Girnar hill
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 04:44
GirnarHill |
About: |
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Girnar Hill is a majestic hill range located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. It is a sacred pilgrimage site and a popular tourist destination known for its ancient temples, scenic beauty, and rich history. With the highest peak rising to about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet), it is one of the tallest mountains in Gujarat and offers breathtaking panoramic views. The site is revered by Hindus and Jains, making it an important spiritual hub. The tallest of these rises to 945 meters (3600 feet), the highest peak in Gujarat. The first peak of Girnar has a collection of Digambar and Shwetamber temples. The Shwetambar temples are more intricately carved but are more modern in terms of history. A sturdy stone path — a pilgrimage route for both Hindus and Jains — climbs from peak to peak. It is claimed that there are exactly 9,999 steps from the trailhead to the last temple on the highest peak, but the actual number is roughly 8,000.  While approaching the top of the Girnar Hill in Junagadh, the temples that the tourists first come by are five temples of Jainism. Of these five temples, the biggest as well as the oldest one was established to pay homage to the 22nd Jain Tirthankar. The temple meant for the worship of Amba Mata is also quite popular. |
Location info: |
| Coordinates: Approximately 21.5203° N latitude and 70.4923° E longitude |
| District: Junagadh |
| Nearest City: Juinagadh |
| Langauge: Gujarati,Hindi,English |
| Best time to visit: October to March |
Climate/Weather: |
| Summers 23°- 44°C. Winters 10°-36°C |
History: |
| Girnar Hill has a rich historical and mythological significance. It is mentioned in ancient Hindu and Jain scriptures and has been a significant pilgrimage site for centuries. The hill is dotted with temples that date back over 2,000 years, including the Neminath Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism, and the Amba Mata Temple, a sacred site for Hindus. It is believed that King Ashoka inscribed edicts at the base of Girnar Hill around 250 BCE. |
Interesting things to do: |
| Trekking: Climb the 9,999 steps to the top of Girnar Hill, which is a thrilling and rewarding experience. Temple Visits: Explore the numerous temples on the hill, each with unique architecture and history. Photography: Capture stunning views of the landscape, sunrise, and the ancient structures. Pilgrimage: Participate in the annual Girnar Parikrama, a religious walk around the hill held every November-December. Paragliding: For adventure enthusiasts, paragliding is occasionally offered near Girnar. |
Interesting things to Visit: |
| Amba Mata Temple: Located about 4,000 steps up, this temple is dedicated to the goddess Amba and is popular among pilgrims. Jain Temples: A group of beautifully carved temples, including the Neminath and Mallinath temples, is a major attraction for devotees and architecture enthusiasts. Ashokan Edicts: Durbar Hall Museum: |
Mobile range info: |
| Mobile network coverage is available but can be weak or intermittent, especially at higher altitudes. Major networks like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have limited coverage. |
How to reach? |
| By Road:Girnar Hill is well-connected by road, and you can drive from nearby cities like Rajkot, Junagadh, and Ahmedabad. |
| Nearest Airport:Rajkot at 102km,Connected Mumbai,International airport |
| Road Transport:State Transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 393 kilometres from Ahemdabad, connected by State Transport buses. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
| Junagadh Fort (Uparkot Fort): About 5 km from Girnar, an ancient fort known for its historic significance. Sakkarbaug Zoo: Mahmud of Ghazni, upon hearing the description of the temple by an Arab traveler by the name Al Biruni, raided the temple in 1024 A.D. and after looting it, carried away camel loads of jewels and gold. Somnath was destroyed six times and rebuilt on every occasion. The temple contains one of the twelve sacred Shiva shrines known as Jyotirlingas. Mahabat Maqbara: Chorwad: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump:Junagadh,Gujarat,India
HP Petrol Pump:Junagadh,Gujarat,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
| The nearest petrol pump is located in Junagadh city, about 5 km from the base of Girnar Hill. |
Things to carry: |
| Comfortable trekking shoes Plenty of water and light snacks Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen A camera or smartphone for photography Warm clothing if visiting in winter A walking stick for support while climbing |
Tips & Suggestions: |
| Start the trek early in the morning to avoid the heat and to reach the top by sunrise. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for trekking. Be cautious of monkeys near the temples; avoid carrying food items openly. Hire a local guide if you wish to learn more about the history and significance of the temples. Maintain the cleanliness of the environment; avoid littering. |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:100 |
| Girnar Forest Office: +91-285-2632645 |
| Tourist Information Centre, Junagadh:+91-285-2620055 |
| Link:www.mapsofindia.com |
Photo Gallery
Video
Dynamic View
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| Somnath Temple |
| Somnath of Prabhas Pattana, situated on the southern coast of Saurastra, in the province of Sorath, now known as Jungadh in the state of Gujarat, holds the prestigious temple of Sri Someshwar, which is supposed to have witnessed the dawn of time. The present temple is an imposing structure: its imposing exterior is adorned with marvellous sculpture; it has a grand sabha mandap in front; its shikhara measures 155 feet. The jyotirlinga installed on the Brahmasila is about four feet in height and is adorned with spectacular sandal paste decorations, a novelty here. There are hundreds of priests in the service of the Lord, attending to His needs, round the clock....more |
| Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach |
| Mandvi is one of the finest beaches on the Gujarat shoreline. The beach is white and firm, ideal for walks, and the water perfect for swimming. Seemingly unending, with sands ideal for astle building by kids, and shallow waters for a wading, this is a great spot for a family holiday. A variety of water sports like water scooters, skiing, surfing, para sailing, speed boat trips are on offer. Cottage Resort Magico Do Mar is one of the highlight of this beach offering air-conditioned rooms, pleasant lawns, palm groves. The resort bungalow facing garden towards sea offers wonderful sight which should not be missed.When you've had enough of lazing in the sun and are ready for some action and fun, you can participate in any of the numerous beach activities offered on the beautiful Indian beaches!For instance, you could indulge in any of the exciting water sports such as surfing or parasailing, or go swimming in the clear blue sea, or even try your hand at building a sand castle or playing a game of beach volleyball...more |
| Chorwad Beach |
| A visit to Chorwad Beach in Gujarat, India, offers ample of opportunity to the tourists to know about the ins and outs of the Chorwad Beach in Gujarat, India. Chorwad Beach in Gujarat, India is yet another beautiful and scenic spot which if marketed well can figure high in the itinerary of the domestic and international tourists. Chorwad Beach is an interesting and alluring amalgamation of rocky crags and bowlderish seafront along with jaunty boat rides across the Chorwad seafront and to cap it all with opportunities to visit Porbandar and Somnath and other nearby beach destinations and other travel destinations worth their salt in terms of beauty and ambience....more |
| Madhavpur Beach |
| Madhavpur is a small town located 60 kms southwest of historic town Porbandar. Madhvapur Beach is one of the beautiful sandy beaches in Gujarat. Beautiful sandy beaches lined here with coconut trees.It is believed that Lord Krishna had married Rukmini in Madhavpur. The Legend is kept alive by holding a fair on Chaitra Sud 12 every year. There is also a Bethak of Mahaprabhuji as Shri Vallabhachrya who had given discourse on Shrimad Bhagwat for seven days here.Madhavpur beach, which made news recently for Tropex-2009 military exercise, has another claim to fame. It is home to a two-decade long conservation project of Green Sea and Olive Ridley turtles: both endangered marine species included in Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.According to the Forest department, over 10,000 baby turtles have been safely released in the Arabian Sea this year.Ever since the conservation work began nearly 20 years ago, around 2 lakh baby turtles have been released into the sea.....more |
| Uperkot Fort |
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The state of Gujarat boasts of a number of historical Forts and monuments in
Junagadh. Built and rebuilt repeatedly the Uperkot Fort, Junagadh one of the
two fortifications of the city, has of late become one of the main Tourist
attractions in Junagadh. Adding to the advantage of the fort being less
thronged has helped it retain the ethnicity without losing any bit of its
charm.The fort has many interesting exhibits like the two guns placed on the
western wall and believed to have been cast in Egypt. The bigger one is
called the Nilamtope and the other one is known as Kadanal. In and around
the fort one can find several Buddhist caves...more
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| Mahabat Maqbara |
| The Mahabat Maqbara in a Junagadh city,The etymological meaning of Junagadh is "old Fort". It is located in the state of Gujarat in the laps of the sacred hills of Girnar in Saurashtra. Amongst the various forts and monuments in Junagadh, one of the major Tourist attractions in Junagadh, the Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh is an exquisite exhibition of the nineteenth century art and architecture.The yellow mausoleum, Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh, is a masterpiece of it own kind. The uniqueness of the affluence of silver at the portals teemed with intricate carvings and the winding staircase encircling the four minarets attract a lot of tourists to its site.....more |
| Ashokan Edicts |
| Ashokan Rock edicts are situated at Lat. 210 31 N; Long 700 28 E. The Rock edicts of Emperor Ashokan were engraved on a granite boulder on the slope of Girinagara or Urjayata Hill. On the eastern face of it was engraved 14 Rock edicts by Ashoka and later epigraphs of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman I and Skandagupta were also recorded on it, the Rock edict was first reported by James Todd in 1822. The other two epigraphs have a common purpose, which was recording the history of the breaking of dams of Sudarshan Lake occurring because of the turbulent storm waters of river Suvarna Sikta and Palasini rushing down the hill slopes.....more |
| Darbar Hall Museum |
| Located in the historic city of Junagarh in Gujarat, the Durbar Hall Museum is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Gujarat. The beautiful Durbar Hall was used as durbar (court) of the erstwhile Nawabs of Junagadh. The Durbar Hall has many interesting sections like Picture Gallery, Palanquin, Textile and Arms Gallery.The Durbar Hall Museum displays exciting collections of weapons and armor, belonging to the period of the Junagarh Nawabs along with other interesting curios and artifacts. The Museum also displays silver chains, chandeliers, settees, thrones, palanquins, howdahs, cushions, gowns and a large carpet that was woven in the Junagarh jail....more |
| Zoo Museum-Junagadh |
| Junagadh Zoo is famous around the world for the Asiatic Lions it boasts of. The zoo is also known as Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden. A trip to Junagadh would remain incomplete without a visit to the Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden.The Junagadh Zoo was built in 1863 by the then Nawab. Incidentally, the zoo is the oldest one in Gujarat. He had set up this zoo in order to save the Asiatic Lion from extinction. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden is located at around 3.5 km from the center of the city. The zoo is open on all days of the week from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Entry fee to this zoo is Rs 3. Junagadh Zoo is home to 71 species of animals. According to latest reports, there are around 850 animals in the zoo.....more |
| Bhavnath Fair |
| A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers a golden opportunity to the tourist to undertake a tour across Gujarat and also to the bright and charming Bhavnath fair, being celebrated in Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, offers travel related information that Bhavnath fair in Gujarat, India, is home to a multitude of tourists and devotees who throng the location to be part of the mammoth experience. Bhavnath Fair, in Gujarat, India, is held in Junagadh, annually, with the fair coinciding with the grandiose and very famous festival of Shivratri, being celebrated in the same month as the Bhavnath fair of Junagadh, in Gujarat, India. Bhavnath fair, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a lot of revelry goes on in the Shiva temples and along with that the temples are visited by Naga Sadhus, and watching them is a novel and enigmatic experience....more |
| Madhavpur Fair |
|
A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, takes the interested tourist on a journey
across the length and breadth of Gujarat, situated in India, so that a
selective screening of the charms of Madhavpur fair can take place. Tourism
of Gujarat, offers travel related information about the grand and colorful
Madhavpur Fair, in Gujarat, India. Madhavpur Fair being held in Gujarat,
India, is actually held in Madhavpur which is a small town located near the
legendary and historic town of Porbandar, situated in Gujarat, India. Madhavpur, situated in Gujarat, India, otherwise is a sleepy, silent town, which comes to life when the stirrings of the grand Madhavpur Fair, being held in Madhavpur, Gujarat, India, wake it up from its deep slumber.....more |
| Jamvada waterfall |
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| Gira Waterfall |
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| Gir Forest National Park |
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| Bhadar river |
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