Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Junnar in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The pass was extensively used as a trade route between Kalyan and Junnar. This was the most important trade route, as it connected the harbour of Sopara and Kalyan directly to Junnar and Paithan.
The name “Nane” means “coin” and “Ghat” means “pass”. The name is given because this path was used as a tollbooth to collect tolls from traders crossing the hills. This is a pass, which once in history, enjoyed prime importance. At Naneghat, the inscriptions, the steps, the rock-cut rest houses, and the cisterns that date as far back as the 1st century B.C., prove that this route was frequently used.
Naneghat was part of an ancient trading route and is famous for a major cave with Sanskrit inscriptions in Brahmi script and the Middle Indo-Aryan dialect. These inscriptions have been dated between the 2nd and the 1st century BCE and are attributed to the Satvaahan dynasty era.
The inscriptions are notable for linking the Vedic and Hinduism deities, mentioning some Vedic Srauta rituals and names that provide historical information about the ancient Satvaahan. The inscriptions present the world’s oldest numeration symbols for “2, 4, 6, 7, and 9” which resemble modern-era numerals, more closely those found in modern Nagari and Hindu-Arabic script.
This sheer cliff is a well-known landmark, very clearly visible from the Konkan. The wall of this pass jut out of the main range and hence offer a magnificent view of the great bend in the Sahyadri.
To the north, one can view Mt. Kalsubai, to the south Bhimashankar, to the northeast Harishchandragad and to the northwest Mahuli.
To the southwest; behind Siddhagad, the level tops of Matheran can be seen. The great comb-like rock of Chanderi and the pinnacles of Malang are also visible when there is no haze.
Kukadeshwar Mandir or Temple is located in the Pur village on the bank of the Kukdi River at a distance of 15 Km from Junnar on its western side in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It has been built as per Hemadpanti architecture. The site of the temple looks amazingly beautiful and the Kukdi River on its northern side adds to its beauty.
It is a popular temple of Lord Shiva which is noted for its splendid carvings and sculptures on the inner and outer walls of the temple. It lies in close proximity to Chavand Fort, also known as Fort of Prasannagad at a distance of a mere 3 Km. The roof of this temple is currently in a dilapidated state but renovation is being carried out.
History: It is believed that the Kukadeshwar temple is about approximately 800 years old and the original idol of Lord Parshvanatha in the temple could not endure with the passage of time and got destroyed over this long period. As per a legend, in the depth of a grand future, a Brahmin saw Parshvanatha as the architect of eternal happiness and the future Tirthankara. Thus, he is the memory of his last two lives installed a splendid idol of Lord Parshvanatha.
Festivities in the Kukadeshwar Temple: Regular morning and evening prayers are conducted in the temple. Apart from those, every year on the tenth day of the Bhadrapada month’s bright half, a fair is held in this temple.
