SHIVANERI, Junnar (Caves at)
19.200000,73.883300
Description
Man-made »caves« (rock-cut chambers used for religious purposes), undergrounds (tanks, granaries) and cisterns (water tanks) are situated on the cliff topped Shivaneri (Sivaneri) Hill at –>Junnar. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1675: On the cliff topped »Gur« (note 1) are »granaries hewed out of Stone, I suppose for Religion's sake at first, being too delicately engraved for the present use: though there are several Tanks [note 2] … other Tanks or Cisterns for Water, which look nastly, Green, Yellow, and Red, being distilled in the Rains, and in the Heats evaporated to a Consistency [note 3] …« At the side of Shivaneri are »… many Dens and Caverns, fondly believed to be carved and cut out of the Rocks by some Divine Power; having no account of their original. Indeed they are miraculous« (FRYER 1675.09.22 II.v, published 1688, edited 1873 edited 1993: 354-355). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1960: »… the fourth major group of caves [–>Ganesh Lena, Caves on –>Manamodi Hill, –>Tulja Lena] at Junnar… run along the side of the cliff topped by Sivaneri [Shivaneri] fort. This stronghold derives its name from Sivabai [Shivabai], a primitive goddess …« (KOSAMBI 1960b: 137). CAVE LIFE: BROSSET (19962d: 725) lists 2 specimens of the bat Pipistrellus ceylonicus Kelaart 1852 (Chiroptera) captured one May from his diurnal biotope »in the crack of the ceiling of a cave in the Shivaneri Fort.«
NOTE 1: »Gur« (FRYER) is the "ghar" (castle, fortress) at »Jeneah« (Shivner, Shivaner, the modern Junnar): »We travelled Two Miles [from Feneah?] before we came to the Foot of it, where is a Garrison, or Fortified Town… Hence it is painful Riding, and requires a strong Back to keep State in a Palankeen, it being carried almost bolt upright, over Slippery Marble steps, cut out of the shining Rock, as smooth as Glass, and reflecting the Sun-beams as much: After we had mounted near a Hundred Stairs, we were received into the Neck of the Castle, which is collared about with a Wall, rather to keep them from falling down, then needful to prevent Assailants; from whence an easy Ascent leads to a Level, which is the Circus to train the Infantry; where are conspiccuous Tombs of their former Kings, being firmly built, and a Mosque of polished Marble …« (FRYER 1993: 351). NOTE 2: »… filled with Butter of 400 years standing [apparently "mumia" or bitumen, quite a powerfull antiseptic, which, however, was not accepted in the European pharmakopöa of Dr. Fryer's time], prized by the Gentiles as high as Gold, prevalent in Old Aches, and Sore Eyes, one of which ws opened for my sake, and a Present made me of its black stinking and viscious Balsom« (FRYER 1993: 354). NOTE 3: »In some of these Gurs [plural of "ghar", a fortified hill or hill fortress] the Water is so bad, that they use Onions [Allium sativa] to correct its unsavoriness. (Garlick indeed with us is called the Countryman's Treacle)« (FRYER 1993: 354).
Documents
Bibliography 23/05/2016Histoire
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1675 April-May: Dr. John FRYER (1675.09.22 II.v, published 1688, edited 1873 edited 1993: 354, 355, 365) observed "granaries" and "several tanks" (undergrounds), "other tanks" (cisterns) along with "dens and caverns" (rock chambers) on "The Gur" (Shivaneri / Sivaneri ghar).
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | GANESHA LENA, Junnar | ||
| 0.0 | MANAMODI, Junnar (Caves of) | ||
| 0.0 | TULAJA LENA, Junnar | ||
| 0.0 | Shivabai, Junnar (Cave of) | ||
| 23.8 | HARISHANDRAGARH CAVES | ||
| 24.6 | DEHIR STEPWELL | ||
| 24.6 | NANAGHAT (Caves at) | ||
| 39.0 | ACHOLA (Cave at) | ||
| 61.9 | DHOKESHWAR CAVES, Parner |