Girnar Mountain

Mountain Girnar is a sacred hill both to the Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mountain Neminath.

According to traditional history, Siddhas have used it as a retreat to undertake tapasya since ancient times. The 3660 feet hill is connected with Lord Krishna. When Kalayavan, apparently a warrior of foreign origin, was chasing him, the Lord got the better of the powerful adversary in a curious way. Raja Muchkund was sleeping in one of the caves of Raivatachal mountain. He was taking rest after fighting on behalf of the gods. After his exertions Muchkund had only one desire rest and repose. He got a boon that whoever disturbed his sleep would be reduced to ashes when he opened his eyes.

This boon Krishna knew. What better way to get rid of Kalyavan. So he pretended as if he was running away from Kalyavan and led him to the cave where the king was sleeping.

Krishna covered Muchkund with his upper cloth. Kalyavan after the long chase mistook the sleeping figure for Krishna and woke him up and was reduced to ashes.Girnar was known by different names at different periods-Ujjayant, Manipur, Chandraketupur, Raivat Nagar, Puratanpur, Girivar and Girnar. Of the several peaks five are important Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Datatreya and Kalika. 

The pilgrims have to climb 9999 steps to reach the top. There are five important Jain temples, besides several Hindu shrines. 

Girnar Mountain is best to start the climb in the morning. Bhavnath Shiv temple is the first shrine on the upward path.

Gomukkhi Kund has pellucid water fed by a mountain stream. Hanuman Dharaand Kamandal are the other attraction.

About Junagadh

Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat, in western India, located at the foot of the Girnar Hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". It is also known as "SORATH", the name of the earlier Princely State of Junagadh. After a brief struggle between India and Pakistan Junagadh joined India on 9 November 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960, after the Maha Gujarat movement, it became part of newly formed Gujarat State.

The Ancient City of Junagadh is a famous Tourism and Pilgrimage centre in Gujarat. It was once the capital of the Nawabs of Junagadh.

Junagadh City has been home to several Gujarati Saints and Poets. The most prominent being Gujarati litterateur Narsinh Mehta was born in Junagadh.

Junagadh has been strategically important since the Mauryan times. The Uparkot or the Upper Fort was built by Chandragupta in 319 BC. The Nawabs built several beautiful buildings which still stand today. 

Apart from the wonders from the past you can visit the erstwhile game reserve of the Nawab of Junagadh, Gir National Park to watch Asiatic Lions in their Natural habitat.

The Mahabat Maqbara and Bahauddin Maqbara are amazing structures and a must Visit. Other places of interest in the city are Ashoka Rock Edict, Darbar Hall Museum, Ayurvedic Museum and the Sakkarbaug Zoo.