A memorial dedicated to a great Maratha ruler Mahadji Shinde. Situated in the Wanowrie area of Pune, This is Shinde Chhatri.
 |
| The Entrance |
Shinde Chhatri was built in the year 1965(according to the Samvat Calender Era) by Maharaja Madhavrao Scindhia as a memorial to Mahadji Shinde. Mahadji Shinde was the fifth & the youngest son of Ranojirao Shinde. He was the ruler of the Maratha Empire in the Gwalior State in Central India. He was one of the three pillars of the Maratha Resurrection. Mahadji Shinde is also the founder of the Shinde Dynasty. His great works have been noted in the history. The Chhatri is a memorial to this great ruler.
 |
| about the chhatri |
Chhatri means umbrella in Marathi. A temple of Lord Shiva was built in the complex by Mahadji Shinde himself. Apart from Lord Shiva's temple there is a temple of Vittal Rukmini, the samadhi of Mahadji Shinde and much to my surprise, a gym. There is a Maruti temple just opposite to the entrance. This temple was built by Madhavrao Shinde Ist.
 |
| The Chhatri |
 |
| Lord Shiva's Temple |
 |
| Vitthal Rukmini Temple |
 |
| Shinde's samadhi |
 |
| a gym in the complex |
 |
| the Maruti temple opposite the entrance |
The entry fee is Rs. 5 for Indians & Rs. 25 for foreigners. As soon as one enters the complex there is The Chhatri & Lord Shiva's temple. On the left hand side is the samadhi of Mahadji Shinde. A little distant from the samadhi is the temple of Vitthal Rukmini. Behind the Shiv temple and besides the Vitthal Rukmini temple is an office & even a changing room, which I believe belongs to the gym which is besides this office. There are benches for seating and a gong outside the temple. Upon inquiring I got to know that many years ago when there were no watches, they would ring the gong every hour for the people to know about the time.
 |
| the gong |
The achitecture of the chhatri depicts the Rajasthani style of architecture. It is built of yellow stone and there are carvings of saints on the rooftop. Inside the chhatri are photos of the Shinde Dynasty.
It is overall a great piece of architecture. The Scindia Devasthan Trust of Gwalior looks after the Chhatri.
 |
| carvings of saints on the rooftop of the chhatri |
 |
| inside the chhatri |
No comments:
Post a Comment