Sunday

Nandgiri: A Jain Cave Temple in Maharashtra

Nandgiri, also known as Kalyangad, is a fort situated in Satara District of Maharashtra. This fort was built by the Shilahar King Bhoj II in early 13th century. He built 16 forts in total in western Maharashtra.

The Shilahar Dynasty was follower of Jainism. This dynasty ruled all over the south Maharashtra and North Karanatka between 11th to 13th Centuries. King Bhoj II was disciple of Jain Acharya Maghnandi. Acharya Maghnandi was his spiritual and political Guru. The Kings, Queens and Generals of this dynasty were staunch Jains and promoted Jainism in their region.


After decline of Shilahar Dynasty, the Nandgiri fort was captured by Adilshah of Bijapur. The fort was taken back by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1673 A.D. As this fort was very difficult to climb, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's treasury was kept on this fort.

On Nandgiri hill, there is a big cave. There is a big lake filled with clear water in the cave. An ancient idol of Shree Parshwanath Swami is situated on one side of the lake in the cave.

A big number of devotee Jains come here for darshan. Mostly they are from western and southern Maharashtra. This place is almost unknown to Jains in other parts of India.

In 1930, Shri. Hirachand Shaha constructed a railing in the cave, which helps us to reach to the idol. Shri 1008 Parshwanath Digambar Jain Gupha Mandir Trust is developing this Shrine. Dr. Vijay Shaha is the President of the trust and Mr. Vijaykumar Randive is the secretary. The trust is running a high school for village children.

I was fortunate enough to visit this shrine with Shri Shirish Shaha (Satara), Dilip Khobare (Pune) and Abhishek Jain Shastri (Sagar). To climb the 3557 feet high hill and to enter in the dark cave, and again to climb down was a thrilling experiment. I think that every Jain should visit this shrine at least once in the life.


You can easily go to the hill by road from Satara, as there is a tar road. Satara is about 110 Km. From Pune. Nandgiri is about 25 Km. far from Satara. You can reach Satara by road/train from Pune and Mumbai. You should start to climb the hill early in the morning or before 3.00 P.M. Climbing on the hill, taking darshan in the cave and then coming back takes 3 hours. It is very difficult to climb down the hill in dark, so you should start early to climb down if you start climbing up after 2.00 P.M. You must have a battery while you visit the cave.

You can stay at Shree Parshwanath Digambar Jain Sanskritik Bhavan, Opp. Ajinkya Colony, Sadar Bazar, Satara 415 002 before going to the hill.


Contact details for more information:
Dr. Vijay Shaha, 170 Sadashiv Peth, Satara 415002
Phone: 0216 2244236


(c) M.S. Chavan

11 comments:

Unknown said...

This is a very good idea. I learned something about Nandgiri today. Thank you for posting information about it.

I look forward to hearing about many more such hidden treasures.

Thanks

Nitin Talsania
USA

Unknown said...

This is a very good idea. I learned something about Nandgiri today. Thank you for posting information about it.

I look forward to hearing about many more such hidden treasures.

Thanks

Nitin Talsania
USA

Unknown said...

Good information.
If Possible add some good photos. Pictures create more impact.

There are numerous sites around Satara. Like 'Pateshwar Temples, Peteshwat Cave Temple, Siddheshwar Kuroli Temple - Here you will heard a sound somewhat similar to Bell Tone, when the priest offers a Abhishek on Shivlinga.

Tough these are not Jain Temples, but these are some sacred temples.

Regards,
Bhagwat Ramesh

Unknown said...

thanks 4 such a detail information.i like to see d place once in a life.

Rohan Shah said...

I got to know about Nandgiri today,which i was totally unaware of the same. Thank you for posting information about it.
but it would be of great help if you could put up some photos of the same,it will have higher impact .

Rohan Shah said...

I got to know about Nandgiri today,which i was totally unaware of the same. Thank you for posting information about it.
but it would be of great help if you could put up some photos of the same,it will have higher impact .

Unknown said...

Sudhir S. sapkal
A/p Nandgiri, Tal Koregaon.
for more sudhirsapkal@yahoo.co.in

First thing is that ,Nandgiri (Situated on Kinhai Road) is only 15 KM away from Satara.Full address is A/p Nandgiri(Khed),Tal Koregaon,Dist. Satara. There is one more cave which is in the middle of "Kalyangarh" known as "Khamtaka" Water is always inside it. In old age there was underground road to go to main cave from "Khamtaka". You will find pillars in Khamtaka still.

In the main cave there is "Shree Datta Digambar Murti" near to Parshwanath.

Omkar from veer seva dal kini said...

Yesterday i went to nandgiri for help such it was an nice exprience and very lucky to see chintamani parasnath i am giving thanks dr.shaha-msvadkar to give this graet oppotunity omkar patil from veer seva dal kini

Omkar from veer seva dal kini said...

Nandgiri ha karach aik punyadayi va dharmik anubhav hota.mala tete swayamsewak manun janyachi sandi milali .tetil dongar,pavanchaki,gunfa,dongar chadnyacha anubhav ha kharach mast hota.swaymsevak manun kam kartana anek aajinchya dolyat pani yeun sangitale ki tyanchy mule je kele nahit te aami karun dakhavale .thanks to dr.shaha to give this golden oppurtinietis. Omkar patil .veer seva dal sadsya kinirmik anubhav hota.mala tete swayamsewak manun janyachi sandi milali .tetil dongar,pavanchaki,gunfa,dongar chadnyacha anubhav ha kharach mast hota.swaymsevak manun kam kartana anek aajinchya dolyat pani yeun sangitale ki tyanchy mule je kele nahit te aami karun dakhavale .thanks to dr.shaha to give this golden oppurtinietis. Omkar patil .veer seva dal sadsya kini

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

NANDGIRI IS INDEED AN GREAT ANCIENT PLACE NEAR SATARA,MAHARASHTRA .AN ANCIENT PLACE WITH CALM ATMOSPHERE .
YOU CAN FOLLOW NANDGIRI PAGE ON FACEBOOK AT https://m.facebook.com/jaingumpha.
WE ALSO HAVE OUR WEBSITE AS http://www.jaingumpha.info/
ALSO TWITTER .
WE HAVE STARTED OUR PROJECT FOR MUNI-NIVAS ,DHARMASHALA,YATRINIVAS IN A AREA OF ABOUT 3ACERS NEAR THE NANDGIRI THITHAKSHETRA.
WE ARE IN NEED OF FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT.
AC/NAME -SHRI 1008 KALPVRUKSH BHAGWAN PARSHWANATH DIG. JAIN TRUST,THE KARAD JANTA SARKARI BANK LTD BR.MARKET YARD SATARA
OUR IFSC CODE : HDFC0CKJSBL
AC/NO -260310000435.
YOU CAN CONTACT NANDGIRI TRUSTEES
MR AJIT KANTILAL DOSHI - +918380050111
MR SHASHANK SUBHASH SHAH - +919422605436
WITH REGARDS,
ASHWIN DOSHI .
(SATARA)

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