The town of #Wai in #Satara district of Maharashtra located on the banks of the Krishna river has culturally and historically been an important center. It was here that Afzal Khan camped when he attempted to subdue the Maratha power under Chhatrapati Shivaji.
#Wai has seven ghats or stepped embankments on the Krishna River. Krishnabai or Krishnamai as the river is reveretially and affectionately called here is celebrated with an annual celebration or उत्सव in her name.
The Ganpati Ghat has the Mahaganpati Temple also called the Dholya Ganpati ढोल्या गणपती since the murti is very big. It was built by Shrimant Ganpatrao Bhikaji Raste in 1762.
The Kashi Vishweshwar Temple is also at the Ganpati Ghat is a magnificent piece of architecture. It is protected with a high stone wall along its perimeter.The temple has tall दीप माळ or stone tree structure to place oil lamps.
Many old towns had a city walls and city gates or ves (वेस). This ves was the entry point to Wai from the village of Menavli.
In historical times Wai was a place of learning and schlorship. In modern times the #Marathi Vishwakosh or Encyclopedia project was headquartered here. Wai has been a popular location for film shoots from the times of - Goonj Uthi Shehnai to Sargam to Swades.
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#Pune Ganesh Darshan today morning. For me it is also about revisiting Pune Heritage, partly seen partly hidden. We started from Sarvajanil Kaka statue reminding ourself of his contribution that led to the formation of the Congress.
We traced the history of the underground water channel that fed Pune City as we reached Akhil Mandai Mandal. The majestic Gajanan and Sharada Murti has a very natural poise. A quick snack at Baldevprasad Gupta was obviously due.
We crossed Attar Galli that ran a riot of colours as we approached Jilbya Maruti. Would you believe that in the 1740s a water stream flowed here. Jilbyaa Maruti Mandal Murti is among the most मोहक Murti in my view.
#Hanumajayanti The deity with the highest number of temples in #Pune undoubtedly is Maruti/Hanumant/Hanuman. In the central old parts of the city there are easily about a hundred temples and shrines dedicated to the God ! This thread refers to a few of the Hanuman temples. 1/6
During late Peshwa period there were approx 50 temples/shrines dedicated to the God. Considering that Pune that time was barely 4sq km, it meant that on an average about every 250m there was a Maruti temple. Today there are easily double the number. 2/6
Unlike many other deities, the Maruti temples were not intensive in terms of their religious observances and rituals. Hence there were Haunuman temples at various places. Most of the peths or wards had their own 'Pethecha Maruti'. 3/6
#MahaShivaratri Among historical temples in #Pune, those dedicated to Mahadev Shankar have the highest count, next to Maruti shrines. Over forty Mahadev deities have been blessing Pune over 200 years. Mahadev is also at other major temples of other deities. A thread 1/n
#Nageshwar at Somwar Peth is believed to be among the oldest temples in Pune. The temple was renovated in late 1700s and later a few decades ago. 2/n
#Vruddheshwar at Shivajinagar near Bal Gandharva was earlier the village of Bhambavde. Was considered a prominent deity then. 3/n
Story of 400m culinary journey - #Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra and Mandai the capital of Pune. An enthusiastic group, we walked around just within a 400m radial distance to explore the variety, and ate to our hearts and stomach's content. #KnowPune Thread 1/11
The first stop was Mandai itself – Baldev Prasad Gupta. For the small sized shop you can get an amazing variety – pohe/upma, pulav, puri-bhaji, samosa, vada and much more. My fav is the large jilebi – thick and plump, soft inside yet crunchy (not hard) on the outside. 2/11
Green Bakery is known to all Punekars. While bread and bakery is its staple, since many decades it has been selling crunchy patti samosa. The recipe of the filling has changed over the years as regulars may vouch. The samosas still have retained their crunch. 3/11
Barely a stone's throw from Mandai #Pune at the southern end of Bhau Maharaj Bol is the Thorat Chowk known to Punekars as Ratan Cycle Chowk. At this Chowk are located traditional #food shops that have their own speciality. Relatively less known they are a foodies delight !
The Unchi Pharsan House is known for quality 'pharsan'. In business since 1947 specialities include the white sweet potato chivda, the red spiced Potato chivda, shev, Dal moth, khari bundi and other items.
Just opposite is the Rajesh Bhel Kendra. The shop has been in existence since 90 years. The bhel tastes wonderful and unique because of the chutney that has hints of ginger. During the season expect raw mango bit in the bhel too. Be sure to taste it.
#Varanasi the #Marathi footprint - The thread shares some info about the history & contribution of Marathi people to Kashi. The Maratha Empire's aim over generations was to liberate Kashi however it could not fructify for various reasons at different ties. #Kashi#मराठी
Sant Eknath (1533-1599) believed to have written the Bhagwat in front of 'Sakshi' Gopal murti, presently at the Tailangswami Mutth. Eknath Maharaj is believed to have stayed at the Panchaganga Ghat for about two years.
Many Marathi families have made Varanasi their home over a few centuries. Some families believe that their forefathers arrived when Shivaji Maharaj's helped to resurrect the Bindu Madhav Temple destroyed by Aurangzeb. Since mid 1800s the Pant Pratinidhi have supported the temple.