Neelkantheshwar

Neelkantheshwar
(Based on latest visit in November 2017)

Nilkantheshwar is a popular religious place for Hindus. It has a temple of Lord Shiva, called 'Nilkantheshwar'. Late Shri. Shankarao Sarje mama started the development of the temple.
The hundreds of statues of Indian Mythological Gods are the main thing of attraction e.g. Ramayan, Mahabharat, Purana etc.

How to Reach :

About 40 km from Pune. It would take apprx. 100 mins. to reach because last 8-20 km road condition is not good.

Pune-Warje-Shivne- OR- Pune - Sinhgad road- Dhayri - Nanded city - Kirkitwadi - Khadakwasla village- take right turn to dam wall - NDA road 
Then - 

- NDA-Peacock bay (15km)- parallel to Khadakwalsa dam back water -Kudje-Mandvi-Splendor country-Sangrun- Bahuli -Katawadi-take left turn board (25km) - cross a small bridge (its very rough road) - then take trun left - Davaje- take right turn from Jambali (35 km)- its little ascend- then after village little rough road- parking of Nilkantheshwar.

Parking : 

The paid parking place is available for buses, cars, bikes etc. A restaurant, wahsroom and Sarje mama paduka temple situated at the parking place.

 

Food and Stay : 

Small restaurants are there at the parking and on the top too. Parking restaurant open only on Sunday and religious days. Veg food, pakode, poha, tea, bottled water etc. are available. The vast shades are built near the temple for big groups especially for school students to eat tiffins. Stay facility is available for pilgrims. (Dharmashala). Many local people come to this place on special occasions.

About Trek :

Its a small trek of 30/40 minutes. Kids and senior citizens can ascend on it easily. The trekking route is well shaped and broad unlike forts. 

   

What to See :

You need at least 2 hours to see the temple, statues and surrounding view.

The temple of Lord Shiv named Nilkantheshwar is well maintained. It is situated on the top of the hill which is surrounded by the forest especially of Neelgiri trees.

Many statues of Hindu Gods are constructed telling stories from Hindu mythology from Puranas, Ramayan, Mahabharat etc.

You can see Panshet Dam, Varsgaon dam, Khakwasla dam,Confluence of river Mutha- Ambi river and Ambi-Mose rivers, Sinhgad fort, Torna fort and Rajgad fort.

 

Shivneri Fort : The Birthpalce of the Great Shivaji Maharaj

शिवनेरी Shivneri Fort

One of the most visited and well maintained important fort in Maharashtra State which is the birthplace of the great Chhatrpati Shivaji Maharaj.

How to Reach : Pune-Peth-Manchar-Kalamb-Narayangaon- take right turn for Junnar-Shivneri fort. Junnar is the situated on the foothill of Fort Shivneri.(Distance approx 100 km)

Parking :

Small Vehicles goes to the midway of the fort. The paved parking place available there only. The paved steps start from the parking only. Buses should be parked at the base only to avoid traffic jam in the Shivneri ghat.

Food and Stay : There are many hotels and restaurants situated in the Junnar City for individuals or groups.

About Trek : 

Most of the people goes by vehicle. Few trekkers prefer to trek it.

The trek start from behind the college building and way to Shivneri fort from east side. On the Google map it is labelled as chain road. The whole trek will take 1 and half hrs to ascend. Last phases are risky where chains are fixed. The chains are quite old so risky to trust on its strength. The chains are broken and remained few pieces. 

If you go by vehicle, then go to the parking point then follow the paved steps going to the fort.

What to See :

The inspiration to visit Shivneri fort is to see the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. The place is well maintained. It is situated at the end of the fort from entrance side. The Mahal is neatly maintained. The place has inevitable importance in the history of Maharashtra. 

Shivai devi temple, Ambarkhana, Shivkunj, Kadelot Kada,(death punishment) Mahadarawaza, Hatti Darawaza, Badami lake,  Parvangicha Darwaza,  Peir Darwaza, Shipai Darwaza, Phatak Darwaza and Kulambkat Darwaza, water tanks etc.

Birthplace 

Kadelot Point

Trek-Safety : 

• Get latest info about conditions of the chain route.
• Don't try unnecessary thrill - adventure.
• Maintain the dignity of the fort. 

Nearby Place : Hadsar fort, Chavand, Narayangad, Nimgiri fort, Naneghat, Darya ghat, Malshej ghat, Lenyadri caves and Ganapati temple etc. 

Lenyadri caves from Shivneri

Junnar city from Shivneri

I visited in 2017 with my student friends - Prof.Mayur Mire, Prof. Jadhav Satish, Raviraj Thorat, Amit Chopade, Nitin Kulkarni and Hanumant Londhe.