One of the sights we were told to see in Sawantwadi was the Chitnis Wadi we drove down looking for it, we told the general directions. I realized that navigating from landmark to landmark we had a better shot at reaching our destination than asking the entire route.
From the Moti tala we went towards the general direction that we were told that the Chitnis wadi was located. Well to be honest we either did not get there or we crossed it and we did not recognize it.
However the entire layout of this street was that of affluent Indians of the British time. The brick and mortar architecture, the arch while retaining the open courtyard system of the traditional Indian architecture. Still trying to find Chitnis wadi we chanced on ruins of an oldish building. My husband and daughter being avid photographers thought they could go trigger happy here.
As we entered the archway this reminded me of what was traditionally called hebbagilu or the entrance e which usually housed the doorkeeper and the peripheral men folk of the family. Sadly like most old clan- houses impoverishment has lead to these two independent houses being carved out.
Then was the central place where we were told that the royals were buried,.
Wonder what archaeology guys would find if they really bothered to excavate and date the structure. Someday I shall definitely set a story in these ruins.
photographs courtesy J.Koushik.
