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PLACES
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GULSUNDE
Gulsunde (T. Panvel; RS. Karjat, 10 m.; p. 417). about ten miles
south of Panvel, has a temple of Siddhesvar on the west bank of the Patalganga river. The temple is said to have been built by Ramaji Mahadev one of the Pesva's Governors. The original stone dome and roof are said to have been too heavy and to nave been replaced with a cement mortared roof by Bajirav Pesva. The temple now has a roofing covered with tin-sheets. Every year on the great sivratri in January-February (magh vadya 13th), a fair is held. The dharmasaja facing the temple is large enough to accommodate about 400 persons and a primary school.
About 120 years ago large numbers of Hindus flocked to Gul-sunde, as the story got abroad that the idol had uttered sounds like the roaring of a lion. Round the temple is a rest-house with the inscription 'At the feet of Siddhesvar (the offering of) Maha-dev sut Baji Karmarkar.' Close by is a mean brick and wood temple of Laksmi-Narayan, built by Anand Kasinath josi in A. D. 1867 (Sak 1789). On the east bank of the Patalganga, in Karade village, is a stone temple of Ramesvar with broad stone steps lead-ing to the water's edge. It was built by Sadasiv Mankesvar in 1836 (Sak 1758) and has a rest-house attached. A few hundred yards inland stands a remarkably fine house built by Ragho Mal-har Kulkarni, Divan of Sadasiv Mankesvar. It is said to have cost Rs. 2,00,000. Huge stone buttresses support the four corners of the building, but the upper storey is of brick and mortar. The whole house is in bad repair. Between the villages of Cavne and Ladivali, a mile below Gulsunde, a stone dam crosses the Patal-ganga bearing date A. D. 1804 (Sak 1726). It is from six to eight
feet broad and was built by Mahadev sut Baji Karmarkar. Above the dam the river forms a beautiful reach two miles long, a mile above and a mile below Gulsunde. Fine mango, jack, and other fruit trees give thick shade and make this an excellent camping ground. The site is some times chosen for its scenic beauty by cine-producers for out-door shooting.
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