Shaniwar Wada and the Saga of Bajirao Mastani to Narayanrao's Death

Every time I passed the fort during my visit to Tulsibagh market, I imaged a magnificent Palace inside the wall with  beautiful rich carving and many art-crafts for display, like in any other palace. But what showed me in there was a big surprise, all it had was just the stone foundation of a historical structure, which was once a biggest mansion of Pune city. So I wanted to know the history before I could get to know about the place, and the best thing I could do was watch Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. I watched the movie and visited the palace again on a heritage walk as part of Pune Heritage Festival. This time I could feel all the characters and structure of the movie come live,  Mastani Mahal, Aarse Mahal, Ganesh Mahal and more.

Peshwe Ganesh Temple

History of Peshwas - From Bajiarao 1 to Narayanrao

The history dates back to 18th century during the time of Bajirao I. Peshwas were the Prime Minister in the kingdom of Chatrapati Maharaj, the ruler who sat at Satara, then the capital of Maratha Kingdom. Bajirao 1 or Bajirao Ballal was the Peshwa during the period 1720 to 1740, and said to have not lost a single war during his regime. After the death of Bajirao, his eldest son Nansaheb became the Peshwa succeeded by his son Narayanrao. Its said, Narayanrao's uncle and Nanasaheb's brother Raghunathrao, killed Narayanrao to possess the kingdom. Raghunathrao sent letter to his guards to captivate Narayanrao, Raghunath's wife Anandibai cunningly changed the letter, commanding to kill Narayanrao. Narayanrao's body was chopped into pieces and taken out of the palace through the back entrance and cremated at the near by river banks. The palace is said to be haunted by Narayanrao's souls with Narayanrao's last words begging his uncle for help been heard at night even today, "Kaka Mala Vachwa"(Uncle save me).

The Palace Architecture and its demise 

Shaniwar Wada was one of the magnificent and stately mansion built ever in Pune. One of the buildings in Shaniwar wada was seven storied, with other important buildings Thoriya Rayacha Diwankhana(The Court Hall of Bajirao-1), Nachacha Diwankhana(Dancing Hall), Ganesh Mahal and Juna Aarse Mahal(Old Mirror Hall). The walls, arches and ceilings were said to be covered with intricate carvings, walls painted with stories of Ramayana and Mahabharta. The Palace is said to have got its name for all the important events of the building, laying the first stone to the opening ceremony took place on Saturdays. In 1818, Peshwas handed over the throne to British Government and moved to prison in Nagpur. Ten years later in 1820, whole palace was completely burnt down by a great fire which lasted for seven days and left only the heavy ramparts, strong gateways and buried foundations. 

All that's seen today

The present main entrance of the palace is Delhi Darwaza(facing today's Delhi), facing North. Adjoining to Delhi Darwaza is Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaza, which then led to Mastani Mahal, built for Mastani. Facing East are khidki Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza. Even though Delhi Darwaza was big in construction, the main entrance was Ganesh Darwaza in use, with Peshwe Ganesh Temple at the entrance gate. Towards South is Narayan Darwaza, the door which was used to take the dead body of Narayan Rao out. The Delhi Darwaza, is a combination of Hindu and Islamic style with a cypress tree marking the addition of Christianity. The Nagarkhana on the top of Delhi Gate which once sang loudly glories of the great Peshwas survives even today and is a popular symbol of Pune city. The structure is under Archaeological Survey of India and the history and glory of the palace can be better experienced by the light and sound show conducted by the Archaeological department.

Delhi Darwaza with Cypress Tree in the front

As seen from Delhi Darwaza

 

So when you are in Pune's signature structure Shaniwar wada, just don't watch the ruined platforms but get deep into it and listen to the story every stone has to narrate, and don't forget to watch Bajirao Mastani movie before visiting this place.

Travel Tips:

Shaniwar Wada is in Shaniwar Peth in Pune city. Its around 3km from Swargate bus stand and Pune railway station and 11km from Lohgaon airport.
Timings: 9AM to 5:30PM
Entry Fee:
Indian Citizens - Rs. 15/-
Foreign Citizens - Rs. 200/-
Children below 15 years - Entry Free
Videography for personal use Rs. 25/-

Manacha Paanch Ganapathi of Pune...

Going on with my posts on the Ganesh Chaturthi, here is my next post on Manacha Paanch, the five most auspicious Ganapathi idols around the ancient city of Pune. The five Ganapathi's in the order of preference they proceed on the last day of ten day festival for immersion. 

After our morning visit to Dagadusheth Halwai and Kasaba Ganapathi for the welcome procession on Ganesh Chaturthi, we wanted to visit Manacha Paanch the same evening, but whole of Shanivar peth was so crowded that we visited few of other pandals and planned to visit the Manacha Paanch some other day. Last Saturday after dinner we thought of driving to Shanivar Peth. We reached Shaniwar Wada by midnight, the main gates were still open for the crowd who walked around the fort visiting the Ganapathi Pandals. We sat there and clicked few pics of the so called haunted fort of Pune and walked towards Shivaji Road. Even at 12, the roads were filled with devotees, especially the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi. So here is the list of 5 Manacha, 

Kasba Ganapathi

The first of the five Manacha is Kasba Ganapathi, the presiding deity(gramdevata) of Pune. Years back when the city of Pune revolved around Shaniwar wada fort and its markets, Kasba Ganapathi temple was the presiding deity, for the royal Peshwa family and the natives. Said to be commissioned by Jijabhai, Shivaji's mother, the temple is in Kasba peth. The pandal is a replica of the main Kasba temple itself which is an old wooden building with great wood works.

Tambdi Jogeshwari

While few say its the Kasba Ganapthi which is the Gramdevata, others believe the Goddess at the Tambdi Jogeshwari as the Gramdevi. Being the oldest temple in the vicinity, the idol is said to be swayanbhu(which has appeared on its own). Its said, looking the popularity of the temple and the visiting devotee count, Lokmanya Tilak initiated to install the Ganesh Pandal at the temple and gave it the second place in the Manacha Paanch. The idol resides in a beautiful silver mantap, on tortoise. Tambdi Jogeshwari is in Budhwar Peth

 

Guruji Tahim

The third of Manacha is Guruji Tahim which is very close to Tambdi Jogeshwar in Budhvar Peth. Started by two Hindu and Muslim families Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban, it signifies the unity between the two communities. The Guruju Tahim Ganapathi is Balaganapthi sitting on his vahan(vehicle) mouse. 

Tulsibaug Ganapathi

Located in Tulsibaug market, the fourth Ganapathi is Tulsibaug Ganapathi. This is the biggest of all five and is beautifully adored with silver and gold ornaments. The decor is so rich and vibrant. The pandal is no big, but just covering the idol, hence you get a very close view. 

  

Kesariwada Ganapathi

The last of the Manacha, is the Ganesha at Kesariwada, which relates to Lokmanya Tilak's Kesari Magazine and signifying the revolution of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav. It had three idols this year, the main silver idol, the immersible idol and the third was the tree Ganesha(the one unpainted in the tub next to the silver idol). The tree Ganesha, eco friendly ganesha with seeds, which turns into plant, once dissolved. The temple has the idol of Lokmanya Tilak and the paintings on the walls depicting his life. Its the building which was the residence of Tilak and now houses Lokmanya Tilak Museum.

Though all the five idols are immersed every year and its the new idol which adores the pandal the next year, the features and the beauty of the idols remain the same and you can easily make out each of the them by their look.

Ganesha in all his forms...

It was a fair scene on Shivaji Road, early morning on Ganesh Chaturthi. Shops selling Ganesha idols, pooja and decor items, flowers and everything needed for the 10 day celebration which had started.

Ganesha idols in all his forms, you name it and they have it, Ganesha as Vittal, as Shiva, as Krishna,  as Peshwa, as Bahubali(the present trending movie) and more. On Elephant, on peacock, on mouse and more,

 

 

                          

 

Few other Pandals we visited

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!!

Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav Celebrates its 125 years...

For this year's Ganesh Chaturthi we have story from Pune, the place where Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav(public celebration) originated. Its said Ganesh chaturthi had been celebrated publicly since the era of Shivaji in Pune, but during British rule, fearing public assemblies after the first war of Indian Independence, British had imposed rule against public gathering of more than 20 people for social or political purposes, but had exempted muslims from Friday mosque prayers. In 1892 Bhausaheb Laxman Javale installed the first Sarvajanik Ganesh in Pune. And in 1893, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak praised the celebration in his newspaper Kesari and chose to use the public gathering at the Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav under religious exemption for the fight against British rule.

Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi procession from Temple to Pandal.

Its 125th year of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav this year and we were at the Shivaji Road on the early morning of Ganesh Chaturthi capturing the celebration, the grand welcome of Ganesha on his day. The roads were full, with the dhol groups presenting their rhythmic dhol, devotees, media everyone enjoying the celebration in rains.

Ladies Dhol at the procession

Watching the Ganesha procession was altogether a different view than watching in the pandals. The procession, the stapana(first worship in pandal), the devotion and ethnicity had so much positive vibe. I was comparing everything with the way Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Mumbai, there is so much of ethnicity, faith and devotion here in Pune, while I always felt the celebration in Mumbai is more of colours, magnificence, dancing and publicity, sorry if that hurts any Mumbaikars ;)

Flowers been showered on Kasaba Ganapathi in Palki

While Dagadusheth Ganapathi proceeded in beautiful floral chariot, the Kasaba Ganapathi proceeded in palki(a carriage with two handles, carried by two or more people on their shoulders) with flowers been showered. I was told the Dagadusheth Halwai temple has two Ganesha idols, the main idol which is of silver and the uthsav murthi(procession idol), which is not immersed like in Mumbai, but its the same idol which is got to the pandal every year during Ganesh Chaturthi and kept back in the temple during rest of the year.

Another Ganesha procession which we came across on Shivaji Road.

Ganesha Pandals and celebration are everywhere around the city and more posts coming up on Ganesh in following posts.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!! 

'Little Chefs Workshop' with Amrita Kaur at Godrej Nature's Basket!!!

I have been associated with Godrej group for quite sometime. And Godrej Nature's Basket has been one of my favorite Food stores, for their variety and quality of food offered. Recently I was invited  to cover their Kids Workshop by Amrita Kaur at their Koregaon Park Store here in Pune. Being on her summer vacation kiddo didn't wanted to miss the workshop and were we both at their store last weekend. 

The recipes included Rainbow noodles Salad with Peanut butter dressing, Rainbow Nice Cream topped with nutty sprinkles and delicious Mango No-Bake Cheesecake Tart, easy, no flame colourful recipes which the kids really enjoyed whipping. Amrita wore Rainbow shades as well to go with the theme, and she made the workshop more interactive and interesting by giving kids nutrition, health and food vocab gyan.

No Bake Cheese Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 Packet digestive biscuits, crushed coarsely.
• Toasted nuts of your choice(almonds/pistachio/walnuts)
• 2-3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 pinch cardamom powder
• Pinch of Salt

For the cheesecake

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup whipped cream
• Fresh mango pulp + sliced for garnish
• 2 table spoos caster sugar
• Juice/zest of half a lemon
• Pinch of cardamom powder

Method

• Combine the crushed biscuits with the nuts, melted butter, cardamom powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Take a spoonful and press tightly on bottom tightly on bottom of a tart shell.
• Blend cream cheese, whipped cream mango puree, lemon juice & zest and cardamom powder and sugar using an electrical mix or a whisk until well combined. Top this cheesecake filling over the prepared tart crust and refrigerate.

Rainbow Noodles Salad(with peanut butter dressing)

Ingredients:

• 50g soba noodles, boiled as per package instruction.
• 1/2 cup mixed veggies, julienned(carrot, purple cabbage, spring onions, red & yellow bell peppers, raw mango)
• Few springs of fresh coriander.
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame tp sprinkle on top.

For Peanut Dressing

• 1 table spoon peanut butter
• Juice of a lemon
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1/2 inch ginger grated
• Few tablespoons water(to thin the dressing)

Method:

• Toss all the Salad elements together veggies and noodles. Pour the prepared dressing over it and give it a good mix. Serve in a salad bowl with sesame and coriander on top.

Peanut Butter Dressing

Whisk all the ingredient together(Peanut butter, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, soy, honey, garlic, ginger and water as required)

Chef's Gyan: prepare dressing in glass jar, if excess can be stored and refrigerated for next use.

Rainbow Nice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 Bananas, sliced and frozen

For Variations

• 1 tablespoon fresh strawberries/raspberries
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon Blueberries
• 1 tablespoon fresh mango slices
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of cardamom powder
• Toasted nuts to top(almonds, pistachio & cranberries) finely chopped

Method

• Make sure that banana are ripe. Slice and freeze. When the bananas are fully frozen, toss them into a food processor or high speed blender and blend until you achieve a consistency that resembles soft serve ice cream
• Divide into 5 portions. Set one aside
• Add strawberries/raspberries to one & blend
• Add cocoa powder + vanilla to second & blend
• Add blueberries to the third & blend
• Finally mango slice & cardamom powder to the fourth and blend
• Transfer all the blended flavours in one big bowl. Cream swirl using a spoon. Make sure to not mix completely.

Note: If your blender is having trouble processing, you can add 1-2 tablespoons milk/nut milk/soy milk to make it easier.

All smiles with their Rainbow Nice cream

Armita's Veggie, Fruit Vocab Gyan

Avacado in Hindi - Makhan Phal

Jamun in English - Black Plum

Fruit with 1000 seeds - Strawberry

These are only ones I could recall ;)

The store also had a photo booth where kids got their framed photographs in chef look. All in all the day was well spent whipping some yummy colorful dishes with lovely chef.

Aga Khan Palace and its significance in Indian Freedom Movement

It was during a visit to one of our cousin's place in Pune that we visited Aga Khan Palace. It was just a day's trip to Pune and during our casual talks, did I check with cousin about the place. All he said was, its just a small building with few photographs of Mahatma Gandhi displayed. I remembered from our visit to Mani Bhavan about the significance of Aga Khan Palace, and didn't want to miss the visit.

The palace was built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1892. It gained significance during the Indian Freedom movement, when it served as prison to Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai and Sarojini Naidu from 1942 to 1944, following the launch of Quit India Movement.

There is ample parking inside the campus and you need to walk through the lawns to reach the palace. The palace is multi storeyed structure and known for its Italian arches on all floors. Its only few of the rooms which are open to public which display photographs and portraits depicting Gandhiji's life. Even though we visited on weekend, it was not that crowded and we could easily get along the palace.

Inside the palace campus are samadhis of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, who lost their lives during their captivity in the palace. There is also samadhi of Gandhji, which is said to have his ashes.

Travel Info:

Aga Khan Palace is on Pune-Nagar Road.

Timings: 9AM to 12:30PM, 1:30PM to 6PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for adults and Rs. 2 for kids

Shri Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon

My hubby served for Fiat India Automobiles for few years, just before when the Fiat Plant in Kurla, Mumbai, got shifted to Ranjangaon MIDC, in Pune dist. Still he has been in good terms with most of his ex-colleagues at Fiat and we often visit them in Pune. 

Apart from the vast industrial opportunity this place Ranjangaon offers, it has a great religious importance. The place has one of the eight Ashtavinayak Temples, the temple of Shri Mahaganapati. Ashtavinayak, which literally means "Eight Ganeshas", are housed in eight pilgrimage places around Pune, in per-ascertained sequence. Each of the eight idols differ in their form, legend and history.

Tripurasura, a demon, was born from the nostrils of Gritsamada when he sneezed. Tripurasura was blessed by Ganapati, only to be killed by lord Shiva and conquered the world. Lords go to Shiva, seeking his help to kill Tripurasura and rescue the world from his evil deeds. Lord Shiva couldn't kill the demon, till he worshipped Ganapati. Shiva established Ganapati as Mahaganapati, as a mark of gratitude. Shiva is enshrined at Bhimashankara, nearby.

The history of the temple goes to 9th or 10th century, by its resemblance to the architecture. Its said that MadhavRao Peshwa, who often visited the temple, built the stone sanctum around the idol in 1790AD. The idol facing the east, is seated in cross legged position with broad forehead.

Location:

Ranjangaon is around 50kms from Pune, on Pune-Ahamednagar highway. Frequent Maharashtra Sate Road Transport Buses operating between Pune and Ahamednagar/Shirur halt here. There is also delux bus by ST, which covers all eight Ashtavinayak temples in two days from Pune.

On this auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi today, I wish lord Mahaganapati bless us all with Happiness and Prosperity.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!

Mission '24', with Anil Kapoor and Tata Motors

Date: 12 November, 2013
Venue: Lake House, Tata Motors, Pimpri, Pune
Website: http://www.tatasafari.com
Few months back I was part of Xtreme Drive bloggers meet organised by Indiblogger, sponsored by Tata Motors. As a member of Indiblogger and been part of Xtreme Drive, I was invited by Tata Motors(the title sponsor of the action packed TV series '24') for a lunch with Anil Kapoor, the star of the series. Initially I wondered whether to join, as the event was in Pune. But Inditeam confirmed me of transportation been provided by Tata Motors, so I made up my mind.

Me, Nandini Deka, Vaisakhi Mishra along with Tata team and few social media contest winners gathered at Dadar station. While Deepti Verma and Punit Dubey joined us on the way, at Vashi. By around 12:30 we reached their plant at Pimpri, Pune.

We along with Anil Kapoor and few other dignitaries were taken through a drive of the plant. The drive reminded me of my industrial visits during Engineering course.

Vintage Car at plant

The first Indica model

Different terrains for testing



Safari Assembly Line, where the ragged SUV gets assembled

The company staff gathered in huge number to cheer for Tata Strome and Anil Kapoor starrer series.   

Anil Kapoor paying homage to JRD Tata

 Back from plant, we joined the event at Lake House.

Anil Kapoor awarded few of Tata dealers for their performance, greeted we bloggers and social media contest winners and shared his thoughts on '24' and Tata Safari.

Tata Motors presented Mr. Kapoor a specially manufactured, Jai Singh Rathod(the character as a chief of Anti Terrorist Unit, he plays in '24' series) edition of Safari Storme- Safari Strome, the rugged SUV which symbolizes power, resilience, style and performance, which truely compliments the essence of the series '24'. Mr Ankush Arora, Sr. Vice President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors stated, Tata Motors was proud to partner with Colors to be the title sponsor of the series '24' in its Indian avatar. He also claimed that Safari Strome sales had a hike of 30% with the start of this series.

The specially manufactured Jai Singh Rathod edition of Safari Strome

The event ended with lunch and we started off by 4PM to reach Vashi around 6:30PM. Me and Nandini Deka took a train from Vashi to reach home.