We Trekking Paltan Pune group visited the Shirval Caves in Sept 2020
How to Reach : It is about 50 km from Pune. Shirval is situated on Pune Satara Road. After Neera River bridge there is Shirval MIDC. Take a second right turn to MIDC and keep an eye on the tall Chimney. ( Google Map Link -https://goo.gl/maps/PtYHJC8jauqpFSZ16)
At the end of the MIDC you will find an open space and rough road. you can go ahead till the base of the caves but in the rainy season see the road condition and decide.
There is no food and water available near caves. So better you carry from Shirval highway.
Walk for 20-30 mins to reach the caves. road is clearly visible.
Better to go in groups because the place looks lonely
Caves visible from a distance
The ascend is gentle and easy.
Stup and Lord Shiva
There are only 6-7 caves are there. Not much sculpture is there. It looks like incomplete work.
20-30 minuets are sufficient to explore the caves.
View from the caves
After watching caves, we went on the top of the cave hills. The view is very beautiful from here.
Neera bridge on NH48
River Neera and Gunjavani Confluence
Lunch with from left Khandu Dayal Dr. Sandip Patil, Pratham Patil, Pradeep Patil, Dnyaneshwar Arne, Sanjay Deshamukhe
Kalyangad fort trek is a small trek near Satara. Good for kids and family. It is also known as Nandgiri fort. The main attraction is dark cave of Maharaj Nandgiri. Carry torch to see the cave properly. There is a Samadhi of Kalyanswami on the fort.
Trekking Paltan Pune : from left Sandeep Chaudhari, Akshay Sapkal, Amol Gore, Dnyaneshwar Aarne and Dr. Suresh Isave Date -07.03.2021
How to Reach : It is about 120 km and approx. 3 hours journey from Pune city. The fort is rightly located on Google Map.
Pune-Satara highway- Shirwal- Surur - Joshi Vihir -Bhuinj - take left from highway - take Karkhana (factory) road - Shivthar- Jarandeshwar Chauk - take left - go straight - cross river bridge -Dhumal wadi is the base village.
Parking : Parking is Free in the open space.
Food and Water : No Food and water available on the trek. So carry food with you.
About the Trek : Minimum 5 hours sufficient for the parking to fort return. There are two routes for the trek. See the video for the trek. you can take a motorable road. The road condition was not good when we visited. We did hike to get on the fort. It took 40 mins to reach on the top. 30/40 min are enough to explore the fort.
Trek route
Parking in open space
Trek starts with steps behind the houses in the village.
Simple trek
Caves
There are historical caves on the trail before reach on the fort.
Maha Darawaja (Main Entrance)
After Maha Darwaja you can see a small temple for Lord Shiva at the left side.
These steps are taking you in to the iconic caves of lord Nandgiri
at the entrance of the Nandgiri Maharaj caves
Inside the Caves
There is dark around. Carry a torch to see the cave. The cave is full of cold water. The height of the cave is uneven so be careful about head. Bend down and walk carefully. There are sharp edges rocks around. Even there are sharps stones in the water too and because it is a holy place you need to take out your footwear outside, these stones may hurt you.
Video - inside Caves
There is temple at the end of the cave.
After the caves go the right side, there are some temples and monuments on the top. take a round. It will take about 30-40 min.
It was upsetting to see the ashes on the fort which was the consequences of fire burnt by some people.
The Ashes
Be Aware. Make Aware
View form the fort
Lunch of Trekking Paltan
Best season to visit the fort is Monsoon and winter. In summer there could be lot of heat.
