Pune: Brahman Mahasangh Demands Opening Of Shaniwarwada
Pune, November 20, 2020: Brahman Mahasangh has demanded to open the historical Shaniwarwada in Pune, otherwise, they will open it forcefully for the tourists. The organisation in its official letter to the archaeological department mentioned that Shaniwarwada should be opened to tourists and the public.
After the state government permitted to open the temples and historical places in the state, various places were thrown open for the people, but Shaniwarwada is still closed. A tourist attraction, the wada is a must-see place for many people coming to visit the historical city.
“If the wada is not opened in the next couple of days, we would go and open it”, warned the members of the Mahasangh. Meanwhile, the archaeological department officials have requested to wait for some days as the senior officers are on leave.
Shaniwar Wada was the Palace of the Peshwas since the 18th century. The construction started on a Saturday, hence the name Shaniwarwada was given to the palace. Started by Bajirao I on 10th January 1730. the monument was completed in 1732. Spread over acres, it was primarily a residence for the Peshwa (Prime Minister of the King). It is a heavily fortified building complex with nine bastions and five gateways. The 21 ft tall main entrance of the complex faces North i.e. towards Delhi and hence is named as the Delhi Darwaja (Gate). Many additions were made to the original plan of the palace since its construction.
In the final phase, the palace was a seven-storied building with four large and many smaller courtyards (chauk). The palace consisted of exquisite fountains and numerous gardens. But the most noteworthy is the sixteen petal lotus shaped fountain called the Hazaari Kaaranja (fountain of a thousand jets). The complex was taken over by the British when they defeated the Peshwas in the Battle of Khadaki in 1818. In 1828 most of the buildings were destroyed in a devastating fire. What remains today are only the plinth and the surrounding walls telling the visitor the story of the glory that Shaniwarwada experienced once upon a time.
Today the palace stands in the heart of the city and the area around it has been developed in such a way that programmes can be organized in the courtyard of this magnificent fort palace and people can enjoy them. A huge statue of Peshwa Bajirao I is also erected in the courtyard. There is a small shop ‘Warsaa’ in the campus which sells traditional hand made goods, books and souvenirs. The Pune Municipal Corporation has started a sound and light show in an open air auditorium in the palace grounds of Shaniwar Wada. The show is held both in English and Marathi.
