Wai, which is located around, 33 km from Satara in Maharashtra is known as Dakshin Kashi or the Kashi of
South. The place gets the name ‘Dakshin Kashi’ thanks to ghats and temples
which make the place look like a replica of Kashi (Varanasi ). There are seven important ghats at
Wai and more than 100 temples.
If it is Ganga River at Varanasi , it
is Krishna River at Wai.
Ghats, steps, at Wai are located on the Krishna River
and it is the most famous feature that it shares with Kashi. There are several minor
ghats and numerous small temples – many of them are small and badly maintained.
The most famous temple at Wai is not dedicated to Shiva like
in Varanasi but
to his son Ganesha. The temple is referred to as Mahaganapati Temple
or Dholya Ganapati. The temple has one of the largest Ganesha murti in Maharashtra – nearly 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
There is also a Kashi
Vishweshwar Temple
on the banks of Krishna at Wai. The temple is
noted for its huge Nandi and Deepasthamb – two lamp posts.
These two important temples are located opposite to each
other.
Apart from this there are numerous small temples on the
banks of Krishna River . Some scholars claim that there
are around 365 temples at Wai.
The most important Ghats are Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati
Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh and Bhimkund.
The temples of Kaunteshwar, Chakreshwar, Kaleshwar and
Chimneshwar are located on Brahmanshahi Ghat.
Vithal Mandir and Ganapati
Temple are located at
Brahmanshahi Ghat.
Ganpati Aali or Ganesh Ghat is home to the famous Dholya
Ganapati and Kashi
Vishweshwar Temple .
At Dharmapuri Ghat one can see the Vishnu and Mahalakshmi Temples .
Rokdoba temple is another important shrine here.
Krishna Mandir and the Govardhan Sanstha (Goshala), which is
more than 100 years old, are also located at Wai.