Shikhar Shingnapur, Satara, Maharashtra
Submitted by HG on June 30, 2008 - 3:09pm.
A fair bit of crowd at Shikhar Shingnapur
1897 photo of Shikhar Shingnapur
(c) British Library Board
Old mausoleums at Shikhar Shingnapur
View overlooking the valley
Sep 2007
We took a day trip from Pune to Shingnapur to visit the Mahadev temple and seek blessings for my brother’s upcoming marriage. Leaving Pune via Sasvad, we reached the town of Lonand. After that, I don’t really recall the roads we took to the temple. For quite a while, we were on a kuccha road going through some really pretty countryside. At times, I wondered if we were lost, but my father knows quite a bit of this countryside and eventually we met up with the paved road that leads to the top of the hill where the temple is situated.
A bit of history on the temple - the current Mahadev temple was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There probably was a temple prior to the current one, so this is a very ancient sacred spot. The Portuguese have also contributed to the temple (unwillingly, I would say) – the temple bells are from some Portuguese church, most likely the outcome of a victorious Maratha campaign. Bells at Bhimashankar, Jejuri and Naroshankar are also of Portuguese origin – looks like they were good bell makers 
.
. It is one of life’s experiences to appreciate beautiful places and sights, and we just love visiting old temples. There is something different about them - it is like being in the presence of a comforting, higher power. You don't have to religious to experience it. My little quirk is that I love to run my hands over the old temple stones and wonder how it must have been in the old times. To me, it is like making some sort of connection with a time gone by. I also prefer to visit old temples in the off-season (i.e. not during festivals). You can take your time to just look around and enjoy their quiet beauty without being caught up in the crowds. During festivals, one can only get a hurried darshan (view) of the Gods before being pushed out by over zealous security guards, which is quite unsatisfying.
This Mahadev temple is really nice. Even though the ‘shikhar’ has been painted with bright colors and the surroundings are somewhat developed, it is quite obvious that this temple is a nice, old, special place.
A fair bit of crowd at Shikhar Shingnapur
There was a fair bit of crowd when we visited in September. My father, being his inimitable self, went ahead and got the security guard to allow him inside the courtyard. After about 5 minutes, he came back with another person. It turned out that this person – Kamlakar Badve - was our family’s pujari (priest) for this deity. The Badves are the traditional pujaris of this Mahadev temple and my father was pleasantly surprised to run into him inside. Of course, this sped up the whole process and we were able to do the puja and offer the lagna patrika (marriage invitation) to the deity shortly thereafter. Afterwards, Mr. Badve told us some anecdotes about how his father used to travel to our village to do puja at my father’s house.
1897 photo of Shikhar Shingnapur
(c) British Library Board
A few months later, while looking at some old photos of India on the web, I came across the above photo. It’s taken from almost the same angle as the one above it – only this one was taken more than 100 years ago – in 1897! You can see how the surroundings have changed with the passage of time. The well (seen to the right of the entrance) has been replaced by the small houses. Other encroachments have also come up around the temple walls. The photo was a lovely find indeed.
Old mausoleums at Shikhar Shingnapur
Judging by the distance, the 1897 photo must have been taken from the old structure seen in the above photo. Per the Satara Gazetteer, this structure contains the mausoleums of Sambhaji, Shahaji, and, Shivaji and Hirabai of Kolhapur. Not sure how true that is. Notice how the saplings of 1897 have grown into the trees of of today.
We spent some time walking around the old mausoleums. That end of the ridge commands a good view of the surrounding countryside.
View overlooking the valley
View looking the other way
Another valley view
After a short rest at the Government rest house, we headed back to Pune. We were able to get directions for a good road all the way back and were home well in time for dinner. I have a feeling that this won't be the last time I visit this lovely temple.
shikhar shignapur
Its good temple of lord shiva also nice place
Regards
Vithal Barsole
Shiva temple
It,s very nice , this is my kuldaivat. This place is very attractive & one thing guptling is very nice .
shikhar shignapur
Its good temple of lord shiva also nice place
Regards
Vithal Barsole
shikhar shignapur
Its good temple of lord shiva also nice place
Regards
Vithal Barsole
wrong information
its built by Shinganraje and not by Chatrapati Shivajiraje
Dude Please mention the time
Dude Please mention the time u took to reach at temple.Also mention the kms u traveled to reach temple..With this information you will help others..
downseekz.com
unfortunately, I dont know
unfortunately, I dont know that...else I would have posted the details.
Please add some details..
please add details like mode to reach there,like story about that temple 4 what it is famouse,time require to reach there,specific distance from pune,solapur,or satara..
Hi
Hello,
I am doing little write up for my project and got hit to your link. Really nice details and feel.
I wonder if you could provide me reference to old photo's and any old (1897) information for this temple. I would be also interested in any other (particularly Kashi) such old information you have.
Email me at prashant@ratnachhaya.com.
I know this is trouble but would really appreciate your kind help and time.
Prashant
prashant, Sorry, I've been
prashant,
Sorry, I've been away from this site for a while. Check out the below link - http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/index.html
all the best with your project!
Advise
Dude Please mention the time u took to reach at temple.Also mention the kms u traveled to reach temple..With this information you will help others... If u r not mentioning it then ur given information is totally waste
post-monsoon time is a great
post-monsoon time is a great time to be outdoors! and a nice historical touch to this report.
nice find on the old photo!
nice find on the old photo!
it looks like a nice place
it looks like a nice place