From Puneshwar to Pune: The Temple, the River, and the Name of a Holy City Long before Pune became the thriving city it is today, a temple dedicated to Shiva stood quietly along the banks of the river Mutha. Known as the Puneshwar temple, it was one of the most revered shrines in the region, drawing devotees from across the land. Close by stood another sacred structure, the Narayaneshwar temple, dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu. Together, these two temples gave this riverside settlement its spiritual character and its earliest identity. The Shiva Purana describes Shiva as present wherever there is a sacred confluence of rivers and devoted worship. The location of the Puneshwar Shiva temple at the riverbank was thus not incidental but deeply intentional, reflecting the Shaiva understanding of sacred geography where flowing water and divine presence are inseparable. In the late thirteenth century, this heritage was brutally disrupted. Invaders swept through the region and pulled down the...

The Raste Family and the Making of Rasta Peth: Honour, Faith, and Governance in Maratha Pune Rasta Peth, one of the most historically significant localities of Pune, carries within its very name the story of a distinguished Maratha feudal family — the Rastes. Located within easy walking distance of the Pune Railway Station, this bustling neighborhood is today perhaps best known for landmarks such as the King Edward Memorial Hospital, popularly called KEM Hospital. Yet its roots reach deep into the age of the Peshwas and the grandeur of the Maratha Empire. The Raste family's original surname was Gokhale, a name well established among Brahmin families of the Deccan. Their title, Raste, meaning one who embodies fairness and rectitude in Marathi, was conferred upon them by the Bijapur monarchy in recognition of their exceptional integrity and honesty in dealings — a rare distinction that reflected the moral standing of the family in an era when loyalty and dharma were held in the hig...

The Vishnupad Temple, located in Gaya, Bihar, India, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu, where the holy feet of Vishnu are worshipped. The temple has a rich history that spans centuries. The original construction date of the temple remains unknown, shrouded in the mists of time, with history suggesting that Bhagavan Sri Rama and Sita visited the site during the Ramayana period. The present-day structure, however, was rebuilt by the illustrious Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore, in 1787. This reconstruction was a monumental effort, with Ahilyabai Holkar personally overseeing the project and sending her officers to find the best stone for the temple. After an extensive search, they chose munger black stone from Jaynagar, a town known for its quality stone. The logistical challenges of transporting the stone to Gaya led the officers to discover a suitable mountain near Bathani, a small village in the Gaya district. Craftsmen from Rajasthan were brought in...

History of bronze sculpture in India is traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC – 1700 BC). Hindus should be aware of this because it is a matter of pride that our ancestors had such great knowledge. A dancing girl, buffalo and miniature dog are the earliest specimens of Indian Bronzes. They were discovered during the excavations conducted at the archaeological site of Mohenjodaro – the most important Indus Valley site along with Harappa and Lothal . The bronze sculptures of Indus Valley Civilization were produced by the lost-wax (cire perdue) process. They were created in small open kilns. Furnaces, crucibles and moulds were unearthed by archeologists at Mohenjodaro and Lothal. The Dancing Girl A nude female statuette from Mohenjodaro called the dancing girl is a classic example of the bronze sculptures produced in ancient India using the lost-wax method. The statue is that of a dancer and has an air of vibrant liveliness. It is 11 cm high, and stands...

Badami is today famous for its cave temples and Hindu sculptures. Badami was the capital of western Chalukyans. It is a prehistoric site and was also known as Badavi and Vatapi. Here is a brief look at the Hindu and Mulsim rulers of Badami. Ptolemy had referred to Badami as Badiamaioi. Badami was an important center for Chalukyas starting from 5 th century. The fort of Badami was built by Chalukya Pulakeshi I in 543 CE. The Badami caves were excavated between the 6 th and 8 th century CE. The Jambulinga Temple was built in 699 CE. After the Chalukyas, Badami was  ruled by Pallavas (8 th century) Rashtrakutas Later Chalukyas and Vijayanagara Kings This marks the end of the Hindu rulers for a long period. Badami was then ruled by Adil Shahis Svanaur Nawabs They were overpowered by Hindu Marathas. Then under the British Rule it was included in the Bombay Presidency. After the reorganization of states in India, it became a part of K...