Shivneri Fort ( शिवनेरी किल्ला )

Shivneri Fort ( शिवनेरी किल्ला )

• Name of the Fort : Shivneri Fort
• Type : Monument Bulding..
• Height : 3500 feet
• Materias : Stone, Lead
• Open for Public : yes
• Significance : Birth place of Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahraj

Shivneri Fort is one of the famous forts in our country. Shivneri fort is the birthplace of the great king of Maratha empire The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj was born on this fort in 1630 AD. Shivaji Maharaj spent his most of the childhood days on this fort. At this fort, he learned the qualities of great king and tactics required to build the empire. 

He was greatly influenced by the teachings of his mother-Jijabai. Shivneri has become a sacred place by the presence of Shivaji Maharaj. Shivneri fort is located at Junnar village which is around 100 Km. from Pune city in Maharashtra state.

History:

Junnar means jirna nagar. It is one of the oldest cities of ancient India.The hill on which Shivneri fort is built is known as Shivneri hill. This hill was built long period back by Satavahana Dynasty Kings.

Shivneri hill fort is located to the northern side of Pune district with Junnar at its base. Shivneri fort was constructed before the birth of Shivaji. Shivaji's father was working in the army of the sultan of Bijapur. The Shivneri fort was built with the support of Shivaji's father, Shahaji. Shahaji wanted to protect his family during the time the war was going on.

Let us now we see some more detail information about Shivneri fort. The height of the fort is at 3500 feet above the sea level. Shivaji Maharaj retained the fort from the fort granted to Shivaji's grandfather Maloji Bhosale and he passed it to Shahaji Bhosale in the year 1599 AD, eventually Shivaji Maharaj was born on Shivneri fort. The fort was built to Guard the Junnar City and Naneghat.

The fort was under the control of the Mughals after that the Marathas and Sahu demanded it back in 1716. They regained the fort in 1762 and became a part of Ragunatha Rao. Then The Shivneri fort came under the control of the British Government.

 Important Places on Shivneri Fort:

Some of the Important places in Shivneri Fort are given below:

• Badami Talav: This is a small lake at the center of Shivneri Fort
• Goddess Shivai Temple: That is a small temple of goddess Shivai into the shivneri fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj was in fact named after this goddess.
• Water springs: There are two famous water springs inside the Shivneri fort. These are called as Ganga-Jamuna. The water is available here throughout the year.
• Shiv Janmasthan: This is the birth place of Chatrapati Shivaji maharaj . It is considered by local people as religious place and also called locally as Shiv mandir in Shivneri Fort.
• Statues: Statues Jijabaai and Little Shivaji at the south end of the fort.

Best Time to Visit: August to February is the best time to visit this fort.  The environment remains pleasant & green during this time period.

Nearby Attractions:

• Ashtavinayaka Girijatmaja Temple Lenyadri: One of the Ashtavinayak Temples, the temple is rather beautiful and mesmerizing. It is situated on a mountain and has a cave type feel to it, it's different than most of the temples.
• Lenyadri Caves : The Lenyadri Caves is a series of around 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves, situated close to Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra. Lenyadri caves just two kilometers away from Shivneri fort. The history says that Parvathi devi wanted have Vinayak as her son and performed penace at this caves for nearly 12 years. These caves date back to the 1st and the 3rd century AD and are located towards the north-west bank of Kukadi River.
• Junnar Caves :
• Pancha Linga Mandir
• Shani Mandir
• Shree Bhakti Dham Temple
• Shree sant Tukaram maharaj Mandir

How To Reach Shivneri Fort :

Pune is the nearest  location from every one can reach Shivneri fort.

• By Air: Pune Airport is the nearest airport to reach Shivneri fort.
• By Railway : Pune Railway station is the nearest station near Shivneri. Pune is connected by trains to all mejar cities in india. You will get radio cab, bus or taxi from the station to reach the fort.
• By Road: Distance between Pune city & Shivneri is about 90 kms. ST and private services regularly paly between Pune and major cities of india. Every One can catch a bus going via a route of Junnar. Every One can go by taxies, radio cabs or other hired vehicles from Pune up to the fort.

..........Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jay..........