A unique project, perhaps the only project in India situated at Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, Kaneri, Tal. Karveer, Dist. Kolhapur. The place is near Kolhapur city on Pune Banglore Highway. Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math has a history of more than 1000 years, and is a holy place of worship of Lord Mahadeva. The surrounding around the museum is very calm and quiet, a hilly place with a good collection of Flora and Fauna.
The project is a dream village of Mahatma Gandhi, visually and symbolically created through the vision and efforts of present 27th Mathadhipati H.H. Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
The main objective of the Project is to refresh the history of self sufficient village life before the invasion of Mughals in Maharashtra. There were 12 BALUTEDARS (12 main profession based casts i.e. Professions performed by generation by family members) and 18 ALUTEDARS, who provided equipments to all villagers useful in their day-to-day necessities of domestic as well as Agricultural life.
These Balutedars, Alutedars and others had a special characteristics with which they served society. The description of all 18 Alutedars, 12 balutedars and other people and their duties are vividly depicted in the museum.
The first phase of the museum spans over 7 Acres of area with almost 80 main scenes and around 300 statues. Several subtle village lifestyles are taken into consideration. There is a unique combination of expression, accuracy and liveliness in the whole village. Each sculpture has a multi dimensional effect and lifestyle theme which Swamiji very keenly arranged each and every scene to make a proper visual story. In the total cluster the village demonstrate a self sufficient machinery within village. Barter economy, Interpersonal healthy happy relationship among villagers is reflected. The Museum projects the entire village as a single family, and as single family members in a joint family. No adulteration, no cut thought practice, no mad Rat Race, No pollution, but Caring, and delightful atmosphere, no bitter feeling, but fertile land, clean water, clean air, quality food, maximum use of natural resources, cattle field, livestock, job satisfaction. All these things are reflecting the beauty, Joy, satisfaction of human race and oneness with nature. It advises us to get back to nature, without disturbing the equilibrium of nature and many other things which are beyond our imagination.
This holy centre is situated about 10 kms away from Kolhapur known as ‘Dakshinkaashi’ where the famous ‘Mahalaxmi Temple’ is located. It is 4 kms away from ‘Pune-Banglore’ highway which is national express highway no.4. Railway system is another facility for communication. There is an airport located nearby ‘Ujalaiwadi’ – 9 km away from Kolhapur.
This delightful museum is situated in the Siddhagiri Math in Kaneri, Dist. Kolhapur, 4 kms off the Pune-Bangalore National Highway (AH 17). The Math has a history that dates back to 1200 years and is dedicated to Lord Mahadeva. The Math is in sylvan surroundings that have an abundance of flora and some fauna.
The Museum is a unique project that showcases the self-sufficiency of village life as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. Various aspects of a village life are recreated here. The project has come to life through the vision and efforts of the present Mathadhipati H.H. Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
Great care and deep research has been gone into making this unusual museum. The museum currently spans over 7 acres of land where 80 scenes of village life and around 300 life-size statues of humans and domestic animals are on display in open natural surroundings. They depict various inter-dependent 12 caste-based professions and 18 related occupations that were then in existence in a largely agrarian society.
The artistic and aesthetic rendition make the scenes come alive whereas the realistic dimensions and minute attention to detailing of how homes and places of work must have looked then are a visual delight for both children and adults. A visit to this unusual museum makes one long for the back-to-nature, simple, healthy, uncomplicated village life that was prevalent in India for several centuries.
Overview of Kaneri Math
A fantastic sculpture museum, the Kaneri Math or Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum is one of Kolhapur’s important attractions. Nestled in the premises of Moola-Kaadsiddheswar Shiva temple, this place has an unmissable tranquil vibe. The highlight of this temple however is the way it displays village life or gramjivan. It depicts the history of the village before the Mughals invaded it. The sculptures here are life-size here sprawling across an area of seven acres. In all there are some 300-odd statues here. The kaneri math kolhapur has a huge ghoshala with many native breeds and hundreds of cows. To prserve the Indian breed of cows, the matcha established the ghoshala of 600 cattle. Kaneri Math Goshala is very well known for cows and their preservation.
Kanermath Kolhapur ticket price -
Child: Rs.50 Adult: Rs.100
Kaneri Math Timings : 9am–6:30pm
