Heritage Walk - Panipat

Where do I belong? Do my roots nourish me? Do I give back all that I receive? These questions echo through the journey of life, akin to the intimate relationship between soil and seed.

Between the raindrops, a symphony of moments unfolded. Ar. Varsha Sharma introduced Rock the Roots, a voluntary organization run by professionals, founded on the day of the Pulwama attack by Dr. Bhagyashree Khaladkar and herself.

The audacious plunder of Pulwama ignited a fire within them to do something meaningful for their country and its people, thus the birth of Rock the Roots.

We began our heritage walk at Shaniwarwada, the venerable home of the Peshwas. Here, amidst the ancient gates, folklore artist Sri Mandar Paralikar breathed life into history, transporting us to a time when armies launched towards battlefields and every soul entering this great land was deserving of respect—unless they came to plunder.

The local stones whispered secrets of a bygone era, narrating tales of valor and peril. Today, we sit in the comfort of companionship, but back then, each day brought new threats.

Our path led us to Amruteshwar, a temple in the Hemadpanti style, built by Bhiu Bai, sister of Peshwa Bajirao. As raindrops danced on our umbrellas and our feet splashed in puddles, we reveled in the beauty of stone architecture that radiated a special, timeless vibe.

Further along the riverbank, we found Omkareshwar, another sacred edifice crafted by Chimmajiappa, brother of Bajirao. Here, we honored his legacy, reflected in his son Sadashiv Rao’s ultimate sacrifice at Panipat.

Our journey culminated at Kameshwar Temple, where we found shelter from the rain under a humble shed.

There, a metal crafter, Sri Kishore Karde bearing the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas, shared his heart through his enduring copper works. From the glory of 3,000 thriving industries, only 30 remain—a slow-burning flame of heritage.

Listening to Milind Joshirao recount the lessons of Panipat, we were reminded that a nation is built through sacrifice. His parting words urged us to learn from the past and contribute our own sacrifices for the future.

Finally, we met Damodar Rati, a passionate history teacher. Disappointed by the scant recognition of the Maratha Empire in modern textbooks, she has rewritten history for the children, reconnecting them with their roots and inspiring them towards real history.

Archana concluded by thanking everyone for making the choice to come despite the heavy rains, highlighting the collective spirit and dedication to the journey.

In this odyssey, the rain was more than a backdrop—it was a reminder that between every drop lies a story, a lesson, and an opportunity to grow. Just as the soil nourishes the seed, our roots sustain us, and it is our duty to honor them by giving back all that we receive.

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