Junagadh — Travel Guide
Junagadh (literally the "Old Fort" city, ancient royal seat of the Mauryas, Western Kshatrapas, Chudasamas, and Babi Nawabs, revered spiritual capital at the base of sacred Mount Girnar, world famous for its 2,300 year old rock edicts, Nawabi mausoleums, and Asiatic lion conservation in southwestern Gujarat at an elevation of 107 meters above sea level), is one of India's most historically layered fortress cities.
Uparkot Fort — 2,300-Year-Old Ancient Mauryan Hilltop Citadel and Moat in Junagadh
Standing beneath the sacred 1,118 meter volcanic crags of Mount Girnar, Junagadh possesses an extraordinary layering of civilizations where Buddhist rock cut monasteries, Ashokan moral edicts, medieval underground stepwells, and European Gothic Indo Islamic royal palaces coexist.
The city is famous globally for its ancient hill citadels, ornate minarets, mountain ropeways, sacred bathing kunds, and wildlife sanctuaries: the legendary 319 BC Uparkot Fort (a 20 meter deep moat encircled fortress built by Chandragupta Maurya housing the 2nd century AD 3 storeyed Buddhist caves, the 1472 AD Jami Masjid / Ranakdevi palace, and ancient bronze cannons *Neelam* and *Kadanpot*), the architectural showpiece Mahabat Maqbara Complex (an 1892 AD royal Nawabi tomb featuring spiralling exterior minaret staircases, Gothic French windows, and silver plated onion domes), the monumental Girnar Ropeway & Mount Girnar (Asia's longest temple ropeway ascending 2.3 km in under 8 minutes to the Ambaji summit and 10,000 stone pilgrimage steps to Gorakhnath Peak and the 12th century Jain Tirthankara Neminath Temple), the 250 BC Ashoka Rock Edicts (a massive black granite boulder bearing 14 edicts of Emperor Ashoka inscribed in ancient Brahmi script), the sacred pilgrimage reservoir of Damodar Kund & Narsinh Mehta Choro (where Gujarat's beloved saint poet composed devotional hymns to Lord Krishna), the 1863 AD Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden (India's oldest zoo and premier breeding center for endangered Asiatic lions), the tranquil Willingdon Dam, and the ancient stepwells of Adi Kadi Vav & Navghan Kuvo.
Connected via prime national expressways and Western Railway lines just 85 km from Somnath, 105 km from Rajkot, 140 km from Porbandar, 150 km from Jamnagar, 315 km from Ahmedabad, and 45 km from Sasan Gir (Gir National Park Lion Reserve), Junagadh is Saurashtra's most culturally rich historical hub.
Best Time to Visit Junagadh:
- October to March (Winter / Best Season): Crisp, sunny, and pleasant weather (12°C to 28°C), perfect for climbing Mount Girnar, riding the ropeway, and exploring Uparkot Fort.
- November (Girnar Lili Parikrama): Sacred 36 km barefoot forest circumambulation fair drawing over a million pilgrims.
- February / March (Maha Shivratri Bhavnath Mela): Grand congregation of Naga Sadhus and midnight devotional processions.
- April to June (Summer): Warm days (34°C to 42°C).
Famous Junagadh & Kathiyawadi Culinary Specialties:
- GI-Tagged Gir Kesar Mangoes: World famous sweet saffron colored mangoes harvested from the foothills of Mount Girnar.
- Kathiyawadi Thali & Bajra Rotla: Thick millet flatbreads cooked over woodfires served with smoky Ringan no Oro, sweet Gujarati Kadhi, and fresh white butter.
- Khaman & Gathiya: Steamed savory gram flour dhoklas and crispy fried gathiya served with spicy raw papaya sambharo.
- Malpua & Basundi: Rich desi ghee fried sweet pancakes soaked in sugar syrup paired with saffron infused thick milk.
- Kesar Chaas: Refreshing cold spiced buttermilk garnished with roasted cumin.
By Train:
Junagadh Junction (Station Code: JND - City Center): Major railway terminal on Western Railway. Direct Vande Bharat Express (connecting via Rajkot/Ahmedabad), Somnath Express, Saurashtra Mail, and Jabalpur Express connect Junagadh daily to Ahmedabad, Mumbai Central, Rajkot, Surat, Pune, Delhi, and Varanasi.
By Air:
Keshod Airport (Airport Code: IXK - 40 km southwest): Closest regional airport with direct flights to Mumbai. Rajkot Greenfield International Airport (HSR - 110 km north) and Diu Airport (DIU - 145 km south) provide extensive flight connections.
By Road:
- From Rajkot (~105 km / 2 hours): Via 4 lane NH-151 through Jetpur and Gondal.
- From Somnath / Veraval (~85 km / 1.5 hours): Via 4 lane NH-151.
- From Sasan Gir (~45 km / 1 hour): Via SH-26.
- From Ahmedabad (~315 km / 5.5 hours): Via NH-47 / NH-27 / NH-151.
- GSRTC operates deluxe Express, Sleeper, and Volvo AC buses 24x7 from Junagadh Central Bus Stand (ST Stand).
Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, battery operated e rickshaws, app based cabs, and rental jeeps provide easy transit across all city sights, Uparkot Fort, and the Girnar base station.
Shopping in Junagadh features GI-tagged Gir Kesar mangoes, Ayurvedic herbs, Bandhani sarees, and brass handicrafts:
- Diwan Chowk, MG Road & Bhavnath Bazaar: Certified **GI-Tagged Gir Kesar Mangoes** (seasonal), authentic **Gir Forest Ayurvedic Herbs & Pure Honey**, vibrant **Kathiawari Bandhani Sarees**, and traditional brass crafts.
Must-Visit Places in Junagadh
Junagadh features ancient Mauryan forts, Nawabi mausoleums, sacred mountain ropeways, and Ashokan edicts:
1. Uparkot Fort & Buddhist Rock-Cut Caves (319 BC Ancient Mauryan Citadel & Moat)
An ancient hilltop fortress founded around 319 BC by Chandragupta Maurya and enclosed by a 20 meter deep rock cut moat. Reopened after world class heritage restoration, the complex houses 2nd century AD multi tier rock hewn Buddhist monasteries, the 1472 AD Jami Masjid, 15th century Turkish bronze cannons, and panoramic city vistas.
Uparkot Fort — 319 BC Ancient Mauryan Fortress Citadel and Buddhist Caves
2. Mahabat Maqbara Complex (1892 AD Spiral Minaret Gothic-Indo-Islamic Nawabi Tomb)
A breathtaking 19th century royal mausoleum of Nawab Mahabat Khan II constructed in 1892. Features a dramatic architectural fusion of European Gothic windows, French columns, silver plated doors, and four soaring minarets encircled by external winding spiral staircases.
Mahabat Maqbara — 1892 Historic Nawabi Mausoleum with Spiral Minarets
3. Mount Girnar & Girnar Ropeway (1,118 m Sacred Peak, Asia's Longest Temple Cable Car & 10,000 Steps)
A sacred volcanic mountain rising to 1,118 meters with 10,000 stone steps leading to ancient Hindu and Jain shrines. Asia's longest temple ropeway whisks devotees across 2.3 kilometers in just 7.5 minutes to the sacred Ambaji Temple, offering panoramic vistas over Saurashtra.
Mount Girnar & Ropeway — 1,118-Meter Sacred Pilgrimage Peak and Cable Car
4. Ashoka Rock Edicts (250 BC Emperor Ashoka's 14 Brahmi Inscriptions on Black Granite)
A massive black granite boulder situated on the road to Girnar, protected within a dedicated building. Inscribed with 14 moral edicts in the ancient Brahmi script by Emperor Ashoka around 250 BC, promoting religious tolerance, non violence (*Ahimsa*), and moral governance, alongside later Sanskrit inscriptions by Rudradaman and Skandagupta.
Ashoka Rock Edicts — 250 BC Ancient Brahmi Inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka
5. Damodar Kund, Revati Kund & Narsinh Mehta Choro (Sacred Foothill Lake & Shrine)
A sacred holy water reservoir located at the foothills of Mount Girnar where saint poet Narsinh Mehta took morning baths and composed his immortal Krishna *Prabhatiya* hymns. Nearby lies *Bhavnath Mahadev Temple*, the epicenter of the massive Maha Shivratri Mela.
Damodar Kund — Sacred Water Reservoir and Narsinh Mehta Devotional Shrine
6. Adi Kadi Vav & Navghan Kuvo (Centuries-Old Rock-Hewn Deep Stepwells in Uparkot)
Two extraordinary subterranean wells carved entirely out of solid natural rock within Uparkot Fort without any masonry: Adi Kadi Vav descending 120 stone steps and the 11th century Navghan Kuvo plunging 52 meters deep.
7. Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden (1863 AD India's Oldest Zoo & Asiatic Lion Breeding Reserve)
Established in 1863 across 200 hectares by the Babi Nawabs, this is India's second oldest zoo and the global hub for the Asiatic Lion Conservation and Breeding Programme, housing lions, leopards, and rare vultures.
8. Darbar Hall Museum (Royal Silver Throne, Palanquins & Weapons of Junagadh Nawabs)
A royal museum housed in the 19th century palace of the Nawabs, exhibiting royal silver thrones, crystal chandeliers, velvet royal carpets, antique armaments, and royal portrait galleries.
9. Willingdon Dam & Jatashankar Waterfall (Scenic Hillside Valley in Girnar Sanctuary)
A scenic British era masonry dam constructed on the Kalwa River nestled amidst forested Girnar foothills, offering breathtaking sunset views, walking trails, and serene natural beauty.
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