<![CDATA[Mandar's]]> https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/ EN Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:26:00 +0000 Incomedia WebSite X5 Pro <![CDATA[कोकण आणि मी]]> imblog
www.sagarsawali.com
गेल्या आठवड्यात मी सागर सावलीची नवी वेबसाईट सुरु केली. हे काम २००९ पासून माझ्याकडे आहे. कालानुरूप नवे तंत्रज्ञान आणि या क्षेत्रात उपलब्ध असलेल्या कित्येक गोष्टी अजूनही माझ्यासाठी नवीन 'still learning' आणि 'trying to understand' वगैरे असल्यामुळं वेबसाईट वरील एका फॉर्म चे मेल माझ्या ई-मेल ला येतात. मग मी ते सागर सावलीच्या संबंधित हॉटेल ला पाठवून देतो. आता सगळंच सुरळीतपणे होतंय याची खात्री झाल्यामुळे हा प्रकार या आठवड्यात थांबेल. त्यांचे सर्व ई-मेल संबंधित हॉटेलला परस्पर जातील.

हे करताना मला सहजच १२-१३ वर्षांपूर्वीचा काळ आठवला. त्या काळी दापोली मध्ये इंटरनेट उपलब्ध नव्हतंच. सागर सावलीच्या वेबसाईट वरून आलेले सर्व ई-मेल इथे कोल्हापुरात बसून मी पाहात असे. तेव्हा NetONE हे भारत संचार निगमचं शब्दशः रांगणारं इंटरनेट वापरायचो मी. 1 mb ची फाईल download करायला ३ तास वगैरे लागायचे. त्या काळात आलेल्या सर्व इमेल ची व्यवस्थित टिप्पणी ठेऊन त्यांना फोन करून सांगत असे. हा फोन सुद्धा कित्येक वेळा लागत नसायचा. कित्येक वेळा म्हणजे २-२, ३-३ आठवडे फोन बंदच.

ज्या कामात वर्षभरातील फायदा १८००-२००० रुपये व्हायचा त्या कामासाठी मी ३-४ हजार रुपये खर्च करून महिन्यातून २-३ वेळा कोकणात जायचो. एकंदर सगळं आतबट्ट्यातच असायचं. Professionalism वगैरे मला कधी जमलाच नाही. पण एक गोष्ट मात्र नक्की; व्यवसायातील एकही महायुद्ध मी जिंकलेलं नसलं, तरी छोट्या-मोठ्या लढाया खूप जिंकल्या आहेत. महत्वाचं म्हणजे अतोनात प्रेम करणारी माणसं मिळवली आहेत. नारळाच्या करवंटीसारख्या टणक माणसांच्या मनात भरलेल्या शहाळ्यांचा गोडवा अगणित वेळा चाखला आहे. मला हे सांगायला अभिमान वाटतो की माझ्या या धावपळीची, धडपडीची दखल सर्वानीच  घेतली आहे.

म्हणतात ना, आंधळ्याच्या गाई देव राखतो. तशी अवस्था होती माझी. कदाचित आज सुद्धा मी तसाच आहे. त्यामुळं पाठीशी उभी राहणारी, वेळेला आधार देणारी, मी पडू नये, बुडू नये म्हणून बोट घट्ट पकडून ठेवणारी माणसं मला लाभली हे माझं भाग्यच.

आजवरच्या अनेक टप्यांवर टक्के-टोणपे खात मी उभा आहे याचं कारण भगवंतानं माझ्या अवती-भवती पेरलेली माणसं. माझी पक्की खात्री आहे की या सगळ्यांच्या माध्यमातून भगवंत स्वतःच माझ्यावर बारकाईनं लक्ष ठेऊन आहे.
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मंदार
www.mandarvaidya.com
]]> Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:26:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?कोकण_आणि_मी https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000015 <![CDATA[जमशेदपूरच्या टाटा स्टील प्लांट मध्ये स्फोट ]]> imblog
जमशेदपूरच्या टाटा स्टील प्लांट मध्ये स्फोट होऊन ३ जण जखमी झाले आहेत.  आज सकाळी १०:२० च्या सुमारास हा स्फोट झाला. टाटा स्टील व्यवस्थापनाच्या समन्वयाने जिल्हा प्रशासन जखमींवर योग्य उपचार व्हावेत यासाठी प्रयत्नशील आहेत. झारखंडचे मुख्यमंत्री हेमंत सोरेन यांनी अपघातात जखमी झालेल्या लोकांची माहिती घेतली असून त्यांना उपचारासाठी रुग्णालयात दाखल करण्यात आले आहे.

टाटा स्टील चा जागतिक दर्जाचा हा प्लांट असून याची सुरुवात २६ ऑगस्ट १९०७ रोजी झाली. २८ फेब्रुवारी १९०८ रोजी येथे खाणकामाला सुरुवात झाली. आशिया खंडातील हा पहिला स्टील उत्पादन प्रकल्प असून देशातील सातत्याने १०० वर्षांपेक्षा जास्ती काळ उत्पादन देणारा एकमेव प्लांट आहे.

भारतातील खाणकाम आणि जमशेदपूरमधील टाटाच्या इतिहासाबद्दल विस्तृतपणे पुन्हा केव्हातरी मी नक्की लिहीन. तूर्तास आजच्या स्फोटात जखमी झालेल्याना लवकर आराम मिळो या सदिच्छा व्यक्त करू.

]]> Sat, 07 May 2022 16:26:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?tata_steel https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000014 <![CDATA[खाल्या मिठाला जागणारा पत्रकार : पवन जैस्वाल.]]> imblog
"सरकारी यंत्रणा जोपर्यंत त्याबद्दल बोलत नाहीत तोपर्यंत सत्य लिहू नका" असं ठणकावून सांगून देखील मुलांना शालेय पोषण आहारात 'मीठ आणि रोटी दिली जातीये' हे सत्य जगासमोर मांडणारा पत्रकार; पवन जैस्वाल नुकताच कर्करोगानं मृत्युमुखी पडला.

जळजळीत सत्य समाजासमोर ठेवणाऱ्या या पत्रकारावर त्यानंतर अनेक गुन्हे दाखल करण्यात आले. त्याचं पुरेपूर मानसिक खच्चीकरण करण्यात आलं. याच दरम्यान आजाराला सामोरा जात असताना त्याला कर्करोगानं गाठलं आणि या सत्यवादी, लढवैय्या पत्रकाराचा मृत्यू झाला.

आमचे हात बांधलेले होते असं निर्लज्जपणे सांगून, पत्रकारितेतील अनेकविध पुरस्कार घेऊन, गलेलठ्ठ माया जमवून ताठ मानेने समाजासमोर येणारे अनेक पत्रकार आपण आपल्या आजूबाजूलाच नव्हे तर संपूर्ण देशभर पाहतोय. आज डळमळीत होणाऱ्या लोकशाहीच्या चौथ्या खांबाला सावरू पाहणारे, अन्यायाच्या विरोधात जाणारे पवन जैस्वाल सारखे पत्रकार आहेत म्हणून देशात अजून देखील सर्वसामान्यांचा बातमीपत्रांवर विश्वास टिकून आहे.

निधड्या छातीच्या या पत्रकाराला किमान आपण आदरांजली तर देऊया.  

संबंधित बातम्या इथे पहा :
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mid-day-meal-video-returns-to-bite-uttar-pradesh-journalist-pawan-jaiswal/cid/1702302

https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttar-pradesh/mirzapur/journalist-pawan-jaiswal-who-lost-the-battle-of-life-was-suffering-from-cancer/articleshow/91337211.cms
]]> Fri, 06 May 2022 11:56:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?pawanjaiswal https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000013 <![CDATA[आता FASTAG बंद होणार. ]]> imblog
घ्या... नवीन बातमी. आता ही बातमी आनंददायी आहे का त्रासदायक आहे ते येणारा काळच ठरवेल. काही काळापूर्वी सुरु झाले आणि आज देखील सुरळीतरित्या सुरु नसलेली FASTAG टोल कार्यप्रणाली बंद होण्याची शक्यता रस्ते आणि महामार्ग वाहतूक मंत्री श्री. नितीन गडकरी यांनी वर्तवली आहे.

नवीन पद्धतीत टोल वसुली ही एखाद्या वाहनाने टोल देय असलेल्या महामार्गावरून किती अंतर प्रवास केला त्या प्रमाणात GPS द्वारे मोजणी करून टोल आकारणी करण्यात येणार आहे. आज पर्यंत ही टोल आकारणी दोन टोल नाक्यांदरम्यान करण्यात येते. या पद्धतीमध्ये कमी अंतर प्रवास करून देखील जास्ती रक्कम टोल पोटी भरावी लागते.

@nitin_gadkari
@NHAI_Official

FASTAG
FASTAG India
FASTAG Toll
NHAI
]]> Wed, 04 May 2022 08:11:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?gps_toll https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000012 <![CDATA[Ladies hostels in Kolhapur]]> imblog G]]> Sat, 04 Dec 2021 15:12:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?ladies-hostels-in-kolhapur https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000011 <![CDATA[Global wellness Day]]> imblog
Wellness & well being both walks hand in hand.
 
This day is about your wellness. This day is to ponder in your ‘self’ and check your physical & mental wellness. Apart from these two, social, intellectual & spiritual wellness is also an integral part of one’s life.
 
To take care of our physical wellness we prefer healthy diet, we attend timely sleep and we perform exercises as well. For the most of the times physical wellness is in our control. But in case of mental wellness, due to the involvement of many other things, this is not in our control. But the best part is we can master this technique with a proper guidance of an honorable teacher or teachers. A guided meditation surely helps to obtain utmost mental wellness.
 
We must maintain proper behavior & healthy relations for social wellness. This can be obtained by observing the other humble and successful people and practicing accordingly.
 
Intellectual wellness comes only by learning new things at every turn in your life. Your happiness & satisfaction causes more wellness of this type.
 
Broadly, for a common man, spiritual wellness is an outcome of how you treat an annoying person in your life. But if we think on the other hand, spirituality is endless. It also believes in your past birth & rebirth.
 
As on today, Wellness indicates your physical well being. Beauty salon, spa, skin & hair treatment center they all moves around physical wellness.
 
Now days, to maintain wellness forever a huge cosmetic industry exists all over the globe. Many national & international brands keep on penetrating their advertisements on every possible media. Right from newspaper & print magazines, from hoardings to kiosks, from social media to radio ads; they exist every time… everywhere.
 
My experience with two local brands in this industry is quiet satisfactory. I worked for AMOGHA Skin Sense (owned by Dr. Vrushali Shinde) from Kolhapur and WISTERIA Skin Care (owned by Dr. Ashwini Wagaj) from Pune.
 

Contact details :
 
AMOGHA Skin Sense, Kolhapur :
 
Website - http://www.amoghaskinsense.com/
 
Phone – 9423042929
 
WISTERIA Skin Care, Pune :
 
URL - JUST DIAL profile
Phone - 9860245256

Header image : https://www.globalwellnessday.org/
]]> Fri, 11 Jun 2021 14:11:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?global-wellness-day https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000010 <![CDATA[परतीचा पाऊस, दाजीपूर आणि मी]]> imblog
दाजीपूर म्हणजे माझं दुसरं घरच. आता गम्मत अशी की पावसाळ्यात जंगल आत जाण्यासाठी पूर्ण बंद असतं. म्हणजे... 'मी माझ्याच घरात जायचं नाही' असा सरंजामशाही हुकूम सरकारनं जारी केलेला असतो.

पण या दाजीपूरची माझ्या फायद्याची गम्मत अशी आहे की कागदोपत्री हे जंगल जेवढ्या भूप्रदेशात पसरलेलं आहे, त्याच्या कितीतरी अधिक बफर झोन मध्ये पसरलेलं आहे. या बफर झोन मध्ये कित्येक मंदिरं, छोट्या वस्त्या आहेत. आणि या वस्त्यातले लोक माझे स्नेही आहेत. तिथं माझी जेवणाखाण्याची, राहण्याची सोय आहे. आता कायद्याचा आदर राखून जंगलात जायचं नाही अशी खूणगाठ जरी मनाशी बांधली तरी निसर्गानं तो बफर झोन केवळ माझ्यासाठीच निर्मिला असल्यामुळं मला निसर्गाचा आदर राखण्यासाठी तिथं जावंच लागतं.

मग होतं असं की पावसाळ्यात, जंगल बंद असण्याच्या काळात मी ७-८ वेळा तरी त्या बफर झोन मध्ये जाऊन येतो. म्हणजे, एखाद-दुसरा दिवस मोबाईल नाही लागला तर 'दाजीपूरला गेलायस काय रे?' असे मेसेज इनबॉक्समध्ये येऊन पडलेले दुसऱ्या दिवशी बघायला मिळतात.

तसे अनेक किस्से आहेत दाजीपूरचे आणि माझे. पण हा एकच सांगण्यासाठी सगळा प्रपंच. परतीचा पाऊस माझ्यासाठी नेहमी विलोभनीय असतो. जाता जाता तो काहीतरी नेतोय असं वाटतं आपल्याकडून. या कालावधीत 'संध्यारंग' अनुभवायचे तर आपण सोबत दाजीपूरला जायला हवं. एकदा मी एकटाच गेलो होतो. शेवटच्या एसटीनं. पोहोचतो अंधार झाला होता. हवेत गारवा होताच पण पावसाचं कुठंच निशाण नव्हतं. रात्री बापूकडं मुक्काम केला आणि सकाळी नाष्टा करून एकटाच शिवगडला जायला निघालो. साडेआठ-नऊची वेळ; अनपेक्षित उकाडा सुरु झाला होता. मला शिवगडला पोहोचायला साडे आकरा झाले. उकाड्याने अंगाची लाही लाही होत होती.

थोडं पाणी पिऊन निवांत झालो. डोळे मिटून बसलो. 'ब्रह्मानंदी टाळी' मी इथं अनेकदा अनुभवलेली आहे. या वेळी देखील तोच अनुभव. पण मनात नाराजी होती. ज्याच्या ओढीनं मी इथवर आलो तो 'माझा परतीचा पाऊस कुठं गायब झाला?' या प्रश्नानं मन व्याकुळ झालेलं. थोड्याच वेळात ही व्याकुळता संपली आणि मी ध्यानस्थ बसलो. एकदम शून्य अनुभूती. दरम्यान तासभर गेला असेल. अंगावर पावसाचे थेंब पडले आणि मी शून्यातून बाहेर आलो. दोन-तीन मिनिटातच माझं अंग, मन आणि डोळे चिंब भिजून ओले झाले.

ज्याच्या ओढीनं मी घरापासून दूर निसर्गात माझं घर वसवलं; तो परतीचा पाऊस सुद्धा माझ्या ओढीनं मला भेटायला आलेला मी पाहिला; त्याच्या येण्याची कणभर देखील शक्यता नसताना.

भेटीची आंतरिक ओढ दोन्हीकडून असावी लागते. जशी त्या पावसाची आणि माझी.

Useful links

Image credit : http://trekshitiz.com/
]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2020 17:26:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?dajipur_shivgad_fort https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/00000000F <![CDATA[शेवटी ते 'हारले'च.]]> imblog
शेवटी ते 'हारले'च.

व्यावसायिक, आर्थिक विवंचना फक्त तुम्हाला-आम्हालाच आहेत असं नाही. अमेरिका स्थित प्रसिद्ध मोटारसायकल कंपनी हारले-डेव्हिडसन यांनी आपला भारतातील संसार गुंडाळायचा ठरवला आहे. त्यांच्या जागतिक व्यापाराच्या ५% व्यापार भारतात आहे.

सन २००९ मध्ये भारतात उत्पादन आणि विक्री सुरु केलेल्या हारले-डेव्हिडसन यांनी गुरगाव मधील आपलं कार्यालय छोट्या स्तरावर सुरु ठेवण्याचा निर्णय घेतला असून ग्राहकांना सेवा देण्यास डीलर नेटवर्क कटिबद्ध असल्याचे देखील म्हंटले आहे.

हरियाणा मधील बवाल येथे असणारी फॅक्टरी पूर्णतः बंद करण्याचा देखील निर्णय घेतला आहे.

खालील नमूद केलेली सर्व मॉडेल्स भारतात विक्रीसाठी उपलब्ध आहेत.
Street 750, Street Rod, Iron 883, 1200 Custom, Forty-Eight, Roadster, Street Bob, Fat Bob, Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic, Road King, Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and CVO Unlimited.

#HarleyDavidson
#HarleyDavidsonIndia
]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2020 03:31:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?harleydavidson https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/00000000E <![CDATA[Anti Spit Movement Kolhapur]]> imblog

थुंकता तुम्ही आणि आजारी पडतो आम्ही

Anti Spit Movement Kolhapur

अनेक पर्यावरण पूरक आणि सकारात्मक सामाजिक चळवळींची जन्मभूमी म्हणजे कोल्हापूर. तीस-पस्तीस वर्षांपूर्वी मूर्तीदान आणि निर्माल्य दानाची चळवळ इथं सुरु  झाली. आणि आज ती सर्वदूर रुजली देखील आहे.

सद्विचारानं, सातत्यानं प्रबोधन करणारे संयमी कार्यकर्ते, त्यांचे विचार समजून घेणारे आणि त्यानुरूप स्वतःमध्ये बदल करणारे नागरिक यांचा एक सुंदर मिलाफ कोल्हापुरात पाहायला मिळतो.

या मिलाफातून आणखी एक चळवळ सुरु होत आहे. सार्वजनिक ठिकाणी, रस्त्यावर वगैरे थुंकण्याला आळा घालणारी चळवळ. कोरोनाच्या पार्श्वभूमीवर सार्वजनिक  ठिकाणी थुंकणे किती धोकादायक आहे हे आता वेगळे सांगायची गरज उरलेली नाही. सगळ्या जगानं ते मान्य केलं आहे. काही लोकांच्या अशा वागण्यामुळे पसरलेली रोगराई किती घातक स्वरूप धारण करू शकते ते आपण पाहतो आहोत.

चला...
सगळे जण या चळवळीमध्ये सामील होऊ !
चळवळीला दिशा देऊ !! ताकदीने ही कृती पुढे नेऊ !!!

संपर्क :
आनंद अगळगावकर - 9922335299
सरीकाताई बकरे - 9422429668

सार्वजनिक आरोग्याच्या दिशेने उचललं हे पाऊल... 'लाईक' करा, 'शेअर' करा.

https://www.facebook.com/101027455091000/posts/103266644867081/
]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2020 07:05:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?anti-spit-movement-kolhapur https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/00000000D <![CDATA[कुणकेश्वरची महाशिवरात्री यात्रा ]]> imblog

कुणकेश्वरची महाशिवरात्री यात्रा

(Mahashivratri celebrations at Kunakeshwar)

महाराष्ट्रात पंढरपूरच्या खालोखाल मोठी यात्रा जर कुठे भरत असेल तर कुणकेश्वरला. महाशिवरात्री यात्रे दरम्यान इथे ५ ते ६ लाख भाविक हजेरी लावतात. भक्तांची अलोट गर्दी, विविध वस्तूंचे स्टॉल्स, खरेदीसाठी सुरु असलेली ग्राहाकांची धडपड हा सगळा सरंजाम कधीतरी शक्य झाल्यास अनुभवावा असा असतो. ज्यांना गर्दीचा त्रास होतो त्यांनी या दरम्यान इथे येणे टाळावे.

एकदा तरी आवर्जून जावं असं कोकणातलं नितांत सुंदर आणि रम्य ठिकाण; कुणकेश्वर. इथली सुंदरता अनुभवायची असेल तर यात्रेचे दिवस सोडून इथे जाण्याचे ठरवावे. देवगड पासून २० किमी, आचरा पासून १८ किमी, मालवण पासून ३५ किमी अंतरावर वसलेले हे ठिकाण आज एक प्रमुख पर्यटन स्थळ म्हणून नावारूपाला आले आहे. सर्वच बाजूनी इथे पोहोचणारे रस्ते निसर्गरम्य परिसरातून प्रवास करतात. अगदी गाडी लावून मंदिर प्रांगणात पोहोचेपर्यंत मंदिराचे दर्शन होत नाही. परंतु एकदा का इथे पोहोचलो की तो अथांग पसरलेला समुद्र, स्वच्छ सुंदर समुद्र किनारा आपले लक्ष वेधून घेतो.

मंदिराची बांधणी, ते बांधण्या पाठीमागे असलेली आख्यायिका या सगळ्या गोष्टी प्रत्यक्षात त्या ठिकाणी जाऊनच अनुभवाव्यात अशा आहेत.



मी एकदाच यात्रेदरम्यान इथे गेलो होतो. हजारोंच्या संख्येने उभ्या असलेल्या गाड्या, कित्येक एसटी बसेस, रस्त्याच्या दुतर्फ़ा मांडलेली खेळण्याची, जीवनावश्यक वस्तूंची दुकान, अनेक खाद्यपदार्थ पुरवणारी छोटीमोठी हॉटेल्स आणि या सगळ्यांच्या मधून वाहणारा भाविकांचा लोंढा; हे एकदा बघायला ठीक आहे; पण माझ्यासारख्या निसर्ग आणि निवांतपणा आवडणाऱ्या व्यक्तीला सतत रुचणारं नाही.

राहण्या-जेवण्याची उत्कृष्ट सोय इथे उपलब्ध आहे. मस्त, चविष्ट शाकाहारी तसेच अस्सल कोकणी मांसाहारी जेवणाची लज्जत तुम्हाला इथे चाखता येईल.

या गावाशी माझी (आणि माझ्यासोबत कोल्हापुरातील अन्य मित्रांची) एक भावनिक नाळ गुंतलेली आहे. त्याबद्दल पुढच्या भागात लिहीन सविस्तर.

  

]]> Sun, 30 Aug 2020 02:46:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?kunakeshwar https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/00000000C <![CDATA[वाडा, राम मंदिर आणि रामनवमी उत्सव]]> imblog

वाडा, राम मंदिर आणि रामनवमी उत्सव

(Shri Ramnavami Utsav in Konkan)

आणि त्यांच्या सोबत कोकणात जाता जाता मला कोकण माझाच वाटू लागला. मग गेल्यावर प्रत्येक वेळी विमलेश्वर (हे मंदिर वाडा गावामध्येच आहे), कुणकेश्वर, विजयदुर्ग, तिथला रामेश्वर यांच्या दर्शनाला जाणं व्हायचं. पण या सगळ्यांपेक्षा मला विजयदुर्ग जास्त आकर्षित करायचा.



मे महिन्याच्या सुट्टीत तर आंबे, फणस, रातांबे यांची चंगळच असायची. जेवणात सोलकढी मी तिथेच पहिल्यांदा प्यालो. काय ती स्वर्गीय चव... आहा! माझं दुसऱ्या क्रमांकाचं आवडतं पेय म्हणजे सोलकढी. पहिल्या क्रमांकावर आज देखील (आणि आजन्म) कोल्हापूरचं पाणी. त्यानंतर ऊसाच्या रसाचा नंबर येतो.



असो... आपण कोकणात होतो.
एकदा श्री रामनवमीच्या उत्सवानिमित्य वाड्याला जाण्याचा योग्य आला. त्यांच्या घराजवळ श्री रामाचं मंदिर होतं. चार पाच दिवस चालणारा तो उत्सव. त्याची सगळ्या गावकऱ्यानी एकत्र येऊन केलेली जय्यत तयारी, संध्याकाळी किर्तन-प्रवचनाला बाहेर गावाहून आलेले किर्तनकार; हे सगळं माझ्यासाठी विलक्षण आनंददायी होतं. त्या रामनवमीला तीसेक वर्षे सहज झाली असतील. पण अनेक आठवणी आज देखील ताज्या आहेत.

एकदा का हे कोरोनाचं संकट टळलं की या वर्षी वाड्याला रामनवमी उत्सवाला जायचा विचार आहे.

  

@Poonam Ganoo @Prakash Ganoo @Sagar Ganoo
]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2020 02:46:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?ramnavami_utsav https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/00000000B <![CDATA[विजयदुर्गच्या सुवर्णस्मृती ]]> imblog

विजयदुर्गच्या सुवर्णस्मृती

(Golden memories of fort Vijaydurga)

कोकणाबद्दल मला अगदी लहानपणापासून खूप आकर्षण वाटत आले आहे. इतके की, पुण्याला मामाकडून कोल्हापूरला येताना स्वारगेट वर पुणे - मालवण, पुणे - देवगड गाडी दिसली की, मला त्याच गाडीने तडक कोकणात जावे, असे प्रकर्षाने वाटत असे. पुढे थोडा मोठ्ठा झाल्यावर जेव्हा जेव्हा मी पुण्याहून कोल्हापूरला येत असे; तेव्हा नेहमी कोकणातल्या गाडीने प्रवास केला आहे.

आमच्या शेजारी योगायोगाने कोकणातील एक कुटुंब रहायला आले. त्यांचं गाव वाडा, तालुका देवगड. त्यांच्याशी बोलताना तर मी अगदी कोकणातच आहे असं वाटायाचं. त्यांच्या सोबत सुट्टीत एकदा वाड्याला जाण्याचा प्रसंग आला. सात-आठ एकरात पसरलेलं त्यांचं अंगण आणि अंबा-नारळीच्या बागा पाहून मी अगदी गंमतीनं म्हणालो... आम्ही कोल्हापुरातल्या घरात राहतो म्हणजे अगदी कड्याच्या पेटीतच राहतो. एक दिवस विश्रांती झाल्यावर आम्ही गेलो कुणकेश्वरला. दुसऱ्या दिवशी विजयदुर्गला. ते वळणावळणाचे रस्ते, घाट, त्या लांबवर पसरलेल्या आंब्याच्या बागा, सगळं पहिल्यांदाच पहात होतो आणि डोळ्यात साठवत देखील होतो. काळ १९८७-८८ चा.

या प्रवासातून आमची एस. टी. एकदाची पोहोचली विजयदुर्गला. सर्वत्र पसरलेला कसला तो वास श्वासागणिक  मला त्रास देत होता. नंतर कळलं की तो वाळलेल्या माशांचा वास होता. त्या वासातून श्वास घेत घेत समोर पाहिलं तर उत्तुंग विजयदुर्ग उभा. हा मी माझ्या आयुष्यात समोरून पाहिलेला पहिला किल्ला. पन्हाळा खुपदा पहिला, पण आतून, समोरून नव्हे.

विजयदुर्ग किल्ला अरबी समुद्र आणि वाघोटणची खाडी यांच्या संगमावर बांधलेला आहे.

    

अधिक माहितीसाठी भेट द्या :
www.mandarvaidya.com
www.ambabai.com
]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2020 05:09:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?fort_vijaydurga https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000009 <![CDATA[Kolhapur... a new epicenter for food lovers]]> imblog
Almost all the food vendors in and around Kolhapur use the same recipes that have been used for generations, with hints of traditional and homemade spices. The most famous dishes are Jhunka-Kharda-Bhakari in vegetarian and Mutton Kolhapuri in non vegetarian. The rustic food has been largely unchanged over the years and it dates back to historical days.

Specialities of thick gravy based Mutton Masala, mutton sukka, mutton green, etc. grew out out of the traditions of peasant eating. These dishes are mostly prepared using homemade spices. Today the same dishes are made into fine dining meals.


Kolhapur is rich with fantastic local produce like jaggery, liquid jaggery, Bhadang (masala puffed rice), shrikhand, amrakhand, khawa, pedha, pickles, various masalas and chutneys, etc.
]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2020 06:40:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?kolhapur----a-new-epicenter-for-food-lovers https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000008 <![CDATA[Me... a website designer]]> imblog

Nature lover turned graphic & website designer.

 
Finding inspiration in nature is my hobby. You will see all my designs developed in a color scheme related to the particular job. Take an example of Hotel Pavillion in Kolhapur. This property is hidden in nature with a beautiful green ambience surrounded by flower beds maintained neatly since last 31 years. A garden of this property has been awarded numerous times so far. One will surely love to enjoy quality time with this premise. For more details; please visit www.hotelpavillion.co.in.
]]> Sat, 04 Jul 2020 06:01:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?me-a-website-designer https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000007 <![CDATA[Pawangad]]> imblog

Panhalgad’s neglected neighbor Pawangad


There is seldom a tourist who visits Kolhapur and has not heard of Panhala or for that matters goes back without a visit to the fort, though few venture a visit to the adjacent fort Pawangad built by Shivaji Maharaj.

Area wise this fort is tiny compared to Panhalgad but is strategically important from a military point of view. As per the views of Pant Amatya the great warrior in his book Adyapatra has observed that there should not be two adjacent forts in the same district and if they are then one has to be demolished by blowing it up and fortifying the remaining fort. In case demolition is impossible then this fort too has to be fortified and made invincible. For this reason alone did Chh. Shivaji, an expert in fort architecture create Pawangad originally known as Markandey. Thanks to Shivaji’s foresight, Pawangad like the important Panhalgad became a truly a safe fort.

To reach this fort situated at an altitude of 953 Mts. above sea level one can frequent state transport buses going to Panhala from the Rankala bus stand from Kolhapur. On alighting from the bus at Budhwarpeth just before Panhala one see before ones eyes the verdant and wide spread Pawangad on the left. A fair weather road next to the primary school will carry you towards the top, with nature showing off its abundance on either sides or the non-stop chirping birds keeping you company.

A glimpse of Pahangad assures that you have reached the summit further down one comes across a standing well, dug in the rock face with stone urn carved out on its ledge to store water and with steps leading down to the water level, which unfortunately now is not potable. Opposite the well is a beautiful temple made of black stone from which unfortunately the idol is missing. Beside the temple is a stone dome known as Tupachi Wihir. Where once upon time ghee was stored in this well, today it has been buried with stones. The idea behind storing ghee was to let it decomposes and then used as an antiseptic to treat the wound of soldiers. Application of this ghee on wounds created intense burning sensation but avoided turning septic and healed faster.  Apart from Pawangad only Aginkyatara and Purandar forts have the remains of such a Tupachi Wihir and Ranjan (a large earthen water-jar).

A ten minutes walk towards the east from the temple takes you to the summit of the fort where one can see a square watch Buruj tower separately constructed from the fortifying wall of the fort with an arched room. The view from the top of this solid Buruj is extremely scenic. A miniature Buruj, locally named the Chand-Suraj Buruj, next to this has a flight of stairs going up which unfortunately are covered with dense vegetation. If one were to carefully observe the forth row of this Buruj from the inside of the fort, one can perceive the images of the Sun and the moon, hence the name.

From the edge towards the western direction one can reach the other end of this fort where one comes across a similar Buruj but which unlike the other buildings of Pawangad is still intact. On the western side of the fort is a very dense forested valley, inhabited with wide life and having a beautiful lake named the Kala Talav.

A walk around the boundary takes you to a Masjid which also houses a stone plinth with a beautifully carved lotus on it. Just beyond one comes upon the ruins of the main door leading to the fort which was destroyed by the British. In the recess of the side walls is the ancient cave of Markandey Rushi. The area also has a couple of ancient decommissioned cannon buried with their mouths in the ground.

There is a recently constructed water tank near the settlement on this fort. Due to the Muslim settlement of the Mujawars’ on the fort, the central part of the fort is lively.  From here leads a fair weather road to Pahalgad with a small Madadeo temple on the right side. On the doorway of this temple one finds the remnants of an intricately carved Hanuman idol crushing a demon under his foot.

The road further down leads to another small temple with a missing idol but the walls of which have been plastered with designed tiles like those found in Masjids, in an effort to convert the shrine. This temple is slightly off this road. Retracing your steps back towards the main thorough fare and continuing ahead one comes to upon a flight of steps leading to a small temple with a small Deepmal in the foreground as well as a defaced Ganesh idol and a Shivling lying outside which may perhaps belonged to the other temples of the fort. The fare weather road eventually leads to the ruins of the main door facing Panhalgad, thus completing a full circle of the fort. From here the road bifurcates, one leading to Pahangad via Redeghati, while the other one going down to Budhwarpeth.

Although it is believed that Pawangad was one amongst the fifteen forts built by Bhojraj II, history proves that the fort came into existence after Chh. Shivaji conquered this fort for the second time in 1673 A.D. mention of which is found in one of the documents dating back to the reign of Tarabai. Another such document in Modi script found with one of the Yadav clan finds mention of the same. Pawangad came to be built under the direct supervision of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. Impressed by the quality and solid construction of the fort, Shivaji Maharj bestowed upon the builders Hiroji Farjand and Arjoji Yadav a gift of five thousand Hones (Currency introduced by Chh. Shivaji Maharaj) each.

When Aurangzeb the Moghul emperor seized Panhala and Pawangad, one of the Maratha Killedars, Sarjerao Ghatge kept harassing the Moghuls and created such a havoc that at one point, after a well organized mass slaughter all the beheaded heads were prominently displayed on the Buruj. Impressed by his valor Aurangzeb presented him with lavish gifts which this self respecting maratha worrier rejected. Ultimately Aurangzeb succeeded in conquering Pawangad and changed its name to Rasoolgad. Later when the British conquered Panhalgad in 1844 all its residents took refuge on Pawangad and tried to defend it but in vain. The British razed to the ground many of its buildings and demolished the two entrances to this fort.

Unlike the overpopulated, cacophonic atmosphere of Panhala, Pawangad is the epitome of tranquility, surrounded by verdant forest. Evergreen Panhala bound by fog is an ethereal experience which is only offered from Pawangad.

Thank you Ms. Sonal & Mr. Kumar Deshpande for translating it in English for me. You did it in 2008.

For more information about Kolhapur tourism, please visit to www.ambabai.com
]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2020 08:14:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?pawangad https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000006 <![CDATA[Panhala]]> imblog

Panhala, honoured by its magnificent history

Panhalgad holds a place of honour in the glorious history of the splendid Maratha Raj. Situated on the Sahayadri ranges on one of its junctures leading to the Konkan, at an altitude of 953 mts. above sea level, the fort held importance as a working capital for all the dynasties that managed to conquer it, owing to its solid construction and the dense forest surrounding it. No history, whether of the Sheelahar, Yadav, Bahamani, Adilshahi, Marathas or the Moghul rule would be complete without the mention of Panhalgad. So splendid was the history of this impregnable fort, that when Shivaji the Great finally captured and entered it at nightfall, he insisted upon seeing the splendor of this fort in torchlight. What better way to explore Panhalgad, immersed in history as ancient as the penance of Parasher  Muni and the Buddhist monks to the patriotic vigor of Shivaji, unmatched deeds of Sambhaji and the able administration of Tararani than through this site. One has to pass through Kolhapur, well connected by land and air from Mumbai to reach Panhalgad, a 45 minute drive by frequent state transport buses plying from the Rankala bus stand.  It is advisable to alight the bus at the check post so as to see the ruins of the Char Darwaza, the four entrance gates to the fort. On the left side of the road, just below the tarmac is the original Raj Rasta, the royal path leading to the fort. A small pathway leads down from the fort to the Samadhi, a memorial of the brave Shiva Kashid, whose statue is seen just inside the ruins of the Char Darwaza. The statue has been sculpted by the late Ravindra Mistry, a famous sculptor from Kolhapur and has been put up by the Veer Shiva Kashid Samiti.  At the entrance of the fort are the remnants of a buruj, (a watch tower) inside which one finds some remains of the third door to the fort which was broken down in 1844 A.D. during the British Raj. Very few know the existence of the tiny fourth door to the fort which lies above the third one.  Behind the check post is the revered Sadhoba Darga with the Parasher Tirth (tank) beside it.

A tar road left of this water tank leads to the Harihareshwar temple which basically leads to two squat temples with a Shivling and an idol of Lord Vishnu carved in black stone with the beautiful Lord Ganesh residing within a niche.  Adjacent to the temple runs a brook named Nagzari, rich in iron content , the  medicinal water of which is even now used by locals to cure various maladies. An inscription next to the temple reveals that the Nagzari was created during the reign of Ibrahim Adilshah by Dawood Aka.  There is a mention of this brook as a divine pilgrimage in the olden Karveer scriptures which explains how the brook got its name from the ancient lineage of the snake people.

A footpath left of the Nagzari leads to a flight of stairs, on top of which hidden by foliage is the temple of Vitthal Rukmai. The kalash and the memorial stones around it are worth seeing. On either sides of the temple are two memorial stones, so situated that one can observe the footprints of both these memorial stones standing in the temple. Naturally, the temple walls are hollow, hence this possibility.  A path further down leads to the ancient laterite cave of Parasher muni with five rooms, one leading to the next, the last one having a stone slab for meditation used by the muni to attained enlightenment.

A bunglow opposite the site once belonged to Bhalji Pendharkar and now is owned by the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar.  The road further down leads to Kali Buruj which was an effective watch tower of the eastern side of Panhala and Pawangad and which is accessible only by a flight of stairs. On climbing the buruj, one can even now see the circular indentations made to rotate cannons.  The road further leads past the Kolhapur Radio Station to the Naagfani Darwaza, called so due to the hooded cobra images carved on either sides of the archway to the door. It was very easy to bombard Panhalgad with cannons from Pawangad which made this side of the fort very weak and hence special care was taken to strengthen this side by building a re-enforcement wall, an underground pathway leads to the base from this very boundary wall.

A cement seat built at the mouth of the underground pathway is the only means of identification. This became an emergency exit, a similar one found at Vishalgad, too. Thus, the Kali Buruj area basically is significant from the angle of warfare. Retracing the way back past Lata Mangeshkar’s bunglow, down the tar road, one comes across a doorway in the wall on the left side which is a must stop to experience the fierce winds blowing off the valley.

The road continues down to the Andhar Baav, the darkened step-well. This is a three storeyed architecture in black stone, the lowest being the well with steps leading down to it while the upper two being spacious rooms with a hidden doorway that led a way out of the fort. There are separate steps from outside, leading to the upper floors of the Andhar Vaav, also known as Shreenagar, where one finds beautifully carved lotuses on the upper curves of the archways. This is a unique architecture wherein one finds plenty of water-supply, emergency hidden exits and living quarters, all rolled into one. The road continues down to the Teen Darwaza, on the right of which one finds the memorial of Shiv Bhakt Bhalji Pendharkar.

There is a tiny Hanuman Temple on the left side of the Teen Darwaza dating back to the Shivaji raj. On entering the Teen Darwaaza with highly carved peocock motifs on its arches, one comes upon an inner courtyard where a long, long time ago in 1673, Shivaji the Great was welcomed into the fort with Dattajipant Waknis and Kondaji Farjand showering gold flowers over him. The courtyard, with its beautiful carvings and magnificent doorways takes you back into the pages of history. The first door, also known as the Konkani Darwaaza leads a way down into the valley with Hanumaan Shilp and Mahadev Appa being two water sources enroute. On entering the courtyard through the Konkani Darwaaza, one finds an underground water cistern named Vishnu Tirth with perennial water supply throughout the year. The only other fort to have such a cistern apart from Panhalgad is the Rohlda Fort.

The neighbouring Gopal Baug is nature lover’s paradise with rare trees and bird life; the samadhis of Daulatrao and Vishwasrao Gaikwad who were sardars during the Chhatrapati’s reign in Karveer are situated in one corner of this beautiful garden. There is a beautifully constructed well in this area. The verdant forest found here is enough to make you forget today’s world. Out of this garden on the left side of the Teen Darwaaza one gets a glimpse of a masjid which was once upon a time used as an ammunition store.

Following the road from Teen Darwaaza to the main entry of the fort, one comes across the majestic statue of Bajiprabhu Deshpande, undoubtedly the crowning glory of Panhalgad who sacrificed his life for swaraj. The statue was made by the famous sculptor, late Ravindra Mistry. Following the road behind this statue, one comes upon the Pusati Buruj, a small pathway adjoining the broken Nandi leading to the Masai Pathara, an elevated tableland. As the elevated part of this tableland was so close to the buruj, subsequently another buruj was built next to the Pusati Buruj with a deep pit between the two thus making this a very strong watch tower which one can climb only through narrow steps on one side. This watch tower situated on the western side of Panhala offers spectacular sunsets and one can enjoy them sitting on the ancient stone seats on top. Climbing down the tower and following the road to the left leads to the Raj dindi which has only its two watch towers left, minus the doors. The hidden exit of the Raj dindi was used by Shivaji Maharaj when he escaped to Vishalgad during the siege of Siddhi Johar. The road left of the Raj dindi leads to the dual faced watch tower, the Dutondi Buruj, called so as it has stairs going up and down on either sides. At a little distance from here is the Daulati Buruj. From the Dutondi Buruj, one ends up straight to the Tabak Udyaan.

One of the most popular tourist spots, The Tabak udyaan can be reached up and down a long flight of steps, through the solid Waagh Darwaaza with beautifully carved Lord Ganesh nestling on the top. The forest department has made a model of Panhala on the left side which keeps many a young one interested.  Giant trees with their botanical name plates on them adore this garden where people can relax with their picnic hampers before retracing their steps to the main road and following it to the left that eventually leads to the Sajja Kothi.

Built during the reign of Ibrahim Adilshah, this architecture was known as Sadar-e-mahal and has stood mute testimony to the heartwarming meeting between the great Maratha King Shivaji with his son Sambhaji, fondly called Shambhuraje, on their escape from the clutches of Aurangzeb the Moghul emperor. It was from this very building that Shivaji the Great set out towards Vishalgad to escape from the siege laid by Siddhi Johar the Adlishahi nobleman. Shambhuraje used to manage the administration of Panhala district from this very building. From here one can go straight down to Bajiprabhu Buruj but as the steps leading to this buruj are broken one does need to be a bit adventurous to reach the top. But once there, the view of the surrounding landscape and the dish shaped evergreen garden below called Tabak Udyan so named, as it is shaped like a dish, is breathe taking.  As you return from this buruj towards Tabak Udyan, a small pathway on the left off the tarmac road leads down to village Apti. If you walk a distance of five minutes on this path there is another left turn which brings you to the contramure of the fort with a secret doorway but which is completely destroyed today. This outer wall was used as a vantage point for the eastern boundary of the fort. There is a big face carved in this outer wall named Patkoti Mhasoba. One must not miss seeing this excellent carving if you visit the fort.

From here you come back towards Tabak Udyan and take the pathway leading down towards the municipal building which lies in the square below. While climbing down you will come across a Shiv mandir nestled amongst the trees. This temple has two horses carved on either side of its entrance. Further down, in front of Rani Tarabai’s palace, is a temple built by His Highness Shahu Maharaj in memory of the great Shivaji Maharaj with a marble statue of Shivaji astride a horse.  Shahu Maharaj, a devote follower of Shivaji the Great, whenever camping at Panhala never missed paying homage to his great ancestor at this site. Queen Tararani’s palace is run as a school today behind which is a hostel for children of soldiers. Inside this hostel is the worship chamber of Queen Tararani and a must see therein is a square stone depicting the footprints of the ancestors of the royal family along with carvings of weapons such as swords, spears and cannons.

There is an open ground here named Aagad, which was converted as Saath Mari, a site for elephtant fights, by H. H. Shahu Maharaj.  You will notice some evidence of this site in the ruins lying around. On the right, in the sheet rock, you will find ancient caves which in later periods were used to hide the players who fought the elephants in the Saath Mari sport. In the municipal building, you will come across an old Maruti Temple. After seeing this area when you start waking down the road on the right you will come across a garden which was originally named Sandhya Baug but which is now the Nehru Udayaan. From here you will reach the Ambabai temple built in the reign of Raja Bhojraj II, and its idol has some resemblance to the Ambabai idol in the Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur. Adjacent to this temple is the Brahmeshwar Mahadeo Temple. After seeing these temples you climb up from the road to the left and reach Bale Killa. This small fort is built in solid laterite and had a moat, now filled up, running all around it which made it a very secure place on the fort. As you enter this Killa through the recently constructed irongate, the left side in the wall has a niche with a small carving. From whatever original documentary evidence available in the custody of the late M. G. Gulavni, in 1770 A.D. one Sakhubai Telini is supposed to have been buried live in one of the buruj( castle nut) of Bale Killa to help fill it up. After seeing this strange memorial you come to the Ambarkhana, a group of storage buildings used for storing essential commodities. The construction of these buildings is truly on a grand scale and the support pillars are equi-distant and in a straight line. The symmetry and the beautifully carved windows on the entrance of the main storage house are worth seeing. The other two buildings in this complex were used to store grains in corn bins and a popular misconception is that the air vents on the top were holes to pour grains into these store houses.

There is a Mahadeo Temple nearby with a famous belief which goes with. It is said that the arrow on the Mahadeo pind changes colour on being touched. The road across the temple near the Bale Killa leads to the Huzur galli where you come upon the entrance door to the Killa with Ganesh and Hanuman idols carved on its either sides. Huzur galli leads to the state transport depot with golden champa trees blooming on either side, lending a heavenly scented air behind. Kavivarya Moropant Library with handwritten letters by the great poet is situated near the bus-stand. The Ram Temple opposite the stand has been built by Ramchandra Pant Amatya with the Karpoor Vaav next to it from which Shivaji the Great drank water when he entered this fort. At the left corner of the bus-stand, in the Vitthal mandir, one finds some rare collections of artifacts by late Mr. M. G. Gulavni.  Each of these artifacts adds to the history of Panhalgad. Across the road is the Dutt mandir with the Somale lake next to it and the Someshwar mandir on its banks. The Someshwar temple is of great importance since it was here that Shivaji the Great had an abhishek of one lakh champa flowers on its magnificent shivling by the hands of his fearless mavlas in 1673. The ParnaalParvat Grahanaakhyan has a mention of the Karpoorvaav and the Someshwar temple in its text. The Someshwar talaav is the oldest and the biggest of its kind in Panhala with the samadhi of Chh. Shivaji II ( Karveer I ) on its eastern side.

The road further down the lake leads to the samadhi of Hukumatpanha Pant Amatya and his wife, he being one of the important nobles instrumental in retaining the swarajya established by the maratha kings. After years of neglect, it is recently being restored. Across the road is the Rede Mahal, which at the moment is the consumers’ shopping centre.  This may have been built to tie the male buffaloes once upon a time or according to the author, living quarters.  Nearby is the temple of Chh. Sambhaji II ( Karveer I ), built in his memory by his widow Jijabai.  Chh. Rajaram Maharaj’s son, he came to rule over Panhala in 1714. There is a beautifully carved idol of the king in the temple and a Sanskrit scripture on a pillar nearby.  Behind the temple is a well and four cannons of days gone by. Across the temple is another temple of Jijabai who more or less saved the Karveer Chhatrapati’s throne from the clutches of the Peshwas with fearsome valour.  A little ahead is the Samadhi Mandir of Rajasbai, Chh. Rajaram Maharaj’s wife with a beautiful idol inside the temple.

The road leading from Rajasbai’s Samadhi temple leads to the Dharmkothi with beautiful carvings on it and which actually may have been the court once upon a time.  Across the road on the left are the ruins of the artisan’s stage the Kalavantini Sajja with extremely intricate carvings on its ceilings dating back to the Adilshahi period.  Unfortunately there are no stone scriptures found explaining the actual use of this architecture. From this Sajja upto the Sajja Kothi on the valley side, leopards are invariably found roaming freely in the months of October and November. Ask any local about these wild life and they will talk about it in a very matter-of-fact manner, confirming how they take leopards lurking in their backyards in their stride. This completes the tour of Panhalgad, the author suggests that tourist spend a night here if they are to see and enjoy all the spots of importance at Panhala and Pawangad which is adjacent to it. There are good hotels as well as cottages of the Maharasthra Tourist Development Corporation (MTDC) at reasonable rates and bookings can be done in advance from any MTDC office.

Ancient history notes the existence of Panhala as Brahmagiri even before it was a fort.  Its peaceful environment prompted Parasher Muni to choose it for his residence and penance and hence was known as Paraashram. Later on when the snake people submitted themselves to the protection of Parasher Muni it became Pannagalay, the residence of the snake people. From the ancient caves found here, it can be safely assumed that this place was inhabited around two to three hundred years before Christ and there must have been some sort of protection wall around it from that time onwards. In 1187 A.D. Raja Bhoj II of the Shilahar family shifted his capital from Valwe to Kolhapur and within three years made Panhala his capital.

Raja Bhojraj the second is credited with building the solid fortification wall around the hill. Thereafter, in 1209 A.D., the Yadav king Shingdev won this fort over from the Shilahars. In 1469 70 A.D. the brave Sardar Momand Gava won this fort for the Bahamani Sultan from whom it passed on to the Adilshahi sultanate.

On 28th November 1651 just eighteen days after slaying the Adilshahi sardar Afzal Khan Shivaji Maharaj conquered Panhala and added it to his Swaraj. Infuriated by Shivaji’s actions Adilshah dispatched his trusted Sardar Siddhi Johar with twenty thousand horsemen and thirty five thousand foot soldiers to recapture the fort and hence a siege was laid down around Panala which lasted for four long months wherein Shivaji was stuck on this fort. He managed to escape from the clutches of Siddhi Johar by the sacrifice of Shiva Kashid, a look- alike of Shivaji who seated himself in the palanquin which was carried to meet Siddhi Johar. On realizing that he had been deceived, Siddhi Johar promptly took the brave Shiva’s life.  Many of the brave malvas’ with their leaders, Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Phulaji Deshpande, laid down their lives defending the narrow Pawankhind while Chh. Shivaji Maharaj made good his escape to Vishalgad fort.

On the 20th of September 1660, Shivaji Maharaj made his peace with Adilshah and returned the fort to him. But by 11th January 1666,  Shivaji Maharaj, while fighting on behalf of Moghuls  with Mirzaraje Jaisingh, got defeated and lost more than a thousand of his malvas in trying to re-conquer  Panhalgad. Again in 1673, he sent his trusted Sardar Kondaji Farjad to capture Panhalgad. The clever sardar had an easy victory over the fort with a mere 60 mavlas who captured Panhalgad by dawn amidst the cacophony of drums and tutari, a wind instrument. Winning over Panhalgad with a handful of men indeed became a moment to be written in golden letters in the history of Panhalgad. Like the fearless Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Shiva Kashid, Sardar Kondaji’s memorial needs to be rightfully put up in due respect for his courageous feat. Shivaji Maharaj came to Panhala in 1680 to supervise the construction work of Pawangad, but this unfortunately, was destined to be his last visit to this fort.

Sambhajiraje was at Panhalgad when the news of the sad demise of Shivaji Maharaj reached him. Chh. Rajaram Maharaj escaped from Raigad and came to Panhala before proceeding to Jinji.  Dignitaries like Santaji Ghorpade, Ramchandra Pant Amatya, Shankraji Narayan, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi administered the swarajya movement from Panhalgad. Chh. Rajaram Maharaj’s widow Tararani continued the war against moghuls from Panhalgad.

Thereafter, on 9th Match 1701, Aurangzeb himself laid siege to this fort wherein gradually the arrangements made by Tararani weakened and the fort keeper, Killedar Trambakji Mahadkar handed over the fort to the moghuls in lieu of a large sum of money. The fort then came to known as Beni Shah Durg, named by Aurangzeb. Later on, till 1777, Panhalgad remained the capital of the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur from where all administrative work was carried out, after which the capital was shifted to Karveer. In 1844, following the mutiny of the inhabitants of the fort, the British destroyed many sites of the fort, more importantly, the Chaar Darwaaza and constructed the present road leading to the fort.

Panhala is today popular largely as a hill station than as a fort of historical importance much to the dismay of historians and fort lovers although some of its architecture has been restored by the archeological department and it acts as a constant reminder to such avid fort lovers that it will remain a mute witness to its past glory for generations to come.

Thank you Ms. Sonal & Mr. Kumar Deshpande for translating it in English for me. You did it in 2008.

For more information about Kolhapur tourism, please visit to www.ambabai.com
]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:44:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?panhala https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000005 <![CDATA[The first look]]> imblog

Vijaydurg Mahotsav (Kille Vijaydurg Ashtashatabdi Mahotsav)

It was in 2005 when we came to know about ‘completion of 800 glorious years of fort Vijaydurg’. Being an ardent lover of Konkan and specially of fort Vijaydurg, I was curious enough to grab this opportunity. My friend Shri. Rajeev Parulekar from Kolhapur (whose native is Vijaydurg) asked me to design a website of the event; to which I agreed happily.

Meanwhile, ‘Kille Vijaydurg AshtaShatabdi Mahotsav Samiti’ was established to take this event on national & international level. Senior citizens of Vijaydurg vicinity were requested to guide us on all levels and those from Vijaydurg and settled in the other part of India and abroad were requested to join this event to make it successful.

I was happy to handle the event’s website and received calls from all over the world; almost from 35 countries to convey good wishes for this event. Along with the event, my very first step (a baby step) as a website designer shown success and I was able to enter into the new venture then onwards. Today after 15 years I am proud to be a successful website designer in Kolhapur to serve clients from Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Nasik, Nagpur and from US, UK, Singapore etc.

Special thanks to my esteemed customers & active supporters for such noble activities -
Hotel Pavillion, Kolhapur (http://www.hotelpavillion.co.in) and Hotel Opal, Kolhapur. (http://www.hotelopal.co.in)
]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2020 08:59:00 GMT https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/?the-first-look https://www.mandarvaidya.com/blog/rss/000000004