Shingroba: Temple of a Mortal

Sometimes, small temples on an old highway have more to tell than a palace or a fort. On the old Mumbai – Pune Highway, is a nondescript shrine at the bend of the road. Vehicles slow down here to throw a coin or two in front of a deity. The jury is still out on whether it is Shiva or Hanuman; locals however maintain that it is of a mortal called Shingroba.

The story goes thus - the British discovered Lonavala and Khandala in 1871. They decided to build a settlement in the area but they first needed to make the heavily forested area accessible. This meant building roads between Mumbai and Pune.

The British were not familiar with the Western Ghats. They needed help to chart the terrain and enlisted a local shepherd called Shingroba to help. He did as told, but for reasons not clear, was put to death by the British after he finished his task. A temple stands on the old highway as a tribute to the man who led the roads through the Sahyadris.

This temple will be of interest to those who delight in anecdotal history. In the land of Gods, a temple to a mortal is a delightful irony.

Good to Know

Location: 12 km from the Sterling resort  

Timings: 5am to 8pm

Take care to: Maintain an attitude of reverence; Follow photography/mobile phone instructions; Keep kids safe (and quiet).