Shivneri Fort

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Shivneri Fort

Shivneri Fort a historic military fortification located near Junnar which is around 105 km from Pune, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is known as the birthplace of Shivaji, who would go on not only to rule Maharashtra but to found the Maratha Empire.

Shahaji Bhonsale, Shivaji's father, was a general in the army of the Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur. He was concerned for the safety of his wife Jijabai during her pregnancy as there was constant warfare going on.He,therefore moved his family to Shivneri fort. Shivneri is a highly defensible location, with steep rocks on four sides and a strongly-built citadel.

Shivaji was born at the fort on 19 February 1630, and spent his childhood there. Inside the fort is a small temple of goddess Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji was named so.He acquired all the skills and training on this fort which he used while establishing hindavi swaraj (self-rule). He learnt the early lessons of swaraj on this fort. There are statues of Jijabai and young Shivaji. In the fort there are two water springs, namely Ganga-Jamumna, which have water throughout whole year.

Two kilometers away from this fort there are the lenyadri caves which is one of Ashtavinayaka temple in Maharastra. Also about 3 kilometers away there is a Dhamankhel kulaswami khandoba mandir at dhamankhel village.