Wada - The Mystic Palace

Wada: The Mystic Palace

The night was too dark painting the surroundings with thick black colour. The sky was covered with black clouds making it difficult to see the things around.

Certainly, the rain can start any time. I knew, once it starts pouring, it would be heavy with long spells.

I was riding my bullet carefully on the countryside road. The headlight was not enough to show the things on road clearly.

The road was muddy and rough. This rainy night has forced my speedy bullet to really crawl. I was so slow.

There was nobody around to enquire, no houses with any sign of living.

Have I lost the road? Oh God! Help me out to find my destination.

I started doubting whether I would be able to make it to my destination, ’Wada- the Palace’.

I started rethinking on my decision to visit the Wada at these odd hours.

Let me introduce myself!

Hi! I am Vineeta. A beautiful & charming young girl.

I am an architecture student pursuing post-graduation at Mumbai. I own a bullet & travel extensively on it with style.

I was always fascinated by designs of Palaces & royal homes. I was always curious to see, understand and appreciate the traditional architecture styles used in palaces.

I was hoping to create a unique architectural style of my own by blending royal ethnic style of palaces-Wadas, as they are traditionally called here in Maharashtra, with modern architectural styles.

Recently, I came to know about an erstwhile princely state, Ramdurg, located around 100 kms from Mumbai. The erstwhile ruler had built a palace- Wada, near the town around 150 years ago. I was told, this Wada, had all the marvellous architectural designs of its time on its doors, windows & ceilings. Though after end of British Raj in Wada.in India, the princely state got merged with India republic but royal descendants leave in wada.

When I heard about Wada at Ramdurg, I decided to visit it once. It was around 3 hour journey from Mumbai.

I planned to start early morning, visit this place and spend the day here and travel back in the evening.

The plan was perfect, and I started journey.

Everything went well, until I turned from highway to interior road connecting Ramdurg. The road was bumpy and I saw tyre puncture. It took long time to find lift, locate a tyre repair person and fix the puncture. Though it was late, since I had already travelled a big distance, i decided to continue journey.

But the sudden change in weather due to heavy clouding in sky called in the dark night quickly.

Suddenly the lightning in the sky made entire surroundings visible for a split moment. I was able to see the Wada at the far end of the road. This rejuvenated my energy, and I started biking a little faster. Meanwhile it started pouring. Somehow, I reached Wada. Though headlight was not making any big impact, I thought somebody would recognise my arrival and come forward to help.

As I entered the Wada & got down from Bullet, I sensed some movement inside.

After a little while, to my utter surprise, I figured three men coming from veranda towards me. I too walked towards them to save myself from gushing rain.

“Namaste, I am Vineeta, a student from Mumbai, came to see Wada, it’s heartening to see somebody in Wada at this time”.

They didn’t respond. I further clarified.

“I planned to visit in daytime, but in between my bike ran into problem. Took lot time to fix and hence I came in night. Sorry for trouble. Can I get in?”

Now the men seem to come alive!! One of them exclaimed!!

“This Baba is amazing; he really has supernatural powers. Otherwise, how would he predict arrival of a girl here in such a scary night?”

I was in confusion!!! Who is this Baba? What predictions they are talking about?

I said “Brother! I am unable to understand what you people are talking !!”

They didn’t reply but swung into action!!

Two guys held my hands tightly, another quickly tied them with rope. They dragged me into a nearby room.

I was shell shocked!! This all happened in such a short time that I could not understand what’s going on?

I thought they have mistaken me for a thieve or robber.

I kept on screaming “Who are you people? I am neither a robber nor a criminal. I think you have misunderstood me. Please free me…!!!”

They didn’t reply. They just shut the room door & went out.

The rain was relentless. I hear it thrumming on the metal roof and running down thru the broken pipe into the room, and I moisten my cracked lips with my tongue. I wonder what’s going to happen next !!! I wonder if they’re going to come back at all…!!!

I started recollecting the entire chain of events & I remembered the guy mentioning about some Baba.

A creaky smile started appearing on my face!!!