Baroda April 2013

Baroda: April 2013
Dhundiraj Ganpati Temple, Baroda

Info: 

160 years old 

This temple is located in the heart of Wadi area

Difficult to find - it is in a interior gali

Open to publc from morn 8am to noon and 8pm to 10pm. 

The temple was built by Gopalrao Mairal, a diwan during the regime of Sayaji Rao Gaekwad II.   

Today, the 5^th generation of Mairals are maintaining the temple.

Everyday in the evening there is a Shehnai played by one family from generations they too are the 5th generation maintaining. They play in the 3rd floor of the main facade. 

The monument has been built using Gujarati and Marathi architecture. Hindu, Jain and Persian motives found.

A unique combination of wood and marble has been used to build it. we can also see marble inlay work on the floor which comes from Central Asia. 

According to our mythology few figures are found which are quite unique and rare seen. 

I met one of the family members who are maintaining the temple - he was the caretaker - and also teaches technical for Textile in the M.S.University.  He is worried of maintainance of the temple - more than the financial help he is looking for experts who can do justice.

The Manager or the care taker narrates this story to everybody who visits for its beauty -  and he also remembers who all have visited the temple - important people. when i read an article on net about this temple - it was like word to word the manager is saying.
But i am happy to see - both the Shehnai family or the temple family members - all generation are proud of their ancestral property. why not it is one of an unique kind.

the Back area of the temple used to be Dharmshala for the Pilgrimages. which is in ruins but the trustees and the family caretakers are desperate to restore it.