD3nwaovv8/TyBL1pq7OsI/AAAAAAAABM8/Zo-3E3Z2m28/s1600/ancestralgoatoddymakingsachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXD3nwaovv8/TyBL1pq7OsI/AAAAAAAABM8/Zo-3E3Z2m28/s320/ancestralgoatoddymakingsachin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BLVtixcoRg/TyBL2-rdCLI/AAAAAAAABNE/3OAgagxYIOY/s1600/ancestralgoa5sachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BLVtixcoRg/TyBL2-rdCLI/AAAAAAAABNE/3OAgagxYIOY/s320/ancestralgoa5sachin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap7x8L4AiB0/TyBL33WY_-I/AAAAAAAABNM/3oRvL8gMlM4/s1600/ancestralgoa6sachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap7x8L4AiB0/TyBL33WY_-I/AAAAAAAABNM/3oRvL8gMlM4/s320/ancestralgoa6sachin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBfRdyr3r8g/TyBL40zng3I/AAAAAAAABNU/6mCTmgsai40/s1600/ancestralgoa6sachin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBfRdyr3r8g/TyBL40zng3I/AAAAAAAABNU/6mCTmgsai40/s320/ancestralgoa6sachin1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSA-RNOHaWo/TyBL52BWb_I/AAAAAAAABNc/71gIrEObuDc/s1600/ancestralgoa3sachin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VSA-RNOHaWo/TyBL52BWb_I/AAAAAAAABNc/71gIrEObuDc/s320/ancestralgoa3sachin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pics (above): Sachin Dinde</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The estate has several clay models depicting Goans in their various professions, chores (e.g toddy maker, fisherman, salt bank, coconut splitting etc) and moods besides several Goan artefacts, handicrafts, paintings etc which are on display.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4_XFCmwLzo/Tx_E2xixl0I/AAAAAAAABMU/XHPXwHvEK2Y/s1600/ancestralgoamirabai+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4_XFCmwLzo/Tx_E2xixl0I/AAAAAAAABMU/XHPXwHvEK2Y/s1600/ancestralgoamirabai+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
There is also a large sculpture of Saint Mirabai. It holds the Limca record of the largest laterite sculpture in India<br />
<br />
For more details refer <a href="http://www.ancestralgoa.com/">http://www.ancestralgoa.com</a><br />
<br />
Text and photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-5711075513661524302012-01-06T11:51:00.000-08:002012-01-08T01:28:07.541-08:00Bhaja Caves : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5XFsJXwTTk/TwdKon3QOZI/AAAAAAAABJM/MMztT3eYrpE/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5XFsJXwTTk/TwdKon3QOZI/AAAAAAAABJM/MMztT3eYrpE/s320/IMG_1851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Bhaja caves are a ancient Hinayana Buddhist cave monastery excavated sometime from 2nd cen BC to 1st cen AD. They are located atop a mountain alongside the base village of Bhaja (from which the caves get their name or perhaps vice versa) in Maval khore region around 2kms from Malavli railway station near Lonavala (64kms from Pune city).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQD8ARGAdTA/TwdLDpTAZ9I/AAAAAAAABJU/G3yVODpdhE8/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQD8ARGAdTA/TwdLDpTAZ9I/AAAAAAAABJU/G3yVODpdhE8/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The caves can be accessed by climbing a series of steep stone steps (which can be covered in half an hours time).<br />
The caves were a part of the highway connecting the ancient trade ports of Kalyan and Sopara.<br />
Traders often used these caves for a stopover before proceeding to the ports and back.<br />
Bhaja caves are also in proximity (5kms away) to the famous Karla caves (Note: ancient name of Karla was Veluraka).In fact the architectural style of Karla and Bhaja caves is quite similar.<br />
In vicinity are also the famous forts of Lohagad and Visapur.<br />
Bhaja acted as a great learning centre for Buddhism and also provided accomodation for the residing monks.<br />
Bhaja is a group of 18 caves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUfKWAA9LY/TwdLX-PXG2I/AAAAAAAABJc/XsOF5fpEViw/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUfKWAA9LY/TwdLX-PXG2I/AAAAAAAABJc/XsOF5fpEViw/s320/IMG_1855.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The main cave is a 17x18 mtr <i>chaityagriha</i> (having a arched horseshoe shaped facade similar to Karla). The main <i>stupa</i> (3.45 mtr dia) has an apse background with a grooved ribbed ceiling made in timber.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4wWSyaM3lM/TwdLkyV6enI/AAAAAAAABJk/1yVZiZbMiEs/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4wWSyaM3lM/TwdLkyV6enI/AAAAAAAABJk/1yVZiZbMiEs/s200/IMG_1870.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
There are <i>shilalekhs</i> (probably in the <i>brahmi </i>script) mentioning donor details found in various spaces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gO7A8Kw7L9g/TwdLztAhg5I/AAAAAAAABJs/JpWJtgqWsHQ/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gO7A8Kw7L9g/TwdLztAhg5I/AAAAAAAABJs/JpWJtgqWsHQ/s320/IMG_1856.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7BBwWmlEl4/TwdL97C6M0I/AAAAAAAABJ0/bo8gxA-8nmc/s1600/IMG_1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7BBwWmlEl4/TwdL97C6M0I/AAAAAAAABJ0/bo8gxA-8nmc/s320/IMG_1858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SaiLZQYyOE/TwdQhr8DfTI/AAAAAAAABL0/YhXsHcNVMy4/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SaiLZQYyOE/TwdQhr8DfTI/AAAAAAAABL0/YhXsHcNVMy4/s320/IMG_1859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Besides the chaityagrihas there are many <i>viharas</i> where the monks were lodged. The interiors of the viharas are very simple. They have a stone plinth that probably doubled as a bed and a chair. There is also a water reservoir outside the rooms to provide potable water for the monks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AoT77hBqO0/TwdMTcXSjWI/AAAAAAAABJ8/a12IQ2KWI3I/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AoT77hBqO0/TwdMTcXSjWI/AAAAAAAABJ8/a12IQ2KWI3I/s320/IMG_1883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHBrC7s-t48/TwdMi2xV8yI/AAAAAAAABKE/1PU0HU_ZHZc/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHBrC7s-t48/TwdMi2xV8yI/AAAAAAAABKE/1PU0HU_ZHZc/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pic: Surya</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6GkAdE2Aa4/TwdM0tOv3bI/AAAAAAAABKM/zmhA3WuvK1A/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6GkAdE2Aa4/TwdM0tOv3bI/AAAAAAAABKM/zmhA3WuvK1A/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pic: Indra</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuZS75Ol_M/TwdNKRA728I/AAAAAAAABKU/PuTzU0erTGU/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuZS75Ol_M/TwdNKRA728I/AAAAAAAABKU/PuTzU0erTGU/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4GIQ54OvzI/TwdNYHzcaRI/AAAAAAAABKc/bmpXkixld3s/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4GIQ54OvzI/TwdNYHzcaRI/AAAAAAAABKc/bmpXkixld3s/s320/IMG_1887.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRQCGMXrsNQ/TwdNjWUaHfI/AAAAAAAABKk/zZiVsSnPH6E/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRQCGMXrsNQ/TwdNjWUaHfI/AAAAAAAABKk/zZiVsSnPH6E/s200/IMG_1889.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMyXQtMytF4/TwdNsth8mII/AAAAAAAABKs/AD8-EDqkb0g/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMyXQtMytF4/TwdNsth8mII/AAAAAAAABKs/AD8-EDqkb0g/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vORwOAUkn-8/TwdN1Pk-woI/AAAAAAAABK0/a6S66weYSNI/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vORwOAUkn-8/TwdN1Pk-woI/AAAAAAAABK0/a6S66weYSNI/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWVw4lMeXfM/TwdN-HgQ_KI/AAAAAAAABK8/AOnH4h47wKY/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWVw4lMeXfM/TwdN-HgQ_KI/AAAAAAAABK8/AOnH4h47wKY/s320/IMG_1892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPHEt-SiHJw/TwdOip0EGxI/AAAAAAAABLE/eed8Vf4376A/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPHEt-SiHJw/TwdOip0EGxI/AAAAAAAABLE/eed8Vf4376A/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WB1jPSZF4c/TwdOy4e9FsI/AAAAAAAABLM/dAsY8h6-b5g/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WB1jPSZF4c/TwdOy4e9FsI/AAAAAAAABLM/dAsY8h6-b5g/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7PI7ry18Yk/TwdO8yVmx5I/AAAAAAAABLU/gOhrIv41kx0/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7PI7ry18Yk/TwdO8yVmx5I/AAAAAAAABLU/gOhrIv41kx0/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Also present is a pillared hall with some beautiful carvings of various deities (<i>Surya,Indra</i>),<i> dwarpalas</i>, animals etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnPi8Aaq_30/TwdPSy70qpI/AAAAAAAABLc/lhr2euOda_g/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnPi8Aaq_30/TwdPSy70qpI/AAAAAAAABLc/lhr2euOda_g/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTE5RWbn22w/TwdPezuimiI/AAAAAAAABLk/iBVImSK4MXY/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTE5RWbn22w/TwdPezuimiI/AAAAAAAABLk/iBVImSK4MXY/s320/IMG_1871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mV34p5C1SQ/TwdPsglfKbI/AAAAAAAABLs/v1jl3T_dYbQ/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mV34p5C1SQ/TwdPsglfKbI/AAAAAAAABLs/v1jl3T_dYbQ/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Then there is cave room that has 14 nos smaller <i>stupas</i> located inside(5 nos) as well as outside(9 nos) the enclosure. They are said to store relics and ashes of the departed monks.<br />
<br />
All in all the Bhaja caves are a tourists delight and a fine specimen for study by visting historians, archaelogists and students.<br />
<br />
The best time to visit Bhaja would be in the monsoons (though they can be visited 365 days in a year), where there are cascades all around and the caves themselves are enwrapped with a green blanket.<br />
<br />
Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-14421508243311509412011-12-31T02:23:00.000-08:002013-04-07T10:03:34.383-07:00Changavateshwar & Sangameshwar temples, Saswad : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Changavateshwar temple</b><br />
Venue: Saswad, 40km from Pune.<br />
History: This temples Shivlinga was said to have been originally installed by Sage Changadeva(12th/13th cen AD). Jeernoddhar of temple by Sardar Ambuji Purandare in 1700 AD.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sG6zC3SzmNU/Tv7cjw-BWkI/AAAAAAAABDs/g0VYwAmB0AE/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sG6zC3SzmNU/Tv7cjw-BWkI/AAAAAAAABDs/g0VYwAmB0AE/s320/IMG_1603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsgaD-GFg9s/Tv7c2_E7wjI/AAAAAAAABD4/81cKIjKMSWU/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsgaD-GFg9s/Tv7c2_E7wjI/AAAAAAAABD4/81cKIjKMSWU/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic:shikhara</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQKfCH5SmI8/Tv7c9CjcWDI/AAAAAAAABEA/WBrp1vtBRfU/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQKfCH5SmI8/Tv7c9CjcWDI/AAAAAAAABEA/WBrp1vtBRfU/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: mandovara</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwUW1QsS48A/Tv7dD7HgxCI/AAAAAAAABEI/Q2OqluN88hU/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwUW1QsS48A/Tv7dD7HgxCI/AAAAAAAABEI/Q2OqluN88hU/s320/IMG_1616.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic:sthambha shilpa depicting Sharabha<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Temple walls & pillars have carvings depicting Gods,Godesses,Celestial beings, stories from ancient texts etc.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct7O86eCOx0/Tv7dOEiT_tI/AAAAAAAABEY/LkNBjjFo-Zc/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct7O86eCOx0/Tv7dOEiT_tI/AAAAAAAABEY/LkNBjjFo-Zc/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCFIQfgQ2i8/Tv7dUkadABI/AAAAAAAABEg/r2sdOmh43U4/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCFIQfgQ2i8/Tv7dUkadABI/AAAAAAAABEg/r2sdOmh43U4/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nk04y0rkVks/Tv7dZSVNjzI/AAAAAAAABEo/RZbmyv7B9VA/s1600/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nk04y0rkVks/Tv7dZSVNjzI/AAAAAAAABEo/RZbmyv7B9VA/s320/IMG_1608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic:Deepamala</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3UkEcsa5JE/Tv7dewEBpLI/AAAAAAAABEw/asNiWRGPUMw/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3UkEcsa5JE/Tv7dewEBpLI/AAAAAAAABEw/asNiWRGPUMw/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic: Nandi placed in the antarala</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xpdwNLDZCM4/Tv7eHWHoY1I/AAAAAAAABE8/h5Ui83br9nk/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xpdwNLDZCM4/Tv7eHWHoY1I/AAAAAAAABE8/h5Ui83br9nk/s320/IMG_1617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: sabhamandapa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lk63pjhKMf8/Tv7eLmp29FI/AAAAAAAABFE/VK1uuF4yREs/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lk63pjhKMf8/Tv7eLmp29FI/AAAAAAAABFE/VK1uuF4yREs/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2h72v5cH8dg/Tv7eSyVaYzI/AAAAAAAABFM/GJEJE1RL3fQ/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2h72v5cH8dg/Tv7eSyVaYzI/AAAAAAAABFM/GJEJE1RL3fQ/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyTAYsWMV9E/Tv7eaZJLi-I/AAAAAAAABFU/2N2iW74O-ZE/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyTAYsWMV9E/Tv7eaZJLi-I/AAAAAAAABFU/2N2iW74O-ZE/s320/IMG_1620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: garbhagriha doorframe as seen from the vestibule</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--23e6jcTZ8M/Tv7eiPYg1fI/AAAAAAAABFc/6m0Zxxtobw0/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--23e6jcTZ8M/Tv7eiPYg1fI/AAAAAAAABFc/6m0Zxxtobw0/s320/IMG_1621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:sthambha shilpa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISWzJWvsRPA/Tv7eoUZNUdI/AAAAAAAABFk/gWTZu2W9L60/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISWzJWvsRPA/Tv7eoUZNUdI/AAAAAAAABFk/gWTZu2W9L60/s320/IMG_1622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: a woman churning curds</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUZ9svlIAgU/Tv7evLxe0kI/AAAAAAAABFs/7ioNSuxuVI4/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUZ9svlIAgU/Tv7evLxe0kI/AAAAAAAABFs/7ioNSuxuVI4/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:malayuddha shilp</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwdF2sJrkas/Tv7e1lLy3eI/AAAAAAAABF0/exiWsMK7X68/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwdF2sJrkas/Tv7e1lLy3eI/AAAAAAAABF0/exiWsMK7X68/s320/IMG_1624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:Vanar shilp</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-971vtKyCR8g/Tv7e-F7slWI/AAAAAAAABF8/-u7KpmZccMA/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-971vtKyCR8g/Tv7e-F7slWI/AAAAAAAABF8/-u7KpmZccMA/s320/IMG_1625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: Sharabha shilpa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M5ZRKOLeVI/Tv7fDCsfjxI/AAAAAAAABGE/SaDJnMMD1Gk/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M5ZRKOLeVI/Tv7fDCsfjxI/AAAAAAAABGE/SaDJnMMD1Gk/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:dancing Apsaras</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-XXfFLB2pQ/Tv7fLgqUfaI/AAAAAAAABGM/dsbcUGFS8vI/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-XXfFLB2pQ/Tv7fLgqUfaI/AAAAAAAABGM/dsbcUGFS8vI/s320/IMG_1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: Mayur shilp</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URrLPaE54KI/Tv7fRy3ROZI/AAAAAAAABGU/QFqkVNHt7B8/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URrLPaE54KI/Tv7fRy3ROZI/AAAAAAAABGU/QFqkVNHt7B8/s320/IMG_1629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Sangameshwar temple</b>, Saswad. Built at the confluence of the Karha and Chamli rivers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQBS64FynPs/Tv7f_rBpdJI/AAAAAAAABGg/Z4x-_TF4VNI/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQBS64FynPs/Tv7f_rBpdJI/AAAAAAAABGg/Z4x-_TF4VNI/s320/IMG_1630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqU4LiIyyBk/Tv7gKna_8yI/AAAAAAAABGw/WChAx5OHld4/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqU4LiIyyBk/Tv7gKna_8yI/AAAAAAAABGw/WChAx5OHld4/s320/IMG_1632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGT7VZcw9Hg/Tv7gQKGqV5I/AAAAAAAABG4/ZXlHg_vEEVg/s1600/IMG_1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGT7VZcw9Hg/Tv7gQKGqV5I/AAAAAAAABG4/ZXlHg_vEEVg/s320/IMG_1635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic: Samadhi of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tb1S9wfn9dw/Tv7giyeo_sI/AAAAAAAABHI/ukcDx9iafGs/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tb1S9wfn9dw/Tv7giyeo_sI/AAAAAAAABHI/ukcDx9iafGs/s320/IMG_1645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVEUzdpCSWc/Tv7g81Fm1QI/AAAAAAAABHY/3KjsBCvwQIo/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVEUzdpCSWc/Tv7g81Fm1QI/AAAAAAAABHY/3KjsBCvwQIo/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:Nandi</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyrSBrzC3WQ/Tv7hCyo8_vI/AAAAAAAABHg/_V_kxGiMANs/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyrSBrzC3WQ/Tv7hCyo8_vI/AAAAAAAABHg/_V_kxGiMANs/s320/IMG_1651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:shikhara</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxMPakBm27M/Tv7hJ5vCGWI/AAAAAAAABHo/xzdP-XKQ8tE/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxMPakBm27M/Tv7hJ5vCGWI/AAAAAAAABHo/xzdP-XKQ8tE/s320/IMG_1652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lch7n2o4J2M/Tv7hQ9dAWhI/AAAAAAAABHw/epB_jxyZxRw/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lch7n2o4J2M/Tv7hQ9dAWhI/AAAAAAAABHw/epB_jxyZxRw/s320/IMG_1653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pic:temple shikhara & mandovara</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFE5Gttdad8/Tv7hWF-Ya9I/AAAAAAAABH4/xoV0p79pJZw/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFE5Gttdad8/Tv7hWF-Ya9I/AAAAAAAABH4/xoV0p79pJZw/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:shikhara of an adjoining minor temple</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0RahBg1UHY/Tv7hlee79EI/AAAAAAAABII/XC1kqkl9w_E/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0RahBg1UHY/Tv7hlee79EI/AAAAAAAABII/XC1kqkl9w_E/s320/IMG_1662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: Nandi seated in the sabhamandap</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YeNqtLQ5Wwc/Tv7htlpX5KI/AAAAAAAABIQ/AFAMHxkKks8/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YeNqtLQ5Wwc/Tv7htlpX5KI/AAAAAAAABIQ/AFAMHxkKks8/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:rest rooms</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOyzzTu-pMs/Tv7h1_YNwUI/AAAAAAAABIg/LbyNdpQ5Goc/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOyzzTu-pMs/Tv7h1_YNwUI/AAAAAAAABIg/LbyNdpQ5Goc/s320/IMG_1669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: Sangameshwar temple is built alongside the confluence of Karha & Chamli rivers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hm3w4WV7rc/Tv7h5kcgdGI/AAAAAAAABIo/DGVv5TcAX-w/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hm3w4WV7rc/Tv7h5kcgdGI/AAAAAAAABIo/DGVv5TcAX-w/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic:rearside minor temple</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itqF7Izybac/Tv7iAt1v5vI/AAAAAAAABIw/KYVUtxev-DI/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itqF7Izybac/Tv7iAt1v5vI/AAAAAAAABIw/KYVUtxev-DI/s320/IMG_1672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pic: Nandi outside a minor temple behind Sangameshwar<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7wdp9vIOG0/TxByYQZgOnI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZeXMLrLnzjc/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7wdp9vIOG0/TxByYQZgOnI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZeXMLrLnzjc/s320/IMG_1640.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Pic:Godaji Jagtaps samadhi outside Sangameshwar temple Saswad.Godaji Jagtap had struck down Muse Khan, second in command of Fateh Khan (Adilshahi commander) when the latter had attacked fort Purandar.</span> </div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o6U-YAhTsc/TwAlr9KljhI/AAAAAAAABJE/zuG_TUbXjs0/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o6U-YAhTsc/TwAlr9KljhI/AAAAAAAABJE/zuG_TUbXjs0/s320/IMG_1523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Pic: Mastani talao (as seen from Dive ghat: enroute Pune Saswad road) built by Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar in late18th century.<br />
<br /></div>
Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-11779924798564946982011-08-26T12:04:00.000-07:002011-09-15T19:54:39.134-07:00Tamhini ghat : Photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXOJDxB5sAw/Tlfs7mhy2lI/AAAAAAAABC8/ZUwrmiTt_QA/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXOJDxB5sAw/Tlfs7mhy2lI/AAAAAAAABC8/ZUwrmiTt_QA/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monsoons is the time when the heavens descend upon the Sahyadris. The clouds move down from their lofty abodes for a rendezvous with these mountains. The Sahyadris too dress up for this festivity, draping themselves with green robes, adorning a turban of ethereal mist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kal0Q05BQZY/TlftF36SIPI/AAAAAAAABDA/Ct0tcCAIwCI/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kal0Q05BQZY/TlftF36SIPI/AAAAAAAABDA/Ct0tcCAIwCI/s320/IMG_1202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The water streams, the lakes and the ponds also ornament the entire region.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKQt2gVGU60/TlftP0FdTPI/AAAAAAAABDE/WhdYdRpgQEI/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKQt2gVGU60/TlftP0FdTPI/AAAAAAAABDE/WhdYdRpgQEI/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gushing water falls on the rocks creating percussion beats as if apprising all that the celestial guests have arrived. This enthuses a restless energy in the atmosphere creating a feeling of perfect bliss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNoFFtM49ks/TlftZriU7DI/AAAAAAAABDI/M-06s17vHnA/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNoFFtM49ks/TlftZriU7DI/AAAAAAAABDI/M-06s17vHnA/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the time when Tamhini ghat exposes its abounding finery creating a visual treat for the people to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrQkELc4NV8/Tlf7kHk0tNI/AAAAAAAABDc/qWrJaPsYFhk/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrQkELc4NV8/Tlf7kHk0tNI/AAAAAAAABDc/qWrJaPsYFhk/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tamhini ghat is a mountain pass connecting the plateau region near Pune to the coastal region of the Konkan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5FXL5XzbFA/Tlf7rpBm9_I/AAAAAAAABDg/15cjlqPOHk0/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5FXL5XzbFA/Tlf7rpBm9_I/AAAAAAAABDg/15cjlqPOHk0/s320/IMG_1209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is located around sixty kilometers from Pune.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--R0xb32fz4A/TlftnFS6o3I/AAAAAAAABDM/m2rorYOsQsw/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--R0xb32fz4A/TlftnFS6o3I/AAAAAAAABDM/m2rorYOsQsw/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The route being : Pune- Chandni Chowk-Pirangut-Mulshi- Tamhini ghat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoA-oBgPBgg/Tlf8jmzE6ZI/AAAAAAAABDk/i-9KAY-qfYc/s1600/Photo-0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoA-oBgPBgg/Tlf8jmzE6ZI/AAAAAAAABDk/i-9KAY-qfYc/s1600/Photo-0735.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the monsoons , Tamhini ghat provides the perfect picnic spot for many vacationers arriving here from Pune and its adjoining regions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUDeN8YfmBA/TlftvpWzmiI/AAAAAAAABDQ/IZf9zfvOfYg/s1600/Photo-0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUDeN8YfmBA/TlftvpWzmiI/AAAAAAAABDQ/IZf9zfvOfYg/s1600/Photo-0729.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They get to enjoy the scenic delights that Tamhini ghat offers and the pleasures of reliving their childhood by drenching in the drizzle and bathing under water chutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ShsN9BkfMI/TlfuHzZ3HhI/AAAAAAAABDY/Df4LJ1r0E48/s1600/Photo-0734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ShsN9BkfMI/TlfuHzZ3HhI/AAAAAAAABDY/Df4LJ1r0E48/s1600/Photo-0734.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Tamhini ghat further joins the coastal plains of the Konkan region in Maharashtra. As one goes further one gets a vantage view of the green rice fields across the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgmASI4wmW4/Tlft8nN-ijI/AAAAAAAABDU/LUAJLPDYPBE/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgmASI4wmW4/Tlft8nN-ijI/AAAAAAAABDU/LUAJLPDYPBE/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tamhini ghat is also quite near to other tourist attractions like Fort Raigad, Gandharpale caves and Shivthar ghal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vM379kljjjo/Tlfs1DXXQiI/AAAAAAAABC4/2e9dG50kwE8/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vM379kljjjo/Tlfs1DXXQiI/AAAAAAAABC4/2e9dG50kwE8/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Photographs and Text : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-34411768558869480752011-07-24T00:40:00.005-07:002013-04-07T10:05:58.688-07:00Gondeshwar Temple : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_oAZD1Hzqo/TivJA7YGqYI/AAAAAAAABBU/kw88n1CNpBo/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_oAZD1Hzqo/TivJA7YGqYI/AAAAAAAABBU/kw88n1CNpBo/s400/IMG_0824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Gondeshwar is a 12/13th century hindu temple carved out in black basalt stone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra6w85i9LSY/TivJJ9B9j4I/AAAAAAAABBY/iWQdVNfSp1Q/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra6w85i9LSY/TivJJ9B9j4I/AAAAAAAABBY/iWQdVNfSp1Q/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It is located at Sinnar near Nasik , off Pune Nasik highway (26kms from Nasik).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9L3dGUn47Q/TivJS19KlvI/AAAAAAAABBc/U8x7hl3n48E/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9L3dGUn47Q/TivJS19KlvI/AAAAAAAABBc/U8x7hl3n48E/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are different claims towards the origin of this temple. As per some sources the temple was said to have been built by the Seuna Yadava king Govinda, hence was named Gondeshwar. However a 13th cen. marathi text Leelacharitra (by Chakradhara, founder of Mahanubhava sect) mentions a merchant named Govinda ( Govindeshwar=Gondeshwar) as having commissioned the temple. There is a mention of Yadava king Mahadeva (1261+) arriving in the town of Sinnar during the time of Chakradhara.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note, there was a Bhilama matha in Sinnar (probably patronised by the Yadava king Bhillama).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUUmzQlEf4Q/TivJbWmZUUI/AAAAAAAABBg/CgQY5ynRMgQ/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUUmzQlEf4Q/TivJbWmZUUI/AAAAAAAABBg/CgQY5ynRMgQ/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple has been built as per the <i>Panchayatana</i> style with the Shiva temple being the main one and surrounded by minor temples as that of Ganesh, Parvati, Vishnu and Surya.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PjgMY973dU/TivJkzOqa-I/AAAAAAAABBk/lc3vZZI38wk/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PjgMY973dU/TivJkzOqa-I/AAAAAAAABBk/lc3vZZI38wk/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple can be classified as the <i>bhumija nagara</i> type with the <i>shikhara</i> having a central frame that tapers on all sides and surrounded by columns of smaller spires.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBGs-HYhHJc/TivJ2Mt4jSI/AAAAAAAABBo/U5BYI1J_n5g/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBGs-HYhHJc/TivJ2Mt4jSI/AAAAAAAABBo/U5BYI1J_n5g/s320/IMG_0965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The temple is a wondorous display of art in stone. It has for testimony some amazing carvings and sculptures depicting stories from the <i>Puranas</i> and epics like the <i>Mahabharata</i> etc. The walls display sculptures of <i>Devas,Devis, Apsaras, Yakshas,Gandharvas</i> etc, that have weathered time to retain a semblance of their beauty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TYVpjXqv3E/TivJ_oZZcpI/AAAAAAAABBs/PSB5JO42hgg/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TYVpjXqv3E/TivJ_oZZcpI/AAAAAAAABBs/PSB5JO42hgg/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
This temple despite its enormous historical and cultural value lies hitherto unknown, virtually hidden from the outside world. But that also enables its tranquility and existence to lie so very conserved.<br />
<br />
Additional photographs:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIS95M4inQc/TivKJeeVILI/AAAAAAAABBw/K3df28SIKRU/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIS95M4inQc/TivKJeeVILI/AAAAAAAABBw/K3df28SIKRU/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_VZPZJjyK8/TivKQNAhV-I/AAAAAAAABB0/c99XRXOdpQU/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_VZPZJjyK8/TivKQNAhV-I/AAAAAAAABB0/c99XRXOdpQU/s320/IMG_0849.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzXgRwR7Mv0/TivKWd1TLuI/AAAAAAAABB4/Vaeg4nwkBD4/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzXgRwR7Mv0/TivKWd1TLuI/AAAAAAAABB4/Vaeg4nwkBD4/s200/IMG_0850.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETHuFks-m2s/TivKch5UxZI/AAAAAAAABB8/FRJhG6SHvo4/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETHuFks-m2s/TivKch5UxZI/AAAAAAAABB8/FRJhG6SHvo4/s200/IMG_0865.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IX9EAblhCT8/TivKjorf7HI/AAAAAAAABCA/FyN3NwbvBY0/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IX9EAblhCT8/TivKjorf7HI/AAAAAAAABCA/FyN3NwbvBY0/s200/IMG_0876.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ3ZpQACw7Y/TivKsiicNSI/AAAAAAAABCE/hpmYl41a9gs/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ3ZpQACw7Y/TivKsiicNSI/AAAAAAAABCE/hpmYl41a9gs/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0fxhUWfwFY/TivK3evOusI/AAAAAAAABCI/TcINYZ6t0os/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0fxhUWfwFY/TivK3evOusI/AAAAAAAABCI/TcINYZ6t0os/s200/IMG_0864.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTbXEnz6zFQ/TivK-b3zy7I/AAAAAAAABCM/dgjMyVEc6uA/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTbXEnz6zFQ/TivK-b3zy7I/AAAAAAAABCM/dgjMyVEc6uA/s200/IMG_0839.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka9l5oOwnNU/TivLHjoUhUI/AAAAAAAABCQ/C5HfHlvlVNc/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka9l5oOwnNU/TivLHjoUhUI/AAAAAAAABCQ/C5HfHlvlVNc/s200/IMG_0885.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6F11um2uJw/TivLOsoZn_I/AAAAAAAABCU/ap1xPGW22u0/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6F11um2uJw/TivLOsoZn_I/AAAAAAAABCU/ap1xPGW22u0/s200/IMG_0882.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--_wOq872Esw/TivLWZZ8STI/AAAAAAAABCY/yCsfxneYABQ/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--_wOq872Esw/TivLWZZ8STI/AAAAAAAABCY/yCsfxneYABQ/s200/IMG_0883.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcrs7LZAIqY/TivLq8As-FI/AAAAAAAABCc/V1DK8u06waE/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcrs7LZAIqY/TivLq8As-FI/AAAAAAAABCc/V1DK8u06waE/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FQv0aIYkRg/TivL2tC2X7I/AAAAAAAABCg/JKoQb9Cwxwg/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FQv0aIYkRg/TivL2tC2X7I/AAAAAAAABCg/JKoQb9Cwxwg/s200/IMG_0896.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-_cKDHkvZ4/TivMKH-OgEI/AAAAAAAABCo/GlYCVhuqYDE/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-_cKDHkvZ4/TivMKH-OgEI/AAAAAAAABCo/GlYCVhuqYDE/s320/IMG_0930.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x0MiYJV8yM/TivMBVv-nCI/AAAAAAAABCk/lXETrVNLrQ8/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x0MiYJV8yM/TivMBVv-nCI/AAAAAAAABCk/lXETrVNLrQ8/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Vey9bvhdew/TivMRr6iY_I/AAAAAAAABCs/EZVBtSuAZMo/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Vey9bvhdew/TivMRr6iY_I/AAAAAAAABCs/EZVBtSuAZMo/s320/IMG_0814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Acknowledgements: Amol Bankar<br />
Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha<br />
<br /></div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-27850055157633349922010-11-19T19:10:00.000-08:002010-11-19T19:10:28.432-08:00A Visit to Fort Shivneri : A Photo Travelogue<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1PaP3h-I/AAAAAAAAA9s/tAd1t9I_cgE/s1600/P10115212q+%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1PaP3h-I/AAAAAAAAA9s/tAd1t9I_cgE/s400/P10115212q+%252819%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Date of Visit: 13th December 2009</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">On the way back from the nearby Lenyadri Caves, we decided to pay fort Shivneri a visit. It was well past two in the afternoon. The high altitude Lenyadri trip had sapped our energy, but enthusiasm to see the fort pushed us to embark on the climb.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Fort Shivneri is located at Junnar town (which was earlier called Jeernanagar and Juner , and acted as a trade route to the Konkan ports), around 100 kms from Pune (off Narayangaon on Pune Nasik highway).It is one of the few well maintained forts in Maharashtra, thanks to the efforts of the locals and the initiatives taken by Shri A.M.Sonawane, the R.F.O, Junnar jurisdiction.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1dHoyDbI/AAAAAAAAA9w/jsAcRQDdXK8/s1600/P10115212q+%252889%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1dHoyDbI/AAAAAAAAA9w/jsAcRQDdXK8/s320/P10115212q+%252889%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: LUSH GREEN FIELDS AS SEEN FROM THE FORT</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It has become memorable in history as the birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary Maratha warrior king. It is unclear who actually constructed the fort, but its origins have been traced back to the Satavahana period(Their king Gautamiputra Satkarni was said to have replaced the Saka rule in this region). There were many Buddhist caves built in the vicinity. But the actual fortification may have started during the Yadava rule and continued during the Islamic rule ( Bahamani rule and later Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar). When Shahaji raje Bhosale was surrounded by enemy forces, he shifted his wife Jijabai who was pregnant with Shivaji to fort Shivneri (which was under the care of its Killedar( Fortkeeper) Sriniwas Vishwasrao).Shahajiraje ensured the streanthening of the fort to protect his family from the enemy forces. Chatrapati Shivajiraje gave up this fort in 1632 and it passed hands to the Mughals in 1637. In 1637 an attempt was made to recapture the fort by the Marathas but it was unsuccessfull. However during Chatrapati Shahurajes tenure, the Marathas surmounted the fort. The fort was later maintained by the Peshwas.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We could take our vehicle upto the foothills and parked the same below the fort.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1zOuvtlI/AAAAAAAAA90/88py5KDktL8/s1600/P10115212q+%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc1zOuvtlI/AAAAAAAAA90/88py5KDktL8/s320/P10115212q+%252854%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: MAHA DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To reach the top of the fort you have to climb around 400 odd stone steps. It takes you almost one and a half hours to reach there, depending on ones stamina. To reach the top, you have to pass through seven huge fortified gates named as Maha Darwaza(Gate), Ganesh Darwaza, Pir Darwaza, Hatti(Elephant) Darwaza, Shivai (Godess temple) Darwaza ,Mena(Palanquin for the ladies) Darwaza and Kulup (lock)Darwaza.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc2roMmU_I/AAAAAAAAA-A/i_Isn92r4sE/s1600/P10115212q+%252863%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc2roMmU_I/AAAAAAAAA-A/i_Isn92r4sE/s320/P10115212q+%252863%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: GANESH DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc2ePI8caI/AAAAAAAAA98/ToFi7MMjrLA/s1600/P10115212q+%252872%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc2ePI8caI/AAAAAAAAA98/ToFi7MMjrLA/s320/P10115212q+%252872%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: PIR DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc3H-bv20I/AAAAAAAAA-E/iusrMGYfLwI/s1600/P10115212q+%2528113%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc3H-bv20I/AAAAAAAAA-E/iusrMGYfLwI/s320/P10115212q+%2528113%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: MENA DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc3ZZmmoZI/AAAAAAAAA-I/52XZNUFjD1Y/s1600/P10115212q+%2528119%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc3ZZmmoZI/AAAAAAAAA-I/52XZNUFjD1Y/s320/P10115212q+%2528119%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: KULUP DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4KzPggcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/1clk-WX7YjA/s1600/P10115212q+%2528101%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4KzPggcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/1clk-WX7YjA/s320/P10115212q+%2528101%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: HATTI DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The most distinctly conspicuous gate one encounters is the Hatti darwaza (Elephant gate) due to its huge wooden doors fortified with iron spikes. It may have been named so, either because it was a gate to allow in the elephants, or the sharp iron spikes were meant to ward off even a elephant attack.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4Y-TEbqI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/m9dQ4X6JVe4/s1600/P10115212q+%2528104%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4Y-TEbqI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/m9dQ4X6JVe4/s320/P10115212q+%2528104%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: SHIVAI DARWAZA</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Inside the premises you come across the temple of Shivai (pronounced Shivaaii) devi, the Godess of the Fort accessible through the Shivai Darwaza. It is to be noted that Shivaji was named after the Godess.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4kfbD1BI/AAAAAAAAA-U/7KUwaFlGDWw/s1600/P10115212q+%2528184%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc4kfbD1BI/AAAAAAAAA-U/7KUwaFlGDWw/s320/P10115212q+%2528184%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: AMBERKHANA</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As you climb further, you see the Amberkhana ruins, that probably served as the quarters for Malik Ahmed, then a Bahamani commander and later the progenitor of Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, who first occupied the fort. It occupies an area of 20 x 10 meters and is an black stone structure. It reveals the presence of an regal structure that existed during those times. It later served as a grainery. During the times of Malojirao Bhosale (Shahajis father) it was used to redress public grievances. During Maratha rule, it was said to serve as stables for horses and also to house elephants.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc41XUb-LI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/m-xMzYrpnJk/s1600/P10115212q+%2528128%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc41XUb-LI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/m-xMzYrpnJk/s320/P10115212q+%2528128%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: GANGA JAMUNA TANK</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As you proceed further, you come across large water tanks and water reservoirs(there are said to be ten water tanks on Shivneri, the main water cistern being the Ganga Jamuna), said to have been constructed during Yadava times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5dlwiLGI/AAAAAAAAA-g/qmJLRKFkDTs/s1600/P10115212q+%2528131%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5dlwiLGI/AAAAAAAAA-g/qmJLRKFkDTs/s320/P10115212q+%2528131%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Still further lies a memorial dedicated to Shivaji viz. ‘Shiv kunj’ or Shiv smarak, which was inaugurated by the first chief minister of Maharashtra, Shri Yeshwantrao Chavan. Therein lies a beautiful panchadhaatu (5 alloys) statue of Shivaji as a boy with his mother Jijabai.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6x2jCCBI/AAAAAAAAA-0/HQXyEip8JUg/s1600/P10115212q+%252840%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6x2jCCBI/AAAAAAAAA-0/HQXyEip8JUg/s320/P10115212q+%252840%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div></div><div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">PIC: KAMANI MOSQUE WITH THE ARCH PAINTED IN WHITE</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To the right of Shiv kunj lies the Kamani mosque having Quranic verses engraved on its arch. This mosque was constructed by the Mughals after they had occupied the fort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6owluwTI/AAAAAAAAA-w/tzwxzFNyNHA/s1600/P10115212q+%2528151%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6owluwTI/AAAAAAAAA-w/tzwxzFNyNHA/s320/P10115212q+%2528151%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Diagonally facing the mosque is a storeyed stone building (which was I was told was reconstructed in 1925 by Chatrapati Shahu maharaj of Kolhapur and Shri Bhaskarrao Jadhav, Education secretary, Mumbai), which was the birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was previously accessed by the ‘suryamukhi dwaar’ (sun facing door) which you come across as you walk still further. But since then , apart from the main building rest of the premises are ruins. Facing the main door (which is entered from the rear, the front cascade being Jharoka styled windows).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7N7g3DTI/AAAAAAAAA-4/oi94YxoGb54/s1600/P10115212q+%2528158%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7N7g3DTI/AAAAAAAAA-4/oi94YxoGb54/s320/P10115212q+%2528158%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few meters away from the main door is a square water reservoir made inside the stone flooring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7fIU8j4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/H9p1LXkko4M/s1600/P10115212q+%2528164%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7fIU8j4I/AAAAAAAAA-8/H9p1LXkko4M/s320/P10115212q+%2528164%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7pGrb01I/AAAAAAAAA_A/8HCGaF0wi1k/s1600/P10115212q+%2528174%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7pGrb01I/AAAAAAAAA_A/8HCGaF0wi1k/s320/P10115212q+%2528174%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7x_Z-BmI/AAAAAAAAA_E/rcqzYk-LHrw/s1600/P10115212q+%2528175%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc7x_Z-BmI/AAAAAAAAA_E/rcqzYk-LHrw/s320/P10115212q+%2528175%2529.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As you enter the main door, you first come across a room which houses a statue of Ch.Shivaji and cradle to signify his birthplace. Alongside this room is a narrow stone stairway which lead to the upper floor. There are arched windows on all sides and also the earlier mentioned jharoka windows). The ceiling is also beautifully done.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6M0B6DFI/AAAAAAAAA-s/-P-Q_acVn08/s1600/P10115212q+%2528152%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc6M0B6DFI/AAAAAAAAA-s/-P-Q_acVn08/s320/P10115212q+%2528152%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Facing the birthplace structure is the ‘Badami talao’ which was an artificially created water pool. Right in its midst is a stone pillar .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5x9pWqXI/AAAAAAAAA-k/ebnquoiZYWg/s1600/P10115212q+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5x9pWqXI/AAAAAAAAA-k/ebnquoiZYWg/s320/P10115212q+%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">On the way back you notice an tomb like structure atop an hillock. It is the ‘Koli Chauthara’, a memorial constructed for the hundreds of ‘kolis’ (fishermen) massacared by the occupying mughals after an outbreak of a rebellion(1650). Unfortunately due to the paucity of time we weren’t able to see the monument. We later realized that we missed the ‘Kadeloat’ point as well, where prisoners sentenced to death were thrown of the cliff (kadeloat).Alongside the Kadeloat point was the Qaidkhana (prison).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Nor could we see the Idgah structure (which has some Bahamani graves) , as we hurried down the stone stairs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5-YMyJHI/AAAAAAAAA-o/-811nGTWhJ8/s1600/P10115212q+%2528183%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOc5-YMyJHI/AAAAAAAAA-o/-811nGTWhJ8/s320/P10115212q+%2528183%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But on the way back we were able to photograph the sunset which indeed looks beautiful from the fort.</div><div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Fortunately going down wasn’t as strenuous as the way up and we reached the foothill within fourty five minutes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Having finished our exhausting but fulfilling trip, we headed back for Pune, with wonderful memories of Shivneri.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Text and photographs by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-75842624880957837782010-11-19T10:36:00.000-08:002012-04-28T07:09:38.308-07:00Visit to Fort Lohagad : A Photo Travelogue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; font-size: medium;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa7rAmuV-I/AAAAAAAAA7s/F98F42QsaGg/s1600/xxxxx121+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa7rAmuV-I/AAAAAAAAA7s/F98F42QsaGg/s320/xxxxx121+%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">I had heard a lot of the unique fortification of Lohagad and was wanting to see it myself. Finally on 9.1.2010 , the opportunity came my way when a trip to Lohagad was actually decided upon.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa8Cg962OI/AAAAAAAAA7w/sE3a7y_LkBM/s1600/xxxxx121+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa8Cg962OI/AAAAAAAAA7w/sE3a7y_LkBM/s320/xxxxx121+%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic source: whereincity.com</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Lohagad lies around fifty kilometers from Pune. It is located at the foothills of Lohagadwadi village , which is centrally located around ten kilometers between Malavali and Lonavala. It is around 3500 feet above sea level.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa8rqCr0hI/AAAAAAAAA70/pq4uFXYyA_A/s1600/xxxxx121+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa8rqCr0hI/AAAAAAAAA70/pq4uFXYyA_A/s320/xxxxx121+%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">There are two routes to reach Lohagad (by car) from Pune. One being Pune city (Paud road)- Chandni Chowk-Pirangut-Paud village-Dudhiware Khind-Lohagadwadi. The other route is Pune city-Pune Mumbai expressway-Lonavala-Malavale-Lohagadwadi .(You can even take a road from within Lonavala directly to Lohagadwadi. This road is comparatively well maintained). We preferred the Pune Lonavala route.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">We had to park our car at Lohagadwadi and tread the path up the fort on foot.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa88LvZiEI/AAAAAAAAA74/3kgEQ9k5C6g/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528178%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa88LvZiEI/AAAAAAAAA74/3kgEQ9k5C6g/s320/xxxxx121+%2528178%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">At the entrance we saw an saffron coloured board which displayed the history of the fort. A sage, Lomesh was said to have meditated here.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">The fort supposedly existed since the Satavahana period (2000-2500 years back), followed by the rule of the Chalukyas, then the Rashtrakutas and the Yadavas.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Later it passed hands from the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar (One of the Nizamshah rulers, Burhan II was imprisoned on this fort) to the Adilshahi of Bijapur, before being captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1648.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObEZVl3tKI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/R1tkM34tXBw/s1600/xxxxx121+%252853%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObEZVl3tKI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/R1tkM34tXBw/s320/xxxxx121+%252853%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">But Shivaji had to cede it to the Mughals vide the treaty of Purandar in 1665. Shivaji recaptured the fort in 1670 and used it for storing his treasury (the Surat loot?). The fort once again changed hands to the mughals only to be captured by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre in 1713. Angre had apparently camped here when he had a meeting with Peshwe Balaji Vishwanath , which led to the former accepting Shahu as his king. The fort thereafter came directly under the Satara throne.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Thus the fort passed over to Chatrapati Shahu and was in the charge of his Peshwa,Balaji Vishwanath. The fort later came under the supervision of Nana Phadanvis, the erstwhile chief minister of the Peshwas (Sawai Madhavrao). He had this fort renovated. The fort was managed by his trusted aides Javji Bomble and subsequently Dhondopant Nitsure.Nana Phadavis's wife too resided in this place after his death.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObE9q5iRKI/AAAAAAAAA9g/_af7x_lgScU/s1600/xxxxx121+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObE9q5iRKI/AAAAAAAAA9g/_af7x_lgScU/s320/xxxxx121+%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">The British captured the fort in 1818 after the siege of Visapur fort. The British commander Col.Prother apparently took over this fort without firing a single cannon ball. But the structures on the fort were subsequently razed to the ground by the Britishers and the fort was rendered inactive.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9GzdA8yI/AAAAAAAAA78/gAPsAobD0XM/s1600/xxxxx121+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9GzdA8yI/AAAAAAAAA78/gAPsAobD0XM/s320/xxxxx121+%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">The initial steps are made from stone cut from the mountain itself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObEmgMwqBI/AAAAAAAAA9c/5J7g-Fswk-o/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528127%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObEmgMwqBI/AAAAAAAAA9c/5J7g-Fswk-o/s320/xxxxx121+%2528127%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">One encounters many monkeys lurking around waiting expectantly for food being thrown at them by the tourists. But we were warned not to entertain them lest they follow you all the way to the fort, even attempting to snatch unguarded foodpackets from the tourists.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9SBwVwRI/AAAAAAAAA8A/-Cg91qjdUnY/s1600/xxxxx121+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9SBwVwRI/AAAAAAAAA8A/-Cg91qjdUnY/s320/xxxxx121+%252815%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">On the way we noticed around twenty villagers ( we were told they were from Lohagadwadi and the neighbouring Bhaje village) pulling up a giant wooden gate , apparently meant for one of the fort gates. They were chanting slogans like ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Shivaji maharaj ki jai’ as they were pulling up that giant gate up the fort steps.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9k4u2BcI/AAAAAAAAA8E/NhO7jfSQ8_I/s1600/xxxxx121+%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa9k4u2BcI/AAAAAAAAA8E/NhO7jfSQ8_I/s320/xxxxx121+%252825%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">One has to pass through four main gates while climbing the fort.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa91Zm8VaI/AAAAAAAAA8I/W2_n7GI8ikE/s1600/xxxxx121+%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa91Zm8VaI/AAAAAAAAA8I/W2_n7GI8ikE/s320/xxxxx121+%252832%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">The first gate is Ganesh darwaza, which can be identified by a Ganesh carvings flanking the gate. One family by the name of Savale apparently offered themselves as a human sacrifice (as was the practice of those times) in return for the 'Patilki' /revenue collection-headmen rights for the village Lohagadwadi. A shilalekh in its vicinity indicates this gruesome fact.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-NW3mf-I/AAAAAAAAA8M/AtnzKVNm-Es/s1600/xxxxx121+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-NW3mf-I/AAAAAAAAA8M/AtnzKVNm-Es/s320/xxxxx121+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-eKWgscI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aot_ctUpm0k/s1600/xxxxx121+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-eKWgscI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aot_ctUpm0k/s320/xxxxx121+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">There are three more gates viz. the Narayan darwaza (Constructed by Nana Phadanvis between 1790-94. There exists a secret tunnel where rice and foodgrains were kept for safe storage),the Maha darwaza (probably the one that can be reached by climbing a stone stairway)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-yiu_wZI/AAAAAAAAA8U/QNxgcBoqEVI/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528102%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa-yiu_wZI/AAAAAAAAA8U/QNxgcBoqEVI/s320/xxxxx121+%2528102%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">and the Hanuman darwaza (which has an equally beautiful Hanuman carved on the gate). These were also constructed as per instructions by Nana Phadanvis.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; font-size: medium;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_CDM_HuI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/r310C6f2ySc/s1600/xxxxx121+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_CDM_HuI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/r310C6f2ySc/s320/xxxxx121+%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">On the midway, one encounters cellars which probably housed the sentries on duty (or were used as storehouses).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_USo6kiI/AAAAAAAAA8c/XHZjYYQSvQQ/s1600/xxxxx121+%252885%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_USo6kiI/AAAAAAAAA8c/XHZjYYQSvQQ/s320/xxxxx121+%252885%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Midway there is also one huge cave which may have been a storehouse. Next to it is a huge water cistern.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_muuS2rI/AAAAAAAAA8g/zqVepGBt86s/s1600/xxxxx121+%252875%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_muuS2rI/AAAAAAAAA8g/zqVepGBt86s/s320/xxxxx121+%252875%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">As you look down the fort walls the pattern of the ramparts below presents a very unique design.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_1B-FTyI/AAAAAAAAA8k/qheBxqgBRx8/s1600/xxxxx121+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa_1B-FTyI/AAAAAAAAA8k/qheBxqgBRx8/s320/xxxxx121+%252822%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Down below one can also see the vast expanse of the Pawna lake adorned with the lush greenery around it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAEIObUmI/AAAAAAAAA8o/XALtAdQJWE8/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528204%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAEIObUmI/AAAAAAAAA8o/XALtAdQJWE8/s320/xxxxx121+%2528204%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S0oqzCq8SAI/AAAAAAAACeA/oZ3K5Bbxrg8/s1600-h/P1012253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>There is also a panoramic view of the Fort Visapur which is in proximity to Lohagad. (Note, there are also many other forts in the vicinity like Tung ,Tikona,Korigad,Ghangad, etc besides the famous Buddhist caves of Bhaja,Bedse and Karla) .</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAe39JBAI/AAAAAAAAA8s/5x3gtlCjxVw/s1600/xxxxx121+%252884%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAe39JBAI/AAAAAAAAA8s/5x3gtlCjxVw/s320/xxxxx121+%252884%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">After a forty five minute climb and five hundred odd steps later, we reached the top of the fort.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAyAzQZzI/AAAAAAAAA8w/WVbbkGNfUI0/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528146%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObAyAzQZzI/AAAAAAAAA8w/WVbbkGNfUI0/s320/xxxxx121+%2528146%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"> The fort then onwards is a plateau. The once existing structures are now in ruins.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBFIt2P6I/AAAAAAAAA80/qsxF_6JdZnU/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528123%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBFIt2P6I/AAAAAAAAA80/qsxF_6JdZnU/s320/xxxxx121+%2528123%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"> There is an tomb, supposedly of an Arab invader, Sheikh Umar (acc. to some belonged to Aurangzebs daughter) who had occupied the fort at one point of time.This tomb has since been converted into a dargah. There are two more similar dargahs towards the right which are habitated.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBTXdbnVI/AAAAAAAAA84/0Hpat4CdaR0/s1600/xxxxx121+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBTXdbnVI/AAAAAAAAA84/0Hpat4CdaR0/s320/xxxxx121+%25288%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">One more prominent cave like structure we came across is what remains of the ‘Laxmi kothi’where the Maratha chief minister Nana Phadanvis had supposedly hidden his treasures after an attempt was made to seize them by the then Peshwa Bajirao II.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBuhEOzxI/AAAAAAAAA88/DprjRCiUS8c/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528144%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObBuhEOzxI/AAAAAAAAA88/DprjRCiUS8c/s320/xxxxx121+%2528144%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">There were also two water tanks one octagonal and other hexadecagonal in shape.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCAIvO_qI/AAAAAAAAA9A/tKRHEqxhe70/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528142%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCAIvO_qI/AAAAAAAAA9A/tKRHEqxhe70/s320/xxxxx121+%2528142%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">There is also one Mahadev temple constructed before a seemingly ancient Shiva linga.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCUI441JI/AAAAAAAAA9E/DPEtzYw0G-s/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528137%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCUI441JI/AAAAAAAAA9E/DPEtzYw0G-s/s320/xxxxx121+%2528137%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">We also came across several small cannon barells which may have been used by the Maratha army.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">There were once edifices on the fort called as Khajindar kothi,Laxmi Kothi, sadars etc which since have ceased to exist.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCnJs3BbI/AAAAAAAAA9I/q3x6912SYgY/s1600/xxxxx121+%2528148%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCnJs3BbI/AAAAAAAAA9I/q3x6912SYgY/s320/xxxxx121+%2528148%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">As you go up north you see strip of land extending which takes you to the buruj (watch tower) which is the extreme end of the fort. It is almost 1500 meter by 30 meter in area and appears like a scorpions tail and is aptly called the ‘Vinchu kata’ .</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCzZeKqZI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8qXpIQFbkg0/s1600/xxxxx121+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObCzZeKqZI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8qXpIQFbkg0/s320/xxxxx121+%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">The entire fort was covered in an hours time and we retraced back the path we came by.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObC-_pvkkI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/CBWegY7Xq-E/s1600/xxxxx121+%252845%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObC-_pvkkI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/CBWegY7Xq-E/s320/xxxxx121+%252845%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">We had lunch at the local dhaba at the foothills before bidding adieu to the fort.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObDfwQ3hlI/AAAAAAAAA9U/JP31y0vO_lc/s1600/xxxxx121+%252861%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TObDfwQ3hlI/AAAAAAAAA9U/JP31y0vO_lc/s320/xxxxx121+%252861%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, Verdana; font-size: small;">Text and Photographs (except the ones credited) : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha </span></div>
</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-47247577914395395052010-11-19T09:59:00.000-08:002010-11-19T09:59:14.737-08:00Lenyadri Caves : A Photo Feature<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa4jWUo3qI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/ATpKaZDwXPc/s1600/P1011353w+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa4jWUo3qI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/ATpKaZDwXPc/s320/P1011353w+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lenyadri Caves or Ganesh Lena Caves as they are also known are located 4 km north of Junnar (100km from Pune) across the river Kukdi. They are a part of the Junnar group of caves. There are nearly 40 caves in this group of which the main group of 30 caves are located in a line and stretch from east to west, all facing south and overlooking the valley of Kukdi river.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa4xllnaQI/AAAAAAAAA7U/neRS7Cs0TSg/s1600/P1011353w+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa4xllnaQI/AAAAAAAAA7U/neRS7Cs0TSg/s320/P1011353w+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The caves are numbered from east to west and among them Cave 6 and 14 are chaityagrhas and the remaining are viharas (monasteries) of which Cave 7 is the larges and also houses the image of Ganesha. The remaining monasteries are small in size which has two or three cells, in some cases with a front verandah. They range in date from 1st century to 3rd century A.D.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa5HTkOC-I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/TM7GwWLd3YI/s1600/P1011353w+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa5HTkOC-I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/TM7GwWLd3YI/s320/P1011353w+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cave 6 is the main chaityagrha of the Lenyadri group of caves. Although of smaller dimensions when compared to Ajanta, Karle, Bhaja, Bedsa, etc. it is significant as one of the earliest examples of Hinayana chaityagrha. On plan, the chaityagrha consists of a pillared verandah and an apsidal hall divided into a central nave and side aisles by row of sixteen pillars. The hall measures 13.3 in length; 6.7 m in width and 7.6 m in height. The hall is preceded by a pillared verandah and entered by a plain and large doorway measuring 1.8 m in width and 2.79 m in height. The stupa is located at the rear and consists of a drum with a moulding below and railing above, a globular dome and a corbelled dome with a railing at the base. A donatory inscription datable to 2nd century A.D. mentions it as a gift of a native from Kalyana (modern Kalyan near Mumbai).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa6rpYpz5I/AAAAAAAAA7o/wcWNFHPqPug/s1600/P1011353w+%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa6rpYpz5I/AAAAAAAAA7o/wcWNFHPqPug/s320/P1011353w+%252854%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cave 7 is a huge vihara and the largest excavation at Junnar. The cave is located to the right of Cave 6 to its west. On plan the vihara consists of a large hall with cells on three sides, entered by a central door from a pillared verandah the latter approached by a flight of steps. The central door is flanked by a window on either side. The hall measures 17.37 m in length; 15.54 m in width and 3.38 m in height and it has traces of plaster and paintings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa5rq-1tvI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Loz8MKw7P6E/s1600/P1011353w+%252842%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa5rq-1tvI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Loz8MKw7P6E/s320/P1011353w+%252842%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There are 20 cells in total with varying dimensions, 7 cells in either of the side walls and 6 cells on the rear wall. The two central cells of the rear wall has been converted into one during later period and at present a Ganesha image is consecrated for worship. The verandah has six pillars and two pilasters (half-pillars) and in elevation it consists of an octagonal shaft placed over benches and back rest and topped by an inverted ghata, compressed amalaka in between two square plates, inverted stepped pyramid and finally crowned by a bracket of addorsed animal figures. The pillars support an architrave from which projects eaves relieved with a railing resting on beams and rafters.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa57rvTnZI/AAAAAAAAA7g/PPR1JrW-dhE/s1600/P1011353w+%252839%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa57rvTnZI/AAAAAAAAA7g/PPR1JrW-dhE/s320/P1011353w+%252839%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One more chaityagrha is also located in a separate group of small caves, situated at a distance of nearly 2 km from this group.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa6S-ORM0I/AAAAAAAAA7k/sjmjmNfrWfw/s1600/P1011353w+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOa6S-ORM0I/AAAAAAAAA7k/sjmjmNfrWfw/s320/P1011353w+%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">[Text Information: Archaelogical Survey of India, photograph source : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha ]</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-71622996429078424612010-11-19T06:41:00.000-08:002013-04-07T10:18:33.980-07:00Bhuleshwar Temple : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ0unaAYuI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/iqcsAtJm6G8/s1600/P1010246aa+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ0unaAYuI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/iqcsAtJm6G8/s400/P1010246aa+%252814%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Bhuleshwar is a temple that is sure to leave an idelible impression on ones mind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZyCa2vWJI/AAAAAAAAA4A/a4tQaSD7j2A/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528194%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZyCa2vWJI/AAAAAAAAA4A/a4tQaSD7j2A/s320/P1010246aa+%2528194%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZykw2Tl7I/AAAAAAAAA4E/xIOmKHA9bYg/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528184%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZykw2Tl7I/AAAAAAAAA4E/xIOmKHA9bYg/s320/P1010246aa+%2528184%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Known for its exquisite sculptures, the Bhuleshwar temple, is located 10kms from Yavat village and 50kms from Pune off the Pune–Solapur highway (on Yavat-Saswad road) .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZzAuF8XUI/AAAAAAAAA4I/HOk3TTNqjOQ/s1600/P1010246aa+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZzAuF8XUI/AAAAAAAAA4I/HOk3TTNqjOQ/s320/P1010246aa+%252813%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The temple was constructed sometime in the thirteenth century, Yadava period . It had a fort (which was called Daulatmangal) constructed around it . This was sometime in the 17</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> century , and made at the behest of the Adilshahi Hindu general, Murar Jagdev ostensibly to keep a watch over the Pune region. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZztWPFBOI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/qHt6AihnUx8/s1600/P1010246aa+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZztWPFBOI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/qHt6AihnUx8/s200/P1010246aa+%252811%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ0GR-3IhI/AAAAAAAAA4U/b8jklJze51c/s1600/P1010246aa+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ0GR-3IhI/AAAAAAAAA4U/b8jklJze51c/s200/P1010246aa+%252812%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There are still remnants of the fort walls and ruined bastions in the vicinity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZzY6V38ZI/AAAAAAAAA4M/i5mKcOT36b8/s1600/P1010246aa+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZzY6V38ZI/AAAAAAAAA4M/i5mKcOT36b8/s320/P1010246aa+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One also sees a dilapidated mosque outside the temple premises. It was perhaps constructed by Murar Jagdev for his muslim soldiers. Afterall Murar Jagdev was a hindu general in the service of a muslim king.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ1Mw0MMRI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Xs1rLLo-ago/s1600/P1010246aa+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ1Mw0MMRI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Xs1rLLo-ago/s320/P1010246aa+%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Pic:samadhi of a local seer </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The temple also has a mythological story woven around it. It is said that Godess Parvati seduced Lord Shiva after dancing for him in this place, before both ascended to the Kailasa mountain for the matrimony.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ1gGn-qVI/AAAAAAAAA4g/uIzKf5oUZs8/s1600/P1010246aa+%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ1gGn-qVI/AAAAAAAAA4g/uIzKf5oUZs8/s320/P1010246aa+%252825%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ4zGF5uAI/AAAAAAAAA48/RUsB0UpqZqc/s1600/P1010246aa+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ4zGF5uAI/AAAAAAAAA48/RUsB0UpqZqc/s320/P1010246aa+%252822%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The temple is made in two layers. The the first layer i.e the temple wall structure which is Yadav kaalin is made from black Basalt stone, while the second layer i.e the shikhara structure is made in lime and gypsum, and was constructed during the Maratha-Peshwa period (perhaps the 18th century) as is evident from the Indo Saracenic style of shikharas which were in vogue during that period. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ2coz7bZI/AAAAAAAAA4o/D_QlNbyJ5JI/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528122%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ2coz7bZI/AAAAAAAAA4o/D_QlNbyJ5JI/s320/P1010246aa+%2528122%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The spires/domes belong to the ‘nagara’ style, while the original temple is distinctly 'hemadpanthi'. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ203ld6DI/AAAAAAAAA4s/RXGIY6kd_n8/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528186%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ203ld6DI/AAAAAAAAA4s/RXGIY6kd_n8/s200/P1010246aa+%2528186%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The spires are made from lime and plaster and have beautiful stucco work with detailed motifs and figurines of deities,birds,reptiles and animals. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ153-kJOI/AAAAAAAAA4k/hZvYToszWFU/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528198%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ153-kJOI/AAAAAAAAA4k/hZvYToszWFU/s320/P1010246aa+%2528198%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pic: The shikhara has figurines of Vishnu, Sharabha,Ganesha,devi etc carved on them</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The main dome is bulbous and ribbed with a pointed finial and is surrounded by several smaller spires. A style that has been borrowed from Islamic architecture and assimilated in time with its Hindu counterpart.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VhxrC19Clg/Tau0TaixlLI/AAAAAAAAA_0/FhpyBzkiAiI/s1600/P1010095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VhxrC19Clg/Tau0TaixlLI/AAAAAAAAA_0/FhpyBzkiAiI/s320/P1010095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ3TXi_VrI/AAAAAAAAA4w/o_9Y9SProjI/s1600/P1010246aa+%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ3TXi_VrI/AAAAAAAAA4w/o_9Y9SProjI/s320/P1010246aa+%252829%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ32BwKm6I/AAAAAAAAA40/M1I7YYf6YlU/s1600/P1010246aa+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ32BwKm6I/AAAAAAAAA40/M1I7YYf6YlU/s200/P1010246aa+%252830%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ4UY4jPkI/AAAAAAAAA44/euqXrTDtaJs/s1600/P1010246aa+%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ4UY4jPkI/AAAAAAAAA44/euqXrTDtaJs/s200/P1010246aa+%252832%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is accompanied by idols of Godess Parvati, Lord Ganesha,Nandi,Kali,Shakti,Vishnu,Saraswati,Laxmi besides a pantheon of other Hindu Gods and Godesses.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ5TZt0pSI/AAAAAAAAA5A/APeeMDMR5Co/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528169%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ5TZt0pSI/AAAAAAAAA5A/APeeMDMR5Co/s200/P1010246aa+%2528169%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There are several dextrously carved sculptures of Apsaras/Surasundaris (celestial maidens) ,Gandharvas-Yakshas (demi gods), bhaarvahakas (on pillar capitals) adorning the walls of the temple.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8SGpG02XqA/Tau4Cb8Ai-I/AAAAAAAABAM/txwpXt4G408/s1600/P1010055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8SGpG02XqA/Tau4Cb8Ai-I/AAAAAAAABAM/txwpXt4G408/s200/P1010055.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ71YXvomI/AAAAAAAAA5U/MWGmUB1Q3Do/s1600/P1010246aa+%252863%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ71YXvomI/AAAAAAAAA5U/MWGmUB1Q3Do/s200/P1010246aa+%252863%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEi2mXdOkVE/Tau4V3MOqoI/AAAAAAAABAQ/oqHu6_3DcMA/s1600/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEi2mXdOkVE/Tau4V3MOqoI/AAAAAAAABAQ/oqHu6_3DcMA/s200/P1010056.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One has to climb stairs and pass through a dark passage in order to reach the pillared sabhamandapa. The presence of a huge statue of Nandi immediately catches ones eye. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S08nMmocEU0/Tau4qxEPHuI/AAAAAAAABAU/JFhGI9WehUo/s1600/P1010059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S08nMmocEU0/Tau4qxEPHuI/AAAAAAAABAU/JFhGI9WehUo/s200/P1010059.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Pic: Yakshas/ bhaarvaahakas adorning the mandi of the pillar and motif work on the malasthana,mala</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ-W-nGhWI/AAAAAAAAA5o/1dW6sxJZas0/s1600/P1010246aa+%252840%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ-W-nGhWI/AAAAAAAAA5o/1dW6sxJZas0/s200/P1010246aa+%252840%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">There is the antarala joining the sabhamandapa with the garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_v2WWHu91V8/Tau0D_bpj5I/AAAAAAAAA_w/ikjm-XvNUS0/s1600/P1010057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_v2WWHu91V8/Tau0D_bpj5I/AAAAAAAAA_w/ikjm-XvNUS0/s320/P1010057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The sanctum houses the sacred Shiva linga, the phallic representation of Lord Shiva.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ8UEU39zI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/JoIDvDyXvsY/s1600/P1010246aa+%252864%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ8UEU39zI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/JoIDvDyXvsY/s200/P1010246aa+%252864%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ8u_sumPI/AAAAAAAAA5c/YpZg-4vDw9E/s1600/P1010246aa+%252870%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ8u_sumPI/AAAAAAAAA5c/YpZg-4vDw9E/s200/P1010246aa+%252870%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ20p4kzstg/TauzuvxnftI/AAAAAAAAA_s/AQNMvN2-yh0/s1600/P1010068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ20p4kzstg/TauzuvxnftI/AAAAAAAAA_s/AQNMvN2-yh0/s320/P1010068.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The doorframe of the garbhagriha is intricately carved and has some apsaras sculpted on either side of the frame's base.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ9wwSWH-I/AAAAAAAAA5k/9axiJ3wTGkk/s1600/P1010246aa+%252872%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ9wwSWH-I/AAAAAAAAA5k/9axiJ3wTGkk/s200/P1010246aa+%252872%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">In the antarala area also there are two Shivalingas. Both have a radiant Shiva face made in copper.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ-5QoEooI/AAAAAAAAA5s/L3nxB1Krwyo/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528145%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ-5QoEooI/AAAAAAAAA5s/L3nxB1Krwyo/s200/P1010246aa+%2528145%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ_UG4pGeI/AAAAAAAAA5w/lMImf9j4mos/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528146%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ_UG4pGeI/AAAAAAAAA5w/lMImf9j4mos/s200/P1010246aa+%2528146%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaAWvym1RI/AAAAAAAAA54/e5-s4dMSyD8/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528177%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaAWvym1RI/AAAAAAAAA54/e5-s4dMSyD8/s200/P1010246aa+%2528177%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaA24yz99I/AAAAAAAAA58/Ue2YKBIvmnk/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528171%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaA24yz99I/AAAAAAAAA58/Ue2YKBIvmnk/s200/P1010246aa+%2528171%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaCJ-PMb-I/AAAAAAAAA6I/MZDYSet6b2M/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528179%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaCJ-PMb-I/AAAAAAAAA6I/MZDYSet6b2M/s200/P1010246aa+%2528179%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">mandovara or the walls </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">of the sabhamandap and gabhara are corrugated in structure and deftly sculpted with statuetes of nymphs and other celestial beings, besides several Gods and Godesses. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaBQ5MgD9I/AAAAAAAAA6A/MC5ODY6pC70/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528172%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaBQ5MgD9I/AAAAAAAAA6A/MC5ODY6pC70/s200/P1010246aa+%2528172%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ_5M4s7yI/AAAAAAAAA50/1gqP4pfa0wI/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528173%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOZ_5M4s7yI/AAAAAAAAA50/1gqP4pfa0wI/s200/P1010246aa+%2528173%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaBvgph1zI/AAAAAAAAA6E/L3qpiJ6pzUw/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528112%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaBvgph1zI/AAAAAAAAA6E/L3qpiJ6pzUw/s200/P1010246aa+%2528112%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaDA_UAcpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gZqCHA8qyRM/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528121%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaDA_UAcpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gZqCHA8qyRM/s320/P1010246aa+%2528121%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There are statuetes of Parvati aai, Lord Ganesha and also a daunting sculpture of Chamundi dancing over a corpse. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaDhao7AhI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_igViNmap8k/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528118%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaDhao7AhI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_igViNmap8k/s320/P1010246aa+%2528118%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Also present is a minor idol of Nandi.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaEpdFeVHI/AAAAAAAAA6c/EU8KEW8XxKY/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528110%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaEpdFeVHI/AAAAAAAAA6c/EU8KEW8XxKY/s400/P1010246aa+%2528110%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The other walls have stories from the hindu epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata etched in mural form. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa_E8LRY23Y/Tau2oMqVYVI/AAAAAAAABAE/tIfZnguyeqg/s1600/P1010070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa_E8LRY23Y/Tau2oMqVYVI/AAAAAAAABAE/tIfZnguyeqg/s320/P1010070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Three such scenes were identifiable. The first being ‘Bharat bhet’(meeting between Ram and his brother Bharat) from Ramayana or perhaps </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">being the scene where Arjuna confers with Lord Krishna at the Kurukshetra battlefield</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Su8Kv9Am2D4/Tau2YQCwgbI/AAAAAAAABAA/ynmCs6ftNI8/s1600/P1010083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Su8Kv9Am2D4/Tau2YQCwgbI/AAAAAAAABAA/ynmCs6ftNI8/s200/P1010083.JPG" width="147" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">the second being the scene from Mahabharata where ‘Bheeshma pitamaha is lying wounded on the battlefield on a Sharapanjari (bed of grass) created for him by the Pandavas, who are seen attending to him’ .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Also present are murals depicting dancing elephants,Vyals (mythical lion like creatures),soldiers, chariots carved on the plinth (pitha).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Then there is one figurine of Arjuna piercing the fish's eye with his arrow.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One gets simply enthralled while studying them in detail.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Many of the wall sections have Apsaras or nymphs dancing , dressing up, carrying a garland that resembles a snake etc and one does get enthralled watching the variety on display<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttRB2hAZPb8/Tau1mTvAXII/AAAAAAAAA_8/qLtemrLwB0o/s1600/P1010043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttRB2hAZPb8/Tau1mTvAXII/AAAAAAAAA_8/qLtemrLwB0o/s320/P1010043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The overhead wall panels in different sections outside the sabhamandap are particularly interesting.One such panel displays figurines of Ganesha in a female form as Ganeshi / Vinayaki (identifiabl</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">e because of the trunk and also by the mouse shown as the carrier) , Shiva / Maheshwari ( in a lady form,recognised by his carrier Nandi, the bull ) and a third deity</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">, all flanked by dragon like creatures from either side . The fire emited from the dragon forms a torana like design over the deities.There are similar panels with Vishnu (carried by a eagle-human viz.Garuda) in a feminne form as Vaishnavi,Brahma or Brahmi (carried by a swan),Kartikeya- Kartikeyani/Kaumari (carried by a peacock), Indra (Indrani) carried by his elephant Airavata, Chamundi on a corpse etc.All the Gods are shown in feminine form (a part of the Sapta or Ashta matrika / 7-8 mother goddess pantheon).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The ceiling around it is exposed to the sky and one can see the lime based shikhara structure with beautiful sculptings and motifs carved over them.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaGt6GA8-I/AAAAAAAAA6k/6wTbproSqJg/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528128%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaGt6GA8-I/AAAAAAAAA6k/6wTbproSqJg/s320/P1010246aa+%2528128%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One also notices minor temples, one such dedicated to Lord Vitthal-Rakhumai ( Lord Vishnu and Godess Laxmi as are worshipped locally).There is also a dark room which has a figurine of Lord Vishnu with a conch resting on the coiled Sheshanaga (multi headed serpent king), besides some aedicules with idols.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaI78uVTwI/AAAAAAAAA60/7A-19nKWdwY/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528106%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaI78uVTwI/AAAAAAAAA60/7A-19nKWdwY/s200/P1010246aa+%2528106%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaLZpRWTSI/AAAAAAAAA7I/KNHRApeNHUc/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528144%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaLZpRWTSI/AAAAAAAAA7I/KNHRApeNHUc/s320/P1010246aa+%2528144%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The crowds seem conspicuously absent in the temple and devotees gather here mainly during Mondays and Mahashivaratri. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaKbpbsA-I/AAAAAAAAA7A/vDNL7uxD5Qo/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528132%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaKbpbsA-I/AAAAAAAAA7A/vDNL7uxD5Qo/s320/P1010246aa+%2528132%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaK5sn1MNI/AAAAAAAAA7E/p5tYY3GpvDs/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528131%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaK5sn1MNI/AAAAAAAAA7E/p5tYY3GpvDs/s320/P1010246aa+%2528131%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Tawny eagles are said to migrate here from the north during the summers and act as a added treat for the bird watchers.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaJbx0JHnI/AAAAAAAAA64/hgQETMoZWRc/s1600/P1010246aa+%2528104%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaJbx0JHnI/AAAAAAAAA64/hgQETMoZWRc/s200/P1010246aa+%2528104%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The entire temple complex is surrounded by a fortified stone wall. There are also some minor temples present in the premises .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaIY3BxlrI/AAAAAAAAA6w/vALnQt29Zd0/s1600/P1010246aa+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaIY3BxlrI/AAAAAAAAA6w/vALnQt29Zd0/s320/P1010246aa+%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">One also notices huge stone steps that leads down to a village below.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaL43HKWgI/AAAAAAAAA7M/6zGzDHhaXew/s1600/P1010246aa+%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOaL43HKWgI/AAAAAAAAA7M/6zGzDHhaXew/s200/P1010246aa+%252834%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Pic: Kurma avtar
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">After a visit to this temple one cant help but admire the ingenuinity of this medieval architect and his team of the most adroit artisans .</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QcMrn5pSPQ/Tau28SsLt3I/AAAAAAAABAI/ZljqZTPJad0/s1600/P1010111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QcMrn5pSPQ/Tau28SsLt3I/AAAAAAAABAI/ZljqZTPJad0/s320/P1010111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Text and Photographs:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> Abhijit Rajadhyaksha (except the photo credited).</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-9308004219537412882010-11-18T21:05:00.001-08:002011-06-16T00:11:17.290-07:00Modi Ganpati Temple, Pune : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYYtASbeI/AAAAAAAAN8w/QtiQhGtZiho/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYYtASbeI/AAAAAAAAN8w/QtiQhGtZiho/s400/P1010011.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Modi Ganpati temple is also known as the Bomblya Ganpati temple. It is located in Narayan Peth, near Khushrooshet Modi garden, Pune.The Ganpati idol was apparently discovered in the Modi garden, hence the name.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYoLJ-dYI/AAAAAAAAN80/xxOvyyKZESI/s1600/P1010009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYoLJ-dYI/AAAAAAAAN80/xxOvyyKZESI/s320/P1010009.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This temple was built by a Ratnagiri-Konkanastha brahmin named Bhat who had settled down in Pune in the early 19<sup>th</sup> century (1811). He constructed the ‘garbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctorum) and installed the swayambhu (natural formation) Ganesha idol. The ‘sabhamandap’ (assembly hall) was constructed later in 1868.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYwPgUN8I/AAAAAAAAN84/-jcXlEila8w/s1600/Copy+of+P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjYwPgUN8I/AAAAAAAAN84/-jcXlEila8w/s320/Copy+of+P1010010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="184" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The ‘shikhara’ (temple tower / superstructure) is built in the ‘devali’ style and is 'nagara' in classification. It consists of layers of nasis (niched windows), one above the other in a curvilinear form.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZB5Gfj8I/AAAAAAAAN88/NglSTutVJ-A/s1600/P1010007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZB5Gfj8I/AAAAAAAAN88/NglSTutVJ-A/s200/P1010007.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The temple is enclosed within a plastered brick wall. The temple itself consists of the ‘gabhara’ and the ‘sabhamandapa’.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZRlBgFdI/AAAAAAAAN9A/jMb-IZMpOfc/s1600/P1010002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZRlBgFdI/AAAAAAAAN9A/jMb-IZMpOfc/s200/P1010002.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> The ‘sabhamandapa’ has wooden interiors (arcade like arched wooden pillars and ceiling, so similar to Peshwakaalin temples of Pune, like the Kasba Peth Ganpati temple) and comprises of a rectangular hall and the vestibule (housing the mose, the Lords carrier).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZcXGiKWI/AAAAAAAAN9E/8PsMCKz0RXQ/s1600/P1010005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZcXGiKWI/AAAAAAAAN9E/8PsMCKz0RXQ/s200/P1010005.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There is a aisle separating the sabhamandap from some adjoining rooms that probably are used for housing and administration purposes.The way from the sabhamandap door to the sabhamandap passes through this aisle.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZcXGiKWI/AAAAAAAAN9E/8PsMCKz0RXQ/s1600/P1010005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZcXGiKWI/AAAAAAAAN9E/8PsMCKz0RXQ/s320/P1010005.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The sabhamandap walls are decorated with paintng of Lord Ganesha and his exploits. The gabhara houses the Ganesha idol inside a brass ‘devghar’ (deity-idol enclosure).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZpxg-XNI/AAAAAAAAN9I/W5gZ3SJJ1qA/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZpxg-XNI/AAAAAAAAN9I/W5gZ3SJJ1qA/s320/P1010003.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The sabhamandap has a tiled roof which gives it a look so typical like in temples of the Konkan region.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZpxg-XNI/AAAAAAAAN9I/W5gZ3SJJ1qA/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjZpxg-XNI/AAAAAAAAN9I/W5gZ3SJJ1qA/s320/P1010003.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The temple is indeed a must see for its heritage value.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjaBUMijQI/AAAAAAAAN9M/OK7kQ012VHk/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjaBUMijQI/AAAAAAAAN9M/OK7kQ012VHk/s320/P1010010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Text and photographs: Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-51758472289818847312010-11-18T21:02:00.001-08:002011-04-13T16:52:03.202-07:00Kittur Fort : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkCuHiFlpI/AAAAAAAAN-U/mRs3M69O35I/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkCuHiFlpI/AAAAAAAAN-U/mRs3M69O35I/s320/P1010010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Kittur Fort as we see now lies in total ruins. All that remain to this great legacy are some dilapidated walls and a lot of history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkDSAJ-MoI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/A54icZbPGt4/s1600/P1010015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkDSAJ-MoI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/A54icZbPGt4/s320/P1010015.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Kittur Fort is located around 30kms from the city of Belgaum,Karnataka state. One has to take the national highway and after an half our journey, turn left towards the town of Kittur.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkDtIohiCI/AAAAAAAAN-c/bCH4B8lAU2E/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkDtIohiCI/AAAAAAAAN-c/bCH4B8lAU2E/s320/P1010001.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">On entering the town, one is greeted by the majestic statue of Rani Chennamma the legendery Dowager Queen of Kittur who challenged the might of the colonial British empire way back in the nineteenth century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">She was the second wife of the king Mallasaraja of Kittur, who impressed with her beauty and daunting spirit had fallen in love with her and made her his second Queen.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Kittur dynasty was established by two brothers, Hiremallashetty and Chickamallashetty of Sagar,Shimoga district, who were in the service of Sultan Adilshah. In 1586 AD, the sultan conferred the regions of Kittur and its adjoining areas, as a jagir to the brothers.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Initially their capital was Sampagaon, but during the rule of Mudimallapa Desai their sixth ruler, the capital was changed to Kittur.He constructed this grand fort of Kittur including a large palace that acted as his residence. But it was under the eleventh ruler Mallasaraja that Kittur came to be called as the welfare state.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The news of the prosperity of Kittur state had reached the ears of the Maratha Peshwa Bajirao II , and he wanted to annex this small kingdom to his dominion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He therefore invited Mallasaraja to meet him and then treacherously imprisoned Mallasaraja, who later died in Maratha captivity.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Shivalinga Rudrasaraja, the son of Mallasaraja became the subsequent king under the regency of his stepmother Rani Chenamma.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">By then the Maratha empire had collapsed and the British were in power. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Rani Chenamma had adopted her stepson Shivalingappa and was ruling on his behalf, something which the British East India company had found unacceptable.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">The British were always looking to interfere in the affairs of the princely states . As was the earlier practice, if a ruler had no heirs, they would adopt someone to succeed them. But the British abolished this practice and used such oppurtunities to annex the kingdoms to their provinces.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> Rani Chennamma was one of the early rulers who protested against this law which she found very unjust and a gross breach of trust. </span></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">She therefore challenged the British might and as a result of which, Thackeray, the British collector of Dharwad, marched against Kittur on 22<sup>nd</sup> Oct, 1824.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But the Rani and her valliant forces thwarted this attack and routed the British army.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Her bodyguard Amatur Ballapa even killed the collector,Thackeray in battle.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But the victory proved shortlived. The British, incensed after their initial defeat, attacked in a couple of months,this time with a larger force and captured the fort of Kittur.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">They held the Queen Chennamma in captivity at the fort of Bailhongal, where she was to languish for five long years.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Meanwhile, Chennammas aide,Sangolli Rayanna had kept on the heroic struggle against the British. But as fate would have it,his own kins betrayed him to the British , and he was executed in 1829.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Immediately after this incident, the Queen too, apparently disheartened, lost the will to live and she breathed her last in prison on 2<sup>nd</sup> February 1829.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">During the war at Kittur, the British virtually destroyed the fort. However a few broken down walls still remain as testament of this great fort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkIIRLhrrI/AAAAAAAAN-g/rwrbWZwys7Q/s1600/P1010004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkIIRLhrrI/AAAAAAAAN-g/rwrbWZwys7Q/s320/P1010004.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The fort still has a well preserved rampart and a few bastions. The surrounding moat still remains, but is now without any water and more of a vacant depression with sprouted grass and wild vegetation and serves as a grazing ground for the cattle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkIiisfaiI/AAAAAAAAN-k/uDEOjlTqkx0/s1600/P1010030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkIiisfaiI/AAAAAAAAN-k/uDEOjlTqkx0/s320/P1010030.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There was said to be some woodwork and carved pillars, but they have in due course been apparently been gifted away.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkI64gY4-I/AAAAAAAAN-o/HtoMlZjk9as/s1600/P1010058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkI64gY4-I/AAAAAAAAN-o/HtoMlZjk9as/s200/P1010058.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The grand palace of Chennamma can still be identified by its vestiges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkJllLD2eI/AAAAAAAAN-s/qwanHnpKwqg/s1600/P1010114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkJllLD2eI/AAAAAAAAN-s/qwanHnpKwqg/s200/P1010114.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkKI9j2Z_I/AAAAAAAAN-w/0byRH7tccnE/s1600/P1010130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkKI9j2Z_I/AAAAAAAAN-w/0byRH7tccnE/s200/P1010130.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkK4inM58I/AAAAAAAAN-4/IwTD2BVQus4/s1600/P1010085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkK4inM58I/AAAAAAAAN-4/IwTD2BVQus4/s200/P1010085.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One can still see the royal kitchen with its own unique exhaust system, some small wells for drawing water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkKk91EGnI/AAAAAAAAN-0/yrW12BqNqJQ/s1600/P1010124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkKk91EGnI/AAAAAAAAN-0/yrW12BqNqJQ/s200/P1010124.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then there is the famous telescope of Rani Chennamma, which she used to watch the Polestar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkLXPgmADI/AAAAAAAAN-8/5CZjjbguD70/s1600/P1010138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkLXPgmADI/AAAAAAAAN-8/5CZjjbguD70/s200/P1010138.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There are also few derelict walls that were once the army quarters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkLuM4dSuI/AAAAAAAAN_A/zUY6qsHsbZw/s1600/P1010134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkLuM4dSuI/AAAAAAAAN_A/zUY6qsHsbZw/s320/P1010134.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then there is the armoury, which was said to have been first to be occupied by the British, before they seiged rest of the fort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkMUZ6K4FI/AAAAAAAAN_E/XuZ4tPoE4b4/s1600/P1010090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkMUZ6K4FI/AAAAAAAAN_E/XuZ4tPoE4b4/s200/P1010090.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A few tanks which served as water reservoirs are still in display.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkMipbpwlI/AAAAAAAAN_I/L0NiSieVgJw/s1600/P1010149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkMipbpwlI/AAAAAAAAN_I/L0NiSieVgJw/s320/P1010149.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Also can be seen are some water fountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkM5W0olFI/AAAAAAAAN_M/Yj7rkAmrQJM/s1600/P1010104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkM5W0olFI/AAAAAAAAN_M/Yj7rkAmrQJM/s320/P1010104.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There is also a large swimming pool apparently used by the royals. Just outside the palace ruins lies the temple of the gramadaivat (village deity),</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkNTeMsW-I/AAAAAAAAN_Q/Mjd42442-bw/s1600/P1010159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkNTeMsW-I/AAAAAAAAN_Q/Mjd42442-bw/s320/P1010159.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and alongside is a museum specially created by the Karnataka government,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkNrzWFzsI/AAAAAAAAN_U/wJsF_LKicII/s1600/P1010174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkNrzWFzsI/AAAAAAAAN_U/wJsF_LKicII/s320/P1010174.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">which displays various artefacts belonging to the Kittur royal dynasty,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkN_Wt2WOI/AAAAAAAAN_Y/xffoHmM_jLU/s1600/P1010180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkN_Wt2WOI/AAAAAAAAN_Y/xffoHmM_jLU/s320/P1010180.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">besides several arms that were in use then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkOQjr2-lI/AAAAAAAAN_c/-AhK4WuuoqM/s1600/P1010193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkOQjr2-lI/AAAAAAAAN_c/-AhK4WuuoqM/s320/P1010193.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkOf8zEx9I/AAAAAAAAN_g/Xrd6zbWcQaU/s1600/P1010190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkOf8zEx9I/AAAAAAAAN_g/Xrd6zbWcQaU/s320/P1010190.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There is also a section in the museum where stone inscriptions, statues, carvings (including a Gajalaxmi viz. Godess Laxmi flanked by two elephants, a carving of vyals or mythical lion like creatures),</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkO2B0f8WI/AAAAAAAAN_k/Fh-oZkmJ2Qo/s1600/P1010198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkO2B0f8WI/AAAAAAAAN_k/Fh-oZkmJ2Qo/s320/P1010198.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">veergals (hero stones dedicated to the martyrs) belonging to Kittur times and the period of the ancient Kalyani Chalukyas are on display.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkPQ3qjjhI/AAAAAAAAN_o/9eBP4vDSFyI/s1600/P1010017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkPQ3qjjhI/AAAAAAAAN_o/9eBP4vDSFyI/s320/P1010017.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The fort ruins are well preserved amidst a beautiful garden, which has a well maintained lawn and a very hospitable security guards who very eagerly explain the details and history of the fort to visiting tourists.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkPpoMTkqI/AAAAAAAAN_s/teB-mR2BmW4/s1600/P1010210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkPpoMTkqI/AAAAAAAAN_s/teB-mR2BmW4/s320/P1010210.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Kittur fort indeed serves as a memory to its most valiant queen.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Text and Photographs: Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</b></div></div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-21151108103851842302010-11-18T20:55:00.003-08:002013-02-02T07:36:48.595-08:00Fort Janjira, the impregnable sea fort & Revdanda : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Note: After the Janjeera article there is an additional note and photographs of Revdanda Fort.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort of Janjira lies on an island across the fishing villages of Danda- Rajapuri which are the satellite villages of Murud, located in the Raigad district, around 50 kms from Alibaug. It is almost equidistant from both Mumbai and Pune. The route being via Khopoli. Hence the village is more famously known as Murud Janjira.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Murud is a Konkani word which means the place that dosent get flooded, while Janjira is Arabic in origin and derived from the words Jazeera or Jal Jeera which mean an island.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The island previously had a wooden fortification a.k.a Koshtadurg-medhekot (to act as a watchpost against pirates) and was under the control of the local Koli chief Ram Patil (who owed suzereinty to the king of Chaul - Note: Nizamshah captured Rajapuri in 1490, But Ram Patil held the fort against Nizamshah). It is said that Peeram Khan, an commander of the Nizamshahi sultanate of Ahmednagar, apparently captured this fort by deceit and took Ram Patil a prisoner and sent him to his kings court where he was converted to Islam (renamed Eatbarrao). But on returning back, Ram Patil tried recapturing the fort, was captured and killed(1522).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Later the Nizamshahi Sultan Burhan Khan demolished the wooden fortification and replaced it with a solid stone construction. This was in 1538. Forty feet high and around fifteen feet thick stone walls were constructed around the fort. He named the fort Mehroob Jazeera (or Mehrusa Jazeera or the Moon Island in Arabic, also called Damda by the Portuguese).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoxsDomxFI/AAAAAAAAOFE/FWGsXZWp9es/s1600/P1010111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoxsDomxFI/AAAAAAAAOFE/FWGsXZWp9es/s320/P1010111.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Malik Ambar,the Abyssynian general of the Nizamshahi sultanate (during the time of Burhan Nizamshah III) appointed his fellow Abyssinians like Siddi Ambar (present day Ethiopians of Arab-African origins, known in these parts as Habshis) as fort keepers of Janjira (1617). These Abyssinians belonged to the Syed clan and came to be known in the Deccan region as the Siddis.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">After the fall of the Nizamshahi sultanate, these Siddis took up service with the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">It is said that hundreds of cannons guarded the fort of Janjira, besides the temperemental sea . Therefore, despite many attempts by the Marathas (under Raghunathrao Ballal,Moropant Pingale,Vyankojipant Datto, Lai Patil in the years 1657,1659,1672,1675), the fort remained beyond their reach. Later the Siddis (Sambal,Qasim,Khairat) shifted their loyalties to the Mughals in order to secure their help during a siege by Shivajis navy (under Sarkhel Daulat Khan). Sensing Mughal help to the Siddis, Shivaji thought it prudent to abandon his plan of capturing Janjira.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoyPCuhrBI/AAAAAAAAOFI/oWmDXgMxpvE/s1600/04-03-10_1416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoyPCuhrBI/AAAAAAAAOFI/oWmDXgMxpvE/s320/04-03-10_1416.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Earlier, bowing to the pressure from Shivaji, the forts actual Kiledar Siddi Fatahkhan wanted to surrender the fort. But his lieutenants Siddi Sambal,Siddi Qasim and Siddi Khairat rebelled against him, and put him under bars and continued their stoic resistance against the Marathas. Simultaneously they sought help from the mughals, which came in due course and the marathas had to retreat.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Shivaji later built the fort of Padmadurg in close proximity to Janjira, ostensibly to keep a watch on the activities of the Siddis. However, Shivajis Marathas did manage to capture most of lands of the Siddis, including Danda Rajapuri, but the Janjira fort continued to remain elusive.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo3NyIM3EI/AAAAAAAAOGA/KAQ_EyXrkic/s1600/04-03-10_1440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo3NyIM3EI/AAAAAAAAOGA/KAQ_EyXrkic/s320/04-03-10_1440.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">During the reign of Ch.Sambhaji (son of Shivaji) attempts to capture Janjira were renewed. There was one such attempt by Kondaji Farzand, an commander of Sambhaji and another after some of the Siddis like Sambal and his nephew Misri fell out with Qasim and joined the forces of Sambhaji. But all those attempts came to a nought.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The Peshwas during the time of Bajirao I and the Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre did manage to secure the allegiance of the Siddis for some time. But that was because of their own internal differences, whereby Bajirao supported the cause of one against the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoy4uZV7NI/AAAAAAAAOFM/XU4eZHoxu5E/s1600/04-03-10_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoy4uZV7NI/AAAAAAAAOFM/XU4eZHoxu5E/s320/04-03-10_1421.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Later after the British became the absolute rulers of India, the Siddis accepted their suzerainity and continued to rule the region as its Nawabs. In 1948, Indian freedom fighters liberated Janjira and the last Nawab Muhammed Khan had to escape to Bombay (Mumbai).</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Thus the fort of Janjira could never be captured by force, neither by the Marathas, nor by the Europeans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort is spread over 22 acres of land. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNozR99J6OI/AAAAAAAAOFQ/baQGOH9E8H0/s1600/P1010128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNozR99J6OI/AAAAAAAAOFQ/baQGOH9E8H0/s320/P1010128.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort has around 22 bastions .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNozhIztIjI/AAAAAAAAOFU/OOAwkt36Cz8/s1600/04-03-10_1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNozhIztIjI/AAAAAAAAOFU/OOAwkt36Cz8/s320/04-03-10_1445.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> Surprisingly the fort has two sweet water tanks amidst the saline sea that surrounds the fort.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The main doorway to the fort is gigantic and has Persian inscriptions carved in white stone. It is aptly called the Maha darwaza (the big gate).It is flanked by two bastions and has a nagarkhana above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoz7MQ87yI/AAAAAAAAOFY/hoxLOweOYzE/s1600/P1010148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoz7MQ87yI/AAAAAAAAOFY/hoxLOweOYzE/s320/P1010148.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are also some Gajalaxmi carvings, elephant carvings and a Sharabha carvings on the main doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo0XVjcOGI/AAAAAAAAOFc/JWqf3tA7qKg/s1600/Janjira5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo0XVjcOGI/AAAAAAAAOFc/JWqf3tA7qKg/s200/Janjira5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The carving at the main entrance where a lion (Abyssinian?) is shown lifting elephants (Indian?) in his paws (probably indicating supremacy of the Siddis over the local Indians).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo0gKbJ2HI/AAAAAAAAOFg/LrE3fvovSXs/s1600/04-03-10_1447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo0gKbJ2HI/AAAAAAAAOFg/LrE3fvovSXs/s200/04-03-10_1447.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There is one old structure in its premises called Peer Panchayatan which has some old graves, probably of the Siddis themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo2byEKleI/AAAAAAAAOF4/fXU6GtjYhGA/s1600/04-03-10_1439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo2byEKleI/AAAAAAAAOF4/fXU6GtjYhGA/s200/04-03-10_1439.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Then there is an dilapidated structure known as Surulkhan wada or the palace of the Siddis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo09MjGpCI/AAAAAAAAOFo/kaw7je_QnZM/s1600/P1010062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo09MjGpCI/AAAAAAAAOFo/kaw7je_QnZM/s320/P1010062.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo1QymqjNI/AAAAAAAAOFs/sz5rIusHVNU/s1600/P1010059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo1QymqjNI/AAAAAAAAOFs/sz5rIusHVNU/s320/P1010059.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The Siddi later shifted his residence in 1885 to a sea facing castle in Murud, which they constructed in a Indo Saracenic style. This structure exists till date and still serves as a summer home to their descendents.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There also exists an abandoned masjid in the fort, remnants of a hindu temple besides grainery depots and many crumbling structures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo1r7Umv7I/AAAAAAAAOFw/q1CT4yRbUVo/s1600/04-03-10_1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo1r7Umv7I/AAAAAAAAOFw/q1CT4yRbUVo/s200/04-03-10_1442.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There also exists the balekilla which is the topmost level of the fort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo175tbL7I/AAAAAAAAOF0/a7kQ7B8Kch0/s1600/04-03-10_1419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo175tbL7I/AAAAAAAAOF0/a7kQ7B8Kch0/s320/04-03-10_1419.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort walls had hundreds of cannons facing out to the sea. In 1969, around 572 cannons were recovered from the fort. Some are still kept there as relics. The most famous of them being the Kalal Bangdi,Chavari and the Landa Kasam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo2xmjujqI/AAAAAAAAOF8/ZiaX7m37qVM/s1600/P1010176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo2xmjujqI/AAAAAAAAOF8/ZiaX7m37qVM/s200/P1010176.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort also had an emergency exit called Darya darwaza, to be used in case of exigencies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo57rpyqZI/AAAAAAAAOGE/ncWRYQexscM/s1600/P1010147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo57rpyqZI/AAAAAAAAOGE/ncWRYQexscM/s200/P1010147.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">To reach the fort , there are several row boats that are available from 7am-6pm (barring Friday noon).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fort of Janjira is today one of the major attractions of Murud and frequented by thousands of tourists every year. There is accommodation available in Murud as also in the villages lying between Alibaug and Murud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo6dx4XPTI/AAAAAAAAOGI/rPI__2464AQ/s1600/P1010075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo6dx4XPTI/AAAAAAAAOGI/rPI__2464AQ/s320/P1010075.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">In the vicinity are also several pristine beaches, sea forts and medieval temples that are an added attraction.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Kashid Beach (36kms from Alibaug on Murud road):</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRPlhlEKrI/T1D9Jgp8tvI/AAAAAAAABVk/Y6j9w_HuSTA/s1600/kashid+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRPlhlEKrI/T1D9Jgp8tvI/AAAAAAAABVk/Y6j9w_HuSTA/s320/kashid+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pTv8W8JShc/T1D9KekfOoI/AAAAAAAABVs/2xWvhtbA4M0/s1600/kashid+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--pTv8W8JShc/T1D9KekfOoI/AAAAAAAABVs/2xWvhtbA4M0/s320/kashid+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93AYvBCh5U0/T1D9NCEw4_I/AAAAAAAABV0/XVeO_ZB9O0Q/s1600/kashid+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93AYvBCh5U0/T1D9NCEw4_I/AAAAAAAABV0/XVeO_ZB9O0Q/s320/kashid+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0w1kdGJXxw/T1D9OJKRLUI/AAAAAAAABV8/3VWKAHqRl3k/s1600/kashid+bch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0w1kdGJXxw/T1D9OJKRLUI/AAAAAAAABV8/3VWKAHqRl3k/s320/kashid+bch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcwRAV_rkfo/T1D9PWEQvLI/AAAAAAAABWE/J_St8OtGpb8/s1600/kashid+bch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcwRAV_rkfo/T1D9PWEQvLI/AAAAAAAABWE/J_St8OtGpb8/s320/kashid+bch2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhOsZZ4FOno/T1D9REHN1EI/AAAAAAAABWM/pwLv2SPQBis/s1600/kashid+shacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhOsZZ4FOno/T1D9REHN1EI/AAAAAAAABWM/pwLv2SPQBis/s320/kashid+shacks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYE07V5m-N4/T1D9SmwDtcI/AAAAAAAABWU/xtIrBXoCMjE/s1600/kashid+watersports.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYE07V5m-N4/T1D9SmwDtcI/AAAAAAAABWU/xtIrBXoCMjE/s320/kashid+watersports.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0GpIvupss0/T1D9T1JeZRI/AAAAAAAABWc/6LO6zSGl3qM/s1600/kashid+watersports1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0GpIvupss0/T1D9T1JeZRI/AAAAAAAABWc/6LO6zSGl3qM/s320/kashid+watersports1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4FQwPQE_0M/T1D9VPXqykI/AAAAAAAABWg/5MdDkOFX27M/s1600/kashid+watersports2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4FQwPQE_0M/T1D9VPXqykI/AAAAAAAABWg/5MdDkOFX27M/s320/kashid+watersports2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgNKZ9ASMgI/T1D9WVNVtxI/AAAAAAAABWo/LFC3HXvKGSU/s1600/kashid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgNKZ9ASMgI/T1D9WVNVtxI/AAAAAAAABWo/LFC3HXvKGSU/s320/kashid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clY2nKcMCDQ/T1D9ZfsaUpI/AAAAAAAABW8/om0eqOOGOyE/s1600/kashid5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clY2nKcMCDQ/T1D9ZfsaUpI/AAAAAAAABW8/om0eqOOGOyE/s320/kashid5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_rXoCMArTs/T1D9goh5L5I/AAAAAAAABXE/DasD58n6VC0/s1600/kashid6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_rXoCMArTs/T1D9goh5L5I/AAAAAAAABXE/DasD58n6VC0/s320/kashid6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Rameshwar temple, Chaul:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZOpCAlzjtE/T1D8bbD37gI/AAAAAAAABUE/xM_FseeStgw/s1600/rameshwar+deepsthamba+nandimandap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZOpCAlzjtE/T1D8bbD37gI/AAAAAAAABUE/xM_FseeStgw/s320/rameshwar+deepsthamba+nandimandap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgzO3af6DI0/T1D8doi6OZI/AAAAAAAABUM/EEbKwLn_By4/s1600/rameshwar+devi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgzO3af6DI0/T1D8doi6OZI/AAAAAAAABUM/EEbKwLn_By4/s320/rameshwar+devi.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVbyYLnfWe8/T1D8fLe6lGI/AAAAAAAABUU/LViU123Jm64/s1600/rameshwar+engraved+pillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVbyYLnfWe8/T1D8fLe6lGI/AAAAAAAABUU/LViU123Jm64/s320/rameshwar+engraved+pillar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsHG14swavA/T1D8hCIb5hI/AAAAAAAABUc/fHqt_u2K3Xc/s1600/rameshwar+garbhagriha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsHG14swavA/T1D8hCIb5hI/AAAAAAAABUc/fHqt_u2K3Xc/s320/rameshwar+garbhagriha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw0Hbhh7aaI/T1D8jRb5cqI/AAAAAAAABUk/1pbzuFnQO9w/s1600/rameshwar+haud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw0Hbhh7aaI/T1D8jRb5cqI/AAAAAAAABUk/1pbzuFnQO9w/s320/rameshwar+haud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddh5oDqSwxI/T1D8k9O4TYI/AAAAAAAABUs/nhI_AqUUlqA/s1600/rameshwar+mangesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddh5oDqSwxI/T1D8k9O4TYI/AAAAAAAABUs/nhI_AqUUlqA/s320/rameshwar+mangesh.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Xu3I75JNs/T1D8nWvlsQI/AAAAAAAABU0/7Njp1lG80ek/s1600/rameshwar+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_Xu3I75JNs/T1D8nWvlsQI/AAAAAAAABU0/7Njp1lG80ek/s320/rameshwar+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPgDGtv5ugE/T1D8pGWBdLI/AAAAAAAABU8/KyvGeHTTI7s/s1600/rameshwar+vestibule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPgDGtv5ugE/T1D8pGWBdLI/AAAAAAAABU8/KyvGeHTTI7s/s320/rameshwar+vestibule.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W048zIp1koQ/T1D8qN1ekII/AAAAAAAABVE/z8-GFGuD1Nc/s1600/rameshwar+vishnu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W048zIp1koQ/T1D8qN1ekII/AAAAAAAABVE/z8-GFGuD1Nc/s320/rameshwar+vishnu.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhz71cxVkPo/T1D8rT_5awI/AAAAAAAABVM/Ouu_8UnokAw/s1600/rameshwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhz71cxVkPo/T1D8rT_5awI/AAAAAAAABVM/Ouu_8UnokAw/s320/rameshwar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yI5khKLD0jI/T1D8todQDqI/AAAAAAAABVU/_nqj_JfhI5s/s1600/rameshwar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yI5khKLD0jI/T1D8todQDqI/AAAAAAAABVU/_nqj_JfhI5s/s320/rameshwar1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBf3keNpOI0/T1D8vXv1EBI/AAAAAAAABVc/AfPkhrbBChE/s1600/rameshwar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBf3keNpOI0/T1D8vXv1EBI/AAAAAAAABVc/AfPkhrbBChE/s320/rameshwar2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo61-l0NXI/AAAAAAAAOGM/MfExkZYNHQk/s1600/P1010042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo61-l0NXI/AAAAAAAAOGM/MfExkZYNHQk/s320/P1010042.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic: Siddhivinayak temple at Nandgaon on Alibaug Murud Road</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">During the summers the heat and humidity levels are very high. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Yet this dosent deter the tourists from visiting this grand fort. In the monsoons, the water levels do get unpredictable , hence discretion is always advisable. The best time to visit Janjira would be in the winters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo7Sk3YPcI/AAAAAAAAOGQ/KHw0o5OKeek/s1600/P1010199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNo7Sk3YPcI/AAAAAAAAOGQ/KHw0o5OKeek/s320/P1010199.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p><b>Revdanda fort</b> was a beach facing fort built in 1558 by a Portuguese captain Soj to watch over their trading interests. It is located in lower Chaul, which one comes across on the Alibaug-Murud road (17kms away from Alibaug). During the Portuguese times it was called Santa Maria de Castelo, but the locals called it Revdanda after Revati the spouse of the Yadava king Balrama. </o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ9-mVvuaVQ/T1D7m36Lb8I/AAAAAAAABTs/iYwKkrhubEI/s1600/revdanda+entrance+port+insig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ9-mVvuaVQ/T1D7m36Lb8I/AAAAAAAABTs/iYwKkrhubEI/s320/revdanda+entrance+port+insig.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8iW64REnpc/T1D7qBJuEmI/AAAAAAAABT0/s6Fn1bjkvxA/s1600/revdanda+exit+rickshaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8iW64REnpc/T1D7qBJuEmI/AAAAAAAABT0/s6Fn1bjkvxA/s320/revdanda+exit+rickshaw.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHBbrUkbaT8/T1D7z3bAiXI/AAAAAAAABT8/AXM_g7yIraw/s1600/revdandanda+doorways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHBbrUkbaT8/T1D7z3bAiXI/AAAAAAAABT8/AXM_g7yIraw/s320/revdandanda+doorways.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The Portuguese stoically defended this fort against many invasions namely in 1570-71 and in 1594. It was captured by the marathas (by the Angres, during the time of Nanasaheb Peshwe) in 1740 (Note.an earlier attempt in 1683, during the time of Ch.Sambhajiraje had failed). In 1806 it was ceded to the East India company and remained in brief control of the Angres in 1817.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p>Revdanda-Chaul (Chenwal in Konkani language) has a history of 2000 years. Chaul (Simul,Champavati were some of its old names) was ruled in the medieval times by kings like Bhoja (12th cen) and Bimbadev (13th cen). </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Chaul came under Tughluq in the 14th century , the Bahamani sultans in the 15th century, Nizamshahi in 16th century, Portuguese in the 16/17th century (1505 onwards. In 1508, an combined army of Egyptian Mamluks and Gujrat sultanate defeated the Portuguese. The first Portuguese settlements started in 1521 with the permission of Nizamshah), the Marathas in the 18th century and the British in the 19th century. Chaul always remained a major trading port during the rules of all dynasties.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0cTf-SHNU/T1D7EACyagI/AAAAAAAABTU/LuSsLMs15bg/s1600/portuguese+insignia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf0cTf-SHNU/T1D7EACyagI/AAAAAAAABTU/LuSsLMs15bg/s200/portuguese+insignia.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Portuguese inscription: Year of 1577 - symbol of Captain Alexandre D' Souza Freire - of this fortress - that made this fortification - on the beach and on the sea.</span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOSL2pefOFA/T1D7OlFGtxI/AAAAAAAABTc/mFdYfiKX1Hc/s1600/portuguese+insignia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOSL2pefOFA/T1D7OlFGtxI/AAAAAAAABTc/mFdYfiKX1Hc/s200/portuguese+insignia1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There were also other forts in Chaul like Agarkot of the Nizamshah (destroyed by the Portuguese) , Rajkot built by Sambhaji (destroyed by the Angres in 1748) and Korlai (known to the Portuguese as Morro de Chaul or Rock of Chaul) which still exists in the vicinity on a nearby cliff. Korlai was captured by the Portuguse till 1739 until it was seized by the Marathas.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_l7hptftyg/T1D7XZ2j_UI/AAAAAAAABTk/oEs-K6IHkzY/s1600/revdanda+ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_l7hptftyg/T1D7XZ2j_UI/AAAAAAAABTk/oEs-K6IHkzY/s1600/revdanda+ruins.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Revdanda had a chapel where St Francis Xaviers delivered one of his earliest sermons in the Indian subcontinent. Revdanda was also the first place in India where Afanasy Nikitin, the first Russian traveller landed .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Today all that remains in Revdanda Fort are Palm and betel nut trees and a dilapidated storeyed structures.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p>Text and photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-82901333854266629942010-11-18T20:52:00.001-08:002011-08-28T12:22:25.604-07:00Chakan Fort : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoMfrUc5qI/AAAAAAAAOCA/U_cpeE5GQDY/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoMfrUc5qI/AAAAAAAAOCA/U_cpeE5GQDY/s400/P1010003.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the medieval times Chakan was an important trading post. Within its jurisdiction were eighty four villages. Therefore Chakan was known as Chakan Chauryaainshi (84 in Marathi).</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Fort of Chakan (a.k.a Sangramdurg as named by Shivaji. Original name was Chakrapuri. Later named Islamabad by Shaistakhan) is a small ‘bhuikot killa’ or a landlocked fort lying around 30 kms from Pune , off the Pune Nasik highway.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoMwp5dXvI/AAAAAAAAOCE/P_tjGdKcRCw/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoMwp5dXvI/AAAAAAAAOCE/P_tjGdKcRCw/s320/P1010001.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It is believed that the Fort was constructed by an Abyssinian general of the Nizamshahi sultanate sometime in the 13th century. It was said to have twelve feet thick and 45 feet tall walls made in solid stone, besides a moat around it and several bastions that served as its watchtowers. Later in the second part of 16th century , it was a part of the jagir given to Malojirao Bhosale, the grandfather of Ch.Shivaji by the Nizamshahi sultanate in return for the services rendered. Subsequently it came under Shahajiraje Bhosale the father of Ch.Shivaji.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Despite its small size Sangramdurg has gained recognition in the pages of history books as the last fort to be wrested by the British from its Maratha occupants.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNEQZiCQI/AAAAAAAAOCI/4XutU1C5Hq0/s1600/P1010072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNEQZiCQI/AAAAAAAAOCI/4XutU1C5Hq0/s320/P1010072.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But it is eulogized in Maratha history mainly for the heroic resistance shown by its fort keeper , Firangoji Narasala, against a Mughal army led by ShaistaKhan , the maternal uncle of emperor Aurangzeb.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> It was the year 1660, when the Maratha king Shivaji was trapped in the fort of Panhala, surrounded by the forces of the Adilshahi commander,Siddi Jauhar, who had laid seige to the fort.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">That’s when ShaistaKhan descended in the Deccan with a large army and plenty of resources made available at his disposal by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He soon occupied the regions of Pune and encamped there.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The region beyond river Bhima was already under the mughal control, but for the tiny fort of Chakan that was still held on by the Marathas.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Note. The region that lay beyond Bhima was the Nasik region, then known as Gulshanabad.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoN8-QpZLI/AAAAAAAAOCU/es90dkXW3JM/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoN8-QpZLI/AAAAAAAAOCU/es90dkXW3JM/s200/P1010010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">On 21<sup>st</sup> June 1660, Shaistekhans commanders, Uzbekkhan,Jawahir Khan Habshi,Rao Bhavsingh,Raja Raisingh and Jadhavrao laid siege to the fort of Chakan with over twenty thousand troops and massive artillery and gunpowder.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Then, Firangoji Narsala, the Kiledar of the fort was holed up inside the fort with hardly two hundred men. Notwithstanding the heavy rains, the Mughal army was determined to capture Chakan. They had anticipated a easy win as the odds were stacked in their favour and Ch.Shivaji himself was not in a position to provide any immediate assistance.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNVhH9dgI/AAAAAAAAOCM/1ei244M8nak/s1600/P1010005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNVhH9dgI/AAAAAAAAOCM/1ei244M8nak/s200/P1010005.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But despite the adverse eventualities , the fortkeeper Firangoji Narsala offered a brave resistance.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He defended the tiny fort for whole fifty five days, harassing the mughals by their gureilla strikes and scorched earth policy, whereby they cut off the food supplies to the mughals.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Meanwhile, the Mughals had learnt that Shivaji had escaped from the Panhala seige. Therefore it became all the more imperative on their part to capture the fort at the earliest, before Shivaji could gather his forces and launch an counter attack on the mughals.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNmhTCNMI/AAAAAAAAOCQ/zfkd1vFZQwI/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoNmhTCNMI/AAAAAAAAOCQ/zfkd1vFZQwI/s200/P1010011.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="151" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In a clandestine plan, the mughals dug up a secret tunnel below the fort , filling it up with gunpowder.They blew up the main bastion of the fort. In the aftermath, Firangoji lost more than half his men. Sensing that no immediate help from Shivaji was forthcoming, Firangoji Narsala surrendered the fort on 15<sup>th</sup> Aug 1660.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Shaistekhan was amazed by the bravery of the Marathas and especially by the steadfastness of Firangoji Narasala. He offered Firangoji a high post in the mughal army lest he joined them. But Firangojis loyalty towards Shivaji outweighed the offer by the mughals and he refused the same.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The fort remained in mughal control (Uzbekkhan was made its kiledar) until the daring nocturnal raid conducted by Chatrapati Shivaji himself at Lal Mahal, Pune, wherby its resident Shaistakhan barely managed to escape with his life.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Later when Firangoji presented himself before Shivaji, he expressed his dismay in not being able to defend the fort. But Shivaji on the contrary invested him with robes of honour and even made him the kiledar of another fort, Bhopalgad. Shivaji apparently told Firangoji, that if it took the mughals two months to capture a small land fort like Chakan, he wondered how much time the mughals would take to capture the stronger mountain forts in Maharashtra.So despite the loss the efforts of Firangoji and his men were indeed laudable.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Later, the fort kept changing hands between the Mughals and the Marathas until its capture by the British in 1818.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoOYDEuBxI/AAAAAAAAOCY/qEYIHQZr18o/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoOYDEuBxI/AAAAAAAAOCY/qEYIHQZr18o/s200/P1010006.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Today all that remain in the fort are crumbled walls and dilapidated bastions.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The fort inspite of its immense historical significance lies in a state of absolute neglect. All the old structures have disappeared and made way for modern houses.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoO0eRRvaI/AAAAAAAAOCc/6TGz5zmFcmo/s1600/P1010049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoO0eRRvaI/AAAAAAAAOCc/6TGz5zmFcmo/s200/P1010049.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoP9w-1pVI/AAAAAAAAOCo/c7nXNCtiQyk/s1600/P1010022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoP9w-1pVI/AAAAAAAAOCo/c7nXNCtiQyk/s200/P1010022.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQfEhEMXI/AAAAAAAAOCw/73qeeRv1x5w/s1600/P1010023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQfEhEMXI/AAAAAAAAOCw/73qeeRv1x5w/s200/P1010023.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There still exists in the fort premises, the old temple of Chakreshwar albeit in its renovated form.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoPNtEhtxI/AAAAAAAAOCg/gYTWlIqLXXs/s1600/P1010060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoPNtEhtxI/AAAAAAAAOCg/gYTWlIqLXXs/s320/P1010060.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pics:Remnants of the old Chakareshwar temple</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoPg7xEasI/AAAAAAAAOCk/LL2aiCeV7xc/s1600/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoPg7xEasI/AAAAAAAAOCk/LL2aiCeV7xc/s200/P1010056.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some ancient sculptures,idols in the temple however are still preserved, like the Bhoo Varaha idol (an avatar of Lord Vishnu as a boar) and some Shivalingas etc.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQPnoLxFI/AAAAAAAAOCs/Me4AMEtXAac/s1600/P1010039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQPnoLxFI/AAAAAAAAOCs/Me4AMEtXAac/s200/P1010039.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The temple was a water tank (kunda)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQ0tK8XtI/AAAAAAAAOC0/kevBpwnKGvg/s1600/P1010036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoQ0tK8XtI/AAAAAAAAOC0/kevBpwnKGvg/s200/P1010036.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and a Samadhi dedicated to the Sage Shandilya.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoRDlif37I/AAAAAAAAOC4/DRdusmxl1-c/s1600/P1010051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoRDlif37I/AAAAAAAAOC4/DRdusmxl1-c/s200/P1010051.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Across lies a newly built Tuljabhavani temple, freshly painted in the vivid colours.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Unfortunately the local authorities don’t seem to have maintained the even the basic hygiene let alone the aesthetics of the fort. Some sections of the fort have been turned into urinals by some people. Chakan despite being a industrial hub, there seems no private initiative to preserve the fort either.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoRiL4ulKI/AAAAAAAAOC8/7462l3OZ7mU/s1600/P1010059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNoRiL4ulKI/AAAAAAAAOC8/7462l3OZ7mU/s200/P1010059.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> It is therefore desired that the government starts taking its role more seriously in preserving such heritage sites and fort regains its lost sheen. At least for the memory of the hundreds who lost their lives defending this fort.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-4476982706725834302010-11-18T20:50:00.001-08:002010-11-18T20:50:56.620-08:00Fort Temples of Khandoba : A Photo Feature<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpE-nVkdoI/AAAAAAAAOGo/qcHwonhStHk/s1600/Khandoba_jejuri_temple_front+wiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpE-nVkdoI/AAAAAAAAOGo/qcHwonhStHk/s320/Khandoba_jejuri_temple_front+wiki.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">pic source:wiki</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Contents:</b> Khandoba, Jejuri Temple and Dhawadi Nimgaon Temple</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Khandoba</b> is one of the most popular tribal deities in the Deccan. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">In Maharashtra , besides being known as Khandoba, he is also known as Yelkot and Malhari Martand. He is also identified with Mallana in Andhra Pradesh, Mailara in Karnataka and amongst a section of muslims as Mallu Khan.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Khandoba is widely believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is worshipped as the presiding deity by the Dhangar, Teli,Ramoshi, and Mang communities and even by some in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Lingayat,Maratha, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Deshastha Brahmin,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Mali and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Jains community as a incarnation of Lord Shiva.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpFcNykYtI/AAAAAAAAOGs/0MwzVxmhawA/s1600/P1010155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpFcNykYtI/AAAAAAAAOGs/0MwzVxmhawA/s320/P1010155.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">As the mythology goes, Lord Shiva assumed the form of Martand Bhairava to vanquish two asuras by the names of Mani and Malla. Along with his army of a crore which gave him the name Yelkot (leader of a army of a crore) he is said to have defeated the demon army. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpFridDwZI/AAAAAAAAOGw/ljC2-70IbWw/s1600/uttam+patil2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpFridDwZI/AAAAAAAAOGw/ljC2-70IbWw/s320/uttam+patil2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic source: Uttam Patil, Jejurigad from a distance</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">It is said that the duel between the God and the demon took place on a hillock called Jayadri, which is todays Jejuri, a town situated around 45 kms from Pune, Maharashtra.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpgzLBjufI/AAAAAAAAOIA/qne0QC5Nzlw/s1600/P1010085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpgzLBjufI/AAAAAAAAOIA/qne0QC5Nzlw/s320/P1010085.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:Dhawadi Nimgaon</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Because the lord slew the demon using a sword called Khanda, he has come to be known as Khandoba.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Khandoba is usually shown riding a white horse. This horse is said to be an offering to the lord by the dying demon Mani as his gesture of repentence. In return he was transformed into a demi –god and is usually present in Khandoba temples and is even presented goat meat as a offering by the devotees. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The unrepentant Malla was however decapitated by the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNphajyw2GI/AAAAAAAAOIE/UwJv5fEicaw/s1600/P1010089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNphajyw2GI/AAAAAAAAOIE/UwJv5fEicaw/s320/P1010089.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Pic:Dhawadi Nimgaon</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today the temple premise is almost covered with bhandara or yellow turmeric powder, because the root of turmeric is said to be in the shape of a linga, a phallic representation of Shiva. As is the belief, the Lord manifested himself as a turmeric before a group of shepherds that were frequenting this hillock. Hence this bhandara is always sprinkled over the idols.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpjEDvgWLI/AAAAAAAAOII/HfUKftR5_GU/s1600/P1010093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpjEDvgWLI/AAAAAAAAOII/HfUKftR5_GU/s200/P1010093.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Pic:Dhawadi Nimgaon</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Khandoba is said to have many wives, the primary ones being Mhalsa devi and Banai.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpGSshcAmI/AAAAAAAAOG0/6_6JcuwKpTI/s1600/P1010181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpGSshcAmI/AAAAAAAAOG0/6_6JcuwKpTI/s200/P1010181.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:Jejuri</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Another indispensable part of the Khandoba iconography is a dog. It is said that when Khandoba slew the demon, a pack of dogs who assisted the lords forces jumped in glee abandon over the corpses of the demons. Hence alongside the statues of the Gods there is also an idol of the dog.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">In the olden times , there were a group of boys and girls solemnized to the lord. They were known as Vaghyas (representing the dog) and Murlis (representing the Lords concubines) respectively. They used to perform ritual dances before the God. Their matrimony was prohibited and the Muralis after attaining puberty were subjected to solicitation. But this practice, especially of the Murlis has been curbed in modern society and mainly by law. Also several other bizarre and rather crude tribal rituals related to these temples (and not in tune to todays sensibilities), have also been banned.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The Khandoba temples also has idols of his wives viz. Mhalsabai a Lingayat (a caste found in border of Maharashtra,Karnataka and Andhrapradesh. They are worshippers of Shiva as the Linga) by caste and Banai a Dhangar (sheperd) by caste. Hegde Pradhan, the Lords brother in law (brother of Mhalsadevi) and commander of his armies is also venerated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpKP7MnOMI/AAAAAAAAOHQ/Sol0OX25m-A/s1600/P1010174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpKP7MnOMI/AAAAAAAAOHQ/Sol0OX25m-A/s320/P1010174.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:Jejuri</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Khandoba also had other wives like Ramabai shimpin (weaver caste),Phulai Malin (gardener caste) and Khandai Bhagvin Telin (muslim oil maker caste).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpK1EyONRI/AAAAAAAAOHU/JJYuObesR7w/s1600/P1010094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpK1EyONRI/AAAAAAAAOHU/JJYuObesR7w/s200/P1010094.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:Jejuri</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The priests at Khandoba temples are traditionally Guravs by caste and not Brahmins as is generally the custom.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Some of the main Khandoba temples in Maharashtra are Jejuri: the primary temple, Dawadi Nimgaon near Rajgurunagar, Pali near Satara,Naldurg near Osmanabad ,Shegud near Ahmednagar and Satare near Aurangabad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpHooELa-I/AAAAAAAAOHA/0jSZqMyx4uk/s1600/P1010091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpHooELa-I/AAAAAAAAOHA/0jSZqMyx4uk/s320/P1010091.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:Jejuri</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Jejuri Temple<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Jejuri is a town in Pune district, located around 45 kms from the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Its medieval temple is located on a hillock. There are 200 stone steps leading to the temple passing through toranas (huge doorway arches).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpIXkcAgFI/AAAAAAAAOHE/lGGOc2win70/s1600/wiki-Looking_down_the_stairs_to_the_temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpIXkcAgFI/AAAAAAAAOHE/lGGOc2win70/s200/wiki-Looking_down_the_stairs_to_the_temple.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pic:wiki</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The steps are lined with a number (300) of stone deepmalas (lamp stands) on either sides.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpI0Wl3UvI/AAAAAAAAOHI/kYUEwd2BQzo/s1600/P1010184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpI0Wl3UvI/AAAAAAAAOHI/kYUEwd2BQzo/s200/P1010184.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are a lot of vendors on the way selling offerings meant for the Gods like turmeric powder, garlands,flowers etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpJTybsMrI/AAAAAAAAOHM/zWbPZ2Znyhc/s1600/P1010183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpJTybsMrI/AAAAAAAAOHM/zWbPZ2Znyhc/s200/P1010183.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Outside the main doorway one sees a majestic statue of a sharabha that is so revered in the Khandoba (Shiva) temples as the Lords incarnation and another figurine of an elephant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpG7jUHojI/AAAAAAAAOG4/TonRqnikZi8/s1600/P1010096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpG7jUHojI/AAAAAAAAOG4/TonRqnikZi8/s320/P1010096.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The main doorway has a nagarkhana superimposed over it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpHQtRr4qI/AAAAAAAAOG8/vBeLp05COAw/s1600/Copy+of+FORT+JEJURI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpHQtRr4qI/AAAAAAAAOG8/vBeLp05COAw/s320/Copy+of+FORT+JEJURI.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The main temple itself is within a stone fortification (gadkot). It is said that Jejuri used to be a fort in the medieval times. This was the place where Shahajiraje met his illustrious son Ch.Shivaji raje after a long period of separation (sometime around 1662 AD).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpLQBgP8AI/AAAAAAAAOHY/pUIgZPaWYm0/s1600/P1010158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpLQBgP8AI/AAAAAAAAOHY/pUIgZPaWYm0/s200/P1010158.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpLkXHJ5zI/AAAAAAAAOHc/W4gYEqsQic8/s1600/P1010160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpLkXHJ5zI/AAAAAAAAOHc/W4gYEqsQic8/s200/P1010160.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fortification is in form of a arcade passageway with a parapet covering the perimeter of the temple premise.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpL3sAO4fI/AAAAAAAAOHg/ZOgWjrrdtwA/s1600/P1010157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpL3sAO4fI/AAAAAAAAOHg/ZOgWjrrdtwA/s200/P1010157.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> There are cusped windows opening from the passageway (on both sides) also giving one a view outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpMUudBh4I/AAAAAAAAOHk/UseH--3XPj8/s1600/P1010121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpMUudBh4I/AAAAAAAAOHk/UseH--3XPj8/s200/P1010121.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Outside the main temple one comes across a minor temple of the demon turned demi god, Mani and also four huge deepmalas line up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpMs2rGEZI/AAAAAAAAOHo/8C6aA8Q1zas/s1600/P1010179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpMs2rGEZI/AAAAAAAAOHo/8C6aA8Q1zas/s200/P1010179.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The main structure consists of a sabhamandap with a adjoined garbhagriha.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Inside the mandap are two stone horses, one of them having a image Khadoba astride.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Inside the garbhagriha are two lingas one of Khandoba and anther of Mhalsabai. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">They are covered with silver masks. In addition are several images of Khadoba-Mhalsa, two in silver, one in brass. The idol of Khandoba has a sword, a trishul , a damru and a bowl. The Mhalsa images hold lotus flowers. The pair standing in the centre was a gift from the Satara Chatrapatis in 1932. The third pair was donated by Serfoji Bhosale of Tanjore in 1725. Also alongside are figurines of female attendents known as Jogeshwaris. There is also a figurine of a horse, which was Khandobas vaahan (vehicle). </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Outside the temlple is a twenty eight feet brass plated tortoise, a part of temple iconography. It is used as a rangashila or a platform while singing devotional songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpM-lgCZ9I/AAAAAAAAOHs/YF_dKMNL8bs/s1600/526424755CqwyzA_fs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpM-lgCZ9I/AAAAAAAAOHs/YF_dKMNL8bs/s200/526424755CqwyzA_fs.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="191" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple structure has a very ornate devali styled nagara shikhara , decorated with figurines of motifs,animals, deities,demi gods etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpNWai-uJI/AAAAAAAAOHw/sqPVyYhRr8w/s1600/P1010162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpNWai-uJI/AAAAAAAAOHw/sqPVyYhRr8w/s320/P1010162.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">One wall has a mural of Khandoba riding his white horse.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpNuELLa-I/AAAAAAAAOH0/kE-_Nk8ufQk/s1600/P1010144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpNuELLa-I/AAAAAAAAOH0/kE-_Nk8ufQk/s200/P1010144.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are several smaller shrines dedicated to Ganesha,Tuljabhavani,Shiva,Ram,Hanuman,Banai,Hegde Pradhan etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpOIBIw5VI/AAAAAAAAOH4/UEGBdzXCmnY/s1600/P1010123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpOIBIw5VI/AAAAAAAAOH4/UEGBdzXCmnY/s200/P1010123.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple deity is supposed to be jagrut (alive) and can be quickly appeased by his loyal devtoees.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">It is said that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had come down to Jejuri to vandalise this temple. But was stopped midway by a hornet of bees. It was only when at the advise of a hindu soldier, he made a offering to the temple, that the bees disappeared. The frightened emperor then decided to retreat from Jejuri and the temple was spared from descecration.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There is a way from the rear of the temple where one can also take up vehicles, although only midway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpOf4oQf6I/AAAAAAAAOH8/AQyBUJ89jEE/s1600/P1010190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpOf4oQf6I/AAAAAAAAOH8/AQyBUJ89jEE/s320/P1010190.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">One also comes across a medieval / post medieval artificial tank called Peshwai talao.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Dawadi Nimgaon Temple<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">This Khandoba temple is located at Dawadi Nimgaon, around 10kms from Rajgurunagar (Khed), 45 kms from Pune, off Pune-Nasik highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpjpE8Z9BI/AAAAAAAAOIM/YieyOwVERyM/s1600/P1010172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpjpE8Z9BI/AAAAAAAAOIM/YieyOwVERyM/s320/P1010172.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">This temples jeernoddhar was done by Gangobatatya Chandrachud, the diwan of the famed Maratha sardar Malharrao Holkar of Indore in 1739. The actual Khandoba temples had previously shifted locations from nearby hills like Arud , Dhamantek to the vicinity of the actual temple, until being settled at its present location.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Dawadi Nimgaon was also the inamdari/jagir of Gangobatatya and his wada (mansion) still exists in the village.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fortification and nagarkhana around the temple was done by Sardar Fatehsingh Gaekwad of Baroda in 1789.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpkNQx7INI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/cXtk6e5JYVY/s1600/P1010094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpkNQx7INI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/cXtk6e5JYVY/s200/P1010094.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNplTw1Iy3I/AAAAAAAAOIU/kNp1H5iTK_E/s1600/P1010111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNplTw1Iy3I/AAAAAAAAOIU/kNp1H5iTK_E/s200/P1010111.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNplrJJLMMI/AAAAAAAAOIY/-1v0tW7MdLY/s1600/P1010119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNplrJJLMMI/AAAAAAAAOIY/-1v0tW7MdLY/s200/P1010119.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The fortification has a similar parapet below an aisled arcade passageway , quite similar to the one in Jejuri.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpn9CtwHzI/AAAAAAAAOIc/y4Ly4LMZN1I/s1600/P1010101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpn9CtwHzI/AAAAAAAAOIc/y4Ly4LMZN1I/s200/P1010101.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Outside one sees a minor temple dedicated to Hegade Pradhan. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpojlTDrdI/AAAAAAAAOIg/L3D2AjtfSWQ/s1600/P1010104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpojlTDrdI/AAAAAAAAOIg/L3D2AjtfSWQ/s200/P1010104.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are also several figurines of livestock which were so dear to Khandobas consort Banai.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNprbMWdh2I/AAAAAAAAOI4/Ab7HZ6vBTCA/s1600/P1010124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNprbMWdh2I/AAAAAAAAOI4/Ab7HZ6vBTCA/s200/P1010124.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpsRShhvnI/AAAAAAAAOJA/a8X85PAgGck/s1600/P1010146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpsRShhvnI/AAAAAAAAOJA/a8X85PAgGck/s200/P1010146.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNptpRXaxbI/AAAAAAAAOJM/UEh5v_VUrV4/s1600/P1010137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNptpRXaxbI/AAAAAAAAOJM/UEh5v_VUrV4/s200/P1010137.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpuHBoYKQI/AAAAAAAAOJQ/4A5CnJtVmJU/s1600/P1010156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpuHBoYKQI/AAAAAAAAOJQ/4A5CnJtVmJU/s200/P1010156.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The actual temple is divided into a sabhamandap and the gabhara. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpr0hRYiTI/AAAAAAAAOI8/ocIeOQTZckc/s1600/P1010152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpr0hRYiTI/AAAAAAAAOI8/ocIeOQTZckc/s200/P1010152.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Inside the gabhara one sees the images of Khandoba and his consorts Mhalsa and Banai.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpsvBn8dnI/AAAAAAAAOJE/OlqQuLJF824/s1600/P1010157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpsvBn8dnI/AAAAAAAAOJE/OlqQuLJF824/s200/P1010157.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple walls also have devkoshtas (aedicules) having idols of Vithoba Rakhumai and other deities from the inside.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNptPhFQhDI/AAAAAAAAOJI/V7zPhfTqtYU/s1600/P1010133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNptPhFQhDI/AAAAAAAAOJI/V7zPhfTqtYU/s200/P1010133.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The wall exterior has sharabha carvings. There are also several shilalekhs in the temple stating events related to the temple. One mentioning vandalism by the Mughal army in 1702 . Others mentioning instances of lightening striking the temple premises and also contributions made to the temple by the devotees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNppN3R6FSI/AAAAAAAAOIk/5iIDvy8zYPQ/s1600/P1010141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNppN3R6FSI/AAAAAAAAOIk/5iIDvy8zYPQ/s200/P1010141.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpprWnqSrI/AAAAAAAAOIo/lvon0DHhJQ0/s1600/P1010131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpprWnqSrI/AAAAAAAAOIo/lvon0DHhJQ0/s200/P1010131.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The ceiling and shikharas are very ornate with beautiful motif work. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpqEA7NU4I/AAAAAAAAOIs/wQTLXDpf_co/s1600/P1010140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpqEA7NU4I/AAAAAAAAOIs/wQTLXDpf_co/s200/P1010140.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpqYQzVsNI/AAAAAAAAOIw/UZjS3Qc6k9s/s1600/P1010138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpqYQzVsNI/AAAAAAAAOIw/UZjS3Qc6k9s/s200/P1010138.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpq2tnxivI/AAAAAAAAOI0/8rg7seiiGq0/s1600/P1010139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpq2tnxivI/AAAAAAAAOI0/8rg7seiiGq0/s200/P1010139.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple also has some beautifully designed latticed windows.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpuhB2iUEI/AAAAAAAAOJU/rnLLYMiDcm8/s1600/P1010125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpuhB2iUEI/AAAAAAAAOJU/rnLLYMiDcm8/s200/P1010125.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There are also minor temples of Ganesha ,Mhalsabai,Banai in the precincts.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpvIgbkGUI/AAAAAAAAOJY/1hIh0d27tz8/s1600/P1010211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNpvIgbkGUI/AAAAAAAAOJY/1hIh0d27tz8/s200/P1010211.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Both the Jejuri and the Dawadi Nimgaon temples are fine examples of medieval temple and fort architecture and must see places for both pilgrims and tourists alike.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Text and photographs (except the ones credited) by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-75370413281675235542010-11-18T20:30:00.001-08:002010-11-18T20:30:37.749-08:00Bhimashankar temple : A Photo Feature<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjcL45vxtI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/PgYFCpAcPuA/s1600/bhimashankar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjcL45vxtI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/PgYFCpAcPuA/s320/bhimashankar3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pic:bhimashankar.blessingsonthenet.com </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">Bhimashankar temple is located around 125 kms from Pune, off Pune-Nasik highway. One takes a left from Manchar village, crossing the Dimbhe dam and a spiraling road through the ghats of Nagphani mountains of Sahyadris that overlook the source of the Bhima river. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjcl97qz4I/AAAAAAAAN9U/T236-ORl7D0/s1600/P1010075a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjcl97qz4I/AAAAAAAAN9U/T236-ORl7D0/s320/P1010075a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"> </span><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One crosses the thick vegetation of the Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary (famous for a rare animal named Shekru, which is infact a giant squirrel. There are also tigers,leopards,monkeys and a variety of flora fauna) before reaching Bhorgiri village. The Bhimashankar temple is located in this Bhorgiri village and is named after the Bhima river.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjc4X5U1yI/AAAAAAAAN9Y/AzrNZu3IqAI/s1600/P1010106w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjc4X5U1yI/AAAAAAAAN9Y/AzrNZu3IqAI/s320/P1010106w.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">There is a story associated with the Bhima river as well. It is said that this river emanated from the sweat of the asura Bhima (son of Kubhakarna and nephew of Lankadheesh Ravana) who was slain here by Lord Shiva.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdHIqqdUI/AAAAAAAAN9c/3BqzdZ5C2Fs/s1600/P1010004a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdHIqqdUI/AAAAAAAAN9c/3BqzdZ5C2Fs/s320/P1010004a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="224" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Bhimashankar holds place amongst the twelve jagrut jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It was initially a small and virtually unknown temple (dated back to the thirteenth century) until the Peshwas started taking active interest in its affairs. During the time of Nanasaheb Peshwa, this area was declared a protected wildlife sanctuary.</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdZMKW6xI/AAAAAAAAN9g/5sRpoZz2YUA/s1600/aP1010056aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdZMKW6xI/AAAAAAAAN9g/5sRpoZz2YUA/s320/aP1010056aa.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A rich moneylender from Pune named Chimnaji Antaji Bhide Sawkaar constructed a sabhamandap (assembly hall) around the temple. Later,Nana Phadanvis did the jeernoddhhaar of the temple and reconstructed the Shikharas (spires) and the sabhamandap.</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdtxT4dHI/AAAAAAAAN9k/uqJ_N14dF0k/s1600/P1010072a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdtxT4dHI/AAAAAAAAN9k/uqJ_N14dF0k/s320/P1010072a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdtxT4dHI/AAAAAAAAN9k/uqJ_N14dF0k/s1600/P1010072a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjdtxT4dHI/AAAAAAAAN9k/uqJ_N14dF0k/s320/P1010072a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjeMo-gUOI/AAAAAAAAN9o/ySe_4_qXsdk/s1600/P1010007qa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjeMo-gUOI/AAAAAAAAN9o/ySe_4_qXsdk/s320/P1010007qa.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Shikharas and the temple are built in the Nagara Bhumija style so popular in the Deccan. The entire temple is built in chiseled black stone.</span></span></b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></b></div></div></div><b></b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjeMo-gUOI/AAAAAAAAN9o/ySe_4_qXsdk/s1600/P1010007qa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjeMo-gUOI/AAAAAAAAN9o/ySe_4_qXsdk/s320/P1010007qa.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The gabhara (sanctum) is located in a lower lever and can be accessed by climbing down stairs, leading through a beautifully engraved doorway seen right after crossing the sabhamandap. There one comes across a ‘Ardhanareshwar Swayambhu Shivalinga’. The Ardhanareshwara was the half man half woman form of Lord Shiva, a synthesis of man and woman energies, whereby Godess Parvati entered the body of Lord Shiva as a Mahashakti and helped slay the demon Tripurasura. A swyambhu linga is the natural formation of the linga i.e one not carved by man but by nature. The ‘linga’ being the phallic representation of Lord Shiva. Shiva was also assisted in his duel with the asura by his Ganas viz. Shaakini and Daakini. The Bhimashankar temple holds shrines for these ganas as well.</span></span></b></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjepmaVlPI/AAAAAAAAN9s/EuSWqWyh_zA/s1600/P1010053z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjepmaVlPI/AAAAAAAAN9s/EuSWqWyh_zA/s320/P1010053z.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">There are also two idols of the holy cows Kamadhenu and Nandini in the courtyard along with a Shani temple and a Tulsi vrindavan.</span></span></b></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjfM6Fn_VI/AAAAAAAAN9w/m3taQk3rUHw/s1600/P1010036s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjfM6Fn_VI/AAAAAAAAN9w/m3taQk3rUHw/s320/P1010036s.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">There is also a ‘Pancha dhaatu (5 metal alloy) bell of Portuguese make which was donated by the Peshwas. It is said this bell was amongst the war trophies of Chimaji Appa, the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa. He had collected the same from a church, after the famous conquest of Bassein (Vasai).</span></span></b></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b></b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjfrDIhIeI/AAAAAAAAN90/r6oVDA1-1fE/s1600/P1010041a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjfrDIhIeI/AAAAAAAAN90/r6oVDA1-1fE/s320/P1010041a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Alongside is a tall deepasthambha / deepamala ( a stone post to hold festival lamps). </span></span></b></b></b></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b></b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjgPZ00mHI/AAAAAAAAN94/baoh8VrNj00/s1600/P1010089z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjgPZ00mHI/AAAAAAAAN94/baoh8VrNj00/s320/P1010089z.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjg029HiUI/AAAAAAAAN98/IDp3nBFtvdg/s1600/P1010060a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjg029HiUI/AAAAAAAAN98/IDp3nBFtvdg/s320/P1010060a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjhKgUW9KI/AAAAAAAAN-A/91AaWwL6d6U/s1600/P1010084a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjhKgUW9KI/AAAAAAAAN-A/91AaWwL6d6U/s320/P1010084a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></b></b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">In the vicinity are also several minor temples dedicated to the pantheon of Hindu deities.</span></span></b></b></b></div></div></div><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjjSED5FwI/AAAAAAAAN-E/DhDKfvhRy-s/s1600/P1010002a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjjSED5FwI/AAAAAAAAN-E/DhDKfvhRy-s/s200/P1010002a.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br />
</b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Bhimashankar temple being located in a lower level, it has to be accessed by climbing down several stone stairs. There are also palanquins used to carry the aged and the handicapped. There is also a caveat for all travelers. There is no petrol pump available between Dimbe to Bhimashankar. Hence its necessary to maintain adequate fuel levels in the vehicle.</span></span></b></b></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjkNbn6TeI/AAAAAAAAN-M/RZX5eQ19FOs/s1600/gupt+Bhima+Shankar+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjkNbn6TeI/AAAAAAAAN-M/RZX5eQ19FOs/s200/gupt+Bhima+Shankar+%252815%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Another interesting spot to visit after the Bhimashankar temple is a Kunda (water tank) where Lord Shiva was said to have bathed after the duel with Bhimasura. Furthermore there is a place called Gupta Bhimashankar, located in the forest which has smaller Swayambhu Lingas. It is located near the source of Bhima river.Also in the vicinity is the Bhorgiri fort and caves.</span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjlATGMawI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/JQiRd9eAWBM/s1600/P1010092s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNjlATGMawI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/JQiRd9eAWBM/s200/P1010092s.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br />
</b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Bhimashankar temple is one of the favourite spots for tourists and pilgrims and one of the easily accessible one day destinations for Punekars.</span></span></span></b></b></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><b><b></b></b></b></b></span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><b><b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><b><b><b></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><b><b><b>Text and photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</b></b></b></b></b></b></div></div></div></div></div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-44819245119793398472010-11-18T20:28:00.001-08:002011-04-11T09:02:03.540-07:00Someshwar Mandir , Pune : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNksDCxCRLI/AAAAAAAAN_w/0jXFNfUnuFs/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNksDCxCRLI/AAAAAAAAN_w/0jXFNfUnuFs/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252832%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someshwar Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It houses a swayambhu Shivalinga, besides minor temples of other deities like Ganesha,Bhairoba,Hanuman.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkud07NTuI/AAAAAAAAOAI/KzH2ZGF0efo/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252847%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkud07NTuI/AAAAAAAAOAI/KzH2ZGF0efo/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252847%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Someshwar is a Shivkaalin mandir (17th century, built between 1640-50) and was said to have been patronised by Rajmata Jijabai saheb (mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj) herself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqJ7LXu7Eh4/TaA3RAWWyiI/AAAAAAAAA_U/dzKV7zv618I/s1600/Photo-0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqJ7LXu7Eh4/TaA3RAWWyiI/AAAAAAAAA_U/dzKV7zv618I/s200/Photo-0524.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It is said that the sabhamandap of the temple was built by funds donated by the Mughal commander Shaistakhan. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF0sSwxP3TU/TaA3x8pZxgI/AAAAAAAAA_k/mEvioMFHVp0/s1600/Photo-0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF0sSwxP3TU/TaA3x8pZxgI/AAAAAAAAA_k/mEvioMFHVp0/s200/Photo-0563.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BITTfWzGdGA/TaA34BAayJI/AAAAAAAAA_o/TplVlc6xgvg/s1600/Photo-0564hanmante+samadhi+shivajis+finance+minister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BITTfWzGdGA/TaA34BAayJI/AAAAAAAAA_o/TplVlc6xgvg/s200/Photo-0564hanmante+samadhi+shivajis+finance+minister.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Shivajis minister Hanumante also contributed to the temple and his samadhi exists near the temple. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7x_rOZ11Fwo/TaA3gbfZhPI/AAAAAAAAA_c/IcllkvA1E8s/s1600/Photo-0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7x_rOZ11Fwo/TaA3gbfZhPI/AAAAAAAAA_c/IcllkvA1E8s/s200/Photo-0525.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">In the late 18th century, Shivrambhat Chitraswami, a spirtual teacher found a pot of gold coins buried in the temples precincts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XoFCF-ZHpY/TaA3mgKA_4I/AAAAAAAAA_g/yG45sok_eIQ/s1600/Photo-0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XoFCF-ZHpY/TaA3mgKA_4I/AAAAAAAAA_g/yG45sok_eIQ/s200/Photo-0543.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">He handed over the treasure to the Peshwa Nanasaheb who used it for the second 'jeernoddhar'(renovation) of the temple (besides other religious work) .</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6kjJwMLvWM/TaA3bsAbJwI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/q7SQ0FtEpvk/s1600/chitraswami+samadhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6kjJwMLvWM/TaA3bsAbJwI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/q7SQ0FtEpvk/s1600/chitraswami+samadhi.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Today we find the samadhi of Chitraswami in these temple premises. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Later, in 1974-84 this temple had its third 'jeernodhar'.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvDe2wQLI/AAAAAAAAOAM/zpJgTE0lzS4/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvDe2wQLI/AAAAAAAAOAM/zpJgTE0lzS4/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252833%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This temple can be accessed from Baner, near Aundh or also from Pashan.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The temple has a fortification . </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkuHH98LOI/AAAAAAAAOAE/dGP3cG53V_s/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252839%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkuHH98LOI/AAAAAAAAOAE/dGP3cG53V_s/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252839%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is a lot of parking space outside the temple precincts. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNktyTg-doI/AAAAAAAAOAA/va3NxyBIwwE/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252840%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNktyTg-doI/AAAAAAAAOAA/va3NxyBIwwE/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252840%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One sees a bust of Chatrapati Shivaji at one end. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNktVo6wKlI/AAAAAAAAN_8/EayCJNjAc_4/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252845%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNktVo6wKlI/AAAAAAAAN_8/EayCJNjAc_4/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252845%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The road further leads to a recreational garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNks8kI6zwI/AAAAAAAAN_4/ICizrPWdOxA/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNks8kI6zwI/AAAAAAAAN_4/ICizrPWdOxA/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As one enters through the doorway , he has to climb down the stone stairs of a ghat like structure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkskExyxFI/AAAAAAAAN_0/QzGC0YzMmig/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkskExyxFI/AAAAAAAAN_0/QzGC0YzMmig/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252815%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are three temples lined before the entrance. One being a Ganesha temple, a Hanuman temple </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvegVj9-I/AAAAAAAAOAQ/UTfeyZOEUCo/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252835%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvegVj9-I/AAAAAAAAOAQ/UTfeyZOEUCo/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252835%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and a Bhairoba temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvzkd7QDI/AAAAAAAAOAU/39Y8gfdh6Gs/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkvzkd7QDI/AAAAAAAAOAU/39Y8gfdh6Gs/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252820%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The tall 'deepamala' structure (40feet in height) is adjoined to the Ganesha temple and lies just behind it . The deepamala divides the Hanuman temple from the Ganesha temple.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkwdJ0dcRI/AAAAAAAAOAY/PfKdoW7B028/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252837%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkwdJ0dcRI/AAAAAAAAOAY/PfKdoW7B028/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252837%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The next structure is a sabhamandap, which separates the Ganesha temple from the Nandi mandap.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkxcZqpYXI/AAAAAAAAOAc/UgxaV2tpn3U/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkxcZqpYXI/AAAAAAAAOAc/UgxaV2tpn3U/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252828%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkz1wPbMYI/AAAAAAAAOAs/oXTS-s4TBRw/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkz1wPbMYI/AAAAAAAAOAs/oXTS-s4TBRw/s320/someshwar+mandir+%25282%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the Nandi mandap lies the ‘antarala’ (vestibule) and ‘garbhagriha’ (sanctum) structure.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkyWU2yATI/AAAAAAAAOAg/EJ3Y0G6n2Ok/s1600/someshwar+mandir.shivalinga1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkyWU2yATI/AAAAAAAAOAg/EJ3Y0G6n2Ok/s320/someshwar+mandir.shivalinga1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Shivalinga lies at a lower level and there are stairs provided to access it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNky84wRkeI/AAAAAAAAOAk/Ts6U6gClDKM/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNky84wRkeI/AAAAAAAAOAk/Ts6U6gClDKM/s320/someshwar+mandir+%25283%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkzVEz--lI/AAAAAAAAOAo/udbm9LThpak/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNkzVEz--lI/AAAAAAAAOAo/udbm9LThpak/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252822%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the temple premises one sees some smaller Shivalingas as well and a engraved stone slab that resembles a veergal (hero's stone).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk0PhE9A8I/AAAAAAAAOAw/kXl1UBiuFB4/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252826%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk0PhE9A8I/AAAAAAAAOAw/kXl1UBiuFB4/s200/someshwar+mandir+%252826%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is also an old defaced Nandi lying in one corner, almost unnoticed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk0jpe1udI/AAAAAAAAOA0/tcU22IPW8Tw/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk0jpe1udI/AAAAAAAAOA0/tcU22IPW8Tw/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The wall itself is a arcade like structure. Adjoined to the walls are also some rooms, probably habitated by the temple attendents.The spacious temple courtyard has a tulsi vrindavan (place for the sacred tulsi plant) and also a agnikunda (place for the spiritual pyre).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk1K5PBN3I/AAAAAAAAOA4/uMoy3rtShLY/s1600/someshwar+mandir+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNk1K5PBN3I/AAAAAAAAOA4/uMoy3rtShLY/s320/someshwar+mandir+%252846%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someshwar temple is indeed a very serene and a beautiful place with a lot of history behind it, something many Punekars are oblivious of.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Text and photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-77330966054629974742010-11-18T20:24:00.001-08:002010-11-18T20:24:13.946-08:00Nageshwar Temple, Pune : A Photo Feature<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlsVeH46oI/AAAAAAAAOA8/UeMfrrLrtBo/s1600/nageshwar.somwar+peth%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlsVeH46oI/AAAAAAAAOA8/UeMfrrLrtBo/s320/nageshwar.somwar+peth%25281%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Nageshwar Temple dates almost to the 13<sup>th</sup> century, during the times of Sant Dnyaneshwar. Its ‘jeernoddhar’ was however done in the 18<sup>th</sup> century (1730).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlt0SNPgXI/AAAAAAAAOBI/_tJfueq2PXo/s1600/nageshwar+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlt0SNPgXI/AAAAAAAAOBI/_tJfueq2PXo/s320/nageshwar+%25285%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">This temple is located in Nagesh Peth then known as Nahal Peth, but later took the name of the temple dedicated to Lord Nageshwar (Lord Shiva).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNls5XJAkbI/AAAAAAAAOBA/eyrP1UXyNwg/s1600/nageshwar.sabhamandap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNls5XJAkbI/AAAAAAAAOBA/eyrP1UXyNwg/s320/nageshwar.sabhamandap.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple is constructed in typical Peshwai style with a rectangular 'Sabhamandap' (assembly hall). The interiors of the sabhamandap are made from teak while the gabhara is made in stone. The 'shikhara' is made in the 'nagara' style, from gypsum, lime and plaster.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNltavCj6hI/AAAAAAAAOBE/ahLF4rX3xlU/s1600/nageshwar+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNltavCj6hI/AAAAAAAAOBE/ahLF4rX3xlU/s320/nageshwar+%25282%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are devkoshtas (aedicules) on the temple walls with idols of deities placed inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNluNGsZA0I/AAAAAAAAOBM/RA7g6i0vio8/s1600/nageshwar.garbhagriha+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNluNGsZA0I/AAAAAAAAOBM/RA7g6i0vio8/s320/nageshwar.garbhagriha+%25288%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The gabhara has a swayambhu Shivalinga.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlu9vc6LjI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/NnBBdYlEFks/s1600/nageshwar+nandi+idol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlu9vc6LjI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/NnBBdYlEFks/s320/nageshwar+nandi+idol.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlvdJ_BxaI/AAAAAAAAOBU/3Zn4AprPpVw/s1600/nageshwar.nandi+outside+the+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlvdJ_BxaI/AAAAAAAAOBU/3Zn4AprPpVw/s320/nageshwar.nandi+outside+the+temple.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There is also a Nandi idol in the precincts of the temple (as also in the sabhamandap) along with smaller Shivalingas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlwDK81dXI/AAAAAAAAOBY/uKy302GZLf8/s1600/nageshwar+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlwDK81dXI/AAAAAAAAOBY/uKy302GZLf8/s200/nageshwar+%252812%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlw3tLhxOI/AAAAAAAAOBg/dcconPgNXZg/s1600/nageshwar+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlw3tLhxOI/AAAAAAAAOBg/dcconPgNXZg/s200/nageshwar+%252817%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlxUoCW6aI/AAAAAAAAOBk/EaCBoDbAmdU/s1600/nageshwar+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlxUoCW6aI/AAAAAAAAOBk/EaCBoDbAmdU/s200/nageshwar+%252820%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="124" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There are also idols of other deities like Shani Maharaj ,Ganesha etc. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlwZOHTQ3I/AAAAAAAAOBc/8S9y5b_JKs4/s1600/nageshwar+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlwZOHTQ3I/AAAAAAAAOBc/8S9y5b_JKs4/s200/nageshwar+%252818%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlyGTQcVUI/AAAAAAAAOBo/Eu2Nhf330OA/s1600/relocated+datta+idol+frm+old+vishnu+datta+madir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlyGTQcVUI/AAAAAAAAOBo/Eu2Nhf330OA/s200/relocated+datta+idol+frm+old+vishnu+datta+madir.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="122" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlyl4TW6ZI/AAAAAAAAOBs/LM2271pxY3E/s1600/relocated+vishnu+idol+frm+old+vshnu+datta+mandir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlyl4TW6ZI/AAAAAAAAOBs/LM2271pxY3E/s200/relocated+vishnu+idol+frm+old+vshnu+datta+mandir.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The temple premises have minor temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu , Lord Hanumana and Lord Dattatreya.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlzKKOKDUI/AAAAAAAAOBw/klnyUpNxdfQ/s1600/nageshwar+.old+vishnu.+datta+mandir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlzKKOKDUI/AAAAAAAAOBw/klnyUpNxdfQ/s200/nageshwar+.old+vishnu.+datta+mandir.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There is also an old abandoned temple which used to house the Vishnu and Datta idols.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlzuRF5ibI/AAAAAAAAOB0/ovPTTSRnpKA/s1600/nageshwar+.deepasthamba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNlzuRF5ibI/AAAAAAAAOB0/ovPTTSRnpKA/s200/nageshwar+.deepasthamba.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Next to it is an old deepamala (lamp tower) made in stone.There is also another deepamala in the main courtyard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNl0LZWtwQI/AAAAAAAAOB4/39lm-eMnQf8/s1600/nageshwar+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNl0LZWtwQI/AAAAAAAAOB4/39lm-eMnQf8/s320/nageshwar+%252831%2529.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Also present was an kunda (water reservoir). Its water was said to cure leprosy. People before visiting the Ganges in Benares used to visit the Nageshwar temple, and after returning used to deposit its holy water in the Kunda.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNl0i43iyEI/AAAAAAAAOB8/ywhcxLKZjuE/s1600/siddeshwar+mandir1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/TNl0i43iyEI/AAAAAAAAOB8/ywhcxLKZjuE/s200/siddeshwar+mandir1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="162" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today the temple lies hidden in the maze of buildings in old Pune, visited only by the locals and the faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.histats.com/" target="_blank" title="frontpage hit counter"></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-25174644825004113652010-11-18T08:10:00.000-08:002011-12-25T02:10:33.332-08:00Vishwambaug Wada, Pune : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L70k82q3I/AAAAAAAACto/m5KItCa_fKE/s1600-h/P1012511.JPG"><span style="color: #00264c; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape alt="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L70k82q3I/AAAAAAAACto/m5KItCa_fKE/s320/P1012511.JPG" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L70k82q3I/AAAAAAAACto/m5KItCa_fKE/s1600-h/P1012511.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_i1050" style="height: 168pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"> <v:imagedata o:title="P1012511" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\admin\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"> </v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVL2RT6mdI/AAAAAAAAA20/QwsLSNNhr6g/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252859%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVL2RT6mdI/AAAAAAAAA20/QwsLSNNhr6g/s320/ventrceiling45+%252859%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Vishrambaug Wada was an luxury residence constructed for himself by Peshwa Bajirao II , around 1811. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Note: As per some sources the mansion was constructed on a land (Moti bagh) given as dowry (16.2.1797) by Bajirao IIs father in law Sardar Dajiba Phadke (his daughter Sau. Radhabai was married to Bajirao II).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVL-oDW3GI/AAAAAAAAA24/fJdG3WCz3V4/s1600/ventrceiling45+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVL-oDW3GI/AAAAAAAAA24/fJdG3WCz3V4/s320/ventrceiling45+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Then, it was supposed to be outside city limits, but the ever expanding Pune city has encompassed the mansion in its midst. It is currently located in what is now known as Sadashiv Peth, at an intersection of Laxmi Road and Bajirao Road. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVQJKWEBNI/AAAAAAAAA34/sDWzJOl5JJU/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVQJKWEBNI/AAAAAAAAA34/sDWzJOl5JJU/s200/ventrceiling45+%252811%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The mansion was said to have a beautifull garden around it. This garden was said to have been maintained by an gardner called Vishram after whom the mansion derived its name. ‘Vishram’ otherwise also means ‘rest’ and ‘Vishrambaug wada’ was aptly called the ‘resting place’.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MEG1nfyTI/AAAAAAAACwg/biRi90yKHnc/s1600-h/P1012457.JPG"><span style="color: #00264c; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><v:shape alt="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MEG1nfyTI/AAAAAAAACwg/biRi90yKHnc/s320/P1012457.JPG" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MEG1nfyTI/AAAAAAAACwg/biRi90yKHnc/s1600-h/P1012457.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_10" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_i1045" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"> <v:imagedata o:title="P1012457" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\admin\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image006.jpg"> </v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVQUvpyLVI/AAAAAAAAA38/levdh3BqaD8/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252848%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVQUvpyLVI/AAAAAAAAA38/levdh3BqaD8/s320/ventrceiling45+%252848%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Vishrambaug wada is a three storeyed building, which after the Peshwa era was used as a jail by the British and later converted into a Government office. From 1930-1958, it housed the offices of the Pune Municipal Corporation. The building was once torched by the firebrand revolutionary Vasudev Balwant Phadake, but was later renovated and put to use. Since the last five decades, the structure has been converted into a General Post office and also a Government Library. The frontal section thankfully was converted into a room for display of the Peshwai lifestyle. The work was apparently carried out by the famed historian Babasaheb Purandare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L8Cy7WK8I/AAAAAAAACtw/VKocwkLR1_U/s1600-h/P1012502.JPG"><span style="color: #00264c; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><v:shape alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L8Cy7WK8I/AAAAAAAACtw/VKocwkLR1_U/s320/P1012502.JPG" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L8Cy7WK8I/AAAAAAAACtw/VKocwkLR1_U/s1600-h/P1012502.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_11" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_i1044" style="height: 218.25pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"> <v:imagedata o:title="P1012502" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\admin\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"> </v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVMylkk1XI/AAAAAAAAA28/S_O8tueUqis/s1600/ventrceiling45+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVMylkk1XI/AAAAAAAAA28/S_O8tueUqis/s200/ventrceiling45+%25289%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The edifice is adorned with some beautifull teak work in the form of ceiling, lintel,beams,pillars,arches etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNAiokkEI/AAAAAAAAA3A/T3Z-1HE2Jyk/s1600/ventrceiling45+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNAiokkEI/AAAAAAAAA3A/T3Z-1HE2Jyk/s200/ventrceiling45+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The porch below on the ground floor also has beautifull columns and serves as a rest room for the passerbys. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L854xpfQI/AAAAAAAACuY/hw1jQRItcEo/s1600-h/entryceiling.jpg"><span style="color: #00264c; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><v:shape alt="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L854xpfQI/AAAAAAAACuY/hw1jQRItcEo/s320/entryceiling.jpg" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1L854xpfQI/AAAAAAAACuY/hw1jQRItcEo/s1600-h/entryceiling.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_16" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_i1039" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"> <v:imagedata o:title="entryceiling" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\admin\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image012.jpg"> </v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNRQooRAI/AAAAAAAAA3E/WhZqiDXTfa8/s1600/ventrceiling45+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNRQooRAI/AAAAAAAAA3E/WhZqiDXTfa8/s200/ventrceiling45+%25285%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVN0GEtU7I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/CuZM0Ri8JZU/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252845%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVN0GEtU7I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/CuZM0Ri8JZU/s200/ventrceiling45+%252845%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVN73mzDGI/AAAAAAAAA3U/8xIJPSyWnCI/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252838%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVN73mzDGI/AAAAAAAAA3U/8xIJPSyWnCI/s200/ventrceiling45+%252838%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNr45PoMI/AAAAAAAAA3M/dwifbQdd4HQ/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVNr45PoMI/AAAAAAAAA3M/dwifbQdd4HQ/s200/ventrceiling45+%252843%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
The entrance has a beautifull arch and an equally beautifull carved ceiling. One is led into an open courtyard surrounded by its various structures. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOEjqM7xI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/NFPrxc5o7I0/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOEjqM7xI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/NFPrxc5o7I0/s200/ventrceiling45+%252830%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">A carved staircase leads one to the upper floor, which is the dewankhana . It often hosts periodic exhibitions (Punavdi te Punyanagari) displaying portraits, information about the Maratha era etc, and a general history of the journey of Pune city from being a small village called Punavdi to what is now called as Punya nagari (Pious city) or Pune.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOVA0Vt7I/AAAAAAAAA3c/jmM4AtNXrAs/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOVA0Vt7I/AAAAAAAAA3c/jmM4AtNXrAs/s200/ventrceiling45+%252814%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The hall is decorated with yellow forded curtains and there is a gaadi placed depicting the seat of the Peshwas right below a statue of Lord Ganesha.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOfQjHHMI/AAAAAAAAA3g/l9VdkZYecSA/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOfQjHHMI/AAAAAAAAA3g/l9VdkZYecSA/s200/ventrceiling45+%252823%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The ceiling is intricately designed and has period chandeliers. There are suru (cypress tree) trunk shaped with banana flower embellishments.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOtdCDXRI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ynGJ-1PjCKM/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVOtdCDXRI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ynGJ-1PjCKM/s200/ventrceiling45+%252822%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The floor is made like a mosaic having an elephant figure created by several smaller painted tile chips.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVO79aopsI/AAAAAAAAA3o/4rog63cgHl8/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252862%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVO79aopsI/AAAAAAAAA3o/4rog63cgHl8/s200/ventrceiling45+%252862%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The balcony is especially beautiful and reminds one of ‘Meghdambari’ the intricately carved wooden cusp shaped umbrella adorning the throne of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The balcony is surrounded by an arcade of cusped windows (which seemed very much in need of repairs).</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPNMGi_XI/AAAAAAAAA3s/sRmE6pDb3og/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252837%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPNMGi_XI/AAAAAAAAA3s/sRmE6pDb3og/s200/ventrceiling45+%252837%2529.JPG" width="156" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />The balcony is supported by a Vyaal shaped buttress, and represents the façade of the wada.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MBqOrY_nI/AAAAAAAACwQ/HDz4VxspXao/s1600-h/P1012467.JPG"><span style="color: #00264c; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><v:shape alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MBqOrY_nI/AAAAAAAACwQ/HDz4VxspXao/s320/P1012467.JPG" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TzHPIcYqPuc/S1MBqOrY_nI/AAAAAAAACwQ/HDz4VxspXao/s1600-h/P1012467.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_26" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" style="height: 240pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 137.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"> <v:imagedata o:title="P1012467" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\admin\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image022.jpg"> </v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPePKWPgI/AAAAAAAAA3w/eZIL3gP6ZJI/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPePKWPgI/AAAAAAAAA3w/eZIL3gP6ZJI/s200/ventrceiling45+%252817%2529.JPG" width="114" /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Vishrambaug Wada is an excellent example of Peshwa kaalin architecture. But unfortunately it has fallen a victim to the apathy of the authorities and the dust and pollution of Pune traffic. The wada is in desperate need of renovation. Many of its windows have broken down and the entire building is in need of immediate repairs. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPwQI8XrI/AAAAAAAAA30/5HT3G-ywj2w/s1600/ventrceiling45+%252873%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVPwQI8XrI/AAAAAAAAA30/5HT3G-ywj2w/s200/ventrceiling45+%252873%2529.jpg" width="122" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />It has therefore become very imperative to preserve this great remnant of our heritage. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha</span></div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192913172506212235.post-34117879018074203832010-11-18T07:52:00.000-08:002011-05-10T05:47:29.592-07:00Shinde Chhatri , Pune : A Photo Feature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span id="goog_288042503"></span><span id="goog_288042504"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVFV-EUgDI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/nlpcJcT-5Eo/s1600/P1010045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVFV-EUgDI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/nlpcJcT-5Eo/s320/P1010045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Shinde Chatri is a centotaph created in the memory of Mahadji Shinde , the legendary commander in chief of the Maratha army between 1761 to 1794. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVFv5a9sxI/AAAAAAAAA1U/RAYFs5uc3JA/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252860%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVFv5a9sxI/AAAAAAAAA1U/RAYFs5uc3JA/s320/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252860%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The Shinde family hailed from a village called Kanherkhed, near Satara (114kms from Pune). Theirs was a family of village patils. It was their patriarch Ranoji Shinde (a general under Chatrapati Shahu and his Peshwa Bajirao I)who first got the family in prominence and its glory was further revived under Mahadji Shinde. He succeeded in re-establishing maratha power in the north post their debacle at Panipat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Mahadji even served as a honorary Wazir to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II in return for Mahadji's help in resurrecting Shah Alam II to the Delhi throne.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Shinde Chatri campus is created around the last Shiva temple, whose construction had been started by Mahadji in 1794 . But Mahadji had been unable to complete it because of his illness that subsequently led to his death in the same year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVF_Muze4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/gPCFGFQPtrE/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVF_Muze4I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/gPCFGFQPtrE/s200/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: SAMADHI OF MAHADJI SHINDE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Mahadjis obsequeis were performed at this very temple. Later his descendent Jankojirao completed the construction of the temple in 1830. Another ruler of this line, Madhavrao Scindia I renovated this temple in 1915 and even constructed a nagarkhana. He also built a Hanuman temple at the entrance besides contributing with a silver statue of Mahadji Scindia , which finds place in the gabhara section.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Later, the last reigning maharaja of Gwalior, Jivajirao constructed the temple's grand sabhamandapa , built in the Anglo Rajasthani style. Then in 1965, Madhavrao Scindia II built Mahadji Shindes 'samadhi' in the temple premises.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The 'Samadhi' holds the ashes of Mahadji Shinde and is constructed just next to the main structure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVGOEwvhUI/AAAAAAAAA1c/seHNXgGztnc/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVGOEwvhUI/AAAAAAAAA1c/seHNXgGztnc/s320/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252817%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The main structure being a beautiful edifice which is a blend of European and Rajput architecture alongside the Shiva temple which is built on the lines of the traditional Deccan style viz. a overlap of Nagara and Dravida architecture..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVGt62Nb3I/AAAAAAAAA1g/_ndf0VnZs54/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVGt62Nb3I/AAAAAAAAA1g/_ndf0VnZs54/s320/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252812%2529.JPG" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The temple is made from black sandstone and has some beautiful carvings, idols around the structure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHGVA3H-I/AAAAAAAAA1k/dX2fjgqnnLw/s1600/P1010043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHGVA3H-I/AAAAAAAAA1k/dX2fjgqnnLw/s320/P1010043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: A STATUETE PLACED IN A DEVKOSHTA-AEDICULE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHPgOQIdI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h5nEjxI-s4U/s1600/P1010044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHPgOQIdI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h5nEjxI-s4U/s200/P1010044.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: SHIKARA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> The Shikhara (Spire) is of the Bhumija-Nagara style, with an vertical beehive shaped vimana, the main spire being flanked by several minor spires and a 'kalasa'(top end pot shaped finial or 'amalaka') is mounted on a grooved disc capstone (amalasaraka),which is further attached to the mulasringa (the main spire or shikara),seated on further chest spires (urahsringa) and adorned by other miniature spires(sringas).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHfU92asI/AAAAAAAAA1s/GLxEm4tzNOk/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252853%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHfU92asI/AAAAAAAAA1s/GLxEm4tzNOk/s320/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252853%2529.JPG" width="234" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: TEMPLE REAR WALL WITH A LATTICED WINDOW</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> The 'varandika' (entablature) separates the whole spire structure from the 'jangha' (temple wall) and rests on it and the inner columns . The entire plan is based on a square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHvejjCzI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VogaUhJQOco/s1600/P1010039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVHvejjCzI/AAAAAAAAA1w/VogaUhJQOco/s320/P1010039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: SOCLE AND THE PLINTH</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The walls are placed on the vedibandha(socle) which is further seated over a pitha (plinth). The structure houses the 'Garbhagriha' (Guha mandapa) or the sanctum sanctorum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVH2jhNOZI/AAAAAAAAA10/-lOtVZC_Imc/s1600/P1010008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVH2jhNOZI/AAAAAAAAA10/-lOtVZC_Imc/s320/P1010008.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: SHIVA LINGA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVH8n6CLKI/AAAAAAAAA14/aa9DME1h9Mo/s1600/P1010007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVH8n6CLKI/AAAAAAAAA14/aa9DME1h9Mo/s200/P1010007.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: MAHADJI SHINDE STATUE</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Inside the Garbhagriha is a imposing statue of Mahadji Shinde facing the Shiva Linga.</div></div><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIKMXLorI/AAAAAAAAA18/T8uynPV8W2U/s1600/P1010029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIKMXLorI/AAAAAAAAA18/T8uynPV8W2U/s320/P1010029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: DOOR TO THE GARBHAGRIHA WITH NANDI SEATED OUTSIDE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIjsoNzGI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xaf139RBv_0/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIjsoNzGI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xaf139RBv_0/s320/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252834%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: FRESCO ABOVE THE GARBHAGRIHA DOOR</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIutmLcbI/AAAAAAAAA2E/cWtI5ONTVbA/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252871%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVIutmLcbI/AAAAAAAAA2E/cWtI5ONTVbA/s200/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252871%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: UPPER FLOOR</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVLXnodJqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/N9eIh3E5ePg/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVLXnodJqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/N9eIh3E5ePg/s320/P1010010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: CEILING OF THE GARBHAGRIHA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The innerwalls of the Garbhagriha appeared to have been made from black granite and has intricately engraved motifs on the walls and the columns. Outside the Shiva garbhagriha (in the vestibule chamber or the 'antarala') is a typically placed Nandi made from marble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJBQTyq0I/AAAAAAAAA2I/X1x1sokGe2o/s1600/P1010032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJBQTyq0I/AAAAAAAAA2I/X1x1sokGe2o/s200/P1010032.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The hallway (Mandapa , Torana) outside the garbhagriha is distinctly Rajputana in style with ornate suru shaped pillars separating the cusp arched aisles and a coloufully designed lintel and ceiling . In the hallway are displayed various potraits of the Gwalior royals from Ranoji Shinde to Mahadji Shinde and from Madhavrao Scindia II to Madhavrao Scindia III.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJN0tNkmI/AAAAAAAAA2M/iAuvYpMJMOc/s1600/P1010031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJN0tNkmI/AAAAAAAAA2M/iAuvYpMJMOc/s200/P1010031.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: HALLWAY (MANDAPA/TORANA)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJbhGcRfI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/rnhtt1MYbSI/s1600/P1010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJbhGcRfI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/rnhtt1MYbSI/s200/P1010021.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PIC: CUSP ARCHED LINTEL AND AISLE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVK1PL8J1I/AAAAAAAAA2o/XFl3dTSm8C4/s1600/P1010016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVK1PL8J1I/AAAAAAAAA2o/XFl3dTSm8C4/s200/P1010016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVLD0cJaAI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jKLADWpYZv8/s1600/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVLD0cJaAI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jKLADWpYZv8/s200/shiv+temple+built+by+mahadji+shinde222+%252823%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The facade appears more European and is laced with beautifull cusp windows having coloured glasses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJxUBm1TI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ce8s8Ne2_4k/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVJxUBm1TI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ce8s8Ne2_4k/s320/P1010001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKsDVKpPI/AAAAAAAAA2k/ugLvll-5hrQ/s1600/P1010004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKsDVKpPI/AAAAAAAAA2k/ugLvll-5hrQ/s200/P1010004.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The courtyard is guarded by a black stonewall with the entry being through a traditional archway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKeF7fwPI/AAAAAAAAA2g/hW1VVqSVUas/s1600/P1010035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKeF7fwPI/AAAAAAAAA2g/hW1VVqSVUas/s320/P1010035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The Shinde Chatri overall is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture and one of the prized landmarks of Pune city.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKPEtQJxI/AAAAAAAAA2c/qVgC9tYcEk4/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CAx5M615KoY/TOVKPEtQJxI/AAAAAAAAA2c/qVgC9tYcEk4/s200/P1010003.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHOTOS AND TEXT : ABHIJIT RAJADHYAKSHA</span></div></div>Abhijit Rajadhyakshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11512597685144921844noreply@blogger.com1