Being the capital of Junagadh Princely State once, the town shines with historical significance with many historical monuments to see. Here is a list of places to visit if you are in Junagadh.
Girnar Hills
Girnar is one of the oldest mountains of the county and the tallest mountain of Gujarat. The height of Girnar is 1069 m or 3,507 feet. As per the archaeological data, it’s even older than the Himalayas. Surrounded by the Gir National Park and Gir wildlife sanctuary, the forest around Girnar is only home to the majestic Asiatic Lions in the world. There are many Jain as well as Hindu temples are located on the various peaks of Girnar like Ambaji, Dattatreya, Neminath etc.
Distance from Hotel:- 6.5 km
Opening hours: Ropeway 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Best time to visit: Early Morning/Sunset
Ropeway: www.udankhatola.com
Somnath Temple
Somnath, literally meaning ‘lord of the moon’ is a pilgrim centre and is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is a town which derives much of its identity from the mythology, religion, and legends that surround it.
Distance from Hotel:- 91 km
Opening hours: 5 AM to 8 PM
Best time to visit: At Aarti Time
Website: www.somnath.org
Gir National Park
Being the sole home for Asiatic lions, this place is, of course, famous for spotting lions. The official count said that there were 411 lions in 2010. Also, there are roughly different 2375 species of fauna here with 38 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and over 2000 species of insects.
Distance from Hotel:- 75 km
Opening hours: 6 AM to 5 PM
Best time to visit: Early Morning
To know more visit official Website: www.girjunglesafari.co.in
Damodar Kund
Located near Joganiyo hill and Ram Tekri, the Damodar kund is one holy place where people take bath in the small kund made by the flow of the river Sonrakh in the belief of washing their sins. The temple of Shree Damodar Hari is also located alongside the kund.
Distance from Hotel:- 4 km
Opening hours: Open 24 Hours
Best time to visit: Early Morning
Mahabat Maqbara
Mahabat Maqbara is a tomb of Nawab Mahabat Khanji Second who started making it. Located in the centre of the old city, Mahabat Maqbara is an architectural example of the fusion of Hindu, Muslim and European Gothic style. Mahabat Khanji started building it in 1878 and was completed by Bahadur Khanji in 1892. A must visit place in Junagadh.
Distance from Hotel:- 2 km
Opening hours: Open 24 Hours
Best time to visit: Evening
Willingdon Dam
Located in the foothills of the Datar hill, Willingdon Dam is built on the river Kalva. The dam was named after the crown governor of Bombay of that time the Lord Willingdon.
Distance from Hotel:- 3 km
Opening hours: Open 24 Hours
Best time to visit: Sunrise or Sunset
Sakkarbaug Zoo
The Sakkarbaug Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in India. It was established by the Mahabat Khanji Second who was the Nawab of Junagadh state at that time. It is spread across 84 acres in area and home to hundreds of animals. One can see many animals in the zoo including majestic Asiatic lions.
Distance from Hotel:- 4 km
Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
Best time to visit: Morning
Darbargadh Museum
The former residential palace of the rulers of Junagadh was later converted into a magnificent Darbar Hall Museum exhibiting the splendid possessions of the 19th century Nawabs. The repository has several galleries exuding with opulence and grandeur, decked with palatial rooms, goods, weapons, palanquins, pictures, photographs and artefacts etc.
Distance from Hotel:- 1.5 km
Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Best time to visit: Any time
Uparkot Fort
Over 2300 years old, with walls up to 20m high in some places, there used to be a 300 ft. deep moat inside the walls which reportedly used to be inhabited by crocodiles for the fort’s protection.
Distance from Hotel:- 2.5 km
Opening hours: 7 AM to 6 PM
Best time to visit: Morning or Evening
Adi-Kadi Vav & Navghan Kuvo
These are two step-wells inside the Uperkot Fort. Usually, wells are dug into the ground through layers of soil, stones, etc. and the construction is like that done above the ground.
Distance from Hotel:- 2.5 km
Opening hours: 7 AM to 6 PM
Best time to visit: Morning or Evening
Edicts of Ashoka
A site with an inscription of fourteen Edicts of Emperor Ashoka is found on a large boulder on the way to mount Girnar. It is located within 2km of Uperkot Fort and is a major tourist attraction.
Distance from Hotel:- 3 km
Opening hours: 9 AM to 6 PM
Best time to visit: Any time
Jata Shankar
Jatashankar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple situated on the rear side of Mountain Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat. The temple is enshrined by God Shiva in the form of his shivalinga which is naturally bathed by a stream flowing along and its water falling on the idol itself. The place is also the origin of river Sonrekh and is covered in ethereal beauty.
Distance from Hotel:- 7 km
Opening hours: Open 24 Hours (Not adviceble to go in dark)
Best time to visit: Early Morning
Motibaug
Situated inside the premises of Junagadh Agricultural University, Motibaug is a botanical park. Established in memory of a pet dog by Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, the park is popular for its rich greenery and colourful flora. Besides offering a refreshing space for walks and jogs, the park also sites a pond amid a line of banyan and other dense trees.
Distance from Hotel:- 1.5 km
Opening hours: 5 AM to 9 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM
Best time to visit: Early Morning
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