WAI – A Temple Town with Ancient Mythological Links

Wai is an ancient mythological town and has over 100 temples. Wai is also known as the ‘Dakshin Kashi’ of Maharashtra.

Most temples here at Wai are constructed using the Hemadpanthi Style of Architecture which uses massive stone slabs without or very little mortar for building a structure. Wai is surrounded by dense forests, river streams and is ideally located between the 6 forts –  Pandavgad, Kindergad, Kamalgad, Varaitgad, and the twin forts Cahndan-Vandan.

Some prominent temples

The Dholya Ganapati Temple or Maha Ganpati Temple (built in 1762 by Ganpatrao Bhikaji Raste) is located on the banks of River Krishna along the Ganapati Aali Ghat. The Ganpati idol here at Wai is considered ‘Jagrut’ and in fact, the idol here is also one of the tallest Ganesh Idol in Maharashtra at 10 feet tall & 8 feet wide.

The Vishweshwara Temple nearby is famous for its grandeur and beautiful stonework. Spread in a large courtyard, the main temple shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva while the outside gateway is guarded by a massive stone idol of Nandi.

Nana Phadnavis Wada (3 km from Wai)

Another interesting place on the Menavali Ghat is the Nana Phadnavis Wada. The Menavali Gahat is approx 5 km away from the Dholya Ganapati temple and is beautiful. The 250+ year old residence or the Wada here belongs to Nana Phadvanis, an influential minister of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration. Menavali was also his birthplace.

Completed in the year 1780, it is a six-quadrangle 4-floor residence with intricate teak-wood lattice work and panels. There are some interesting Maratha paintings and motifs too. The rear entrance to the Wada opens up to the Menavali Ghat which has the Vishnu Temple and the Meneshwar Temple which were both the temples were constructed by Nana Phadnavis.

On the outskirts of the wada stands a massive Baobab tree, native to Africa and around 250 years old, with a potential lifespan of 1100 years. In Hindu mythology, the Baobab tree, or Kalpavruksha, emerged from the “Samudra Manthan” (churning of the ocean) and is considered a wish-fulfilling tree. Also see the 650 kg bell just outside the ghat, brought here from the Cathedral of Fort Bassein, Vasai by a Maratha General. The bell is made of five alloys dating to 1707 and has a cast of Mother Mary and infant Jesus.

The Menavlikar Phadnis brothers have undertaken the mighty task of restoring the wada to keep the splendour of the wada for at least another 250 years.

Other Ghats and Temples of Wai

Brahmanshahi Ghat:
Chakreshwar
Chimneshwar
Kaunteshwar/Harihareshwar
Kaleshwar

Govardhan Sanstha Ghat:
Krishna Mandir
Vitthal
Ganpati Temple

Ramdoh Ghat:
Rameshwar Temple
Ramkund
Chilavali Devi temple

Gangapuri Ghat:
Shiva Temple
Dwarka Mandir
Bahiroba Temple
Dattatray Temple

Dharma Puri

Lord Vishnu Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple

The Krishna Mandir at the Govardhan Sanstha is 110-year-old Goshala, It is also India’s first institute to have launched a model project of electricity generation from cow dung as a fuel!

Walk along the walls surrounding the ghats and admire the stunning stone architecture that offers a glimpse of the past era.

In recent years Wai has also become a favored location for movies with more than 200 movies already being shot here.

Excursions from Wai

Temples at Dhom Dam:

Visit the Siddheshwar Temple and the beautiful Laxmi Narasimha Temple, both located at Dhom Dam and are quite a popular pilgrim spot. Boat ride facilities are also available.

History on Dhom Village dates back to Ramayana and Maharhata times

Sage Dhaumya was always present with the Pandava and often accompanied thme in the 12 years of exile. He was the guiding light and also the one who carried the last rituals of the Pandava’s soldiers and also performed the coronation of Yudhisthir after the Mahabharata war. Some also believe that he was an enlightened guru who witnessed the homecoming of Lord Rama after killing Lankesh Ravan. Dhom village is the place where Sage Dhaumya took samadhi.

The temple here has two statues of Narsimha (a fierce posture) of a Lion and a Soumya (normal posture) on either side, while the lotus-shaped pond outside has the Nandi idol on a tortoise and is quite unique. it is also called as Nandi Mandapa. The entire structure is built out of basalt stone. The samadhi of Sage Dhaumya happened here at this very spot. Now an enclosed gate marks the place.

Lohare Palpeshwar Caves: these 9 ancient caves were constructed with Vastu Shastra and associated with Buddhism. Now many sections of the caves have been converted to temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These are located at a distance of 5 km from Wai near MIDC Wai.

Pandavgadh Fort & Pandavgadh Caves: Built by the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja II. (1178-1193) of Panhala, the fort is an ideal trekking destination from a Gundewadi village near Wai.

Do stop by to see the unique grinding wheels that were once used to churn limestone and lead, probably made for the construction of the Fort.

The Pandavgadh caves are located near the fort and have been constructed in Buddhist architecture. Pandavs stayed here for some time during their exile, hence the name ‘Pandavgadh’. East of Cave II is an eight-celled dwelling cave or vihar about thirty-five feet square and five feet high. The floor has been much silted up with earth brought in by rainwater.

Mahuli: People interested in more ancient sites should also visit Mahuli, an ancient town known for its beautiful temple shrines. It is located 37 km from Wai and is where the confluence of River Krishna with the Veena River happens.

At Mahuli, the three chief temples of Rameshwar, Kashi Vishweshwar and Sanghameshwara.

The ancient Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir at Mahuli is similar to the temple at Wai.  This one belongs to the 17th-18th Century and was built by Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi. The stone ceilings and panels have lovely carvings and exquisite stonework throughout. The Vithoba Temple (1730) and Ram Mandir (1772) are also nearby.

Visit the Someshwar Temple (1874): managed by the Royal Family of Satara, the temple has a sabha graha for meditation purposes. Also, see the Rameshwar Temple located right opposite the Veena River. The Nandi at Rameshwar Temple has some amazing stonework, a rare piece of architecture indeed.

Just a kilometre from Someshwar Mandir is the Mausoleum of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the grandson of the Chhatrapati Shivaji. There are some more belonging to the royal family of the Shivaji clan.

Panchgani is a popular hill station nestled in the middle of five hills – in the Sahyadri mountain ranges and amidst five villages known as Dandeghar, Khingar, Godwali, Amral and Taighat. it is just 12 kms from Wai.

Enjoy the scenic views, and fresh mountain air, visit the Table Top (a volcanic plateau, the second highest in Asia after the Tibetian Plateau) and gorge on the delicious strawberries at Mapro Farm.

Sydney Point offers great views during sunrise and sunset. There’s even a Kate Point and Needle Hole Point for capturing pics, overlooking the Krishna Valley below. Needle Point is the place that has the famous Elephant Shaped Hill Side. Further ahead, one may visit Lake Venaa and Lingmala Falls which are beautiful during monsoons.

Location and Distance Guide

By Air: Pune is the nearest Airport

By Road: Wai is situated on the Mahad-Pandharpur State Highway and makes a perfect stop-over on the way to the hill stations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.  There are also a number of strawberry farms where you can hand pick strawberries by the kilo!

• Pune to Wai: 66 Km
• Satara to Wai: 40 Km
• Mumbai to Wai: 230 Km

Take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to Pune and continue on NH 4 towards Surur, take the right turn there, towards Wai, on the Mahabaleshwar route leaving NH 4.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Satara – 40 km

Did You Know: The source of River Krishna is located at Mahabaleshwar. As legends go the river Krishna spouted from the mouth of a cow and today an ancient Shiva Temple is located here.