PLACES

MALGAON

Malganv, with a population of 11,540 as per the Census of 1961, is a village in Miraj taluka lying 9.65 km (six miles) to the north of Miraj with which it is connected by a road. Betel-leaf, produced here in abundance, is the major cash-crop and is known for its good quality. An area of about 141.64 hectares (350 acres) is under betel-leaf orchards and daily two truck loads of betel-leaves are sent to places like Bombay, Poona, Khed and Ciplun. Though at present water is obtained from the wells, a scheme estimated to cost nearly Rs. 76,000 would soon be undertaken to supply tap water. Besides the primary schools there is a middle school, a high school, a police station, a post office, four gymnasiums and a maternity home. A large weekly market, also attended by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, is held on Fridays.

Bava Phan Dargah.

One of the objects of interest in the village is the dargah of Bava Phan a Muslim avaliya, which was built during the regnal period of Aurangzeb. To this day it is in a very good condition. Large blocks of black stone have been employed for the construction of the edifice as well as the surrounding wall. The dargah is hardly half a furlong from the Malganv bus stand. It has solid fortifications around and is entered by a lofty gate. Inside the enclosure is a spacious courtyard in the centre of which stands the tomb of Bava Phan. Thousands of people, men, women and children, following different religious faiths and coming from within and without the district flock to the dargah on the day of the urus which falls on the first Tuesday after Kartika Paurnima. The urus lasts for two days only and the attendance is well over twelve thousand. In front, the dargah has three arches and in the centre of the inner chamber lie interred the mortal remains of Bava Phan. At the site where the tomb stands today was a small lake and it is here that he is supposed to have passed his evenings in religious contemplation (meditation). After his death this dargah was erected by some pious persons, the lake having disappeared before long due to the constant drain of mud and silt. Behind it there is a well whose waters are supposed to have potent effects. It is popularly believed that if a patient drinks some water after performing appropriate prayers at the dargah he is cured of his disease. Hence this well has come to be credited with sanctity and considered to be the holy Ganga itself. Many legends have grown around the self of Bava Phan and his divine powers. Many superhuman feats have been ascribed to him. But the tale most frequently told may be recited here. The avaliya often went round the village for alms. One day while on his usual round he saw tears rolling down the eyes of the wife of a certain Babu Vani also known as Babu Siddh, a shop-keeper in the village. Bava Phan was deeply touched by the sight and on asking the reason of her affliction found out, that she had no issue. Bava Phan assured her that he would show her a way and from thence everyday he began to teach her a couplet of mantras in order to enable her to have children. Selfish people of the village could not bear this and in order to thwart their attempt played a trick and succeeded in poisoning Babu Siddh's mind against the character of the avaliya and the chastity of his wife and promised to apprehend them red handed. As usual when the Bava entered the house some persons locked the door against the outside and summoned Babu who was at his shop then. But on opening the door, the villains to their great mortification could not find the Bava. Instead they found a newly born child at the feet of Babu's wife who was still engrossed in memorizing the mantras. Too proud to admit the divinity in the person of the Bava they thought of yet another trick and having looted Babu's shop sent him a word ascribing the robbery to the Bava. Babu on rushing to his shop found all the things in tact. After this Bava was left alone. Babu Siddh performed the tonsure ceremony of the child and put it in the cradle, but mysteriously enough the child also disappeared very soon and even to this day the hair or the javal and the cradle have been preserved in the mansion of Babu Siddh.. Every devotee or pilgrim after paying his or her respects at the dargah of Bava Phan visits the mansion of Babu Siddh where it is fervently believed that if a vow or navas is pronounced the barren women get children. And to comply with their vowS in fulfilment of the wishes people offer small golden, silver or wooden cradles according to their means and ability. Bava Phan has numerous devotees coming from all castes, creeds and communities following different religious faiths.

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