Junagadh

About Junagadh

Junagadh is a historic city in Gujarat that is situated at the foothills of the Girnar mountain range and is known for its rich history, ancient temples, forts, caves and natural surroundings. It has long been an important city of several dynasties and also a famous tourist destination of historic sites like Uparkot Fort, Mahabat Maqbara and Buddhist caves. Junagadh is also enmeshed with the other most important pilgrimage and trekking site in Gujarat, namely Gir, and is also a good base for exploring the nearby Saurashtra's national park of Gir. The city and its surroundings offer a mix of history, spirituality, wildlife, local Gujarati culture and nature.
Today it's a popular tourist attraction where one can visit historic monuments, religious sites, mountain scenery, enjoy wildlife and local markets. It is a place where one can enjoy the ancient heritage of Uparkot Fort, explore temples and trails of Girnar, visit nearby wildlife destinations and taste traditional Gujarati and Kathiyawadi dishes. Junagadh is best for those interested in History, Spirituality, Wildlife, Nature, Local Culture and Weekend Trips.

Best Time to Visit Junagadh

The best time to visit Junagadh is from October to March as the weather is cool and comfortable for sightseeing and visiting sites of historical importance like Girnar and exploring the city. The winters are also ideal for trekking, outdoor activities around the Girnar hills and exploring nearby places. The summers (April-May-June) are hot, particularly in the day; early mornings and evenings are cooler. The nearby hills and countryside are greener and more picturesque during the monsoon season (July to September) where there can be intense rain at times which can disrupt trekking and outdoor activities plans.

Junagadh: Places, Experiences & Food

Places to Visit in Junagadh

Girnar
Girnar Ropeway
Girnar Jain Temples
Ambaji Temple
Dattatreya Temple
Uparkot Fort
Mahabat Maqbara
Bahauddin Maqbara
Junagadh Buddhist Caves
Ashoka Rock Edicts
Darbar Hall Museum
Wellington Dam
Damodar Kund
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
Moti Baug
Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden
Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Madhavpur Beach
Somnath
Gir National Park
Devalia Safari Park
Sasan Gir
Datar Hills
Chorwad Beach
Gujarat State Forest

Things to Do in Junagadh

Historic city of Junagadh
Historic Uparkot Fort
Explore the ancient Buddhist caves
See the Ashoka Rock Edicts
Mahabat Maqbara and Bahauddin Maqbara
Take the Girnar Ropeway
Explore the temples of Girnar
Trek through the Girnar hills
Visit Ambaji Temple
Visit Dattatreya Temple
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
Visit Damodar Kund
Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden
History of Junagadh at local museums
Local markets of Junagadh
Traditional Gujarati and Kathiyawadi cuisine
Take a wildlife trip to Gir National Park
Visit Devalia Safari Park
Sasan Gir and its surrounding areas
Take a day trip to Somnath
Visit nearby coastal destinations
Explore Madhavpur and nearby beaches
Scenery around the Girnar hills
Local festivals and cultural traditions
Explore nearby destinations by road

What to Eat in Junagadh

Kathiyawadi Thali
Gujarati Thali
Bajra Rotla
Bhakri
Lasaniya Bateta
Ringna Bateta
Khichdi Kadhi
Dal Dhokli
Gujarati Kadhi
Thepla
Khakhra
Dhokla
Khaman
Khandvi
Fafda
Jalebi
Gathiya
Bhajiya
Patra
Sev Khamani
Kachori
Pani Puri
Ragda Pattice
Handvo
Shrikhand
Basundi
Mohanthal

How To Get There

By Air

Keshod is the nearest airport (40 km), which is connected with all major Indian cities.

By Road

Good motorable roads connect Junagadh to all villages, towns and cities in the state of Gujarat.

By Rail

Junagadh railway junction connects to important Indian towns and cities.

Girnar Caves And Temples

For generations, Mt Girnar has been a crucial pilgrimage site within the state of Gujarat. Older than the Himalayas, it houses variety of Jain and Hindu temples that are cover five different summits. Visitors can reach the summit via a flight of steps that begin at Damodar Kund. Embarking on this trek may be a memorable experience as you get spectacular views of the environment . because the p...

Gondal

An interesting excursion from Junagadh, about 64 km away, Gondal has many tourist attractions. The 17th century Naulakha Palace is especially beautiful, with stone carvings, a pillared courtyard, magnificent jharokhas (balconies), carved arches, a spiral staircase, a grand durbar hall and gilt wooden furniture. A step away lies the majestic Riverside Palace, situated on the banks of River Gonda...

Mahabat Maqbara

Built in 1892, the fabulous mausoleum of Mahabat Maqbara may be a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture interspersed with Gothic influences. Currently, one among the landmarks of Junagadh, its construction began in 1878 by Mahabat Khanji, one among the Junagadh nawabs. it had been completed in 1892 by his successor Bahadur Kanji. Its vertical pillars, windows, intricately carved stone walls...

Somnath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Somnath Temple is one among the foremost important spiritual sites within the Hindu circuit. Believed to be the primary of the 12 jyotirlingas (devotional shrines of Lord Shiva) within the country, the temple sees an outsized footfall per annum . Skirted by the Arabian Sea , the temple commands a spectacular view of the Saurashtra peninsula. Boasting an imposing arc...