In the heart of hustle bustle in Pune, there lies a piece of history which is a gem of art. Located in Wanwadi or Wanowrie is Shinde Chhatri.This place is dedicated to Mahadji Shinde an 18th century military general of the Peshwas. It is basically a Shiva temple which was built by the general himself.
Locating this place is isn't that difficult. From the Sholapur road take the main road that lead inside to Fatima Nagar - Wanwadi and cross the Sahyadri hospital on your right and then the Jabhulkar Chowk. turn right the next chowk (Jagtap Chowk) and hardly 500 meters in the lane you can see a compound wall with a temple'spire in it. This is where the Shinde chatri is.
Mahadji Shinde died the same year it was completed and was cremated near to this temple which serves as his resting place. The samadhi and the hall and the building complex in front of the Shiva temple was built later in his honor by Madhavrao Schindia of Gwalior, who are the direct descendants of Mahadji Shinde.
The hall and the Shiva temple's spire is a beautiful Anglo-Rajasthani styled construction made of yellow stone. The Garbh Grah of the temple is made of black stone. The outer walls have some magnificent carvings and are a treat to watch. They are still very beautiful and have stood the time test. This temple is believed to be constructed from 1760 to 1780.The hall is beautifully decorated with paintings and they have the English styled tainted glasses too.
View at the entrance :
The Hall or the chhatri:
Inside the hall, which contains paintings on the ceiling and also serves as the entrance to the Shiva temple.
The sanctum of Shiva temple:
Carvings on the outer walls and on the spire of the temple:
The Anglo-Rajasthani style of architecture is adorable.
A well and cleanly maintained space and a must visit for a Puneite. This place in fact has also found a stop in the Pune darshan service run by Pune Municipal Transport.
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