Mountaineering organisation urges CM to start Shivteerth Yatra connecting Unesco inscribed Maratha forts
2
Pune: Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha, a mountaineering organisation based in Junnar, has proposed the launch of a special 'Shivteerth Yatra', modelled on the lines of Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, connecting the 12 forts recently inscribed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The organisation has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to flag off the yatra from the historic Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
.
Of these 12 forts, 11 are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. Described as "Maratha Military Landscapes", these are Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
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"Our organisation has been working for the past 25 years in fort conservation, environmental preservation, and promoting heritage tourism. Through our efforts, we helped establish the Shivai sacred grove and Junnar archaeological museum. An information centre is also coming up in the historic Ambarkhana building on the fort," Joshi said.
The organisation has proposed that the Shivteerth Yatra be operated through Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), with specially designed buses connecting all 12 Unesco-recognised forts.
It has also requested that Junnar ST bus depot be redeveloped in heritage style.
"Junnar is steeped in history. Now that Shivneri Fort has Unesco status, it is only appropriate that the bus stand reflects the region's historic and cultural character," said Rahul Joshi, president of Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha.
"Shivneri is not just a fort, it is the cradle of Maratha pride," he added.
Each fort holds significant historical importance.
Shivneri Fort, located in Junnar tehsil, is considered a "sacred fort" among all the forts of Maratha Empire because it is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The fort was built in the 6th century CE as a strategic military outpost. Built in a triangular shape, it is surrounded by cliffs and overlooks Junnar town.
"The most striking aspect of the fort is its seven-tier defence system, designed to block enemy advances.
It was a challenging task for attackers to engage in battle due to the uphill terrain and seven enormous gates," said Joshi.
"If the state government connects these forts with a dedicated bus service, it would provide a great opportunity for people to visit these historical sites, as many of these are located in rural areas. Therefore, we have urged the government to consider our request positively," said Ganesh Kore, the secretary of the organisation.
Thousands of people visit the forts every year. Many come to enjoy the atmosphere and greenery, but only a few are keen to understand their historical significance, said the members of the club.
"It is difficult for people to find the time to visit all these forts by making individual arrangements. However, if there is a dedicated public transport, a large number of people, including women, would visit these forts," said Keshav Tengle, a history enthusiast and trekker.
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First Post
19 hours ago
- First Post
Maratha bastion in Tamil heartland: Gingee fort's rise to Unesco glory
Given the manner in which Indian History is interpreted and taught, the period of Maratha domination of the northern region — including of who sat on the Mughal throne — has been systematically played down. Only in recent years has the truth been told about the 18th century period which can be termed 'The Maratha Century', if I may borrow a title of noted Maratha historian Uday Kulkarni. In this context, it is nothing short of stunning that a set of Maratha forts, so key to Shivaji's military strategy, have achieved Unesco World Heritage status. And while it is predictable that forts such as Shivneri, Raigad, Sindhudurg and others in Maharashtra would have been part of the list, what makes it truly impactful is the inclusion of Gingee among those acknowledged. For Gingee, in Tamil Nadu, is far from the Maratha home territory or its extensions in Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gingee's Rajagiri or Raja fort stands on a huge rock overlooking other structures Located just two hours south of the much-visited temple town of Kanchipuram, Gingee is one of India's most unusual forts and not merely because it has the reputation of being impregnable. The fort at Gingee, sometimes called Senji, is simplistically described as a 'hillfort'. The fort straddles three separate hills and encompasses all the land on top and between these hills. Each hill could function as a self-contained fortress and when combined, a formidable triangular defence network was created. Imagine the plight of an invading force that attempted to assault one hill only to be fired upon from another. But that didn't deter adventurous commanders from attempting an assault. The fort's history is the story of such attempts. Horse stables at Gingee fort, with the Krishnagiri hill, or Rani fort, looming in the background While some accounts hold that a small fortification here was done by the Chola dynasty as early as the 9th century, the widely accepted claim is that the first fort of significance was raised at Gingee in the 1190s. This was done by Ananda Kon, who came from a humble shepherd caste and had managed to subdue local chieftains. While he built a fort on Rajagiri hill — now called Raja hill — it became the nucleus for layer after layer of construction by dynasties across centuries. And with each came temples, mosques, water bodies, palaces, pavilions and to protect all this, longer and thicker walls. A mosque in Gingee fort, possibly from the time the Nawabs of Arcot controlled the fort After the Kons came another dynasty that rose from shepherd stock, the Kurumbars. And then the fort became part of the mighty Vijaynagara kingdom. Its eclipse in 1565 meant that the Nayakas, who until then had been feudatories of Vijaynagara, became independent rulers. It is they who built much of what is seen today at Gingee. And in the 17th century came the Marathas. They gained the fort after a tug of war with the kingdom of Bijapur. And when the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb unleashed his full force against the Marathas in the north Deccan region, Shivaji's second son Rajaram took refuge at Gingee, arriving here in November 1689. Aurangzeb's forces followed him and laid siege to the fort. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A painted icon on a rock while going up Raja hill While Rajaram escaped the invading forces, the Mughal army was in no mood to allow such a powerful fort to remain out of control. The siege was an epic struggle, ranging from use of military force to inducements being offered to Maratha chiefs. And the harrowing struggle for Gingee continued till 1698, when the fort finally fell. Musical chairs continued later at Gingee, with the fort passing through the hands of the Carnatic Nawabs to the French, from them to the British and then to Hyder Ali of Mysore and then back to the British. Two other interregnums are noteworthy. During the time that the fort was with the Kingdom of Bijapur, Elihu Yale — the man after whom the Yale academic institution in the US is named — came to Gingee. He was then an official of the East India Company in what became Madras (now Chennai) and came to Gingee seeking trading rights for the British in the region. He went back unsuccessful. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD View of the countryside from Rani fort The second case was when Gingee lay under Mughal control. Gingee was part of a jagir – land grant – given to a Bundela Rajput chief. His son De Singh inherited the jagir but was forced into a conflict with the Nawab of Arcot. De Singh died in battle and his young wife committed Sati. They left behind legends and folk ballads about love and heroism that are still remembered. Astounding to think of a folk ballad about a Bundela Rajput in the heart of the Tamil countryside. The British did not stay in Gingee for long though. The area around was considered malaria-prone and they shifted their base in the region to Arcot. Gingee's days of glory in history were over. But now, the World Heritage Status has put it once more in the spotlight. Today, when a visitor enters the fort, they see an assortment of buildings in the area between the hills. There is a mosque, a seven-storey high palace called Kalyana Mahal (in the lead picture), an open-air museum with various sculpted remains that could have come from temples long lost, various gateways and pavilions. Powerful walls of the fort, punctuated by bastions, encircle the place. Towering in the background is the hill on which 'Raja fort' stands. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It takes an effort to climb up, and carrying a stout stick to discourage enthusiastic monkeys is a good idea. On the way up, a small shrine appears on the right. This is dedicated to a Goddess who eliminated a demon with a hundred heads. As one keeps ascending the fort, one crosses various landmarks – a Hanuman icon carved on rock, various buildings, cannons and fortified walls, not to forget panoramic views of the fort spreading out below. To reach the inner citadel atop the hill, one needs to cross a small drawbridge. Crossing that while looking at the fort spreading itself out below gives a true sense of what the word 'impregnable' means. And for a moment, you feel sorry for those Mughal troops laying siege for seven long years! At the top of the fort are the Ranganathar Temple, a bell tower and a watch tower. Visible below is the Venkatramana Temple, and at a distance on another hill, the Rani Fort. This fort, which was originally called Krishnagiri, is the second of the three hill citadels that make up Gingee's mighty bastion and has some pavilions and shrines on top. The third is the Chandrayandurg, completing the triangle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Divine icons inside Venkatramana temple, where worship continues The Venkatramana Temple, when viewed from the Raja fort hill The Ranganathar temple atop Raja fort hill In the space between the three hills lies the Venkatramana Temple. When a visitor enters its high gopuram, the structure reminds him of the shrines of Hampi, capital of Vijaynagara. When this author visited the place, the shrine seemed empty and abandoned. And just when I stepped back to leave, a priest carrying a ceremonial lamp emerged from inside, continuing a puja tradition that dates back centuries. It was a moment when time stood still! The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
From Maharashtra To Tamil Nadu: Maratha Legacy Carries On As India's Historic Forts Gain Global Recognition
photoDetails english 2934226 At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They became India's 44th property to receive this recognition. This global recognition highlights India's rich and enduring cultural legacy, reflecting the country's deep-rooted traditions in architecture, regional diversity, and historical continuity. From ancient temples and monuments to colonial-era structures and indigenous design practices, India's architectural heritage tells the story of its evolving identity. Now the recognition of Maratha architecture shows the contribution of the region and era, its unique style, materials, and craftsmanship, creating a legacy that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire awe on the world stage. Updated:Jul 20, 2025, 08:45 AM IST Maratha Legacy Lives On 1 / 8 According to ANI, spanning from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this extraordinary network of twelve forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire. Ministry Of Culture 2 / 8 The proposal was sent for the consideration of the World Heritage Committee in January 2024, and after an eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a visit of ICOMOS's mission to review the sites, the Ministry of Culture stated. Selected Sites 3 / 8 The selected sites are spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. They include: Suvarnadurg, Lohgad, Shivneri, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Vijaydurg, Pratapgad, Panhala, Sindhudurg, and Salher in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. Forts Protected Under... 4 / 8 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protection to: Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee fort. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, protection to: Salher fort, Rajgad, and Khanderi fort, Pratapgarh. Location And Strategy 5 / 8 Located across a range of diverse terrains, from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds. The forts reflect a deep understanding of geography and strategic defence planning. Types Of Forts 6 / 8 Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts, as per ANI. Pratapgad, is within dense woods, and is classified as a hill-forest fort. Panhala, located on a plateaued hill, is a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg, positioned along the shoreline, is a notable coastal fort, while Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are recognised as island forts. Maratha Military Landscape 7 / 8 The Maratha Military Landscape of India was nominated under criteria four and six of the list, recognising their exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, their architectural and technological significance, and their deep associations with historic events and traditions. The purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO's list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values). Credits 8 / 8 Information Source: ANI All Images: @DrSJaishankar/X
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Mountaineering organisation urges CM to start Shivteerth Yatra connecting Unesco inscribed Maratha forts
1 2 Pune: Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha, a mountaineering organisation based in Junnar, has proposed the launch of a special 'Shivteerth Yatra', modelled on the lines of Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, connecting the 12 forts recently inscribed as Unesco World Heritage Sites. The organisation has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to flag off the yatra from the historic Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj . Of these 12 forts, 11 are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. Described as "Maratha Military Landscapes", these are Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Our organisation has been working for the past 25 years in fort conservation, environmental preservation, and promoting heritage tourism. Through our efforts, we helped establish the Shivai sacred grove and Junnar archaeological museum. An information centre is also coming up in the historic Ambarkhana building on the fort," Joshi said. The organisation has proposed that the Shivteerth Yatra be operated through Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), with specially designed buses connecting all 12 Unesco-recognised forts. It has also requested that Junnar ST bus depot be redeveloped in heritage style. "Junnar is steeped in history. Now that Shivneri Fort has Unesco status, it is only appropriate that the bus stand reflects the region's historic and cultural character," said Rahul Joshi, president of Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha. "Shivneri is not just a fort, it is the cradle of Maratha pride," he added. Each fort holds significant historical importance. Shivneri Fort, located in Junnar tehsil, is considered a "sacred fort" among all the forts of Maratha Empire because it is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort was built in the 6th century CE as a strategic military outpost. Built in a triangular shape, it is surrounded by cliffs and overlooks Junnar town. "The most striking aspect of the fort is its seven-tier defence system, designed to block enemy advances. It was a challenging task for attackers to engage in battle due to the uphill terrain and seven enormous gates," said Joshi. "If the state government connects these forts with a dedicated bus service, it would provide a great opportunity for people to visit these historical sites, as many of these are located in rural areas. Therefore, we have urged the government to consider our request positively," said Ganesh Kore, the secretary of the organisation. Thousands of people visit the forts every year. Many come to enjoy the atmosphere and greenery, but only a few are keen to understand their historical significance, said the members of the club. "It is difficult for people to find the time to visit all these forts by making individual arrangements. However, if there is a dedicated public transport, a large number of people, including women, would visit these forts," said Keshav Tengle, a history enthusiast and trekker.
