Naneghat (नाणेघाट)

'Nanacha Angatha' (नानाचा अंगठा)

teakwood forests on the way from Vaishakhare

From Mumbai / Kalyan

1. Take an ST bus from Kalyan ST depot going to Ale Phata or Ahmad-Nagar. The bus passes through Malshej Ghat - another famous monsoon picnic spot.

2. Get down at Naneghat stop which is before Malshej Ghat and 2 km ahead of Vaishakhare village. The stop bears a huge stone board saying 'Naneghat' written in Marathi.

3. Start walking on the prominent way towards Naneghat.

4. Soon you will reach the pass called as 'Naneghatachi NaLi' at the base of 'Nanacha Angatha'

From Pune / Junnar

1. Reach Ghatghar from Junnar (about 35 km)

2. Walk towards Naneghat plateau (5km).

3. Naneghat plateau has vehicle route till Naneghatachi NaLi from Ghatghar, so if you have a private vehicle, it can directly reach the base of Nanacha Angatha.

Naneghat trek is one of the best Monsoon treks. Naneghat speaks very old history which is hardly clearly known to commons. This ignored pass once served a vital trade route between Kalyan and Junnar.

Naneghat trek is simple and enjoyable. Way is clearly marked and passes through dense teakwood forests. Climbing from the forest you reach to the base of 'Nanacha Angatha' (नानाचा अंगठा) which is pinnacle of Naneghat plateau.

From this base, a 2 meter wide pass connects to the actual plateau. This pass called as 'Naneghatachi NaLi' (नाणेघाटाची नळी) has been carved and cut in stones by emperors of that time. This 60 meter long pass takes you to the Naneghat plateau.

NOTE - Naneghat plateau has vehicle route till its top from Junnar/Pune side. So private vehicles can directly reach the pleateau and enjoy the monsoon beauty of Naneghat.

Naneghat plateau (नाणेघाट पठार)

1. Trade Route (कल्याण जुन्नर व्यापारी मार्ग) - Naneghat was built around 2000 years ago to serve as the shortest path between Kalyan and Junnar. While Junnar served as capital of many dynasties like Chalukya, Saatvaahan, Shilahar etc., Kalyan continued to remain an international trade center. These kings built some forts around Naneghat to keep watch on the trade route.

2. Guarding Naneghat - Naneghat is guarded by four forts - Jivdhan, Hadsar, Chawand and Shivneri. Jivdhan fort lies right beside the Naneghat plateau. Shivneri lies at the back of Junnar city.

3. JIvdhan fort and Khada Paarshi Pinnacle
   (किल्ले जीवधन आणि खडा पारशी सुळका) - Jivdhan is considered to be one of the tough forts to climb and the steep niddle shaped 'Khada Paarshi Pinnacle' beside it is one of the peak attractions of rock climbers. This fort is most importantly situated to guard Naneghat plateau.

4. Naneghat Caves (नाणेघाट गुहा) - After Saatvaahan kings conquered and started ruling this area, they renovated the forts and the pass and carved some caves for the stay of traders. The largest cave of Naneghat bears stone carvings and some Sanskrit writings in brahmi and devnaagri script. Sculptures of first Saatvaahan king - Shalivaahan have also been carved in the cave. This Shalivaahan started the famous Marathi calendar 1950 years ago called as Shalivaahan Shak, which is still widely used. The scripts also mention some yagnya and donations performed by Saatvaahan queen.

5. Water cisterns - In and around the caves at the base of Nanacha Angatha, there are many water tanks that bear water even in summer. They were created to facilitate the traders for their stay in the caves.

6. Naneghatachi Nali (नाणेघाटाची नळी) - This 60 meter long and 2 to 4 meter wide pass has been manually cut through rocks when there were no advanced cutting tools. The pass and the whole route was built with stone in such a way that bullock carts and horse carts could climb and pass through easily.

7. Naneghat plateau (नाणेघाट पठार) - After you cross the Nali, you reach a huge plateau on the top. This Naneghat Pathar is really huge and exceptionally plain giving a good view of the tough fort Jivdhan. 'Nanacha Angatha, which is peak of Naneghat can be reached easily from here.

8. Nanacha Angatha (नानाचा अंगठा) - This peak of naneghat is thumb shaped, hence the name. This gives a good view of the valley, fort Jivdhan, fort Harishchandragad and  Naneghat Plateau. You can not resist clicking snaps for half an hour from here.

9. Stone Pot (दगडी रांजण) - The famous stone pot called as 'Raanjan (रांजण) of Naneghat' which is 4 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter, was used to collect toll from the traders. The  Raanjan used to contain the coins of that age called as 'KaarshapaN' (कार्षापण). In front of the stone pot lies a Ganesh idol in a small temple.

Stone Pot (दगडी रांजण)

Naneghat plateau (नाणेघाट पठार)
as seen from Nanacha Angatha

Base of Jivdhan fort
as seen from Nanacha Angatha

JIvdhan fort and Khada Paarshi Pinnacle
(किल्ले जीवधन आणि खडा पारशी सुळका)

Naneghat Caves (नाणेघाट गुहा) and Water cisterns

Naneghatachi Nali (नाणेघाटाची नळी)

Nanacha Angatha (नानाचा अंगठा)
as seen from Naneghat plateau

Nearby places to visit

1. Shivneri fort and other places around Junnar -  Junnar is just 1 and 1/2 hours from Ghatghar. The fort shivneri at Junnar is the place where Shivaji Maharaj was born. An excellent well maintained fort speaking 2000 years old history. Refer to Shivneri information for details.

2. Malshej Ghat (माळशेज घाट) - On the current way from Kalyan to Junnar lies Malshej Ghat where more than 30 waterfalls fall down on the road in Monsoon. One of the favorite monsoon picnic spots amongst Mumbai-Pune residents.

3. Harishchandragad fort - The glory of trekking - Love of trekkers. This fort is a bit tough one, but what it has for display simply ineviting. Taramati mountain - second highest peak of Maharashtra; 2000 feet deep steep semicircular concave  Konkan Kadaa; 600 feet rock patch for trekking; 2500 years old Harishchandreshwar temple... Refer to Harishchandragad  information for details.

4. Jivdhan fort - Base village of the fort is Ghatghar. One of the really tough treks.

5. Hadsar and Chawand forts

1. To Mumbai - Get down from Naneghatachi Nali to Vaishakhare and take ST to Kalyan.

2. To Pune - Walk for 5km on Naneghat Plateau to reach Ghatghar and take an ST to Junnar, from where you can reach Pune easily.

From Kalyan to Naneghat / Vaishakhare	Every half an hour bus to Ale Phata / Nagar (आळे फाटा / नगर). Get down at Naneghat stop.
First bus	5.30am from Kalyan
Last bus	12.15am from Kalyan
From Ghatghar to Junnar	3.00pm from Ghatghar (every two hourly bus till 4.30pm)

Time to climb	2 and 1/2 hours from Naneghat stop next to Vaishakhare to Naneghat plateau 1 hour walk from Ghatghar to Naneghat plateau 1 hour walk from Vaishkhare to Naneghat stop (if you get down at Vaishakhare)
Food	Available in Ghatghar and Vaishakhare
Drinkable Water	Water tanks beside the caves and well on the plateau.
Shelter	Naneghat caves can accommodate about 50 people at a time. Otherwise you can stay in Ghatghar or Vaishakhare villages.

Other pictures of Naneghat (Click on thumbnails below to enlarge)