Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir Mahuli,Wai,Satara,Maharashtra
Settled at the union of the Rivers Krishna and Venna near Satara in Maharashtra, is the sacred Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir. Built in 1735 CE by Shripatrao Panth Pratinidhi, the temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv. The land was donated by Chhatrapati Shahu ji Maharaj. The temple is located in Sangam Mahuli at the confluence of the two rivers near Satara. The other side of the river Krishna is called Khetra Mahuli.
History
This temple land was actually donated by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi, as a ‘Brahman dakshina’. The Pant Pratinidhi donated the land to another Brahmin, named Anant Bhat Galande. The Kashi Vishweshwar temple has one of the most impressive architecture you can witness amongst 17th-18th century temples. The temple plan is divided into a sabhamandap, a antarala and the garbhagriha.
Architecture
The architecture at the Kashi Vishweshwar temple is truly impressive for its age. The Temple plan is divided into a Sabhamandap, an Antarala and the Garbhagriha. The idols of Lord Ganesha and Durga Mata are placed within two sides of the Garbhagriha entrance. The Temple boundary has an arcade passageway. At the entrance, there is also the Nandi mandapa with this exquisitely carved dome.
One of the finest examples of Hemadpanth styled Hindu architecture, this temple is standing evidence of the incredible artistic and architectural finesse of the ancestors. Most of the temples here at Wai are constructed using the Hemadpanthi Style of Architecture that uses massive stone slabs without or very less use of mortar for building a structure.
The temple boundary has an arcade passageway. The temple of Vithoba and one of Lord Ram are also located nearby to the Kashi Vishweshawara temple. The Vishweshwara Temple is famous for its grandeur and beautiful stone work. Spread in a large coutyard, the main temple shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
About Wai
Wai is actually a quiet and beautiful town located in Satara district of Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of Krishna River, Wai was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. Two important Maratha Brahmin from ruling families had their origins here: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, the Tambe family, and Gopikabai wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa.
Wai has the epithetic name “Dakshin Kashi” (Kashi or Varanasi of the South) as the city has well over 100 temples! Wai is known in Maharashtra for its ghats on the banks of the Krishna River and its temples, especially the Dholya Ganapati temple on Ganpati Ghat.
