Trekking in Sahayadri -Part - III (Shivneri, Kokudeswar, Naneghat,Jeevdhan fort)

On the next morning we started for Khireswar via Tolar Khind (Khind means pass in Marathi). After around 3 hrs trek we reached the outskirts of Khireswar village from where a jeep drops us at Junnar.
Junnar, mainly famous for its fort Shivneri (2 km from Junnar), where Chattrapati Sivaji (1630-1680), the pride of Maharashtra, was born.  His father Sahoji Bhonsley was a military general under Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. Here Sivaji spent his childhood with his mother Jijabai. The fort has total seven doors: Maha Darwaza, Parvangicha Darwaza, Hatti Darwaza, Peer Darwaza, Sipahi Darwaza, Phatak Darwaza and Kulambkat Darwaza. Near Shivaji’s birthplace there is a lake Called Badami Talao. Two under water springs Ganga And Yamuna Tonk are also inside the fort. There is also an Id-Gah.
But the irony of history is that Sivaji never captured this fort where he took his first steps. In 1673 & 1678 he tried to conquer the fort but all were in vein. Till 1716 the fort belonged to the Mughals after that Sahooji Maharaj brought it back to the Marathas.
We visited Shivneri fort and paid our homage to the great Maratha warrior whose fight against the Bijapur and Mughals for “Swatantrata” is written in golden letters in Indian History.
From Junnar we went to Naneghat (2800ft) for Jeevdhan fort via Kokudeswar, an ancient Shiva Temple which is famous in the area.  May be one of the beautiful spot   of Sahaydri, Naneghat has an enchanting beauty. We stayed at Hotel Karan whose owner Subhas Atari is a renowned guide of the area.
Next Morning we proceeded for Jeevdhan. Jeevdhan has its name in the history. One of the descendants of Nijamshahi was imprisoned here by Mughals. Shahaji, the father of Sivaji rescued him and gave him a safe place.  After hearing this news Emperor Shah Jahan busted this rebellion by sending Adil Shah. Shahaji has to surrender the fort along with the custody of the descendant of Nijam to the Mughals.  As the road leads us to the fort through the jungle and rock cut steps. We have ascended around 300 metres from Naneghat when the final assault to the fort came. The rock cut steps were severely damaged and we have to cross the obstacles by fixing a rope.  Much of the fort is collapsed and the ruis are scattered here and there. As we entered the first gate we saw a sculpture Goddess Gajalaxmi. The store room is the only structure which remains intact. The last battle fought here in the year 1818 between the British and the Marathas and the store room is the evidence where tons of grains were burnt as remains the ankle deep ashes is  still  visible here.
 

Amber Mahal/Shivneri

Birth place of Sivaji

Sivaji's Jhula (swing)

Kokudeswar Temple

Jeevdhan Hill

Banar Shila/Jeevdhan

Climbing Jeevdhan fort

Jeevdhan fort entry gate

Store room/Jeevdhan fort

Descending From Jeevdhan

Team with Subhas Atari at Naneghat

Leaving Naneghat