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PLACES
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BAHE
Bahe, (pop. 3.546) in Valva taluka lying 8.04 km (5 miles)
north of Islampur, is situated on the right bank of the Krsna. Crops like sugarcane, jowar and groundnut are grown in abundance. A bridge laid across the river at Bahe has greatly facilitated traffic between Bahe and Narsingpur, which was hitherto disrupted during high floods. Narsingpur, on the left bank of the Krsna, is situated about 3.21 km (2 miles) upstream. There is a primary school and a post office.
Bahe was originally granted to Yesantrav Thorat who flourished in the reign of Rajaram (1689—1700) and his son Sivaji. Yesvantrav was killed in the battle of Panhala (May 18, 1701) and as his adopted son was not present his villages were given to his nephew Sidoji. The village contains to date the mansion of Yesvantrav which was fortified with mud and scone walls and bastioned at the corners. The fortifications along with the bastions have given way. A part of the mansion has also collapsed, the remaining being repaired and utilised by the descendants of Sidoji. The first storey of the building gives a clear view of the river flowing below and the island with the temples.
Objects.
Ramlinga-Temple.
Bahe has temples dedicated to Ramlinga, Maruti, Ganapati and
Krsna. Of these the first two are remarkable and are situated on
a small islandlike formation in the Krsna bed. A good many
trees on the island shade the temples. The chief temple of Ramlinga, after which the island is also called, was built by one Antoba Naik Bhide about two and a quarter centuries ago. It is built of mortared brick on 0.609 metres (two feet) high plinth. The idol chamber is about 0.92 m2 (10 ft. square). The outer chamber has a vaulted roof with four pillars. The side aisles are about 2.43 metres (8 ft.) high and the centre about 3.96 mitres (13 ft.). The arches are pointed and about 1.82 metres (6 ft.) wide. The whole chamber is about 1.85 m2 (20 ft. square) and is capped by a pinnacle about 9.14 metres (30 ft.) high also of mortared brick. The legend about the temple is that during a pilgrimage Rama halted here, worshipped a ling and hence the temple as well as the island came to be known as Ramlinga. Today the shrine is in very had repairs. Two fairs are held at the temple, one on the last day of Pausa and the other on the bright ninth of Caitra in honour of Rama's birthday.
Hanuman Temple.
The temple of Maruti with a 2.13 metres (7 ft.) image of Hanuman is a poor double building 9.14 x 4.57 metres (30 ft. by 15 ft.)
built by one Dhangar Setu Harpu Khat. The whole was surrounded by a walled court; but the court has since crumbled down due to floods. In high floods the river flows right up to the dome of the temple. Setu Dhangar presented the Ramlinga temple with a curious brass cobra which can still be seen.
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