Bhagbali Pande of Chhatarpur
Four very early shrines of the post-reconstruction
period at Kundalpur were built by legendary Bhagbali Pande of Chhatarpur 11.
Three of the temples contain undated idols of local sandstone, and one of them
contains an idol installed by Jivaraj Papdival. One of his temples is on the
west side of the lake near the Jal-Mandir. No detailed information about
Bhagbali Pande is available. While I have not come across an inscription
mentioning him, some old manuscripts still preserved in Chhatarpur mentioned
that they were written for him. According to the tradition he was an
accomplished scholar and author. His title Pande (Sanskrit Pandit) reflects his
scholarly background.
Several miracles are mentioned about him 10.
It is said that he could make his palki move without any kahars (palanquin
bearers). One time during a drought he had caused rain to happen using the
power of his mantras. Kamal Kumar Jain 10 mentions that a
memorial platform in Chhatarpur named after Chhatrasal; built by Chhatrasal
himself was founded during the time of Bhagbali Pande. He is also said to have
been respected by Chhatrasal’s court.
Bhagbali Pande and an associate named Balkishun lived in Chhatarpur on
Dera Pahari, where five temples built by him still stand. The traditional
accounts of Bhagbali Pande would suggest that he was somewhat like a
bhattaraka, however no information has been found that would associate him with
a known bhattaraka seat.