Shaniwar Wada | Its Haunted Story That Will Make You Wonder

SHANIWAR WADA | ITS HAUNTED STORY THAT WILL MAKE YOU WONDER

ABOUT SHANIWAR WADA

Shaniwar Wada, a historical fortification in Pune city of Maharashtra, India. The historic Shaniwar Wada fort is not only pride of Pune, but it is also the pride of Maharashtra India. ‘Shaniwar’ is Marathi day, in English it is Saturday and ‘Wada’ means a palace. This was constructed on Saturday, therefore named Shaniwar Wada. This was not only the fort, but also it was the seat of Peshwas, who was the prime minister of Maratha rulers until 1818. In late 17^th century entire India was in the control of Marathas including Delhi. Later they lost control to British East India Company, palace became the center of Indian politics in 18^th century and later in 1828 fort was destroyed due to unexplained fire, where remaining structure are now maintained as tourist spot. You might think, what is haunted story in this? As you keep going on, you will come across the story part.

HOW TO REACH SHANIWAR WADA

Pune is the city that gives easy access to the Shaniwar Wada. The city is well connected to the rest of India through state highways, national highways, along with airline.

BY AIR

Nearest airport is Pune which is 12 km from the heart of city. There are different airlines that gives service to and from Pune. The major cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai are well connected to Pune by air. International travelers can get connected flights from Mumbai International Airport. One can easily get taxis and auto service to reach Shaniwar Wada.

BY RAIL

Pune is important railway junction that has good amount of connectivity from major cities. The rail route linking Pune with Mumbai is served by Central railways and south central railways. The wada is further 4 km from station. Transportation from railway station can be done through taxi, bus and auto.

BY ROAD

Pune is 150 km from Mumbai. The road is well connected from major cities and states through state highways and national highways. There are variety of bus service available to reach here from states like Goa, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. One can also drive own vehicle to Pune. The major bus stand here are Railway bus stand, Shivajinagar bus stand and Swargate bus stand.

Pune has very good local transport. 

This all started with my partner, when she was discussing the necessity to be away for one day, but this time the destination was not the trek, then which is the destination to explore for day? a thought came; It was Saturday that we reserved for one day hike. We wanted to explore something with unique and meaningful story. After putting lot's of pressure on mind, a place highlighted, which was nonetheless than Shaniwar Wada from Pune city. A historical monument, story of haunt and its archaeological structure insisted us to visit. We could manage to give this thought process a positive direction.

As decided, we started driving from Mumbai towards this haunted place located in Pune. The driving distance was around 4 hours from Mumbai. Getting to Pune was not big deal for me, as I was thorough with some places and roads from Pune. There was another reason that urged myself to visit here, In recent year, this place has appeared in Bajirao Mastani movie with the history of great Peshwa Bajirao and also in Panipat movie. After reaching Shaniwar Wada, there was long queue standing for getting entry ticket to this fort. The entrance of this fort is through Delhi gate of Shaniwar Wada. When we entered inside the Wada, the long vast flower garden welcomed us with it's greenery. Next to entrance gate there is small board with history of the Shaniwar Wada.

HISTORY OF SHANIWAR WADA

ENTRANCE BOARD WITH WRITTEN HISTORY OF FORT

Built in 18^th century by first Peshwas Bajirao.

Shaniwar Wada was originally the seven storied capital building of the Peshwas of Maratha Empire. It was supposed to be made entirely of stone but after the completion of base floor few people from Satara complained to Shahu (King) saying stone palaces were to be built by the Chhatrapati and not his Peshwa. Later the official letter was written to Peshwas that remaining floor has to be made of bricks and wood, not the stone. The Wada was with Peshwas for almost 90 years. When they lost control to British East India Company, in this attack all the top 6 floors collapsed leaving only ground floor which was made from Stone.

WHAT IS HAUNTED STORY IN THIS?

By 1758, at least thousand people were leaving in the fort.

In 1773, Narayanrao, who was the 5^th and ruling Peshwa was killed on the orders of his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai. He was not only killed, but his body was cut in to pieces. It is said that, on full moon night Narayanrao’s ghost still calls for help. There are some peoples leaving around the area, who has reported the crying voice of,“ Kaka mala vachava” (Uncle, save me). They say that since Peshwas spirit was not released properly, so he returned as a ghost.

In June 1818 last Peshwa of bajirao 2 abdicated his throne to Sir John Malcolm of the British East India Company and went to political exile near Kanpur, India.

On 27^th February 1828, fire started inside the palace, and it was on for seven days that destroyed all top six floors.

After reading such a creepy history, mind took a pause of few minutes and went in 18th century of that day. How everything would have happened? I was grateful to my partner who urged me to choose this place. We moved further close to know more about this Wada. The foundation of this Wada started on 10^th January 1730 which was Saturday, therefore named Shaniwar Wada. It featured the Maratha Imperial architectural style. It has 5 major doors, all of this can still be seen being set up on ground floor.

DELHI DARWAZA (Delhi Gate)

DELHI DARWAZA AND ALSO MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE FORT

Delhi Darwaza is the main gate of this fortification of the fort. This is also the main entrance of Shaniwar Wada. This gate faces towards the north, due to Bajirao’s ambition of conquering Delhi. The building of Shaniwar Wada is crucial history in the page of Pune.

MASTANI DARWAZA (Mastani Gate)

MASTANI DARWAZA

Mastani is the name of second wife of Bajirao Peshwa. His wife use to travel outside of the fort from this gate, therefore named Mastani Darwaza.

Mastani had attempted suicide after the death of Bajirao. This love story is beautifully screened in movie of Bajirao Mastani.

KHIDKI DARWAZA (Window Gate)

KHIDKI DARWAZA OR WINDOW GATE

The name given, because of small window placed on the main door.

GANESH DARWAZA (Ganesh Gate)

GANESH DARWAZA

It was named from lord Ganesh. This gate direct goes to the Ganesh temple near to this Wada. It was used by some of the ladies for going in to temple.

NARAYAN DARWAZA (Narayan Gate)

NARAYAN DARWAZA

The last gate facing towards south. Narayan Darwaza renamed after being smuggled the corpse of young Peshwa after murder.

The wall painting and structure of this fort was magnificent. After moving further closed in the Wada, we came across the fountain (Hazari Karanje). It looks that, this would have given good amount of glow to fort in the past time. This was lotus shape fountain and constructed for pleasure of Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao (son of Narayanrao). It was looking so complicated fortification in that time.

Shaniwar Wada is one of such place from Pune that can be visited at any day and most families visit here being historical place. On few meter there is famous Dagdusheth temple of Lord Ganesh.

We still got to see the structure and wall painting made in that time. There is statue of Bajirao Peshwe facing towards Delhi in north with the ambition of conquering Delhi. Looking at the statue for some moment and imagining the scenario back in 18^th century is fascinating. Those fights, those commitment along with gratification feels so motivated after reading all the history associated with it. There is vast garden at the base with variety bunch of flower looks so pretty.

STATUE OF BAJIRAO PESHWA FACING TOWARDS NORTH

HERE COMES THE INTERESTING PART OF SHANIWAR WADA

It is said that, Light and sound show here is the major attraction from Shaniwar Wada. Due to my one day visit, I could not witness this event. This event was most likely to happen in evening time between 7 pm to 9 pm in Marathi and English language. Show ticket has to be book at the time before 15 minute of starting show and cost is 25 INR per person.

At the fort all story has been written on board, one needs to take book to understand the complete history behind it.

WHAT IS IDEAL TIME TO VISIT SHANIWAR WADA?

Shaniwar Wada is such place that can be visited throughout the years. There is no any season here. Ideal time to visit here is morning at any day. This makes the visitors more photogenic.

Time to visit here is 8 am to 6 pm.

One to two hours is sufficient to explore complete fort as massive fire destroyed top six floors of the fort.

Entry fees is 5 INR for Indian and 125 INR for Non-Indian.

NEARBY FAMOUS ATTRACTION AT SHANIWAR WADA

Lal Mahal- 0.7 km from Shaniwar wada is another historical place.

Dagdusheth Ganpati (Lord Ganesh)-0.8 km from Shaniwar Wada is famous idol.

Mahatma Phule museum-1.6 km from Shaniwar Wada is museum of another historical idol.

Osho Ashram-5 km from Shaniwar Wada is Oshro Ashram, International meditation resort.

THINGS OF INTEREST IF VISITING PUNE

Shoping at Tulsi Baug, 1.2 km from Shaniwar Wada is ideal shopping area from Pune. It is recommended as women’s market. One can shop here Pune’s traditional things.

Pune is the place for most of Palaces and homes from past years.

There are many great club and pub’s here. 

Pune is also famous for Ganpati (Lord Ganesh), one should attain Ganpati festival at Pune.

SPECIAL DISH OF PUNE

Pune is famous for different variety of foods. In morning there are lots of stall selling Kanda Poha, Upama, Sabudana Khichdi, and Idali Dosa.

Misal Paav is signature dish here, one should never miss and proper traditional Thali in lunch and dinner that come up with variety dishes.

Mastani, milk base liquid with fruits on top gives delicious taste.

ARE THERE STAY OPTION NEAR SHANIWAR WADA?

There are variety of hotels available on walk-able distance from Shaniwar Wada. The range of hotels available from 2 stars to 5 stars.

Cost varies as per deluxe room to normal and those are budget friendly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SHANIWAR WADA

• Try to visit around 10 am or before, later it becomes crowded.
• There is entry charges of 5 INR for Indian and 125 INR for Non-Indian.
• There is no charge for photography but yes, there is charges for videography.
• There is light show in the evening between 7 pm to 9 pm in Marathi and English language.
• The fort timing is between 8 am to 6 pm.
• Do not litter the area around.