Once Bajirao and Kashibai’s love nest, Shaniwar Wada is now the most haunted place in Pune. It has a long history behind it.
The palace which was build up to nurture and witness memories and heroic tales saw nothing, but treachery, pain and ill-fate of those who resided within these walls. Not just this, it is believed that such is the fate of this fort that at present day it is the most haunted palaces of Pune.
In its first year, Shaniwar Wada saw an early and unfortunate death of Peshwa Bajirao I, betrayal for his first wife Kashibai, an incomplete love story of Bajirao-Mastani (his second wife) and treachery by the hands of Nanasaheb (Bajirao-Kashibai’s first born).
The structure which was once renowned for its architectural brilliance, is now dreaded for supernatural activities on the full-moon night. Locals believe that the fort is haunted by the ghost of Bajirao’s grandson Narayanrao, who was brutally killed on orders of his relatives.
Till today, tourists and explorers are allowed to visit the outer chamber of fort during the day and at night, the place is deserted. Some locals and enthusiasts even lay out camps near the river bank to listen to the wailing cry of help of Narayanrao’s spirit shouting ‘Kaaka! Maala vaachva’ that continues to haunt ‘Shaniwar Wada’.
As per Hindu customs, a dead individual’s cremation must be done with all rituals to release their spirit from the mortal world. And, as Narayanrao’s body was dismembered and thrown away in the river, his remains were never found and his last rites couldn’t be performed.
Locals believe that because Narayanrao’s funeral rites never took place, his spirit till date moves in pain in the mortal world and his soul is trapped within the walls of Shaniwar Wada.
It is also believed that once Kashibai’s best friend from childhood had cursed the prosperity of Shaniwar Wada, after her husband was killed by Bajirao on suspicion of being a traitor to the Maratha Empire.
PNN/Agencies