Restored birth room of freedom fighter Rajguru to reopen for public on ‘Shaheed Diwas’

Pune: The historic room where freedom fighter and revolutionary Shivaram Hari Rajguru was born has been restored after months of conservation work. It is now set to reopen to visitors from March 23, which is observed as Shaheed Diwas.The room, located at the Rajguru memorial complex in Rajgurunagar (previously Khed) around 45km from Pune, had remained closed to the public for nearly a year due to extensive structural repairs. The approximately 200 sq ft structure holds immense historical significance as the ashes of Rajguru are preserved there.Rajguru, who was born in then-Khed in 1908, was one of the key figures of India's freedom struggle against British colonial rule. Along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar, he was executed by the British on March 23, 1931, for the assassination of British officer John Saunders in Lahore.The state archaeological department undertook the restoration of the decades-old structure in Rajgurunagar in 2025 after it began showing signs of severe deterioration, raising concerns about the safety and preservation of the site.According to officials of the state archeological department, the most pressing issue was a major crack that had developed in the main wall of the room adjacent to the Bhima river. Over the years, water had begun seeping into the room through the damaged wall, threatening both the structural integrity of the building and the artefacts preserved within."Additionally, the vertical wooden supports of the roof had deteriorated significantly due to age and moisture," Vilas Wahane, assistant conservator with the state archaeology department, told TOI. Wahane said the department carried out a comprehensive restoration exercise to stabilise the structure. "We repaired the damaged wall and replaced the roof entirely. The new structure has been reinforced to ensure durability while maintaining the aesthetic and heritage value of the monument," he said.The restoration work was carried out with careful attention to preserving the original architectural character of the historic room. Officials said the department had appointed a private conservation agency to execute the project, which involved detailed study of archival photographs and historical references before any work began."The agency examined old photographs and historic documentation of the monument to understand the original design and materials used. The restoration was carried out cased on those references to ensure authenticity," Wahane added.Alongside the birth room, a Ram temple located within the same premises has also undergone renovation. Authorities said the temple restoration work is nearing completion and is expected to open to the public next month."The sanctum sanctorum work was particularly challenging due to its intricate design, but it has been completed successfully. The work on the sabha mandap and other finishing activities is still underway," Wahane said.The Rajguru memorial complex attracts visitors from across the country throughout the year, especially students, historians and admirers of India's freedom fighters, who come to pay homage to the revolutionary.With the completion of the restoration work, authorities hope the site will continue to serve as an important historical landmark, allowing visitors to connect with the legacy of one of India's most revered revolutionaries. The reopening on Shaheed Diwas is expected to draw large numbers of visitors paying tribute to Rajguru and other martyrs of the freedom struggle.