Nandgiri - Jain cave shrine

Nandgiri or Kalyangad fort is situated at a distance of 120 KM from Pune in Satara District. It was built by Shilahar King Bhoj-II (NandRaja) in 11^th century. Shilahar dynasty ruled most of the current time Maharashtra and Karnataka between 11^th and 13^th centuries. This dynasty was staunch followers of Jainism. Most of the Hill forts in Maharashtra were built by them. King Bhoj-II was the follower of Jain Acharya Maghnandi , his spiritual and political Guru. The Kings, Queens and Generals of this dynasty were staunch Jains and promoted Jainism in their region.There must exist a beautiful temple in this fort with principle deity as 23^rd Jain Tirthankar Lord Parshwanath during his reign. This same idol was seems to be removed from the temple and camouflaged in a pitch dark cavern at the time of attack by Adilshah of Bijapur. This was possibly done to save the idol from fallen into the hands of enemy. Since, then this idol is kept at this 30 meter deep, pitch dark cave.

Shivaji Maharaj has captured this fort from sultanate of bijapur in year 1673 and kept his treasury on this fort, as the fort was very difficult to climb. In 1818, this fort was captured by East India Company.

This Place is termed as Atishay Kschettra and Jains used to visit this place, specially the cave to take the darshan of Lord Parshwanath. The idol seems to be around 1000 years old and in Ardha Padmasan posture. The idol was recently fortified with a fiber glass enclosure and an iron gate. The idol is very beautiful and nicely carved.

The cave is quite dark and your eyes will take at least 2-3 minutes to get adjusted in the darkness. In monsoon season, there would be the knee deep water in the cave and you have to watch your steps as well as keep adjusting your head to save it from banging on the rocks. In 1930, Shri.Hirachand Shaha (Jain) had built the iron railings and the pathway inside the cave to help pilgrims reach the idol. You must carry a good torch while visiting this cave. Shri 1008 Parshwanath Digambar Jain Gupha Mandir Trust is managing the shrine.

The fort is around 5 KM drive from the base but the road is muddy throughout and special care needs to be taken while driving to this fort. Vehicles like Traveler Tempo can easily reach till the last 1 KM, from here you have to walk till the gate of fort. Just after passing the first gate, there will be two ways, the one at left take you to a flight of 20 steps going downwards. This is the way to the cave with idol of Lord Parshwanath. The way to the right take you further up to the fort. After 30 steps, you will reach the second gate of this fort. Just after this gate, there exists a Hanuman temple and a ruined machi to host the flag. Ten more steps from here, you will be at the top of the fort. From here you can see the mammoth Windmills and beautiful fields and surrounding hills of this region. There is one store room built of stones at top plus some remnants of old palace. It will not take more than 30 minutes to roam this fort apart from the cave. There is no signboard at the base village of Dhumalvadi. The only landmark is Kalyan Dhaba , just after  100 meters from this dhaba you have to take a left. At first instance, you might be confused after seeing the muddy road but don’t lose heart this is the way you have to take. The road is muddy but not that bad as you might thought at the first instance.

How to reach from Pune-   Take the NH4 for Satara but remember you do not have to enter the Satara city. Just at the cut to the Satara city on highway, you will see a road in right going towards Satara city and a road to the left with the board showing as Faltan and Lonand. Take the left road , this is SH61 and drive till Vaduth Village.Just at the town centre of Vaduth, you will find two roads forming a “V” take the road going towards  right .This Road takes you to the “Satara road”, you will also find one railway crossing at Jarandeshwar and way to Padali Village on the way to “Satara road”. Go straight till the Satara road bus stand, from here take the sharp right and drive till you reaches an intersection of 2 roads. One is being Wathar –Koregaon Road. Take a left from here but remember don’t take the road going towards Wathar. Just ask someone to reconfirm, as this intersection is tricky. If you are on the right track, you would see a big Dhaba on your left just after a KM from the intersection. After 100 meters from the dhaba, you have to take the left to start climbing on the hill.Once you start climbing,you have to just follow the path.After a climb of 4 KM when you seems to be reaching at the base of mammoth windmills,you will get the first intersection,from here you have to take the right.After a 1 KM from here,you will reach a point where a steep road is going upwards.Park your vehicle here and walk,it will take a 15 min walk from here to reach the fort.

Near-by Attractions- Bara Moti chi Vihir at Limb Village.