WASHIM

The name Washim has evolved over centuries, shaped by the region’s historical and cultural legacy. In the 4th–5th century CE, it was known as Vatsagulma, an important centre under the Vakataka dynasty. Over time, linguistic shifts are believed to have transformed Vatsagulma into Washim. Some scholars link the name to the Sanskrit word Vashini, meaning “one who controls” or “a sacred place.” Another interpretation suggests a possible connection to the Arabic name Basim, meaning “the one who smiles,” possibly reflecting early contact between the region and Arab traders or migrants.

Long ago, in the ancient city of Vatsagulma, now known as Washim, lived a Maharaja named Sarvasena. Maharaja Sarvasena was a follower of Bhagwan Shiv who dedicated his days to meditation and virtuous leadership. One day, while traveling through his kingdom, he stumbled across a lovely pond filled with lotus flowers. As he gazed at the peaceful waters, a voice whispered to him.

"O King, this is not just any pond, but a tirtha created by Vishnu himself. Bathe in these waters, and your sins will be washed away." Hearing this, the king eagerly submerged himself in the water, feeling a sensation of cleanliness and tranquility. From that point forward, the king made it his mission to discover all tirthas throughout his kingdom.

With the assistance of his pandits and scholars, King Sarvasena discovered 108 holy tanks and springs across Vatsagulma. Each tirtha was linked with a different Devta or sant and charged with divine force. The king constructed places of worship and mandirs around the tirthas so that yatris could visit and perform rites. The tirthas became well-known, and bhakts from all across the country began flocking to Vatsagulma to bathe in the holy waters and seek blessings.

Maharaja Sarvasena's dedication was rewarded. After his passing, his aatma joined with Shiv, awarding him moksha. It is said that the king's legacy carries on through the hallowed tirthas he discovered, which continue to purify the souls of everyone who seeks them in Washim.

Two and a half centuries ago, in the city of Washim (previously known as Vatsagulm), a discovery permanently seems to have impacted the region's history. While digging in the region, locals discovered a collection of murtis, including those of  Vishnu,  Lakshmi,  Ganesh, and Saraswati. The Nawab Hashmat Jung Bahadur and the surrounding Deshmukh zamindars were among the first to learn about this discovery, and they promptly visited the site and ordered additional excavation. As the digging progressed, the primary murti of Balaji emerged from the ground, together with that of others. People placed the murtis on Hanuman's vedi and built a small Mandir to enshrine them.

At the time, the Vatsagulm region was divided among three powers: the Nizam controlled the eastern part, the Peshwas controlled the middle, and the Nagpurkar Bhosale dominated the western part. The murtis were discovered in the western section, under the Bhosale's kingdom. Senasaheb Subha Janoji Bhosle, the Maharaja of Nagpur, was told of the extraordinary discovery.

Bhawanipant Kalu, a valiant Sardar in the service of Raghuji Bhosle, had just returned from a victorious battle in Bengal, having collected the tribute owed to the Bhosales. When Bhawanipant Kalu heard the news from Vatsagulm, he raced to the place with his army. He was thrilled to see the murtis and made a solemn vow to Vishnu: "If I conquer Bengal, I will build you a grand Mandir right here in the city of Vatsagulma".

Bhawanipant Kalu attributed his victory in the Battle of Bengal to Balaji's blessings. As the chief leader of the Bhosale army, he had demonstrated his abilities as a warrior. Bhawanipant Kalu returned from Bengal and presented the court with the wealth and spoils of war, as well as a story of the murti discovered in Vatsagulma. He then informed Senasaheb Subha Janoji Bhosle about his commitment to build a splendid mandir for Balaji.

True to his pledge, Bhawanipant Kalu began construction of the Shri Balaji Mandir and the associated Dev Talao (lake) in Washim (originally Vatsagulm), enshrining the previously discovered murtis of Shri Balaji and other Devtas.

Bhawanipant Kalu consecrated the murti of Shri Balaji and the other Devtas with a great ceremony on Shravan Vadya 10, Shaka 1705, which corresponds to 22 August 1783, a Friday. He then appointed a group of attendants to perform regular puja and aarti at the Mandir. The Shri Balaji Mandir and Dev Talao took 25 years to build, with Bhawanipant Kalu financing the entire project out of his private treasury. At the time, the building cost a sum of 10 lakh rupees. After some time, Bhawanipant Kalu received a Jahagiri (land grant) and took over control of the Shri Balaji Sansthan (institute).

During the volatile periods of the Mughal Empire, the old town of Karanja served as a symbol of affluence and beauty. Its four great entrances and towering fortress walls reflected its strategic importance and wealth.

Karanja was renowned for its incredible wealth, and this reputation had only expanded throughout the ages. It had streets lined with the finest silks and markets brimming with the sale of priceless stones and spices. When the Treaty of Purandar was signed, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb intended to punish Shivaji, the astute Maratha Maharaj, for his escape from Agra. As retaliation, Aurangzeb seized Shivaji's jagir (land grant) in the Berar district, which included the affluent town of Karanja.

Shivaji had anticipated such a move and told one of his most loyal generals, Prataprav Gujar, to be ready. He launched a risky assault on Karanja, aiming to retaliate against the Mughals and retrieve Shivaji's due fortune. The assault on Karanja was a tremendous success. Prataprav Gujar’s forces swiftly took control of the town, seizing its wealth and supplies. It is believed that the treasure they carried away on the backs of 4,000 oxen and horses was worth a sum of one crore rupees, a fortune beyond belief at the time.

Locals say that once, a wealthy merchant named Lekur Sangai, who had been living frugally, unexpectedly revealed the depth of his riches when a visiting trader arrived with 60 camels loaded with musk and Kasturi (a fragrant material). Lekur Sangai offered to acquire the entire load for 100 camel-loads of gold pieces bearing Emperor Akbar's stamp. The merchant was taken aback by Lekur Sangai's display of wealth and initially laughed at his offer, only to be shown the 12 cellars packed with treasures of rare coins. Lekur Sangai then threw the entire load of musk and Kasturi into the foundations of his freshly built mansion, leaving a smell that would linger for years to come.

The merchant was so stunned that he fainted. When he recovered, he abandoned any attempt to bargain further . It is said that he later spread word of Karanja’s wealthy merchants and carried tales of the riches found in Shivaji’s Maratha Empire back to the Arabian lands.