The history of Junglee Jaigad Fort in Koynanagar, Maharashtra is tied to Maratha rulers and the British Raj:

Sources suggest the fort was once under the control of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Later, the fort was included within the territory of Helwak Mahal, a nearby marketplace.

Historical records indicate the fort witnessed some internal conflicts among Maratha factions. In 1758-59, Khandoji Mankar, a chief under the Peshwas (Maratha administrators), captured the fort from the Pantapratinhidis, another Maratha group. The Peshwas eventually returned control to the Pantapratinhidis. However, this control shifted again in 1810 when Bapu Gokhale, a Peshwa general, took the fort from Tai Telni.

The British ultimately conquered Junglee Jaigad Fort in 1818 under the command of Colonel Hewett.

Deterioration
The fort suffered significant damage in the major Koynanagar earthquake of 1967.

While the fort itself is in ruins today, it offers a glimpse into the region’s Maratha history and the struggles for control during the pre-colonial era.

This Junglee Jaigad fort was built in the valley of Koyna to watch over the Kumbharli Ghat. The fort was destroyed in the Koynanagar earthquake in 1967. In that, the well on the fort was completely extinguished. Till then, the villagers of Panchkroshi used to come to the Fort for pilgrimage to Thanai Devi; but in the earthquake, along with the well, the road leading to the fort also completely collapsed.

Nehru Garden is a popular tourist spot located in Koynanagar, Maharashtra. The garden is well-maintained and offers a good view of the backwaters of Koyna Dam. It also has beautifully landscaped architecture. The garden has a lot of activities for kids. There is also a documentary film about the construction of the dam which is in Marathi and plays at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm for a minimum of 10 people.

Depart from Pune by 23:00 hrs.
Once you reach your pick-up point, mark your presence with the SG-Trekkers representative. Then we will travel by private bus to the starting point of the trek.

Day 0: Highlights
• Drive (approx.): 210 km, 5-6 hrs.

Early in the morning, we reach the base village, Nawaja. Get freshened up, and have breakfast.

Start the trek towards Junglee Jaigad Fort. The initial trail is easy with a gradual ascent. It’s an easy ascend of approx. 1,150 ft.; it usually takes 2 to 3 hours to reach the top of the fort. You can experience the dense forest of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary on the way. You might see a variety of birds and wild animals.

Reach the plateau where the Junglee Jaigad Fort is located. The fort extends from the main Sahyadri Range, about half a kilometre long and 30 meters wide. Explore the ruins of the fort, including the Thanai Devi temple, cisterns, and watchtowers. You will get a magnificent view of a beautiful Kumbharli Ghat, the Pophali & Kolkewadi Hydroelectric Project. Explore the Junglee Jaigad Fort and its surroundings.

After spending some time exploring the fort, begin your descent back to Nawaja village. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local home. Depart from Nawaja village and return to Pune; filled with memories of our Junglee Jaigad fort trek.

Arrive back in Pune by 21:00 hrs. (approx.).

Day 1: Highlights
• Altitude: ⇑ 1,150 ft. / ⇓ 1,150 ft.
• Walk (approx.): 8 km, 6-7 hrs.
• Accommodation: N/A
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea