Pune: Holkar Chhatri in Khadki Declared a State-Protected Monument

Khadki, 16th December 2024: In a significant decision following the recent cabinet expansion, the Maharashtra state government has granted the Holkar Chhatri in Pune the status of a state-protected monument. The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department has issued a government resolution formalizing the designation, marking an important step in preserving the city’s heritage.

The Holkar Chhatri, situated on the banks of the Mula River near the Holkar bridge in the Khadki Cantonment Board area, is a historical site linked to the Maratha Empire. The property, which includes two chhatris (cenotaphs) of the Holkar family and a Mahadev temple, belongs to the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charities Trust, Indore. This fortified structure, along with the spire of the Shiva temple, reflects the architectural style of the 18th-century Maratha era.

According to the government resolution, the process for granting protected status to the Holkar Chhatri and the Mahadev temple has been completed. A draft notification has been prepared in both English and Marathi, and it will soon be published in the official Gazette (Part 4). Additionally, the Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums has been instructed to display a copy of the notification prominently near the monument.

The Holkar Chhatri is located close to the iconic Holkar Bridge, with a stone ghat built along the riverbank adjacent to the site. This monument is an architectural testament to the cultural and historical significance of the Holkar dynasty, one of the prominent families of the Maratha Empire.