Statues of Sant Tukaram and Shivaji stand tall at the Bhakti-Shakti Garden to indicate the union of strength.
One of the star attractions in Pimpri-Chinchwad is the Bhakti-Shakti Garden, located along the Mumbai-Pune National Highway-4 in Sector 23 of Nigdi Pradhikaran, near the boundary of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Dehu Road Cantonment.
Spread over one hectare, the garden has statues of Sant Tukaram and Shivaji Maharaj to convey the spirit of devotion (bhakti) and valour (shakti). An attractive and well-maintained lawn is another feature of this garden.
It was in 1992, during the tenure of former PCMC commissioner Shrinivas Patil, that the idea of Bhakti-Shakti Garden was first conceived. In fact, the title was suggested by Patil himself. The garden is also meant to symbolise the historic meeting between Tukaram and Shivaji.
According to historical records as a young warrior Shivaji was fired with the resolve of establishing ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ and had visited Dehu to seek Sant Tukaram’s blessings. The meeting of the two great individuals, shown in the form of two groups of statues, indicates the union of strength and spirituality.
Renowned sculptor Madan Garge of Garge art studio in Nashik, sculpted the group of statues showing Chhatrapati Shivaji leading his soldiers and a group of warkaris following Sant Tukaram. The height of the two dominant statues is 20 feet, while the other statues stand 10 feet tall.
A favourite place for the citizens in the evenings, the garden is open throughout the week, from 6 am to 8 am, and in the evening from 4 pm to 8 pm.
There is tremendous rush on weekends and on Thursdays, when industries in the PCMC area are closed.
The landscaping and well-manicured gardens provide a perfect getaway for visitors. The huge space outside the garden has slides, merry-go-rounds, camels and horse rides for children. Miniature cars are also available for kids.
“I often visit the Bhakti-Shakti Garden with my family. I feel very relaxed after walking on the lawn and taking in the fresh air. My children also enjoy playing here,” said Vaidehi Joshi, a resident of Nigdi Pradhikaran.
Manav Kale, a young visitor, said he is fascinated by the statues. “The municipal corporation has very nicely projected the historic meeting between Sant Tukaram and Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.
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