The Bell at Naroshankar Temple

The Bell at Naroshankar Temple. Image Source: Belongs to the respective owner.

Situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari, Naroshankara Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed by Sardar Naroshankar Rajebahaddur in 1747 and hence got the name Naroshankar temple.

Naro Shankar temple is one of the most unique temples in Maharashtra. Its interiors and exterior walls are adorned with beautifully carved structures and ornamental works that contain elaborate laceworks, peacocks holding bead garlands etc. Check our previous blog to know more about the architecture of Naroshankar Temple.

Image 1: Naroshankar Temple PC: John William around 1850s

Another notable feature of Naroshankar Temple is the Naroshankar Bell. This Bell originally belongs to the fort of Vasai, which was under the Portuguese. They had captured this fort from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat in 1534. It was an important port in India during that time.(Bell image: Feature Image) (Vasai Fort: Image 2)

Image 2: Ruined Cathedral of St. John from the north-west, in Bassein Fort, Maharashtra, taken by Charles Scott in the late 1850s.

The Portuguese had been dilly-dallying over the grant of a trading outpost to Peshwa Bajirao on Salsette Island — or Sashthi in today’s suburban Mumbai. Moreover, Bajirao was insulted by the Portuguese. What made matters worse was the Portrugese support to the Siddi of Janjira earlier. Hence, Bajirao decided to teach the Portuguese a lesson and the responsibility fell on his brother Chimaji Appa’s shoulders.

The Marathas , under Chimaji Appa , laid seige to this Portuguese stronghold on the western coast of India during 1737 – 1739 . A resounding victory followed, ensuring that the Maratha empire continued to dominate Maharashtra’s coastline which added another feather in Peshwa Bajirao’s cap. The final celebrated assault on the fort at Vasai happened around 16th of May 1739. (Chimaji Appa statue: Image 3)

Image 3: Statue of Chimmaji Appa in Vasai Fort. Image Source: Belongs to respective owner.

On 23 May 1739, one week later, after the Treaty of Bassein was signed between the Portuguese & Marathas, the Portuguese garrison of some 300 soldiers walked out with full military honours as one of the conditions mentioned in the treaty and the Marathas took control of the Bassein fort.

The Marathas then removed the 6 church bells from the churches in Bassein Fort, which were then carried off on elephant backs as victory souvenirs by the Maratha sardars to their home towns at various places in Maharashtra.

Image 4: Front view of Naroshankar Temple and Naroshakar Bell

The Church bell is at Naroshankar temple and is called “Naroshankarachi Ghanta”. The bell was looted in 1739 from ‘Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church’, Mt. Poinsur by the Marathas. It is 2.5-ft high and 10.25ft in circumference.  The bells from the churches were paraded, carried off on elephant backs till Nashik with great celebration and offered to Naroshankar Raje Bahhaddar, who played a pivotal role in Battle of Bassein, as a medal – an award for his bravery. (Image 4)

A beautiful watercolor painting of Naroshankar Temple by painter Pandit Mulay

One more factor that Naroshankar helps is that during monsoons when the water level of Godavari increases and touches the Naro Shankar Bell, it is assumed to be very dangerous and massive floods in Nasik. The bell proves to be indicator designed to recognize the flood intensities.

Written by – Ishwari Khandelwal, studio adda Research Intern