We decided to visit the Moraya Gosawi Temple at Chinchwad (about 20 kms from Pune on Old Pune-Mumbai Highway - NH 4).
We started off from our company at Pimpri at 5.30 pm. This temple is located in the heart of Chinchwad town, in the by-lanes behind the renowned Chapekar Chowk, on the banks of Pavna.
Moraya Gosavi
Samadhi Temple
It is associated with Moravi Gosavi, a prominent saint of Hindu Ganapatya Sect. There are some mismatches about the period. Various scholars and associations mention the dates that vary from 14th to 16th century. The temple is ‘that’ old, however it is so well maintained, that it is hard to believe that it is standing in this place since Centuries.
This temple is actually a Samadhi (Mausoleum) of Saint Moraya Gosawi. There are 6 other Samadhis of his descendents around the main Samadhi.
Behind the temple flows river Pavna. The place is very ideal to sit for a while, away from the mundane city life, and watch the calm waters flowing in front of you. But, the cleanliness of this river and its banks need to be maintained; as this hampers the beauty of the temple.
Just near to this temple is a place, not many are aware of. A reminiscence to one of the initial freedom fighters of India - आद्य क्रांती-कारक चापेकर बंधु (Chapekar Brothers - Damodar Hari, Balkrishna Hari and Vasudeo Hari Chapekar). In 1897, they hatched a plot and killed W. C. Rand, a government officer, for atrocities carried by British troops in connection with the Plague epidemic in Pune. More information HERE.
A residential place of Chapekar Brothers' maternal grand-parents is in Chinchwad. This wada has been converted into a museum in remembrance of those Heroes. The place, which must have been century old atleast, was rebuilt with RCC construction keeping the original design same. This was some time in 1970s done by the like-minded people with the help of Govt. Administration. We met one of the person instrumental in setting up this museum. He told us the history and the way they did whatever is seen currently.
What we saw inside are the pages from history; but there is a serious need to do some renovation with respect to the information and cuttings pasted there. They are severely damaged. Only question is do we have time? As our motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers speed past, how many of us have the time to cast even a cursory glance at this "Kranti-Teertha" of the men (read Heroes) who triggered off the revolutionary movement in India?
It seemed to be a coincidence that we visited this place yesterday, the eve of Martyr's Day - March 23 (it was then in 1931 when Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the British at Lahore).
Co-ordinates: 18 37' 35.91"N 73 46' 47.92"E
We started off from our company at Pimpri at 5.30 pm. This temple is located in the heart of Chinchwad town, in the by-lanes behind the renowned Chapekar Chowk, on the banks of Pavna.
It is associated with Moravi Gosavi, a prominent saint of Hindu Ganapatya Sect. There are some mismatches about the period. Various scholars and associations mention the dates that vary from 14th to 16th century. The temple is ‘that’ old, however it is so well maintained, that it is hard to believe that it is standing in this place since Centuries.
This temple is actually a Samadhi (Mausoleum) of Saint Moraya Gosawi. There are 6 other Samadhis of his descendents around the main Samadhi.
Behind the temple flows river Pavna. The place is very ideal to sit for a while, away from the mundane city life, and watch the calm waters flowing in front of you. But, the cleanliness of this river and its banks need to be maintained; as this hampers the beauty of the temple.
Just near to this temple is a place, not many are aware of. A reminiscence to one of the initial freedom fighters of India - आद्य क्रांती-कारक चापेकर बंधु (Chapekar Brothers - Damodar Hari, Balkrishna Hari and Vasudeo Hari Chapekar). In 1897, they hatched a plot and killed W. C. Rand, a government officer, for atrocities carried by British troops in connection with the Plague epidemic in Pune. More information HERE.
A residential place of Chapekar Brothers' maternal grand-parents is in Chinchwad. This wada has been converted into a museum in remembrance of those Heroes. The place, which must have been century old atleast, was rebuilt with RCC construction keeping the original design same. This was some time in 1970s done by the like-minded people with the help of Govt. Administration. We met one of the person instrumental in setting up this museum. He told us the history and the way they did whatever is seen currently.
What we saw inside are the pages from history; but there is a serious need to do some renovation with respect to the information and cuttings pasted there. They are severely damaged. Only question is do we have time? As our motorcycles, scooters, auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers speed past, how many of us have the time to cast even a cursory glance at this "Kranti-Teertha" of the men (read Heroes) who triggered off the revolutionary movement in India?
It seemed to be a coincidence that we visited this place yesterday, the eve of Martyr's Day - March 23 (it was then in 1931 when Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the British at Lahore).
Co-ordinates: 18 37' 35.91"N 73 46' 47.92"E
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