Shri Vitthal’s ornaments included jewellery offered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ahilyabai Holkar and Bajirao Peshwa

• Balasaheb Badve, the hereditary caretaker of the ornaments of Shri Vitthal in Pandharpur, shared significant insights with daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’
• Regular accounts of the ornaments were submitted to the Court before the Government takeover

Pandharpur – “Shri Vitthal’s ornaments include those offered by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar and Peshwa Bajirao I. Before the Government’s takeover of the temple, an annual evaluation of these jewels was done and the corresponding report was submitted to the Mumbai High Court”, informed Ha.Bha.Pa. Balasaheb Badve to the correspondent of daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’.

The audit report has brought to light distressing information, indicating that these ornaments were not accounted for in the balance sheet following the Government’s takeover of the temple. Nevertheless, the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Committee has affirmed that all these ornaments are safe. The absence of these ornaments from the balance sheet has prompted concerns, casting doubt on their overall safety.

Ha.Bha.Pa. Balasaheb Badve further stated, “For 60 to 70 years preceding the Government’s takeover of the temple, my father Bhagwan Pandharinath Badve had the custody of Deity’s priceless ornaments and keys to their locker. About 45 years ago, after completing my studies, I used to assist my father in caring for Shri Vitthal’s ornaments. We would perform the puja of all these ornaments on the day of Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. It was a custom we followed. Since Badve, Utpat and Sevekari were expelled from the temple administration, we have not associated with these ornaments. During our tenure of hereditary management of Deity’s jewellery, there were no faults or errors. This was because the panel of scholars and jewellers appointed by the Temple Committee used to verify the ornaments on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra. They meticulously examined each jewel and determined its value every summer. Subsequently, a report regarding this was submitted to the Mumbai High Court. I recall submitting at least 25 reports on the jewellery to the Mumbai High Court during my tenure. It was speculated that the ornaments were estimated to be worth Rs. 200 to 250 crores. This committee has never objected to the jewellery. The weight of the jewellery, as measured by expert goldsmiths, never changed an iota over the years. With sincere dedication, self-devotion, and unwavering faith in Vitthal, we transparently cared for those ornaments.”

Editorial Perspective

Now, the Government should confirm whether all these ornaments are intact and communicate the same to the devotees.

The precious ornaments of Shri Vitthal

Ha.Bha.Pa. Balasaheb Badve said, “The necklace, made up of 70 to 80 exceptionally high quality, transparent diamonds, should be worth Rs 60 to 70 lakhs. The value of the emerald in it was estimated at Rs 10 to 11 lakhs by experts at that time. A golden Tulsi garland, as well as a necklace offered by Peshwa Bajirao I, were also high-priced. A group of devotees of that time had collectively offered a Turban of gold weighing 2.5 kg and a Headpiece. A dhoti was crafted for the Deity from the gold offered by the devotees. Additionally, there was 1 panache and 5 necklaces, along with gold anklets, gold bangles, and a gold waistband. Ornaments also included a MatsyaJod adorned with exquisite diamonds, a crown, earrings and a Jiretop.”