Pune: Shaniwarwada Turns 289 Years Old

Pune, January 22, 2021: Pune’s heritage and Peshwa dynasty pride Shaniwarwada turned 289 years old today. To observe this day, Thorle Bajirao Pratishthan opened the ‘Delhi Darwaza’ (Delhi Door). This door is otherwise closed for public.

But on Friday, it was open for two hours. The visitors had to enter through the small opening on this door, but on Friday it was a treat for the visitors to see the opening of this door.

The seat of power of the Maratha empire, Shaniwarwada was ready on January 22, 1732. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Wada was performed in the year 1730 and within two years it was ready. Since the Vastu puja of the Wada was done on Saturday, it was named as ‘Shaniwarwada’, by Bajirao Peshwa.

Shaniwarwada which was the seat of power for Marathas has been witness to its 100 glorious years of Peshwas. It was a seven storeyed building made up of stones and bricks. British Artillery attacked the Wada destroying its six floors leaving only the ground floor.

Similarly, on February 27, 1828, a great fire broke out in the palace which raged for seven days. The entire wooden carvings and other things burnt leaving the granite ramparts, strong teak gateways and deep foundations.

The Wada which sustained through the centuries also had many dark secrets among the popular one was the murder of Narayanrao in 1773 by the guards on the alleged orders by his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai.