Junagadh is a city and a municipality, the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort" It is also a market for gold and silver embroidery, perfume, and copper and brass vessels.
An impressive fort, Uperkot, located on a plateau in the middle of town, was originally
built by the Mauryan Chandragupta in 319 B.C.E.. It was covered over for 300 years,
then rediscovered in 976 C.E. It was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period.
One unsuccessful siege lasted twelve years.
An inscription with fourteen Edicts of Ashoka is found on a large boulder within 2 km
of Uperkot Fort. The inscriptions carry Brahmi script in Pali language and date
back to 250 B.C.E. On the same rock are inscriptions in Sanskrit added around 150
C.E. by Mahakshatrap Rudradaman I, the Saka (Scythian) ruler of Malwa, a member
of the Western Kshatrapas dynasty. Another dates from about 450 C.E. by
Skandagupta, the last Mauryan emperor. Old rock-cut Buddhist "caves" in this area,
dating from well before 500 C.E., have stone carvings and floral work. There are also
the Khapra Kodia Caves north of the fort, and the Babupyana Caves south of the fort.
PLACE TO VISIT
ASHOK SHILALEKH - About 2km east of Junagadh and 3 km from the foot of Girnar Hill, between the two places, is an edict of Emperor Ashok inscribed on a rock dating from the 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edicts impart moral instructions on dharma, harmony, tolerance, and peace.
UPPERKOT - Uperkot is an impressive fort located on a plateau in the middle of town. It was originally built in 319 BC. It was covered over for 300 years, then rediscovered in 976 AD. It was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period. One siege lasted twelve years, but was not successful.
NARSINH MEHTA CHORO - This place is said to be one where the great poet Sant and reformer Narsinh Mehta held his assemblies of discovers in 15th century. Some believe that Lord Krishna held a traditional "Rasleela" dance for his devotee Narsinh Mehta.
Sakkarbag Zoo - This is the oldest zoo in Gujarat and the 3rd oldest in India. Gir lions are bred and supplied to other zoos.
DARBAR HALL MUSEUM - Picture gallery , taxtiles, arms gallery, the kacheri, the hall which was used by Nawabs of Junagadh to hold their darbar. The Durbar Hall and Museum has an interesting collection of weapons, thrones, silver articles, costumes, paintings, tapestries, and palanquins on display. It is not far from the entrance to the fort.
DAMODAR KUND - Built in 500 a.d., this often reconstructed kund (water reservoir) is a check dam. This kund is about a km before the bottom of Girnar Hill. It is a sacred bathing tank. Close to Damodara Kund is Revati Kund. It is said that Revata left Dwarka and moved near Girnar Hill after his daughter, Revati, married Lord Balarama.
Motibag - The best garden the campus of agricultural university and botanical garden. It also houses the Junagadh Agricultural University Campus which has total land area of 754.62 ha and 2485 ha including 17 sub centers and 1500 manpower with annual budget around 28.5 crores.
Mujkund Caves - Famous place where Krishna ran and came from mathura after which he was named as Ranchod Rai
Ayurvedic Museum - Ayurvedic Museum is located at the Ayurvedic College at Sardarbag in the western part of town. The personnel are helpful to those interested in learning something about this ancient and natural medical treatment.
Science Museum - Gujarat’s first and the only private science museum. More than 60 working science projects based on science facts. Which can be operated by visitors. Worth visiting attached one small aquarium and evening open air garden restaurant garden café serves south Indian and Punjabi dishes since 1981.
HOW TO REACH
Junagadh is connected to Ahmedabad by rail and road to most towns in Gujarat like
Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Surat and Bhuj.
