Mangalvedhe Bhoomi Santaanchi: Part 1

 

The Saints of Mangalvedhe ( मंगळवेढे)

Part 1

(This first part is largely a repetition of a recent post about my trip to Mangalvedhe. However posting it as it opens a more extensive series about the saints of Mangalvedhe.)

While in Pandharpur last month I got the opportunity to make a day trip to the nearby town of Mangalvedhe which is about 25 km from Pandharpur. It makes me laugh to think that the only thing I connected with Mangalvedhe until now was the fact that the ST bus from Mumbai to Mangalvedhe was one of the few that used to stop in Khopoli. So during my days at KEM Mumbai I would get excited to see this bus at the Parel ST stand and be in the forefront of a crowd struggling to get inside to go home for the weekend, even if it meant standing for the entire journey. 

It makes me feel a bit embarrassed now that I had never bothered to know anything about this place before. This little town’s history is a treasure trove due to the many saints who lived here in the 13th to 15th centuries. The list is long and includes Gopabai, Sant Chokhamela, Soyrabai. Damajipant, Kanhopatra, Sant Jayatheertha, Sant Basaveshwara and more.

I will devote the next few posts to tell you stories and/ or abhangas of the first three saints from the above list.

This post is about Gopabai. 

The history dates back to the fourteenth century, though some sources say seventeenth century around the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The town was facing dire effects of continuous famines. Locals had to travel long distances to get water for themselves, their animals and for their crops. During one such difficult time there was a yogi staying on the outskirts of the town. People approached him for blessings and guidance to overcome famine and water shortages. Through his yogic powers he was able to locate a potential source of water on the outskirts of the town. However there was a price to pay. There was a rather shocking requisite to access this water. A human sacrifice from a new mother would yield water at that site. 

There was a pious young woman in town, the daughter-in-law of a wealthy farmer. She had recently given birth to her first baby. Her name was Gopabai. No one had the heart to ask her for such extreme sacrifice. When the word reached her ears, she came forward and volunteered to sacrifice herself and her baby for the cause of the welfare of the entire town. She persuaded her family that it was a small sacrifice if just two lives could prevent the death and suffering of many.

Her father-in-law provided for the digging and construction of the stone well at the site indicated by the yogi. At the bottom of this well, under one of the side walls, a special chamber/ tunnel was built to set up home for Gopabai and her baby. Once the construction was completed an auspicious time was picked for her to enter the well.  As she held her baby in the arms and began to walk, with every step she descended, water appeared from the bottom and began to rise up slowly. Gradually she disappeared under the waters and the villagers saw the entire well filled with water out of nowhere. It was a bittersweet moment. One noble soul’s sacrifice helped quench the thirst and hunger of many for generations. 

I saw the well in person that day. Even after so many centuries it remains in good condition. There was some water at the bottom and the entrance to Gopabai’s chamber was visible from above. Apparently in recent years when drought caused complete drying of the well, the villagers were able to go down and explore inside the chamber. I was told it is a huge and elaborate chamber that extends several hundred yards underground. All basic amenities for a household are found intact there. But no trace of Gopabai. She lives as a legend.  She is ranked alongside the other saints that are associated with Mangalvedhe. Sant Gopabai is how she is remembered for her sacrifice for the people. 

Saree is same that I had draped during the visit to Mangalvedhe. A cotton nauwari bought in Pune specially for the wari. 

Fertile soil around Gopabai’s well.