Order to acquire land for Shri Tuljabhavani Temple and area development project

Guardian Minister Pratap Sarnaik gives the order

Mumbai – The Guardian Minister of Dharashiv District and the State Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, has ordered land acquisition for the Shri Tuljabhavani Temple and the surrounding area development project. On June 17th, a development plan worth Rs 1,162 crore was presented to Pratap Sarnaik by the District administration at the Mantralaya. On this occasion, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Praveen Swami from Umarga, MLA Kailas Patil from Dharashiv, District Collector Kirti Pujar, Additional Superintendent of Police Shafqat Aina, etc., were present. Engineer Hemant Patil presented the plan. Vipin Shinde, representative of Palikar priests, was present on this occasion.

At this time, Pratap Sarnaik directed the District administration to demand Rs 338 crore from the Government for land acquisition. Funds will be made available for land acquisition as required, said Pratap Sarnaik. At this time, Vipin Shinde, the representative of the priests, complained to the guardian minister that no space has been provided in the plan for the ‘jawal’ ritual, and the space for ‘gondhal’ (a traditional dance ritual) has been provided behind the temple. Pratap Sarnaik said that ‘jawal’ is a religious ritual traditionally performed in the temple premises. The religious sentiments of the devotees are linked to it. Hence, some space should be allocated for this in the temple premises. A meeting should be scheduled with the District Collector and the officials of the Archaeological Department regarding other demands of the priests.

Restoration of Tirtha Kund and ancient temples

The water sources in the vicinity of the temple, including Kallol Tirtha, Bhavani Tirtha, Papanash Tirtha, Jijamata Kund, Mankavati Tirtha, Chandra Kund, Bhagwati Kund and Kotachi Vihir, will be preserved and conserved. Also, the ancient temples of the village, namely Bharati Buva Muth, Barling Muth, Ghatshil Temple, Papanash Temple, Ramvardayini Temple, Hinglajamata Temple, Dulya Maruti Temple and Ganapati Temple, will be preserved and conserved.

Expert opinion to be sought on the sculptures of Tuljabhavani and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

As per the proposed development plan, a 108-foot sculpture of Shri Tuljabhavani giving a sword to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is planned on the hill west of the Ramdara Lake. There was a controversy as Deity Tuljabhavani was shown in the form of Bharatmata. Therefore, Pratap Sarnaik suggested that this sculpture be finalised after discussing it with the experts. Shri Tuljabhavani is the Deity of the entire universe. Therefore, Pratap Sarnaik said that ‘the mother should be shown in her original form only’. Pratap Sarnaik advised District Collector Kirti Pujar not to do written correspondence to avoid controversy.

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Tuljapur development project should be held during the upcoming Navratri festival, Pratap Sarnaik

Among the three and a half Shakti Peethas in Maharashtra, the temple of Shri Tuljabhavani is a complete Shakti Peetha. Deity Tuljabhavani is the Goddess of Kshatrateja, the inspiration and the family Deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya. Every year, one and a half crore devotees from all over the country visit Shri Kshetra Tuljapur. The foundation stone laying ceremony of this development project at Shri Kshetra Tuljapur will be carried out by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. We are committed to completing this project in the next three and a half years. The foundation stone laying ceremony should be scheduled for the upcoming Navratri festival.