Shivneri (किल्ले शिवनेरी)

One of the Seven Darwaja (doors) of Shivneri
(सात दरवाजाची वाट)

Sakhali Vaat (साखळी वाट)

Shivneri is pride of Maharashtra. This is the fort that wrote golden history in Sahyadri mountains. This is the place where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. The place where the smartest and greatest king of Maharashtra spent his early childhood. And really you feel the sense of that bravery and pride while on the fort.

Lot of maintenance and reconstructions are being done on the fort. This not only forms a trek but also a good picnic for non-trekkers. But remember this is not just a picnic spot but much more than that.

The fort can be reached by two ways:

1. Rajmarg (राजमार्ग) or Official route (also called as saat darwajachi vaat (सात दरवाजाची वाट)) - This is the easiest and route ever. the rote is amazingly maintained and new constructions are done to develop Shivneri as a tourist spot. There are properly built steps and seven huge ancient doors on the way. The fort used to bear seven security posts, one at every door. The bastions around the doors are also rebuilt wherever destroyed. The route takes you to the fort near Shivai temple in 1 and 1/2 hours.

2. Sakhali vaat (साखळी वाट) - This is the shortest secret route to the fort that takes you through a 15 feet rock patch. the rock patch has carved steps and railings. This takes you on the fort near Shivkunj in 45 minutes. Beginners may feel bit afraid on the rock patch to see the valley below.

1. Take an ST bus from Kalyan to Junnar. This takes about 3 and 1/2 hours. You can see Shivneri just behind the ST stand.

2. Reach the Shivaji Chowk, where Shivaji Statue has been centrally placed. Take left and walk straight parallel to the length of the Shivneri fort till you reach the steps.

3. If you want to go by Sakhali vaat, then on the left hand side route while walking parallel to the fort, take a right turn towards the fort in between and you will reach base of Sakhali vaat.

From Pune

Reach Junnar (District Pune) by ST bus and follow the steps given above.

Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj (शिवजन्मस्थान)

Young Shivaji and his mother Jijabai in Shivkunj
(बालशिवबा आणि जीजामाता यांचा शिवकुंजातील पुतळा)

Nearby places to visit

1. Shree Vighneshwar Ganesh of Ozar (ओझरचा श्री विघ्नेश्वर) - This is one of the ashtavinayak ganesh temples. A calm peaceful and clean place with really clean and beautiful river flowing behind the temple. (16km from Junnar) You can reach there by ST or 6-seater.

2. Girihatmaj Ganesh of Lenyadri (लेण्याद्रीचा श्री गिरिजात्मज) - This is also one of the ashtavinayak ganesh temples. This is a huge pillar-less cave with carving at its entrance. The cave seems to be more than 2000 years old. There are many Hindu and Buddhist caves around the main Lenyadri Ganesh cave. You need to climb about 250 steps to reach the temple. Night stay can be made here at Bhakta-Nivas.

3. Naneghat (नाणेघाट) - 2000 years old pass carved in rocks for the trade route between Junnar and Kalyan. Main attractions here are huge plain Naneghat plateau, pinnacle called Nanacha Angatha, caves of Saatvaahan kings and Naneghat pass.One of the popular monsoon picnic spots. Refer to Naneghat information for details.

4. Malshej Ghat (माळशेज घाट) - On the current way from Kalyan to Junnar lies Malshej Ghat where more than 30 waterfalls fall down on the road in Monsoon. One of the favorite monsoon picnic spots amongst Mumbai-Pune residents.

5. Harishchandragad fort - The glory of trekking - Love of trekkers. This fort is a bit tough one, but what it has for display simply ineviting. Taramati mountain - second highest peak of Maharashtra; 2000 feet deep steep semicircular concave  Konkan Kadaa; 600 feet rock patch for trekking; 2500 years old Harishchandreshwar temple... Refer to Harishchandragad  information for details.

6. Jivdhan fort - Base village of the fort is Ghatghar. One of the really tough treks.

7. Hadsar and Chawand forts.
    

From Kalyan ST stand to Junnar	Frequency of about 3 hours
From Pune Swargate ST stand to Junnar	Frequency of about 1 hour

1. The Seven Doors (सात दरवाजे) - The famous seven doors fortification of Shivneri fort had made it almost invincible when guarded carefully. In spite of being a bit shorter in height, the fort was prominent and improtant due to its place.

2. Guard of the capital -  History of Shivneri does not start with Shivaji. The fort is 200 years old - as old as Naneghat. It served as guard of the capital Junnar, which was a wealthy huge city in Chaalukya, Saatvaahan and Shilahhar empires. Junnar was exceptinally important for trading between the greater Maharashtra and sea face. The trade route went from Junnar to Kalyan via Naneghat. Shivneri stood firmly to guard Junnar on this route. Saatvaahan kings - Shaalivaahan being first of them - carved many caves in the fort's rock patches. Most of them are now unreachable. This is the same era when caves of Lenyadri (one of ashtavinayak) were carved in a hill in front of Shivneri fort.

3. Shiv-janmasthan (शिवजन्मस्थान) or Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj - The Wada or small palace where Shivaji was born is still in place. This is a two story structure at the ground floor of which, this great king was born. The remnants around the building are now being rebuilt.

4. Shivkunj (शिवकुंज) - This a memorial of Shivaji Maharaj where a beautiful statue of Young Shivaji and his mother Jijabai has been kept. Jijabai is inspiring 13 years old Shivaji to create his own kingdom, which is free of unjust.

5. Shivai Mandir (शिवाई मंदिर) - Shivai is the goddess of fort Shivneri - the Godesss after whom Jijabai named her son Shivaji. The temple is really worth looking with excellent carving on its door.

6. Kadelot (कडेलोट) - This is the steep edge of Shivneri from where criminals were thrown down as punishments. View of Junnar city and Lenyadri hill is amazing from here.

7. Ganga Jamuna Water cisterns - the twin water tanks on the fort full of cool drinkable water.

8. There are other remnants like memorial where the rebellion Koli People, who were loyal to Maratha Kingdom, were assassinated by Mughal Lords and also a mosque in front of Shivkunj.

Shree Vighneshwar Ganesh of Ozar
(ओझरचे श्री विघ्नेश्वर मंदिर)

Time to climb	1.5 hours by Raajmarg 45 minutes by Sakhali vaat.
Food	Available at hotels in Junnar.
Drinkable Water	Available on fort and Junnar.
Shelter	Lot of good hotels are available at Junnar. There are security constraints to stay on Shivneri fort, but stay can be made on request.

Other pictures of Shivneri (Click on thumbnails below to enlarge)