Shivneri fort is birthplace of Shri Shivaji Maharaj. It is situated near
Junnar town in the district of Pune, about 105 Kilometres from Pune.
This fort is surrounded by steep upwards slopes
from all four sides and is unassailable. There is small t temple of
Goddess Shivai and idols of Jijabai ( Mother of Shri Shivaji) and Shri
Shivaji in his childhood. The shape of this fort is like Shiv-Pind
(Shiva's sacred symbol; Divine Phallus). Shivneri fort is visible as
soon as you enter Junnar town. This fort is not that big in area. Dr.
John Friar of East India Company visited this fort in 1673. He has
mentioned in his book that, this fort can hoard sufficient food to meet
the needs of one thousand families enough to last for 7years.
About Shivneri Fort :
The Shivneri Fort, famous for its architectural work, is the birth place of Shivaji, the famous Maratha warrior who was born in 1630. Shivaji spent his childhood in Shivneri Fort and also undertook his military training here.
Visitors have to cross seven gates in order to enter the main fort. The fort also exhibits a small water pond named Badami Talav, located in the centre of the fort. Close to the pond lies the idol of Jijabai along with her son Shivaji.
Shiv Janmasthan, Ambarkhana, Kadelot Point, Ganga Jamuna and Nane Ghat are popular places in and around the fort and can be easily explored. Travellers can also explore Dongarmatha, Kadeloot Tok and Kaman Take, located within the fort. The temple situated near the fort, dedicated to Goddess Shivani, is also a well known tourist attraction.
400 steps up to Shivneri Fort :
Hamamkhana (हमामखाना) :
Shivakunj (शिवकुंज) :
View From Shivneri Fort :
History :
The present day Junnar was known as Jirna-nagar, Junner and existed prior to beginning of year AD. Junnar was capital of King Nahapan from Shak dynasty. The Satvahan king Satkarni, a son of Gautami, wiped out Shakas and held dominance over Junnar and its surrounding area. Naneghat was commercial route in olden times. Lot of traffic used to pass on this route. To supervise this traffic the fort was built on this route. After Satvahan rule stabilised, they excavated many caves. After Satvahan, Shivneri fort came under the control of Chalukya of Rashtrakut Empire. Yadavas established their rule between 1170 to 1308. During this tenure Shivneri was built as a fort. In 1443 Malik Ul Tujar defeated Yadavas and conquered the fort. Thus the fort came under the control of Bahamani Empire. In 1470 Malik Mahammad, representative of Malik Ul Tujar, surrounded and conquered it again. In 1446 Nizamshahi was established after the death of Malik Mahammad.
In 1493 AD the capital was shifted from this fort to Ahamadnagar. In 1565 Sultan Murtija Nizam held his brother Kasim as captive on this fort. In 1595 this fort and area surrounding it came under the control of Maloji Raje Bhosale. When Jijanata was pregnant, she was shifted to Shivneri fort during night under protection of 500 strong cavalry. Jijamata made took a vow before Goddess Bhavani Shivai on Shivneri fort, that if she begets son she will name him after Goddess. Shri Shivaji Raje was born on 19th February 1630. He left the fort accompanied by his mother in 1632. The fort went under the control of Mughals in 1637. Fishermen rebelled against Mughals in 1650, but Mughals won the battle. In 1673, Shri Shivaji Maharaj made unsuccessful attempt conquer the fort by winning over the fort chieftain Ajijkhan and surrounding the fort. In the year 1678, the Junnar area was pillaged and Maratha army made unsuccessful attempt to capture the fort. After the gap of 40 years, in 1716 Shahu Maharaj brought the fort under the control of Maratha Empire and thereafter it was handed over to Peshvas.
How To Reach :
Shivneri Fort, is located in junnar Taluka of Pune District , Maharashtra State of India. State Transport buses ply from Pune to junnar. Shivneri fort is around 105 km from Pune city and 3 km from Junnar.
Distance between Junnar - Shivneri Fort 3 kms.
Distance between Pune - Shivneri Fort 105 kms.
Distance between Mumbai - Shivneri Fort 160 kms.
Distance between Nashik - Shivneri Fort 150 kms.
Distance between Nagpur - Shivneri Fort 720 kms.
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