Nagpur: All due to efforts put in by social worker Sandeep Agrawal, the Archeology department has started renovation of dilapidated Kapoor-Bavali, located 100 feet deep at Trivikram Mandir by Gad Mandir, situated about two kilometers away on the east side of Shri Kshetra Shantinath Jain Mandir, in Ramtek taluka of Nagpur district. The historical Bavali and Gad Mandir have gone so much dilapidated that its old bricks were getting dislocated almost to the extent of their sudden collapse. People had been demanding Bavali’s renovation since long, and now their demand is however fulfilled by the archeology department which has taken up its renovation work. The constant efforts made by social worker Sandeep Agrawal are praise-worthy in this regard.
It may be noted that Sandep Agrawal in association with another social worker had visited the site of Kapoor Bavali built in size 50×50 feet bearing the depth of about 100 feet, recently. Its western side is adorned with sculptural art highlighting Hemadpanthi ‘Sadhana Kaksha’ and ‘Saatsara Devi’ Mandir. On its northern and southern sides there are ‘mandaps’ of the size 10×50 feet. Its historical significance is that when there was no water supply scheme in Ramtek, people used to consume water from the said Bavali during festivals at Jain Mandir, irrigation of land and other usage.
Another thrilling experience is that one Narendra Giri Baba, a Naga hermit, had lived in this temple for 80 years. And, Prior to Independence even Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj too had lived there.
Earlier, a demand for renovation was raised by BJP city president Mansaram Ahirkar. The demand was later pursued by Sandeep Agrawal with department of archeology, drawing attention of the then superintendent D G Alone, but the department had denied the existence of the Bavali on their record. Even the State Government too had said that there was no inclusion of Bavali in the record. However, constant pursuit by Sandeep bore the fruit and the department of archeology had to accept that there is a Bavali, and accordingly, now its renovation work has started.
– Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha( rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com )
