Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Junnar in Pune district .During the reign of the Satavahana (200 BCE–190 CE), the pass was extensively used as a trade route between Kalyan and Junnar. Literally, the name nane means "coin" and ghat means "pass". The name is given because this path was used as a tollbooth to collect toll from traders crossing the hills.
At Nane Ghat the inscription, the steps, the rock-cut rest houses, and the cisterns show that as far back as the 1st century B.C., this route was frequently used. Even now , it carries heavy trade traffic of local tribal people.
History
The inscriptions in the caves indicate that they are the work of rulers who came into prominence after the fall of the Mauryan empire.It is believed that a powerful woman ruler Naganika, the wife of Satakarni (180–170 BCE) of the Satavahana family commissioned the cave, the statues and the inscriptions. Inscriptions in the cave mention her and her family members. Though the statues adorning the sides of the rectangular cave are now gone, the inscriptions still record some of the achievements of the dynasty. The Naneghat records have proved very important in establishing the history of the region
This practice was so successful that a huge stone dime-collector was built which amazingly, still is intact. Rulers which kept on changing with passage of times-but almost everyone felt need and importance of this vital GHAT and a well built staircase was built and managed which enabled heavy loads to come from Konkan plains to Upper region which is approximately 700-850 m high.
An important historical hill fort Jivdhangad standing at the edge of the ghats. To the west it’s rock walls drop a sheer 1000 m into the Konkan. It has a prominent isolated pillar, about 60 m high, known as Vanar Lingi (Monkey’s Point) OR Khada Parsi. It commands an excellent view across the Nane Ghat. It has Caves, cisterns and Mohammedan construction on the top.
On Jivdhan fort Kalyan Darwaja, Beautiful rock cut steps, Old Granary that still carries the ashes of the grains burnt in 1818, Jivai Devi temple, other remnants.
steps have been blasted during the 1818 raid by the British. However, there are
small rock-cut niches along the way to make the climb easy.
Water availability:
Million dollar water as they utter! Wonderful potable water tanks on the top of Jivdhan fort provide water all round the year. One can fill the water bottles from Naneghat or Ghatghar village. No water in between for about 2 hours unless one reaches the top.
Million dollar water as they utter! Wonderful potable water tanks on the top of Jivdhan fort provide water all round the year. One can fill the water bottles from Naneghat or Ghatghar village. No water in between for about 2 hours unless one reaches the top.
Shelter:
One can stay on Jivdhan in the outer yards of Granary if at all required. However, there is no other roofed shelter on the fort and it is feasible to stay at Ghatghar or in thecave of Naneghat
One can stay on Jivdhan in the outer yards of Granary if at all required. However, there is no other roofed shelter on the fort and it is feasible to stay at Ghatghar or in the
Description:
Jivdhan was a very impregnable and majestic fort in those times and it is clearly evident by the sheer cliffs and vertical walls that render invaluable services to it. The Granary is worth a see and water tanks and other ruins on the fort suggest that it was a strategic fort in those days. The rock cut steps along the vertical cliffs is a treat and the magnificent view.
Jivdhan was a very impregnable and majestic fort in those times and it is clearly evident by the sheer cliffs and vertical walls that render invaluable services to it. The Granary is worth a see and water tanks and other ruins on the fort suggest that it was a strategic fort in those days. The rock cut steps along the vertical cliffs is a treat and the magnificent view.
The fort offers magnificent view of Khadaparsi pinnacle, Naneghat, Hadsar, Chavan, Manikdoh waters, Durg, Dhakoba, Gorakhgad-Machhindragad, Siddhagad.
One must be very careful while visiting Jivdhan in monsoons. Primarily because the steps can get slippery, especially via the Ghatghar route the patch can be a bit tricky. Also the blinding fog can easily disorient the trekkers!
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Thanks and Regards
Yogesh Shinde.
Reach me a2yshindephotography@gmail.com
Ctc: 9822008403.
