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 BC having a legend of the rimes of the emperor Ashoka (250 BC) whose fourteen Rock Edicts can be seen cut into a great rock outside the city.

Junagadh breathes history. These edicts, set up by Ashoka, the Great Indian emperor, date back 2200 years. Within this ancient fort of Uparkot, the architectural marvels of Hindu Chudasma rulers and Muslim Mohmud Beghda coexist in perfect harmony. The majestic Mohabatkhan Maqbara, a memorial to Junagadh's Babi Ruler and the Veritable Darbar Hall Museum show that Junagadh continued to make history untill as recently as 100 years ago.

Places to Visit

Uparkot Fort
Famous in by gone times for its virtual inaccessibility, the Upar Kot or Upper Fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20m 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 stepwells, Jama Masjid and Buddhist caves in the fort premises.

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. And an excellent road connects it to Junagadh, Girnar, the Gir Forest Sanctuary and the famous temple of Somnath.

Sasan Gir Forest & Sanctuary
It is situated 65 Kms. from Junagadh via Keshod (where there is an aiport). It is connected both by Rail as well as Road. Sasan Gir Sanctuary provides refuge to that rare species-the Asiatic Lion. The sanctuary covers an area of 500 sq. miles of dry, open scrubland where the lions roam freely. They can be seen on guided jeep tours through the jungles.

Ahmadpur Mandvi
Close by the sea, with an option to entertaining oneself lazing on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports facilities, Ahmedapur Mandvi is one of the finest beaches of the country.

Damodar
A sacred tank marks the ascent to the Girnar temples.

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 inscription carry Brahmi script in Pali language and dates back to 263 B.C. On the same rock are inscriptions in Sanskrit.

Maqbara
The mausolea of the Nawabs, the traditional rulers of Junagadh.

Tulsi Shyam Hot Spring
In the heart of the Gir Forest 165 Kms. from Junagadh is the scenic spot of Tulsi Shyam with its hot spring.

Somnath
Situated 79 Kms. from Junagadh and 30 Kms from Chorwad, the legendary shore temple of Somnath is one of the twelve most sacred Shiva shrines in India. According to the legend, Somnath is as old as creation, built by none other than Soma, the Moon God himself. Somnath was destroyed seven times, and seven times, it was rebuilt. Mehmud of Gazni having heard of its fabulous treasure, raided it in 1026 and carried away camel-loads of jewels and gold.

The Temple of Girnar
Girnar is one of two hills most sacred to the Jain community of India. Girnar is an under 4000 feet high hill. It rises to a height of more than 600 meters, its five peaks crowned by 16 carved and sculptured marble shrines that adorn this famous hilltop temple city. The beautiful Jain temples of Neminath and Mallinath are a strong attraction. There are Hindu temples as well. It is an abode of Hindu ascetics. The annual Bhavnath fair dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva draws thousands of people.

How to get there ?

Air
Nearest Airport is Keshod 40 km.. Daily flight from Bombay to Keshod.

Rail
395 km. from Ahmedabad, meter gauge line.

Road
400 km. from Ahmedabad via Rajkot, Junagadh and Mendarda, 43 km. from Veraval and 65 km. from Junagadh Via Mendarda.