An ancient fortified city, rich in myth and legend, Junagadh lies at the foot of Girnar Hill and takes its name from the 'Old Fort', which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills stands from 2500 years B.C. having a legend of its own. Justifiably proud for its glorious past, Junagadh is unique in more ways than one. Known world over for its earliest message of peace and non-violence in the form of instructions chiselled on the rock, known popularly as Ashoka Rock Edicts; the city has witnessed great upheavals of history.An ancient fortified city, rich in myth and legend, Junagadh lies at the foot of Girnar Hill and takes its name from the ‘Old Fort', which circles the medieval town. The Girnar Hills stands from 2500 years B.C. having a legend of its own. Justifiably proud for its glorious past, Junagadh is unique in more ways than one. Known world over for its earliest message of peace and non-violence in the form of instructions chiselled on the rock, known popularly as Ashoka Rock Edicts; the city has witnessed great upheavals of history.

Places of Interest

Mount Girnar
Spread over large area, the Mount Girnar stands all of like a yogi in the Saurashtra peninsula. At the foot of the hill lies Ashoka Rock Edict, chiselled on a boulder, measuring 20X30 ft. Emperor Ashoka's inscription are in Pali script whereas that of Rudradaman and Skandgupta -which are believed to be of a later date, 150 to 456 AD - are in Brahmi script. They give the message of peace, non-violence and love for the humanity.

The town Junagadh derives its name from the old fortress situated in the UPARKOT (citadel). The Uparkot forms the ancient Junagadh, which was named Mustafabad by, Mahmud Begada, This name, however, did not survive the death of its founder. The citadel withstood several attacks between 1350 AD and 1572 AD. The ancient archway at the entrance of the Uparkot, within the outer gate, is a fine specimen of the old Hindu Toran arch.

The Uparkot also contains a BUDDHIST CAVE MONASTERY constructed in about 300 AD. The outstanding feature of the structure is a hall, connected by a winding staircase to an upper chamber, which seems to have served as a refractory. There are two step-wells, one of which, the ADI KADI VAV named after two maid servants of Ra'Navghan and completed by his son Ra'Khengar in the 11th century cut to a great depth out of soft stone has an imposing circular staircase.

The main entrance to the hill is in front of the Uparkot, which is a fortified place, containing Jain temples. Standing in a quadrangular courtyard, the main temple of neminath is surrounded by pillared cloisters containing 70 cells. A mandap with a colonnade of 22 pillars forms aisles with image of Neminath. Of the 16 temples that cluster around, the triple temple built in 1177 by Tejpal and Vastupal have an image of Mallinath, the 19th tirthankar.

In the adjoining hill of DATAR there is a Muslim shrine dedicated to the saint Jamial Sha Datar who is said to have come from Sind at the behest of his spiritual mentor Pir patta. The saint's blessings are invoked for curing leprosy.

Whereas for devout Hindus, the visit to Girnar has a special significance because of DAMODAR KUND, named after Krishna, whose water is said to be sacred due to its property of dissolving bones of dead brought for the immersion. Nearby there is Shri Mahaprabhuji's Bethak. Bhavnath Mahadev is 3 kms. from here and at another 3 kms. the ascent for Girnar begins. The ascent, which is as exhilarating for the pilgrims as it is for the tourist for its varied attractions.

Ashoka’s Rock Edicts
On the way to Girnar, fourteen Rock Edicts of the Emperor Ashoka can be seen inscribed on a great boulder. The inscriptions carry Brahmi script in Pali language and dates back to 250 B.C. On the same rock are inscriptions in Sanskrit.

Narsinh Mehta's Choro
The circular platform, from where the great poet, philosopher, devotee and social reformer sang bhajans that started the transformation of medieval Hindu society, is the place devoid of glamour full of subtlety. It is situated on the eastern side of the city near the Majewadi Gate. There is a small temple with images of Damodarraiji and narsin Mehta.

Sakkarbaug Zoo
Established in 1863 AD, this is the oldest zoo in Gujarat and the third oldest in India. Here the Gir lions are held and bred in captivity. An open zoo is developed in the area of 500 acres of land

Mohabatkhan's Maqbara
Here Nawab Mohabat Khan II, Bahadur Khan III and Rasool Khan were buried. It is a fine specimen of medieval structure. On the one side of this mausoleum is the Vazir's Maqbara and on the other side is the Juma Masjid.

Junagadh Museum
Situated in the Sakkarbaug Garden, the museum contains rare specimen of art, ancient coins, furnituer, Persian and Sanskrit inscriptions, stuffed animals and a large array of interesting artifacts.

Darbar Hall Museum
It is the hall where erstwhile Nawabs of Junagadh used to hold court. It has several sections, like Picture Gallery, Palanquin, Textile, Arms Gallery etc.

Kutiyana
The town is visited by a large number of Muslim pilgrims during Urs, which is held on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Hijri month of Sabaan, the lamps are burnt not with oil but with the water of the step-well. It is believed that the blessings of Pir Miskinsha are instrumental for this miracle.

Access : 68 kms. from Junagadh

Madhavpur
Endowed with beautiful sandy beaches lined with coconut trees the town finds mention in scriptures as that of great antiquity, for it is believed that Krishna had married Rukmini at this place, the legend kept alive by the Mer community by holding a fair on Chaitra Sud 12 every year. The Haveli temple of Madhavraiji is the chief attraction.

Access: 60 kms. Southwest of Porbandar.

Uparkot Fort
Famous in bygone times for its virtual inaccessibility, the UpaKot or Upper Fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20 mts. high. An ornate entrance gateway leads to the ruins. A mosque still stands in a state of preservation. A Nilamtope (canon) was acquired by the Nawab of Junagadh from a Turkish Sultan. There are also two step-wells. Jami Masjid and Buddhist cave in the fort premises.

Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach
An Arabian Sea Beach unpolluted by excessive human interference is on its tranquil shores, where you will rediscover a rare feeling of Peace, with an option to entertaining oneself razing on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports facility.

It is 400 kms south west of Ahmedabad and 66 kms from Junagadh. The nearest Airport is Keshod. And an excellent road connects it to Junagadh, Girnar, the Gir Forest Sanctuary and the famous temple of Somnath.

How to get there

Air : The nearest airport is at Keshod, 40 Kms. which is connected with Bombay.

Rail : Chorwad Road railway station on the Ahmedabad Veraval line.

Road : State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 393 Kms. from Ahmedabad, connected by state transport buses.