6thMay

Prachina Brindavana At Coimbatore

With the acquisition of Thanjavur by the Marathas, several native Maharashtrians of all classes migrated to Thanjavur patronizing the Maratha kings. One Sri Sarkeel Govind Rao, an affluent Maratha Deshastha Madhava Brahmin from Tanjavur was a well-educated administrator well known in with the Royals. He was a philanthropist having donated large land holdings to Mutts those days.

His specialisation in the fields of accounts land and revenue was much in demand for the British to ease the administration and exercise effective control over the region. He had established a good rapport with the British, was solicited by the district and the presidency for his services. His knowledge on land and revenue distribution helped the British in prudent policy formulation which created new laurels for the colonial rulers. He was well appreciated for his acumen and honesty for which he was rewarded by the British with a Jagir of Myleripalayam near Coimbatore in 1829.

Further Sir Thomas Monroe, Governor of Madras presidency personally gifted him a fruit garden located on Raja Street in Coimbatore near Theppakulam. The ascetic Govind Rao consecrated Lord Hanuman and Sri Raghavendra Tirtha Brindavana in this fruit garden and made the gift meaningful. This act was appreciated by Sir Thomas Monroe as well.  This is one of the Prachina Brindavanas of Sri Raghavendra Tirtha consecrated during 1830s. The property is put to use for various religious and spiritual events even today.