Jivdhan Fort Trek, Naneghat, Junnar, Maharashtra

Jivdhan Fort lies in Junnar region of Pune. A fort with a pinnacle named Vanarlingi is an ancient fort which was used to keep an eye on Naneghat Pass which was used extensively for trade and commerce. Naneghat is a wide plateau on which the Jivdhan mountains stand tall appx 1100m asl. Naneghat can be accessed by road from Malshej as well as Junnar town and also can be trekked via Vaishakhare village from Konkan side. 

Jivdhan fort was of strategic importance as it provided vantage points to view enemies and monitor trade routes to Junnar. 

Jivdhan Fort is can be reached by two routes:

1) Kalyan Darwaja (Starts from Naneghat Pass)

2) Junnar Darwaja (From Ghatghar village nearby)

Both routes are equal and easy to climb, however Kalyan Darwaja will be a bit adventurous for small kids and elders. Kalyan Darwaja route however has large bastion and Gomukhi style entrance. The climb to the fort is small at about 400m appx if reaching by vehicle till Naneghat. If climbing of Naneghat is included from Konkan it is a full 1100m tiring climb. Jivdhan fort can be completed in one day even including climb of Naneghat. However one can make it a two day trek in order to casually enjoy the trek.

Jivdhan fort was looted an destroyed by British forces. However the fort was plundered and ruined. But the steps accessing the fort was not destroyed much like the other forts which made it inaccessible. The stairs to the fort are less damaged and can be used safely to climb the fort. 

Kalyan Darwaja

Kalyan Darwaja (Door) is a more exciting route as one can see the Naneghat Nanacha Angtha on backdrop while climbing. This route can be a little tough for small kids and elders. However the steps are not blown off and safe to ascent. The route to Kalyan Darwaja is shown in the map at the bottom of the page.

 Stairs to Kalyan Darwaja, Jivdhan Fort

 Bastion of Kalyan Darwaja, Jivdhan Fort

Kalyan Darwaja Gomukhi Style Entrance (Sun, Kalash and Moon carved on door)

  Stairs to Kalyan Darwaja, Jivdhan Fort

Water Tanks

There are many water tanks on Jivdhan Fort which also have steps down the tanks. Some tanks are also filled with ashes and oil which were used by British forces to burn down the fort. The ashes also lie in Dhan Kothi here.

Dhan Kothar

Dhan Kothar is a grainhouse used to store grains during the time when kingdoms flourished. Dhan Kothar is built underground. It is quite a big space with 5 large rooms inculding the entrance hallway. The rooms are filled with some ashes which was left over when British forces ignited it. Dhan Kothar has only one entrance and some sort of carved structure is destroyed on top of this rock room. 

 Entrance of Dhan Kothar with beautifully carved pillars.

 Dark rooms inside Dhan Kothar

Jivai Temple Ruins

Jivai Temple is in ruins where one can see broken pillars. The fort is believed to be named after Jivai goddess.

Vanarlingi Pinnacle

Vanarlingi is a high grade 4 pinnacle just near the main mountain. This pinnacle is famous for rockclimbing events organised by various professional groups. Also valley ziplining is also carried on this. This pinnacle was first climbed during 1980's era.

Jivdhan Bastions

There are many bastions as well as walls intact and scattered over Jivdhan Fort. The line of defence of this fort was immense as seen by the wall constructions.

Junnar Darwaja

Junnar Darwaja can be reached by Ghatghar village which is nearby Naneghat. One can also stay or camp near or in the village. The route is easy and ladders are placed at the spots where stairs are destroyed. Junnar darwaja entrance is broken and is smaller than Kalyan darwaja entrance.

Jivdhan Fort Trek Map Route

Naneghat Blog

Naneghat, Junnar, Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra

Naneghat is a vast plateau about 1100 acres surrounded by tall mountains like Jivdhan and Varhadi on one side and vast cliff of Konkan on other side. Naneghat lies appx at 780m above sea level with its highest point around 850m asl. Naneghat is one of the most historical places in Malshej region of Junnar. Nane means coin and ghat means valley. As this was used as a gate to connect the deccan region of Junnar to Konkan region of Thane. In order to use this pass for trading one has to give coins into the stone pot located near the pass to proceed further. There are many such passes and this is one of them to connect Junnar. Naneghat has many electric tower power lines which is also a distinct feature.

Varhadi Pinnacles 

Naneghat was developed at the time of Satavahana dynasty. Naneghat has many caves, mostly for rest and storage and some as water tanks. There is one particularly big rectangular cave which has ancient Hindu Inscriptions - Brahmi scripts with story of the Queen Naganika of Satavahana as well as many details as who visited the cave, numerals, trading details, donations, etc. William Sykes found them while hiking during the summer of 1828. Georg Bühler published the first version of a complete interpolations and translation in 1883. The inscription mentions both Balarama (Samkarshana) and Krishna (Vasudeva), along with the Vedic deities of Indra, Surya, Chandra, Yama, Varuna and Kubera. These caves inscription have the world's oldest known numeration symbols for "2, 4, 6, 7, and 9" that resemble modern era numerals, particularly the modern Nagari script.

Naneghat Naganika Cave Inscriptions

Zigzag stairs of the trade route from Konkan region

Jivdhan is a mountain nearby Naneghat which was strongly fortified as it was a full fledged fort with houses, water tanks, grain houses, bastions and two route to access. Jivdhan was strategic as to keep an eye on this Naneghat pass.

A small cave at entrance of Naneghat with Lord Ganesh idol.

There are many small caves all over Naneghat pass, must be used for temporary storage of goods and arms. 

Nanacha Angtha: Nanacha Angtha is the part of hill where it protrudes out of the plateau around 60m above Naneghat plateau. Beneath this Nanacha Angtha lies the caves and inscriptions, water tanks. Angtha means thumb as it looks like a thumb. Many people conduct rockclimbing as well as rapelling in this part as the walls are sheer in all 3 directions.

 Nanacha Angtha right wall, Naneghat

 Nanacha Angtha right wall, Naneghat

Nanacha Angtha from far, Naneghat

 Nanacha Angtha connected to plateau by a big part.

 Nanacha Angtha left wall, Naneghat

 Nanacha Angtha left wall, Naneghat

The main Naneghat pass goes aside the base of the right wall of Nanacha Angtha. As the pass aside left wall is sheer drop.

Nanacha Angtha is quite a unique structure visible from anywhere and is distinct and very attractive. From top one can have view of whole plateau as well as Konkan.

Ruins

Naneghat plateau is very big. However there are few resorts there, some new ones are built and some old. Locals provide accommodation and food. This is best place for camping owing to its vastness and availability of caves and water tanks and less dense vegetation.

 Naneghat and Nanacha Angtha left wall seen from far.

Sheer walls of Naneghat, Western Ghats separating Konkan and Deccan 

Jivdhan Mountain is distinct from its pinnacle structure of Vanarlingi. This fort was very important in terms of Naneghat as it guarded the pass and provided a vantage point of whole plateau. Jivdhan is easily accessible from Naneghat from Kalyan Darwaja as well as from Ghatghar from Junnar Darwaja.

Avalyachi Lingi: A pinnacle which can be seen from Naneghat which was first climbed during 1983 by four climbers. This looks like a human standing figure from sides.

Small temple in Naneghat: 

Old temple at Naneghat at base of Varhadi visited by locals where stone idols are worshiped.

Naneghat Waterfall Point:

During monsoon Naneghat hosts multiple waterfalls. This one is famous at Naneghat, near where Jivdhan climb starts. Many tourist and trekkers visit this place during monsoon to witness strong winds and waterfalls.

 Some old destroyed house near waterfall.

Varhadi Pinnacles

How to Reach Naneghat:

1) By Road via Junnar or Pargaon (Private vehicle), There are State Transport buses to Naneghat but with less frequency from Junnar.

2) By Naneghat Pass 1 which was also used traditionally for trading. It starts near Vaishakhare village aside main Malshej Highway in Konkan region. It is appx 5km trek from there till top with an altitude gain appx of 600m. The route is simple and gradual with no steep climbs and can be done in monsoon with ease. After 50% of the climb starts the stone laid stairs. Plenty of buses pass through the gates of Naneghat in Konkan.

3) By Naneghat Pass 2 (Bhorandyache Daar) - This was not much used and is only used by locals for cattles and starts from Bhorande village in Konkan just few kms far from main Naneghat Pass 1. However there are 2 watertanks in this pass 2. Owing to ease of construction in Pass 1 and strategic location, Pass 2 was abandoned. As main Pass 1 was also near Jivdhan and was easy to keep close monitoring activities from it. Pass 2 is also easy just like Pass 1 in climbs but rocky.

Naneghat as seen from Bhorandyache Daar

 New resorts are being built up at Bhorandyache Daar

 Naneghat

  Bhairavgad Varhadi View Point, Naneghat

 Naneghat

Beautiful Naneghat from Top of Nanacha Angtha

Harishchandragad Konkankada as seen from Naneghat

Ghatghar Village: Ghatghar village is a big village in Naneghat at base of Jivdhan Fort. One can have village accomodation or house food here.

What to see in Naneghat:
Appx Distance From Caves

1) Naneghat Naganika Caves - 0m

2) Naneghat Water Cisterns - 0m

3) Naneghat Stone Pot - 50m

4) Nanacha Angtha - 250m

5) Naneghat Plateau - 0m

6) Naneghat Waterfalls - 2km

7) Jivdhan Fort (Kalyan Darwaja) - 4km

8) Naneghat Temple - 2.5km

9) Naneghat Pass 1 (Stairs and Pass) - 0m

10) Naneghat Pass 2 (Bhorandyache Daar) - 2km
11) Ghatghar Village - 3km

Resorts:
1) Naneghat Resort
2) Under Construction

New Developments:
1) Railings at waterfall
2) Boards of Information
3) Parkings
4) Roads are being made better

*Easiest way to visit: By trekking via Main Naneghat Pass 1.

For detail information of Inscriptions in Naneghat one can refer Wikipedia

Naneghat Map:

Naneghat in Monsoon

Jivdhan Fort Blog