Naneghat, Mountain pass in Pune district, India
Naneghat is a mountain pass through the Western Ghats connecting the coastal Konkan region with the Deccan Plateau. The site features natural caves with carved inscriptions and rock-cut structures that remain from ancient times.
This pass served as a major trade route from ancient times, with tolls collected from merchants traveling between the coast and interior regions. The practice of charging fees at this location dates back to around the second century BCE.
The inscriptions reveal how trade and worship were intertwined at this location, showing that merchants considered spiritual protection important for their journeys through the mountains.
The site is accessible by two main highways, with Kalyan railway station serving as the nearest major transport connection for those arriving by train. Road conditions can vary by season, so it is worth checking local conditions before planning a visit.
A stone vessel called Jakatica Ranjan still stands at the summit, used centuries ago to collect fees from merchants passing through. This artifact offers a direct glimpse into how trade was controlled and taxed at ancient mountain passages.
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