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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.
Chorwad
Beach
66 Kms. from Junagadh and 23 Kms. from the fishing centre
of Veraval, Chorwad is a delightful resort on the sunny coast
of Gujarat. The only beach in India where you can live in
the timeless splendour of a palace built amidst soft golden
sand facing the beach. It was built by the former Nawabs of
Junagadh.
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.
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.
