The Shinde Chhatri is a memorial constructed for the Maratha leader, Mahadji Shinde. The memorial is situated in Wanowrie and holds great importance for the Scindia (Shinde) people. It has a hall that happens to be the cremation spot of Mahadji Shinde and was built on 12th February 1974. The memorial has a painted silver likeness of the warrior covered with a flame colored turban and a shawl. Prayer vessels are also kept at his feet and are used to please the Lord every morning.
It is said that the warrior Mahadji Shinde also built a temple for Lord Shiva inside the hall in 1974. The carvings and idols of saints in the temple are made of yellow stone and the sanctum has been constructed of black stone. The memorial bears an Anglo-Rajasthani style and showcases fine regional culture.
Shinde’s Chatri, Pune Overview
Located in Wanwadi in Pune, Shinde Chhatri is a memorial dedicated to the 18th century military leader Shri Mahadji Shinde who served as commander-in-chief under the Peshwas from 1760s to the 1780s.. Flanked by Bhairoba stream on the right, the imposing monument stands tall as a memoir and reminiscent of the gala Maratha period. The memorial aka the ‘chhatri’ meaning umbrella, is situated right next to an ancient Shiva temple and boasts of Anglo- Rajasthani architecture with carvings on black and yellow stone. The central hall is the cremation point of the Mahadji Shinde who was cremated here on the 12th of February, 1794 CE.
The main section is enclosed in 15 feet tall sturdy fortifications and boasts of intricate architecture. Till 1794 CE, the complex only consisted of a temple enshrined by Lord Shiva that was constructed by Mahadji Shinde himself in the same year that he passed away. In 1965, a memorial i.e. a samadhi was constructed for the commander-in-chief by the descendents and successors of Mahadji Shinde- Shrimant Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia of Gwalior and Daulat Rao Scindia of Gwalior. The chhatri was constructed following the Vaasthu rules. Today, the monument is managed by Shinde Devasthan Trust, Gwalior and it still boasts of exuberant architecture, elaborate coloured window panels, pillared halls and carved ceilings etc.
A prominent landmark in Pune, Shinde Chhatri is a memorial devoted to Mahadji Shinde, a warrior in chief during the Maratha rule. The memorial was built between 1760 and 1780 on the Wanowrie area of Pune. No wonder, it’s the architecture that is the most prominent feature but the temple of Lord Shiva is worth a visit. A class in itself, the floral design and carvings on the Shinde Chhatri still looks so beautiful even after so many years of its construction. The luster of the iron entrance gate still exists. Marble flooring lamps, colorful window panes, and huge pillars of each room looks as radiant as they were at the time they built. Also worth a watch are some of the photographs of members of Shinde (Scindia).
HISTORY OF THE SHINDE CHHATRI
An example of Maratha architecture, Pune’s Shinde Chhatri was made in 1794 to honor Maratha leader – Mahadji Shinde. It is currently a prominent landmark of Pune because of its exteriors, carrying the intricate, and detailed carvings all over. Like its exteriors, the interiors too are spellbinding. Inside the vestige, there’s a hall that marks the spot of Mahadji Shinde’s cremation. Now, there’s so much to see in the temple, however, when it was initially made, there was only a temple, which was dedicated to Lord Shiva. In 1965, a samadhi of Mahadji Shinde was made at the same place where he was cremated. Years later, Madhavrao Scindia, descendants of Mahadji Shinde, instructed to build the complete complex. Presently, the complex is under the direct supervision of Scindia Devasthan Trust, Gwalior.
