Located in the foothills of Girnar hills, Junagadh is the most inspiring and beautiful city in Gujarat. The name Junagadh literally means to ‘Old City’ and it has a rich historical past. Famously known as the city of Nawabs which belonging to the Pashtun clan in Afghanistan.
Further, the beautiful city dotted with caves, temples, forts, stepwells and tanks that dates back to 2nd century AD. Apart from that, it is one of the most preferred tourist’s destinations in Gujarat for the wildlife enthusiast. So here is the list of some best tourist places to visit in Junagadh that makes your holiday vacation memorable.
Best Time To Visit: October to March is the ideal time to visit Junagadh due to the comfortable climate condition. Further, between these months one can also get the best experience of sightseeing in Junagadh. Away from that, summer and monsoon season remains hot and humid that may ruin your holiday vacation.
Gir National Park
Gir National Park is famously known for its Asiatic Lions which are only a few left in India. According to an official count in 2010 there were about 411 Lions. Apart from that, it is also home to a wide range of fauna including 38 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds and about 37 species of reptiles. Established in the year 1965, the park spread an area of 1412 sq km, hence it also considered as one of the largest national parks in India. Some other popular wildlife species that you can spot here like Indian leopard, Nilgai, Jungle cats, chausingha, spotted deer, hyena, sambar deer and chinkara.
As the park has a vast expanse of dense forest, hence it is an ideal location for trekking trails. One can also take a jeep safari here to explore its rich variety of flora and fauna. So one of the best tourist places to visit in Junagadh for the wildlife enthusiast that attracts lots of travellers all around the year.
Things to Do At Gir National Park – Trekking, Wildlife Photography, Jeep Safari and Spot Asiatic Lions
Girnar Hills
Girnar Hill is a combination of five hills that traced back to the time of Vedas. The location also has the highest point in Gujarat known as Gorakhnath peak which is perched at an altitude of 3670 feet above sea level. Further, it is also considered to be a religious place where you can find various Jain and Hindu temples. Located in the midst of the Gir Forest, it is a nature lover paradise too as the whole area surrounded by majestic natural beauty. Besides that, it is an ideal place for trekking, hence it attracts lots of adventure seeker in this region. Don’t forget to witness a famous fair that held here during the Kartika Purnima in the month of November-December. So a must visit tourist attraction in Junagadh from everyone points of view.
Junagadh Fort
Found at the hills of the Girnar range, this fort lies in the middle of the city of Junagadh. It is a living proof of tales of joy and sorrow. There are 14 rock edicts here that are written in Sanskrit by the Scythian ruler of Malwa. The Khapra Kodia caves are found in the north of the fort and the Baba Pyare in the south. The Saraostos by Indo-Scythian kings had a great influence in the Junagadh history. When it was annexed to the Delhi Sultanate, it was renovated with the Mughal architectural expertise. The history of this fort is therefore an interesting tale of succession.
Uperkot Fort
Uparkot Fort is a famous historical monument which was built around 2300 years ago by Chandragupta. Due to its historical importance, it is one of the best places to visit in Junagadh for all history buffs. The fort also comprises relics from a different stage of history including Hindu, Muslim and Islam influence. Further, the fort has three entrances that are connected through walls and hence it depicts architectural brilliance of that time. One can also find a Buddhist cave, step well, a tomb and a mosque within the fort complex. There is also a 300 feet deep moat inside the walls of the fort, which was once inhabited by crocodiles to protect the fort.
Things To Do At Uperkot Fort – Photography, Explore rich past of Junagadh, Visit Buddhist cave and mosque
Buddhist Caves
This is an important part of the rock sculptures in Junagadh. It is found in three layers. This is located on the region which is found while we come from Jama Masjid. The floor on the lowest is composed of a huge area which is the hall. One can see the sky from here. The pillars with unique designs and the pillars make this place exquisite. The pillars have beautiful carvings.
Mahabat Maqbara
Famous for its unique architectural style, Mahabat Maqbara is a popular tourist attraction in Junagadh for the mausoleum. The construction of this site started in the year 1878 by Mahabat Khanji and later completed in the year 1892 by the successor king of Bahadur Kanji. Further, the monument is a fine example of Indo-Islamic and Gothic style of architecture. With designed arches, elaborate stone carvings on the walls and windows and silver-decorated portals, it is a perfect fusion of art and culture.
Things To Do At Mohabbat Maqbara – See architectural brilliance of Indo-Islamic and Gothic style of architecture
- Also Know: Historical Places of Gujarat
Damodar Kund
Situated on the foothills of Girnar Mountain, Damodar Kund is a holy water reservoir and one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in Junagadh. It is used to cremate dead bodies and the water is believed to have properties to dissolve bones. Further, the water body has many mythological stories that make it a very sacred site. The site also surrounded by famous Jain temples that increases the religious value of this place. Overall a famous spiritual tourist destination in Junagadh that every tourist has to visit at least once.
Things To Do At Damodar Kund – Take a bath in the holy water, Explore nearby temples and Get some spirituality and peace
Darbar Hall Museum
If you want to explore the royal past of this beautiful city then Darbar Hall Museum is one of the best places to visit in Junagadh. Initially, it was a residential palace of the rulers of Junagadh and later converted into a museum. The museum houses a wide collection of historical artefacts like silver chains, chandeliers, thrones, palanquins, weapons, armour howdahs and costumes that were used by the Nawabs of Junagadh. Further, it is divided into a different section like a palanquin, arms gallery, picture gallery and textile gallery. Moreover, it gives a beautiful insight into Junagadh rich past and culture.
Things To Do At Darbar Hall Museum – Explore rich past of Junagadh, See a wide collection of historical artefacts and Photography
Somnath Temples
This is amongst the twelve holy Indian temples. The shrines are all built revering Lord Shiva. Junagadh is approximately 80 km from Somnath. This has been built in gold by the mood God Soma, in silver by the Sun God Ravi and in wood by Lord Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple was built in 1951 is the seventh reconstruction of the temple. The temple with its magnificent architecture and intricate carvings, silver doors and a Nandi idol and a main Shivlinga. This is one of the finest pieces of architecture.
Sakkarbaug Zoo
This is amongst the old Gujarat Zoos and is the place where the popular Gir lions, leopards and tigers are found. The Nawab found this in the year 1863, this zoo aims at saving the Asiatic lion so that it doesn’t get extinct. Besides lions, we can also find the tigers, , bears leopards, wild ass, jackals, birds and snakes. There is also a zoo with measuring up to 500 acres.
Gondal
Located on the banks of the Gondali River, the Naulakha Palace is the main attraction here. The Riverside Palace is also famous and the history and legends behind it are interesting.
Ashokan Rock Edicts
These are sets of inscriptions inscribed by the Emperor Ashoka, which serve as moral lectures. It is written in the Brahmi script and is in a language of those days – Pali. It is as old as 250 BC.
Chorwad Beach
Located 66 km from Junagadh, this is a lovely tourist spot with a magnificent coast to boast of. This road from the beach leads to Junagadh, Girnar and the Gir Forests.
So that’s all about places to visit in Junagadh that makes it a perfect tourist destination in Gujarat. Due to its rich past and culture, it is a worth visiting tourist spot for all kind of history buffs.
