Balaji Vishwanath and Shrivardhan

Shri Shivchatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation for the Hindu Self Rule and it was handsomely carried forward by the Bhat family from Shrivardhan.

The line of the Bhat Peshwas began from BalajiVishwanath and ended after 105 years, when Baji Rao II. accepted defeat and handed the reigns to British Rule.

Shrivardhan was ruled by the Siddi's of Janjira since the 1400's. The governance of the talukas and districts was given to the Brahmins.
The governance of Dandarajpuri fell in the hands of the Bhats.Later fed up with atrocities by the Abyssinians the Bhat family left Shrivardhan. It was at this time that Balaji Vishwanath travelled to Satara and through his courage and wisdom was confered the title of Peshwa by Shahu Maharaj in 1710.

Shrivardhan is a quaint town, with lush Vadi's and narrow lanes. Extremely picturesque and quiet, it gives the hint of the sea from every direction.

NanaSaheb alias Balaji Bajirao who was the 3rd. Peshwa, decided to build a Vada (a distinct style of a house) in the birthplace of Balaji Vishwanath. The foundation stone of the house was 20mtrs. long and 13mtrs. wide. It boasted of a water body and beautifully carved lotus flowers on the steps leading to it.
Today all this is hidden with a building which the Municipal Corporation uses for games and an auditorium.

I had made it a point to go and see for myself the birthplace of the 1st. Peshwa after whom the glorious era of the Peshwa's came into existence.

Standing Proud and Tall is the statue of Balaji Vishwanath, the only memory of this courageous administrator.








What is heartening to see, however is that at the entrance to Shrivardhan, there is a placard stating the Birthplace of the 1st Peshwa.

To reach Shrivardhan, you can take the Mumbai Pune Expressway to Pali then onwards via the Mumbai Goa Expressway to Mangaon and onwards to Shrivardhan.

Unexplored and hence cut off from being a "Tourist Attraction", its beauty engulfs you, imploring you to become a part of its bounty.