SLUG: WORLD HERITAGE DAYVadodara: Nestled in city’s Wadi area, a 175-year-old teakwood temple of Lord Ganesha is quietly reclaiming its place as a heritage gem of the Gaekwadi era. Once neglected and deteriorating, the Dundiraj Ganpati Mandir has been restored through sustained private efforts and is now being seen as a potential contender for UNESCO World Heritage recognition.Built entirely of teakwood, the temple is unique in Gujarat and showcases a distinctive blend of Maharashtrian and Gujarati architectural styles. Despite its historical and architectural value, the structure had slipped into disrepair, with no restoration support from the govt or the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).The revival was led by the Mairal family, which owns the temple. Choosing to act independently, the family brought together a team of experts to undertake the restoration. “A significant portion of the work has been completed over the past few years, though sourcing skilled artisans for heritage woodwork was a major challenge,” said Ashutosh Mairal, a retired professor of MS University.The restoration drew wider attention when a team from the Council of Architecture visited the temple two years ago and appreciated its craftsmanship and historical significance. The team indicated that it would recommend the temple for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage list. More recently, local authorities have also begun documenting the site for possible inclusion in heritage walks.The temple dates back to 1849 and was built by Gopalrao Mairal, then dewan during the Gaekwadi rule, at his own expense during the reign of Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. A devout follower of Lord Ganesha, he designed the two-storeyed structure, bringing in skilled artisans from Hyderabad, Rajasthan and Mumbai for its construction.Architecturally, the temple stands on 44 intricately carved wooden pillars, each about 16 inches in diameter. In a unique feature, the ‘mushak’ (mouse), typically placed near the deity’s feet, is positioned outside the temple, facing the idol. The idol of Lord Ganesha, flanked by Riddhi and Siddhi and accompanied by sons Laabh and Laksh, can be viewed through the space between the ears of the mushak.The temple was consecrated through a havan performed by Gopalanand Swami of the Swaminarayan sect. Its interiors also house paintings over a century old, created under the supervision of Raja Ravi Varma. The Mairal family continues to preserve two original paintings by the renowned artist.BOXRaja Ravi Varma’s legacy lives on in temple artworksThe temple houses a room with miniature paintings created by artists under the supervision of celebrated painter Raja Ravi Varma. Local lore also speaks of a secret tunnel beneath the Mairal Wada, believed to have held hidden wealth and guarded by a ‘naag’ (cobra), with access said to require chanting a secret mantra.
