Naneghat Trek from Mumbai - Routes, Best Time

Naneghat Trek, Mumbai Overview

Situated at a height of 2,600 feet, Naneghat is a mountain pass through the Sahyadri Mountain Range in Maharashtra that connects the Konkan sea coast with the old town of Junnar in the Deccan. Once an important corridor link through the Ghatghar forest between the coastal region and the important towns inland, Naneghat is now a loved and much-frequented route for the trekkers and explorers. Boasting the trademark beauty of lush greens amidst patches of dusty terrain, typical to this region, Naneghat is a treat to the eyes, to the soul and to the nature-loving, adventure-seeking mind.

Most of the fortifications have crumbled down, but some of the inscriptions on the caves still remain in praise of the rulers who built them. There are a number of water tanks and reservoirs around the place. The fort has a number of artificial caves and the famous Naneghat pass with huge rock walls on either side. There is a temple of Ganesha on the other side of the pass. A huge rock-cut pot which was used presumably to collect coins from the traders passing by. The pinnacle of the fort is shaped like a thumb and is known popularly as 'Nancha Angtha.'

Trek Routes

Height: 2250 feet
Distance: 5 kilometres
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time taken: 1-2 hour

After crossing the signboard declaring the whereabouts of the Naneghat caves, the first 30 minutes of the trail is a dirt road strewn with rocky patches. The trekkers then come across two successive streams of water within an hour of the trail, the second stream being voluminous than the first one. The trekkers then come across a small dam after having crossed the second stream, from which one more stream emerges. The trail then comes to two paths at the beginning of this stream. The one going uphill, surrounded by thick foliage on either side is the one that needs to be taken.
At the end of the trek, you will see the road leading up to a higher point. The stunning view of the green hills and valleys all around from this hilltop is another rewarding experience at the end of the trek. From the top, you will also get glimpses of Jivdhan Fort and Bhairavnath Temple. The caves at the top are an added bonus to your effort.

History of Naneghat

The Naneghat trek route is said to have existed since the reign of the mighty Satavahana dynasty, circa 200 BCE - 190 CE. If you translate the name to local language, ‘Nane’ means ‘coin and ‘Ghat’ means ‘pass’, which means, the Naneghat pass was used as a toll booth to collect entry and exit taxes from the traders who crossed the hills. Clearly, this used to be one of the most important trade routes of that time, connecting the seaports on the west coast like Sopara, Kalyan and Thane with the major settlement points like Nasik, Paithan and of course, Junnar. According to a historian, Charles Allen, there is a carved stone by the roadside along the route, which looks like a small Buddhist Stupa, but in reality, is a stone container to store the collected tolls. Needless to say, the significance of the Naneghat route in old age was quite unparalleled.

Attractions At Naneghat

At the end of the trekking route, there is a cave with ancient inscriptions in Brahmi and Devanagari script dating back to the second and first century BCE, which provides evidence as to the reign of the Satavahanas over this region during their prime. Upon studying, it has been found that the inscriptions mention Vedic rituals and deities like Yama, Surya, Indra, Chandra and Vasudeva (Krishna), and also historic information about the early Satavahanas. From there, it can be concluded that the cave was commissioned by a women Satavahana Queen or Queen Mother, Naganika, the wife of Satakarni.

Tips

The starting point of Naneghat is not an official bus stop. So either keep an eye out from the board or ask your bus conductor to inform you when the location arrives.
Stock your backpacks with water and light food before starting the trek. It goes through forests and there is nothing much for 2-2.5 hours of walking and climbing.
If you have elderly people with you or anyone who has difficulty walking long distances, no need to worry. Vehicles can go up to the top of the Naneghat trek anyway.

How to reach Naneghat Trek

Rail: Kalyan is situated between Mumbai and Kasara rail line, and is therefore connected well with Gujarat, north and south India.The frequent availability of passenger trains provide an additional benefit in the form of hassle free conveyance.
Road: State terminal buses ply on a regular basis from Kalyan state terminal to Ahmednagar. The village of Vaishakhare is situated en route to Ahmednagar. Kalyan is well connected to Mumbai through the National Highways system.