Girnar, also known as Girinagar ('city-on-the-hill') or Revatak Parvata, is a group of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India, situated near Junagadh.
Is considered older than the Himalayas, Girnar, the mountain and its range are considered sacred. It is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus , who gather here during the Girnar Parikrama festival. Later on some Jain temples were also built, some of which are very recent. Girnar is one of the five major 'tirthas' attributed to the 'panch kalyanakas' of various 'Jain tirthankaras'. Girnar is also significant among Shiva devotees for the so-called "mystic space-time" of the mountain range, with the presence and turnover of different sects of Sadhu Babas, Nath sect and others. Flora and fauna fairs are also held at the mountains, such as the Maha Shivratri fair. Different Jain Tirthankaras and monks have in the past visited and practiced severe penance at the peaks of Girnar. It hosts a number of temples and some historical spots across its range. Amidst the lush green Gir Forest, the mountain range serves as the hub of religious activity.
For Jains this place is considered holy as Nirvana Kshetra and Nirvan bhumi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath and for Hindus this place is considered holy as Dattatreya stayed there.
Also as per mythology, this place is associated with the death of the mighty Yavana warrior Kalayavana in Dwaparyug. Lord Shri Krishna lured Kalayavana into the cave where the great king of Tretayug, Muchukunda, one of the forefathers of Lord Shri Rama was in a deep slumber of thousands of years after helping Devas in an epic war with Asuras. Contemplating an absolutely undisturbed sleep he was given a boon that anyone who dared to disturb his sleep would get burnt to ashes immediately. Fast forward to Dwaparyug, in the darkness deep inside the cave, Kalayavan mistakenly wakes up Muchukunda from his sleep, and sure to his boon Kalayavan was decimated into ashes instantaneously. Then Muchukunda was delighted to see Lord Shri Krisha there, who was none other than the Lord Vishnu. This story is very popular in Srimad Bhagavata. Lord Damodar here is considered as Adhipati of Girnar Kshetra. This place is very holy for Vaishnavaits. Notwithstanding the story though, today Mount Girnar is even more popular as a Shaiva and Siddha Kshetra.
This mountain was considered holy to Buddhists as well.
According to tradition, Pavhari Baba, who had an immense influence on Swami Vivekananda was first initiated into the mysteries of practical yoga on the top of Mount Girnar.
How to reach
Amenities
- Free Parking
- Photography allowed
