Shivneri Fort - The BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

This is a must visit fort in Junnar Maharashtra and famous for its architectural style which is popularly known as the "BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj". Shivneri is a highly defensible location, with steep rocks on four sides and a strongly built citadel. The government is also putting the efforts to make this place better, and it comes under the archaeological survey of India.

It is approx 100 km to the north of Pune. From Junnar it is 2 km by road. We followed below:
Pune - Rajgurunagar - Peth - Manchar - Narayangaon - Pimpalgaon Tarfa - Junnar - Shivneri Fort Parking
Below map will help you, If you are coming from any of the sides.

Shivneri Fort Map near Junnar

Shivneri fort is popular trekking spot too. Either you can start from main entrance of the fort or from the parking area near stairs route. We stopped our car near the foothills of the fort to mark out the Shivneri caves.

Rajmarg: To enter the main fort, you have to cross tourist friendly seven gates and approx 400 steps, that is a small trek in itself. In total there are 9 Gates. Each gate is intricately carved and adds more value to this historic edifice.

Gate1 - Mahadarwarja - Main Gate
Gate2 - Ganesh Darwaja
Gate3 - Pir Darwaja: I observed face shaped rocks just near this gate.
Gate4 - Hathi Darwaja
Gate5 - Mena Darwaja
Gate6 - Gulup Gate
Gate7 - Phatak Darwaja
Amberkhana: Ambarkhana was the huge grain storage space.
Gate8 - Shivani Devi Gate: As you enter the gate, you will find "Temple of Shivai Devi" on one of the cliffs of the fort. This small temple is dedicated to the goddess Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji was named.

Idagah
Ganga-Jamuna Taki: In the fort there are two water springs, called Ganges and Yamuna, which have water throughout the year, though quite dirty.
Kamani Masjid: We had some Rihana song snaps "Under my umbrella".

Hamamkhana

BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: This 2-storey structure is the main attraction of the place where we reached after 1 hour. The place is locked but having Shivaji's idol and a small swinging bed. A very well preserved staircase leads to the top of this marvellous 2-storey structure. The window on top is a good place for taking a pause and enjoy the splendid view of the valley in cool breeze. Shahaji, Chatrapati Shivaji's father, was concerned for the safety of his wife Jijabai during her pregnancy as there was constant war going on. He therefore moved his family to Shivneri fort.

Badami Talav: At the centre of the fort is a water pond which is called 'Badami Talav'. We see some of the frogs were jumping in this partially filled pond. The idol of Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai and Shivaji can be observed here.
Gate9 - Kadelot Tok: You can see Junnar city view from here.

There are around 10 tanks on the Shivneri Fort and multiple well-maintained gardens. Tea, Coffee and liquid stuff were available on the fort, but not the snacks. We couldn't find a washroom in working condition. The fort can be visited in 3-4 hours all around. Throughout the trek, it offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape and is a great place to relax and gaze at the green valley after the tiring climb.
Shivneri fort sits in the midst of several forts. To its north stand the forts of Narayangad and Harishchandragad. Jeevdhan, Chavand (Prashannagarh), Hadsar (Parvatgarh), and Bhairavgad are also close by. Five dams – Vadaj, Yedgaon, Pimpalgaon, Manikdoh and Dimbhe situated around Shivneri are also popular picnic spots.

The best time to visit Shivneri Fort is during Monsoon and we also started this year's Monsoon express visiting this place. During this time blooming and colorful flowers make the place like a rainbow. I also got the chance to have some flower proposal snaps with Meenal. The company of Hemali, Ishu, Tanuj, and Meenal made my day, and whispering wind & drizzling rain time to time took away some credit for the wonderful trip. We return back to Pune and had dinner at Amanora.

Places to visit near Shivneri Fort, Junnar:
Two kilometers away from this fort there are the Lenyadri caves which is one of Ashtavinayak temple in Maharastra.
The other one is Shree Vighanahar Ganpati Temple at Ozar.
The Shivneri group of caves is the closest to Bhimashankar with over 50 caves.

Some others forts visited in MH: Kanakdurg Fort - Harnai, Lohagad Fort, Sinhgarh Fort, Purandar Fort, Murud Janjira Fort, Alibaag Fort - Kolaba (or Kulaba) fort.

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Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, India

 ***** Ajanta Caves (Ajintha leni) ***** 

Quote of the Post: "Sacred sounds in stone have gained international fame and re-designated as World Heritage Sites". - Quote about 'Ajanta and Ellora' - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Since 1983, The Ajanta Caves have been world's greatest historical monument recognised by UNESCO located just 40kms from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, India. It is 100 Km from Ellora Caves, and 110 Km from Aurangabad. After covering Ellora caves, We follow the route from Pune as: 

Pune - Ahmadnagar - Shani Shingnapur - Aurangabad - Daultabad - Ellora - Sillod - Ajanta.

The same can be covered by the path directly from Pune as: Pune - Ahmadnagar - Aurangabad - Sillod - Ajanta 

Ajanta Caves Timings:

9:00 am to 5:30 pm; Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Monday. 

Ajanta Caves Ticket Charges:

1. For Indians below 15 years : FREE of Charge

2. For Indians above 15 years : Rs. 10/- per head 

3. For Foreigners : US $5 or equivalent in Indian rupees per head 

4. For Photo Camera/ Video Camera: Rs. 5/- (Camera to be used without flash)

Some points about Ajanta Caves:

1. Why name Ajanta? As the place was unknown to the public (Janta) since long time, so as the name, A-Janta.

2. Ajanta Caves, excavated between the 2nd century B.C. and the 6th century A.D. are renowned for Buddhist paintings. 

3. Ajanta represents the most perfect example of Indian wall paintings. 

4. For a thousand years, Ajanta lay buried in the jungle-clad slopes of the western mountain range, until in 1819, It was discovered accidentally. 

5. Ajanta Caves made an ideal site of horse-shoe shaped rock rising over a ravine alongwith the "Waghora river". 

6. There are 30 caves, some of them are uncompleted and negligible. Best work can be found in caves 1, 2, 16, 17 and 19. The best sculptures are in caves 1, 4, 17, 19, 24 and 26. [Info consolidated through various sites, and after own interpretation] 

7. Cave No 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya halls and rest monesteries are vihars. 

8. Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 are fitted with spotlights, available for use on payment. 

9. The central theme on the walls comes under two heads - narrative scenes from the Buddha's life and illustrations of Jataka fobles pertaining to Buddha's previous incarnation.

10. The paintings inside the caves, include geometric designs, floral and ornamental motifs, flying figures of celestial beings, animals, birds, plants. 

  

Some Tips to Enjoy/Note about Ajanta Caves as per our experience:

• 1. To start early in the morning, stay nearby Ajanta caves area, and reach at night to Ajanta village. 
• 2. Try to start early in the day, so that It wouldn't be exaustive. 
• 3. During peak season, There is long queue for tickets, also for the bus drop from Ajanta Parking place to the base of Ajanta caves. 
• So try to be early in the morning, We got our bus sharp 9 A.M. 
• 4. Bring ample snacks and water before starting for the Ajanta caves, as you wouldn't get anything up the hills. 
• 5. There are some small waterfalls during monsoon season, that can be enjoyed. 
• 6. When you finish all the caves, explore another little big waterfall, follow the path that connects to the bridge.  
• 7. To have different views of the Ajanta caves, You have to follow bridge root, not the same root while coming back. 
• 8. You can have a guide for the whole Ajanta caves visit, or you can choose to have different guides at some specific caves, and pay some small tokens to them. 
• 9. It will take 4-5 hrs to cover all the caves, depending on how you are traversing the caves from the base area.  
• 10. Nearby Ajanta parking area, There is an ATM, and many shops that have been commercialized. Bargain as much as you can, while purchasing the souvenirs.

Thanks to all my amdocs friends - Tarachand, Anish Bapna, Dhiraj Masodgi, Jatin Wadhwa, Avnish Garg, Sagar Ambastha to make this trip more happening and enjoyable.


Visit other World Heritage Site - "Ellora Caves" [100 Km away from Ajanta Caves] in Maharashtra. 

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Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, India

***** Ellora Caves (Ellora leni) ***** 

Quote of the Post: "Sacred sounds in stone have gained international fame and re-designated as World Heritage Sites". - Quote about 'Ajanta and Ellora' - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Ellora caves are 30 Km away from Aurangabad. The road passes by the base of the Daultabad Fort, We follow the route from Pune after visiting Shani Shignapur:

Pune - Ahmadnagar - Shani Shingnapur - Aurangabad - Daultabad - Ellora. 

Ellora Caves Timings:

6:00 am to 6:00 pm; Note: Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesday.

Jain Caves

Our Group near Cave 29 - Ellora Waterfall

Some points about Ellora Caves:

1. Ellora Caves, spanning during the period 5th and 11th A.D. comprise Buddhist monasteries, and temples of the Hindu and Jain faiths.
2. Ellora, is famous for its architectural design and outstanding sculptures. 
3. The 34 "caves" – The 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history.
4. Among these, the most notable ones are cave 5, 10, 15, 16, 21, 29, 32. 
5. Most famous of the Buddhist caves is cave 10, a chaitya hall (chandrashala) or 'Vishvakarma cave', popularly known as the "Carpenter's Cave".
6. Kailasha (Cave 16) is designed to recall Mount Kailash, is a splendid artwork, not to miss. 
7. In the brahmanical excavations, the imagination and poetry of the various concepts was reflected in artwork which attained a new visual grace, power and fame.
8. All Jain caves [30-34] belongs to Digambara sect. Jain caves reveal specific dimensions of Jain philosophy and tradition.
9. Many of the structures had rich paintings in the ceilings – fragments of which are still visible.
10. One aspect a typical visitor overlooks is the geological background of Ellora. In fact the most defining factor why Ellora was ever made and that too at this location is the geological peculiarity of the place. 

12 Buddhist Excavations: [1-12]

Caves 1-9 are monasteries.

Cave 10: Most famous one, A Chaitya hall(chandrashala) or Vishvakarma cave, also known as "Carpenter's Cave"

Cave 11 - Do Tal

Cave 12 - Tin Tal (Three stories)

17 Brahmanical Excavations: [13-29]

Cave 14 - Ravan ki Khai

Cave 15 - Dashavatara [Ten avatars of lord Vishnu]

Cave 16 - Kailasanatha Temple, the center masterpiece of Ellora. Multi storeyed temple complex.

Cave 21 - Rameshvara

Cave 22 - Nilkantha

Cave 29 - Dhumar Lena [Impressive]

Inside Cave No - 29

Caves Pillar at no 24

Ellora Waterfall: The waterfall can be enjoyed during monsoon season in full flow. It can be seen easily in between caves 28 and 29. There is a bridge that connects between caves 28 and 29. You can reach just below the waterfall through the bridge. During high monsoon season, It remains closed due to rock sliding.

Inside Cave No - 21

Ellora Caves View

5 Jain Excavations: [30-34]

Cave 30 - Chota Kailash

Cave 32 - Indra Sabha

Cave 33 - Jagannath Sabha

In front of Kailashnath Temple - Cave 16

Near Cave 1-2

Some Tips to Enjoy/Note about Ellora Caves trip as per our experience:

• 1. To start early in the morning, stay nearby Ellora caves area, or Aurangabad.
• 2. The best time to visit Ellora caves is, in the winter months October to February. But During monsoon season, It can be enjoyed more, caves covered with lush greens. Ellora waterfall and some more small waterfalls can be enjoyed. 
• 3. Try to start early in the day, so that It wouldn't be exaustive.
• 4. The taxi parking ground faces Cave 16, and visitors are used to make this their starting point. But, It is advisable to walk down, and begin with Cave 1, if you are by foot. If you own the vehicle, Start with to take the vehicle 1.5 Km up the road to another part of the hillside to visit the last 5 Jain caves [30 - 34]. It will save the time, then the middle series Hindu caves [13-29], and at the last finish the buddhist caves [1-12].
• 5. Bus and vehicle can go to caves no. 21, 29, 34 only. Save your time reaching these points by your vehicle.
• 6. Bring ample snacks and water before starting for the Ellora caves, as you wouldn't get anything up the hills.
• 7. It will take 4-6 hrs to cover all the caves, depending on how you are traversing the caves. 
• 8. There are many meditation halls to sit calm and relax for some time. 
• 9. Just opposite cave 16, A big garden can be enjoyed from top of Kailasha. 
• 10. If you have very short time, Cover the most notable one caves - 5, 10, 15, 16, 21, 29, 32.

Thanks to all my amdocs friends - Tarachand, Anish Bapna, Dhiraj Masodgi, Jatin Wadhwa, Avnish Garg, Sagar Ambastha to make this trip more happening and enjoyable. 

Visit other World Heritage Site - "Ajanta Caves" [100 Km away from Ellora Caves] in Maharashtra.

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Pune - Temghar Dam - Lavasa

First of all a very Happy I-Day (Independence day) to all my readers and loved ones.

It was the long weekend, and we decided to go to Lavasa, India's first planned hill station. The city is still yet to complete. This hill city has been controversial for many reasons as: danger to environment, quarrying, procurement of land etc. Not going into these details, lets start our trip to Lavasa.

We decided to go by car. Abhishek, Ajay, Pardeep, Raunak, Tarachand were finally in, Off-cource including me. Thanks to Raunak who managed to get all of us in his car. Enjoying the scenic beauty and full time rain was a pleasure during monsoon season. We choose the path from Magarpatta City - Chandni Chowk - Pirangut - Paud Road - Temghar Lavasa Road - Temghar Dam - Lavasa. We stopped at various points shortly to enjoy the rain, and for some time at Temghar dam. Temghar dam is in the valley of Sahyadri hills near Pune, This was almost full of monsoon water.

It started raining heavily as we entered the gates of Lavasa. Throughout the trip, It keep on raining, and various waterfalls can be enjoyed. The street name is itself the waterfall st. People were enjoying these water streams stopping their vehicles. We reached at Ekaant lodge, at the top of hill. From the parking place, the panoramic view of the lake and the Lavasa cityscape is awesome and adorable. As per the plans, four-five towns will be built on seven hills. So far, Dasve is one of them, and the other town is Mugaon.

In Lavasa, people can enjoy various water-sports as well, But at this high mansoon season these were closed. There are some adventure sports with X-thrill (sign-boards can be seen at the road-sides) and activities like rock climbing, paint ball, rappelling, camping, and trekking to the nature trails can be done at different times throughout the year.

We had our lunch just near the bridge crossing points. We managed to get standing food at this place, where we ate like dogs. [everyone getting too much hungry] From this point, people can enjoy train-shaped vehicle drive to Lavasa city for 20 mins, cost INR 50. After that we drive down the city, crossed the lovely bridge, stopped at a pictsquare place for some colorful designing Villas and the waterfront buildings.

During our trip, we enjoyed the tea and the sweet-corn at the road-side. Lavasa could be the good option for one day trip from Pune or Mumbai. If you have dream of living in Lavasa hill city villa, or need any more info, you can visit: lavasa.com

Other one day trip from Pune:

Mahabaleshwar Trip

An eve at Mulshi Lake

Sinhgad - The Lion Fort

Kashid and Murud Janjira Fort

Purander Fort

Lonavala Trip

Khandala Trip

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