The protector deities of Sanjay Gandhi National park (Borivali)

Borivali Sanjay Gandhi National park, a protected area is one of the most visited national park within the metropolitan city limits of Mumbai. It covers an area of 103 sq kms. Apart from its rich flora and fauna, the area of national park lies on an important route which connected the two ancient port towns of Sopara and Kalyan. These ancient ports had trading relations with older cities of the world like Greece and Mesopotamia. The history of National park dates back to 1st century BCE when Buddhist monks chiselled out massive basaltic rocks to create the world famous Buddhist learning and pilgrimage site of Kanheri. Over 109 caves were carved filled with sculptures, carvings, paintings and inscriptions between 1st century to 9th century BCE.

The forested areas of the national park were first inhabited by the monks who stayed at the monasteries of Kanheri. But in modern times there are quite a large tribal populations who have been staying inside or on the fringes of national park for generations. These tribals have been worshipping deities who have been considered the protector deities of the forest. Recently while on my morning walk inside the forested area, stumbled upon these two shrines which from outside looks like a normal temples constructed recently, These temples have been regularly visited by morning walkers and the tribals of the national park.

First shrine is a small temple located close to a stream which flows only during rainy season while during rest of the year it is a stagnant pool of water which dries up over a period of time during the year. This temple is known as "Sati temple". The temple looks like a normal temple dedicated to goddess but what interested the heritage enthusiast in me was number of stone idols which lay scattered in a small area around the temple.

There is a heritage stone which lies rested outside the temple wall is a "Ass curse stone". Ass curse stone known locally as "Gadhegal", Gadhe means donkey and gal could mean a curse or a stone. Archaeologist have found such stones across Maharashtra and Goa, These stones usually date back to Shilahara dynasty from 10th century. The vertical stone slab has a panel at the bottom showing an image of donkey-women intercourse. These stones served as declaration of land grants given to a subject and indicated a curse or punishment that would befall a person who violated the order.

These stones were usually placed on the boundary of the plot bestowed on a family and served a territory marker.

There lies a set of three stones in the compound of which the middle one is bigger as compared to other two on the sides and a Trishul stands near the stones. Irony is they have been smeared with vermilion and probably poured oil over for don't know for how many years that the figurines on the stone have completely disappeared under the coat of oil, dust and vermilion.

One stone which has carved Ganesha and another set of three stones again smeared with vermilion lies adjacent to the temple shrine on the outside. Though these stones looks fairly recent unlike the ass curse stone or the set of three other stone idols.

There are few more stones around the temple coloured in orange but does not seems to have any carved figure on it. This temple is visited regularly by people who know about it but not by daily visitors as it lies away from the main roads going towards larger attractions within the national park.

The second temple shrine is located within the restricted area of the park and is reached after a walk of around 5 minutes from the restricted gate. I had read about it somewhere but didn't give much importance until one sunday out of curiosity I just followed one morning walker going inside the what is marked as restricted area. The area is frequented by morning walkers but during the day a security guard doesn't allow visitors inside the area.

The temple shrine is a small shed with walls painted recently with Warli art. Three deities stand in the temple sanctum namely "Waghoba" - the protector of the jungle and two goddess next to it which are worshipped by the tribals. The most important part about the idols worshipped in the temple is two of the main idols are made of wood while another dedicated to village goddess is small stone covered in vermilion.

The main idol dedicated to Waghoba dev is a 3 foot tall slab of wood which has carved animal figure along with symbols of Sun and Moon.

Next to the main idol on right side lies another wood idol of Goddess Jari Mari. The two and half foot tall idol has human face carved in wood and covered in chunari. A sign board says its "Aai Jari Mari" or Mother goddess Jari Mari. This is something very unique and I haven't seen anything remotely close and interesting as these idols.

One the left side of Waghoba dev idol is a small rectangle stone marked as village goddess.

Few people I talked to during my visit informed that they have been taking care of the temple along with locals staying inside the park. They do the prayers regularly in the morning and during certain specific days in a year bhajans are sung throughout the night by devotees. The idols have been lying here for centuries at the spot and small temple was built around it in recent years.

These two temples lying inside the national park are very unique and significant heritage that needs to be researched and protected. The national park covers a huge area of 104 sq kms and there may be more such hidden treasures scattered around the park which would be known and visited frequently by locals but never gets highlighted and thus does not get preserved with care.