TEMPLE MAHAL,NAGPUR Published By: Nagar Yuwak Shikshan Sanstha the UNFOLDING STORIES Atrey Layout, Pratap Nagar, Nagpur OF

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THE UNFOLDING STORIES OF VITTHAL (GHUI) TEMPLE MAHAL,NAGPUR Published By: Nagar Yuwak Shikshan Sanstha THE UNFOLDING STORIES Atrey Layout, Pratap Nagar, Nagpur www.mginagpur.com OF

Chapters Authored by : MAHAL, NAGPUR Dr.Sheeba Valsson Ar.Apoorva Dandge Ar.Megha Panchariya By Ar.Madhura Fadnavis Dr.Sheeba Valsson Ar.Apoorva Dandge Ar.Megha Panchariya Ar.Madhura Fadnavis

FOREWORD Dr. Shekhar Bhole

Heritage Documentation Cell Shri Datta Meghe College of Architecture, Nagpur MEGHE GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS Dr. Sheeba Valsson Principal Meghe Group of Institutions (MGI) has a long history of (Shri Datta Meghe College of Architecture) Ar. Apoorva Dandge excellence in all genre of education. This Constitution of institute was formed with single minded purpose of developing She is presently working as an Assistant Professor at Shri Datta Meghe College of Architecture, Nagpur. She has completed her Masters a network of educational institutes for providing quality in Architectural Conservation from School of Planning and Architecture, education in various disciplines of study in Vidarbha, a Bhopal and completed her Bachelors of Architecture from Shrimati relatively developed region in our country. Institutes under the Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur. MGI have exceeded the scope of their vision and become the yardstick for other institutions to match up to. This strength has been developed from outstanding students, dedicated faculty, supporting and genuine commitment to students and strong desire to contribute to the nation.

The fundamentals of academic brilliance, cultural activities, sporting excellence and spiritual evolution in Ar. Megha Panchariya students are simultaneously progressing under the guidance of Dr. Sheeba Valsson is Principal at Shri entrusted facilitators and excellent infrastructure. Datta Meghe College of Architecture, Nagpur. She is presently working as an Assistant Professor at Shri Datta She did her B.Arch as well as M.Tech (Urban Meghe College of Architecture, Nagpur. She has completed her Masters MGI has drawn on the essence of tradition and Development ) from Department of in Architecture Education from Shrimati Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur and completed her Bachelors of Architecture from sophistication of modernization to yield professionals that will Architecture and Planning, Maulana Azad Bapurao Deshmukh College of Architecture, Sewagram, Wardha. make India proud. National Institute of Technology (MANIT) Bhopal ( Formerly known as MACT Bhopal) SDMCA She was Awarded PhD by Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) Shri Datta Meghe College of Architecture has commenced its Bhopal in February 2012, under the faculty of academic journey from 2015-16. The future streak of Institution Architecture and Planning. The Topic of lies in making a premier class college wherein each one would research was “Assessment of Microclimate feel proud of being associated with SDMCA. The competitive Variation in Context to Urban Development”. Ar. Madhura Fadnavis scenario of today`s world demands a disciplined value based educational system and apart from subject knowledge they She is presently working as an Assistant Professor at Shri Datta She was Conferred with “Best Teacher must be responsible professional and citizens. The Teacher Meghe College Of Architecture, Nagpur. She has completed her Masters Award- 2011” in the field of Architectural Student interaction is the core and most prolific relationship, in Architecture Education from Shrimati Manoramabai Mundle College of Technology, by Maharashtra Association of Architecture, Nagpur and completed her Bachelors of Architecture from which would be nurtured throughout the academic span of a Schools of Architecture- MASA. Her Teaching Priyadarshani College of Architecture, Nagpur. student. Apart from curriculum it is necessary to be well career spans more than 20 years and it majorly acquainted with the current technological advancements and focuses on innovations in the field of to acquaint with the latest development, the college and its Teaching Design and Climate Responsive faculty will strive hard to make every effort to have a logical Architecture.. accomplishment. CREDITS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

- Authors - We acknowledge with deep gratitude the guidance, caring support and encouragement received from Chairman NYSS Hon'ble Shri Dattaji Meghe, Shri Sagar Meghe, Secretary, NYSS, Shri Sameer Meghe, Dr. Sheeba Valsson Treasurer, NYSS and Dr. Shekhar Bhole, CEO, MGI. Their continuous support helped us to present the Ar. Apoorva Dandge whole study in the form of a book. Ar. Megha Panchariya Ar. Madhura Fadnavis In addition we would like to acknowledge the contribution of Mr.Shrikant Ghui, the owner and caretaker of the Vitthal Rukmini (Ghui Temple ). A positive dialogue with him helped in shaping the book. We - Cover page Design - are very much grateful to him for sharing his living experience and his knowledge about the history and Mr. Vinod Raut existence of the temple. We are equally thankful to Ar. Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee for guiding us about the heritage documentation strategies and making us understand the importance of documenting our own city - Sketches & Photographs - heritage structures. Mr. Vinod Raut We are thankful to Dr. Bhalchandra R. Andhare for sharing his book “Senadhurander Madhuji Bhosale” which helped us in understanding history of the Nagpur . - Documentation Team - This book is based on research conducted by the students and faculty of SDMCA. Students of SDMCA Abhishek Gurve have shown their keen interest in documentation and sketching of this temple. Zia Aftab Vishal Tripathi We wish to thank Ar. Ashwini Deo and Ar. Parikshit Mudholkar for their contribution in designing this Aman Soni book and also SDMCA staff for their co-operation. We would also thank our colleagues, friends and family for their support in this journey of research, documentation and publication. Pratiksha Wadekar Kritika Budhwani Tejaswini Barde Prachi Gandhi Kalyani Rathod Vedant Shripad FOREWORD

The growth of the mankind was possible due to their intellect and through the pursuits to know more and more about the nature around them. Man started to use the natural habitat and later on learnt how to build one himself. The agricultural revolutions led to accumulation of people at sites along the rivers or other water bodies. As the wealth grew, the man found newer ways of creating shelter and other structures to improve the quality of life. Man perfected the technology to build all season households as well other engineering structures which will sustain the growth of pockets of persons with common intentions. The theology emerged

as a natural extension of better quality life. Man started building structures with engineering knowledge maintaining harmony with nature. These structures stood the test of times and vagaries of natural elements for various centuries. In recent times, these structures have to defend themselves against manmade problems like pollution and vibrations due to human activities in their close proximity. The heritage structures, therefore, tell the stories of how well the engineering was adopted by the then engineers. Unfortunately, they generally do not have documented details about their structure and layout. This leads to problems in their maintenance and also in their studies. Further, natural and anthropogenic agents cause damage of these structures thus jeopardizing their very existence. Proper documentation of these structures provides a way for archiving their data for future so as to use the same in their maintenance, reconstruction, dissemination for tourism and academic purposes. SDMCA, the youngest institution under Meghe Group has started earnestly in the right direction by creating a document for Ghui Temple of Nagpur. The documentation is a great story which will guide future generation about the structural and architectural marvel created by our forefathers. The team of faculty and students of SDMCA need to be congratulated for their untiring efforts to collate the information from various sources and presenting it in such beautiful form.

Dr. Shekhar Bhole Chief Executive Officer, Meghe Group of Institutions, Nagpur Photo Credit- Aman Soni CONTENTS Preface

Foreword

Chapter 1 - Brief History of Nagpur

1.1 Introduction 1.2 Historical Background 1.3 Timeline 1.4 Heritage of Nagpur

Chapters 2 - Temples of Nagpur

2.1 Introduction 2.2 Brief history of Temples of Nagpur 2.3 Materials and Construction 2.4 Nagpur city Temples

2.4.1 Rukmini Temple Complex, Mahal, Nagpur 2.4.2 Shiva Temple Near Shukravari Lake, Nagpur 2.4.3. Kalyaneshwar Temple, Telankhedi, Nagpur

Chapter 3 - Vitthal Ghui Temple

3.1 Heritage documentation cell. 3.2 Methodology 3.3 Introduction 3.4 Location 3.5 Heritage Walk of Mahal 3.6 History of Vitthal Temple 3.7 Iconography 3.8 Rituals and Festivals 3.9 Architectural Documentation 3.10 Architectural Elements 3.11 Construction Technology and Materials

Conclusion

Bibliography Sketch By Mr. Vinod Raut Glossary PREFACE

This book is a cumulative expression of the studies undertaken by SDMCA staff and students on understanding heritage structures and temples of Nagpur city. Nagpur city is very rich in Heritage structures and this study was a first step towards understanding heritage structures and the methods and techniques of documenting the structures.

The book consists of chapters on Brief History of Nagpur City, which includes historical background, timeline and Heritage structures of Nagpur City. The second Chapter – Temples of Nagpur City includes brief description of various temples of Nagpur City which are a part of heritage of Nagpur City. The third Chapter on Vitthal Ghui Temple includes details of the temple, its history, the rituals,festivals , Architectural elements and construction technology. All these are well explained through measured drawings , Photographs and sketches. The illustrations have been carefully prepared by the documentation team with a view to elucidating the text, rather than for pictorial effect.

This book is useful not only for the students of Architecture, Academicians and Architects but this would also be of interest to the more curious lay readers and visitors. Highly illustrated by sketches and photographs, this book enables the reader to experience architecture and the built environment by understanding more about the form, construction, meaning and history of the temple. This book became possible because of the support and experiences shared by Mr. Shikant Ghui, the owner and caretaker of the Vitthal Ghui Temple. His Knowledge of the history of the temple is formidable. The Book ‘Senadhurandher Madhuji Bhosale’ of Dr. B.R. Andhare gave a great insight on history of Nagpur city and the inputs by Ar. Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee on heritage structures and documentation were of great help in the journey of preparing this document. And, the journeys do not end here. This has given us great experiences and ideas and we hope to pursue this work and come out with more publications.

Dr. Sheeba Valsson

Carving Detail - Vitthal (Ghui) Temple Principal,SDMCA Photo Credit - Kritika Budhwani Figure: 38-Ramtek Temple Complex, Nagpur Photo Credit- Megha Panchariya Figure:62-Mandapa of Vitthal(Ghui) Temple Photo Credit - Megha Panchariya Figure:85 - Mandapa of Vitthal (Ghui) Temple, Mahal,Nagpur Photo Credit - Aman Soni

Figure:119-Vitthal(Ghui) Temple, Mahal Photo Credit- Vinod Raut