Our Matoshree is where Saheb lived: Shiv Sainik

Even though the Occupation and the Building Completion certificate for Uddhav Thackeray's new mansion have been issued, there is no clarity on when the Thackeray clan will be moving out of Matoshree to the new building. However, for many Shiv Sainiks, the emotional attachment they have with Matoshree cannot be replaced with any other building.

A senior Sainik working closely with Uddhav Thackeray said, "The name Matoshree evokes a lot of emotions in us. It is the place we religiously visited during Guru Poornima when saheb (Bal Thackeray) was alive. We used to wait for him to come to the window of the second floor to wave at us. It might be a normal handwave for others, but for Shiv Sainiks, it was nothing less than a blessing. No other building can hold more importance to a Sainik than Matoshree and Shiv Sena Bhavan."

Located in Bandra East's Kalanagar, Matoshree has been a synonym for Shiv Sena for all these years. The new building is just a stone's throw away from Matoshree, but for Sainiks, Matoshree is the place where their 'Saheb' lived.

Even today several Sainiks visit the bungalow on every Guru Poornima. Though there might not be 'Saheb' waving at them, for them, touching the chair on which he used to sit is like a direct blessing from the late Sena Supremo.

When asked a Sainik where he will prefer going during Guru Poornima, his immediate answer was Matoshree — the place where his saheb breath his last.

Even today, Ravindra Mhatre, Bal Thackeray's personal assistant, visits Bal Thackeray's room daily, lights an incense stick, and spends some time, said a senior Sainik.