Gujarat is popular for its culture, history and art and rightly so. However, it’s the cities and towns that make a state special and so is the case with Gujarat. Junagadh is one of those places in India, where you can get to see, historical monuments, temples, beaches, hills, and whatnot and Gujarat is home to it. If you are coming to this place, you will have to plan a long trip for it. This place has something for everyone. Since Gujarat is one of the major states that used to have these important ports for export and import, during British rule, the place speaks about a lot of the history of that time. It also has some soulful temples like the Goddess Ambe temple. Apart from that, it has so many places to visit in Junagadh and here is a list of a few of them for you to give this place a chance to mesmerize you.
Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Junagadh
1.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 is also considered 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.
2. Girnar Hills
Girnar Hill is a combination of five hills that traced back to the time of the 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 is surrounded by majestic natural beauty. Besides that, it is an ideal place for trekking, hence it attracts lots of adventure seekers in this region. Don’t forget to witness a famous fair that is held here during the Kartika Purnima in the month of November-December. So a must-visit tourist attraction in Junagadh from everyone’s point of view.
3. 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 on 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.
4.Uperkot Fort
Uparkot Fort is a famous historical monument that 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 Islamic influence. Further, the fort has three entrances that are connected through walls and hence it depicts the architectural brilliance of that time. One can also find a Buddhist cave, a step well, a tomb and a mosque within the fort complex. There is also a 300 foot deep moat inside the walls of the fort, which was once inhabited by crocodiles to protect the fort.
5.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 was later completed in the year 1892 by the successor king of Bahadur Kanji. Further, the monument is a fine example of the Indo-Islamic and Gothic styles 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.
6. Damodar Kund
Situated on the foothills of Girnar Mountain, Damodar Kund is a holy water reservoir and one of the most popular pilgrimage centers 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 is also surrounded by famous Jain temples that increase the religious value of this place. Overall a famous spiritual tourist destination in Junagadh that every tourist has to visit at least once.
7. 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.
8. 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 in wood by Lord Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple was built in 1951 and is the seventh reconstruction of the temple. The temple with its magnificent architecture and intricate carvings, silver doors a Nandi idol and a main Shivlinga. This is one of the finest pieces of architecture.
9.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 tigers, bears leopards, wild ass, jackals, birds and snakes. There is also a zoo measuring up to 500 acres.
10.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 make it a perfect tourist destination in Gujarat. Due to its rich past and culture, it is a worth-visiting tourist spot for all kinds of history buffs.
