WAI- The City of Temples
Wai, a fascinating town with massive
tangible and intangible inheritance is a place of immense beauty that starts
here and lasts to go on forever. It is located in the Indian state of
Maharashtra and well known by the name of Dakshin Kashi (which stands for City
of Temples) due to its architectural heritage of more than 100 temples and is
placed 228 kms from the city of dreams, Mumbai. Like Banaras is popular for its
Ghats on the banks of river Ganga, similarly Wai is famous for its Ghats on the
banks of river Krishna. Temples built in Hemadpanti architectural style are
located near these seven divine ghats created by Sardar Raste namely,
Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh Aali and
Bhimkund Aali.
It
has a pristine view which has been a shooting spot for many bollywood
blockbusters of recent times such as Swadesh, Dabbang, Chennai Express, Prakash
Jha directed Gangaajal and several others. More than 300 Bollywood and Marathi
films have been pictured in Wai .i.e. surrounded by the Western Ghats.
It has a rich cultural heritage as many
festivals are celebrated here every year in an ancient traditional manner.
Krishnabai Utsav is the prime festival in Wai, commenced at Ramdoh Ali in 1659
and is celebrated on each ghat for four to eight days. Another two-day Jatra
festival entices people from all over Maharashtra.
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| Maha Ganpati temple at Wai |
Maha Ganpati Temple, also acknowledged as
Dholya Ganpati on the Ganpati Aali ghat was built in 1762 by Shri Ganpatrao
Bhikaji Raste is the most distinguished of all temples in Wai. This temple is
popular for its architecture and grandeur.
Wai, close to Satara and on the way to
Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful place confined in the incense of glorious past.
The dome of temples, extensive halls, exquisitely carved sculptors gracefully
adorn Wai. According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the old name of Wai is
Viratnagari, where the exiled Pandavas resided. During the times of Peshwas,
Wai was a prominent place. Peshwas created many temples here which reflect the
creativity of skilled artisans.
Wai is well known for intellect
scholar-philosopher Lakshman Shastri Joshi who developed online Marathi
encyclopedia, a government funded project. It commenced in 1960 and continues
to publish volumes even after Shri Joshi’s demise.
Wai is blessed with an adoring touch of
art which showcases a magnificent picture of our golden history.
- Lohare Palpeshwar caves have strong remnants of Buddhism culture.
- Kashi- Wishweshwar is an ancient temple that reminds us of fortunes in the epoch of Peshwas due its artistic statues tucked in the corners of the domes and finest architecture.
- Another temple is Siddheshwar temple, well known for grant of all wishes and has a unique statue of Goddess Parvati where Ganesha and Kartikeya are on either side at her feet.
- Another rich creation is of four temples near the Brahmanshahi ghat: Chakreshwar, Chinmeshwar, Kaunteshwar/ Harihareshwar and Kaleshwar.
- A pioneering project to generate electricity by converting cow dung to bio gas is also started in Wai by 110-year-old Goshala, also noted as Goverdhan Sanstha.
Last in the nutshell, Wai is a cultural
centre which attracts people from all over the world and intellectual scholars
to conduct researches on the rich and varied heritage. It is a wonderful place
to explore in your lifetime which is besieged in the aroma of historical times .
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