Patit Pavan Mandir
Patit Pawan Mandir, also known as Patit Pawan Temple, is a Hindu temple in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. The temple was built by Shriman Bhagojisheth Keer on February 22, 1931. At the time, those from the Dalit caste were considered untouchables and not allowed to enter temples; this built allowed all people, including the untouchables, to enter together on instance of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. A yearly Ganesh festival is held here every year.  The festival was converted into a pan-Hindu festival that everyone, regardless of caste, could attend.

History 

In 1930 when orthodox section of Brahmins started sabotaging the growing activism against untouchability, they passed a resolution that untouchables would not be allowed in Vitthal Mandir during Ganapati festival. Savarkar opted for a separate Ganapati festival for Hindus in order to counter the move. The idol installation was done by a lower caste and the prize for reciting Gayatri Mantra was also won by a lower caste in the festival.

The Patit Pavan Mandir was raised due to opposition by Brahmins towards the installation of idols with vedic rites by Bhagojisheth Keer who belonged to Bhandari caste.

Display 

A monument of Savarkar has been erected in the premises of this temple. On the first floor of the memorial, there is an exhibition and the history of 1857 to the time of independence is presented here. The belongings of Savarkar are preserved there as well. A replica of the Moria boat, the boat from which Savarkar took his historic plunge into the sea, is kept at Marseilles port. In the hall on the ground floor, one can view documentaries.

In popular culture 
Veer Savarkar, a Hindi film by Sudhir Phadke on the life of Savarkar, was shot in Ratnagiri and has scenes shot in Patit Pawan Mandir. This film was in fact the last film for which Phadke last sang and composed music.

References

Further reading
Kane, Pandurang Vaman: History of Dharmasastra: (ancient and mediaeval, religious and civil law) — Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 1962–1975

External links 
 
 Articles on caste by Koenraad Elst:
Caste in India
Buddhism and Caste
Indian tribals and Caste
Physical anthropology and Caste
Etymology of Varna

Hindu temples in Maharashtra