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Dhavir Maharaj and The Dhavir Temple

Dhavir Maharaj is of great importance to the people of Roha. After Ganesh, people of Roha have great faith in Dhavir Maharaj and he is also known as 'The God Of Roha' or 'Gramdaivat Of Roha'. The Dhavir temple has been declared as a religious place, by the Government of Maharashtra.

History of The Dhavir Temple:

The Dhavir Temple was built by Balwantrao Vithoji More in 1849. There are two stories told about how Dhavir Maharaj became Roha's Gramdaivat.
Click here to see the satellite view of the temple.
To the east of Roha there was a temple named Dhaksut. Once upon a time Roha was facing a great problem. To solve this problem this god invited his elder brother 'Dhavir'. He responded to his brother's call and came to Roha. Dhavir recided there and saved Roha from the difficulty. From that day till date Dhavir Maharaj is beleived to keep a close watch on Roha and protects it from every difficulty or problem that comes in its way. Dhavir's original place was a place named 'Varathi' near Roha.A religious person Balwantrao Vithoji More from More-lane in Roha was follower of Maharaj and used to have his lunch only after visiting Dhavir Maharj at Varathi.But as time passed, due to old age he (More) could not manage walking till Varathi so he decided that he will not have food till he meets Dhavir. Then one day Maharaj came in More's dream and told him that he will come at the place where any cow will leave milk. More was very excited by this incident. Then one day More's cows and buffaloes were grazing on a hill behind More-lane. One of those cows went a distance and left some milk on a stone. So More went there & he came across God as was promised by Dhavir Maharaj. At this place the famous Dhavir Temple is built.

About The Dhavir Palanquin: (locally known as 'The Dhavir Palkhi')

Dhavir Maharaj is taken in a palanquin to visit and give blessings to its devotees through a particular route. This is locally known as "Dhavir Palkhi". Every year people of Roha egarly wait for the Navratri festival which ends with the 'Dhavir - Maharaj Palkhi'. For this day people who have been out of Roha for working return back to Roha to take blessings of Dhavir Maharaj. On this day in front of each house cleaning is done by sweeping & sprinkling of thin cow - dung on which different designs are made using powder, prepared by pounding particular soft & glittering white stones. All men, women and children wait for the Palki to reach their place so that they can take blessings from Dhavir Maharaj. Coconut peices, different types of sweets are given away to people as goodwishes from Dhavir Maharaj.
Other then people from Roha, people also come from Mumbai and other parts of India. Foreigners are also seen for the procession.

Practice Carried From The British Period:

Before living the Dhavir temple to begin the Dhavir Palkhi, it is given 'SALAMI' by the Raigad Police. Salami means police stand in a line and fire bullets from thier rifles. Before entering in proper Roha the Palkhi is welcomed by the Dalits,then the Muslims. The attraction of this whole program is the unity with which people of all communities welcome, celebrate and enjoy the Dhavir Palkhi. A very good example of the unity of the people of Roha.

Must Read About That Special Day:

That day was special because Tabut procession of Muslims & Dhavir Palkhi procession were to take place on the same day. It was an exciting as well as a day which would set an example for everyone.
Ashok Sable was the MLA at that time. He assured the police about unity of the people of Roha. But the police were apprehensive about the situation and didnot wanted to take any chances. They had the feeling that some people may try to create problems between hindu - muslims during the procession. To control any such situation the Collector, District Police Officer & all the police camp had made necessary arrangements.
Both the communities were excited and enjoying their respective processions very well. It was afternoon time when the two processions came together. Ashok Sable the MLA greeted muslim people and started enjoying with them, in the same way some muslim people also danced with the Dhavir Palki and enjoyed the procession. The police camp was shocked to see this, but were also happy because everything was fine and the moment for which they were waiting had finished without any problem.

All the people had set a good example of the Hindu - Muslim unity.