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collars. TIP -DAMAN & DIU 556 There is evidence of a prehistoric HERITAGE HOLIDAYS IN Another Junagadh settlement around Junagadh. In 4th-3rd section has ornate brass howdahs and of Gujarat is century BCE, Junagadh formed a part palanquins. There are elaborately sculpted of the janapada. The word female chauri (plumed fan) bearers being located at the foot of the Junagadh and its earlier version, Jirnadurga, swallowed by fish. There’s also a macabre hills. The earlier name of this literally mean old fort. Junagadh is a weapons collection, including a walking stick princely city was walled city with the central Dhal Road with a small pistol built into its handle. "Sorath". Junagadh is a running through it. Every other road in this significant city in the history of town is either twisting or narrow or both. It You’ll have to remove your shoes at the India and was ruled by many is best to start with Bahauddin (or Sardar ticket counter The bazaar in front of the powerful dynasties like the Vallabh Bhai Patel) Gateway, across the Junagadh Palace celebrates late 19th- Mauryan dynasty, the Solanki railway station. Palatial pastiche The most century kitsch with Gothic arches, standing bizarre of all Junagadh’s buildings must be next to Awadhi style gateways, and dynasty and in the mid 17th Famous For : City the 19th-century Mahabat Maqbara, built by surmounted by a European clock tower. A century it came under the Mughal Bahadur Khan III for his father Mahabat mosque unlike any other The 19th-century rule. Junagadh is one of the most attractive Khan II. The structure, a mixture of Indo- Jumma Masjid, with its Gothic arches, tourist destinations of Gujarat. This primitive Saracenic, Islamic and European chandeliers and colonial ceiling fans, can be city holds many evidences of the history it architecture, is awesome. A board next to it easily mistaken for a ballroom, if it wasn’t has witnessed. Numerous forts and calls it ‘an excellent example of post- for the mimbar. Its multi-coloured pillars are monuments built by the rulers of different medieval Islamic architecture in an Indian a bit of an eyeful. Out of this world Near dynasties can be seen here. Placed on the environment’. Khapra Khodia lies the 19thcentury outskirts of the city, an inscription with Maqbara of Naju Bibi, an ambitious and fourteen Edicts of can be found on a Next to it is the elaborate Bahauddin powerful begum who briefly ruled over large boulder. The city is also home to the Maqbara (built in 1878-92) with its elegant Junagadh in the name of her teenage son. It eternal shrine of Lord Shiva, the Somnath corkscrew towers straight out of a fairy tale. is fashioned in a distinctly indigenous temple. The temple shelters one of the Request someone from the neighbouring Junagadh style and the dome actually looks twelve sacred Jyothirlingas and attracts Jumma Masjid to open its doors A picture of like something akin to a UFO. devotees from all across India and outside the past In the 19th-century Junagadh the country. Besides, the place is also Palace, near Diwan Chowk, is the Durbar Next to Naju Bibi’s tomb is Barah Shahid, sanctuary of the wild Asiatic Lions. The Hall Museum with an unusual collection of the graves of 12 martyrs — soldiers of the Sakkarbaug Zoo and the wildlife museum artefacts associated with Junagadh . Tughlaq Sultanate of Delhi who died in a can give you a sight of wildlife prevalent in This Pdf and its contents are copyright © It has chairs and thrones arranged to imply failed ambush against the Rajput ruler of 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the character and all other marks displayed herein are the place. registered and/or common law trademarks of an imminent durbar session. On its walls Junagadh. The graves are housed in an ixigo.com and/or third parties. hang portraits, including two of Mahabat oblong, early medieval building. Visible from Khan III with his dogs wearing jewelled Naju Bibi’s maqbara are the 2nd-century CE Junagadh Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/junagadh page 2

caves of Khapra Kodia. An erstwhile fort, built from the remains of a former halfway up Girnar. There are many temples Buddhist monastery, also referred to as Hindu palace, said to be that of Rah Khengar Going to Girnar Girnar Hill, rising 3,000 ft and kunds all the way to the top, all of 7,000 Khengar’s Palace, it is a rock structure and Rani Ranakdevi. A little further are the over the otherwise flat plain of Sorath, steps, including the Bhairon Jap (from where carved into a series of cells, passages and Buddhist caves, some dating back to 2nd CE dominates the horizon and the imagination people would jump off to be reincarnated as stairways. Fortified Uperkot, the sprawling or perhaps even earlier. Coin hoards of the of Junagadh. The flag of Nawabi Junagadh kings in the next life!). Great views of the ancient fort that dominates the city, is Kshatrapa kings, found during preserved in the Durbar Hall has a sun rising Junagadh city and the plains beyond. layered thick with myths. Believed to date excavations, hint at links between monastic over a mountain (Girnar) and a lion (from Fortuitously, as enterprise is never too far back to the reign of , and worldly trade — monasteries Gir), the emblems of the state. At the foot of from religion in India, there are masseurs it gives Junagadh its name — ‘Old Fort’. Its often tended to serve as the repositories for GUJARAT-DAMAN & DIU 558 HERITAGE waiting to attend to your aching calves and history speaks of 16 sieges. For example, the the safekeeping of merchants’ money. HOLIDAYS IN INDIA Girnar Hill is the rock on thighs when you descend from the 11th-century ruler Rah Khengar is which Ashoka’s 14 edicts in Brahmi script mountain! The ideal time to climb up the hill remembered for his defiance of Sidhraj of Due to the profusion of western Kshatrapa are carved. Girnar also attracts Hindu and is just before sunrise, in the relative absence Patan — he married Sidhraj’s bride- coins found here, it has been surmised that Jain pilgrims to Junagadh. One gets to the of pilgrims. Photographing the idols is not to-be, Ranakdevi. Insulted, Sidhraj lay siege there was a mint. The caves have an historically important Jain temples climbing allowed. to Uperkot. Local historians claim the siege elaborate cistern system for water. Greco- 3,700 steps up the cliff, past some caves, lasted 12 years, after which Sidhraj stormed Scythian style carvings beautify the lower after a thick deciduous forest at the base of The town does not offer too much for the fort and killed Khengar. hall, three storeys underground but open to the hill. The steps were built in 1889, after visiting shoppers. There is a local market the sky! To the east of the caves are two funds were collected by floating a lottery. called panchatadi which has shops selling The Navghan Vav () in the fort dates breathtaking . The first is the Adi- There are shops for refreshments on the saris and daily provisions. On Azad Road, from Khengar’s time. The fort was Chadi Vav, named after two slave girls of way, and the view is breathtaking. At over there is a Khadi Gram Udyog where one can apparently abandoned between the 7th and Rah Navghan who are said to have 1,500 ft, after crossing many garish new pick up handmade products native to 10th centuries CE before being discovered constructed it in the 11th century. This looks constructions, you come to what looks like a Gujarat that are marketed by the Khadi and again. The approach of the fort is through a as much a natural wonder as a manmade 16th-century fortress clinging to a cliffside. Village Industries strangely narrow gateway with an ancient one. The rock is cleaved by a narrow, wind- This is the Jain temple complex of Girnar. Commission. Gondal (64 km) Halfway archway, a fine example of the Hindu eroded staircase that descends 100 ft to a There are 16 shrines here, with the biggest between and Junagadh, Gondal was torana. The top of the fort is flat and broad well. The second, Navghan Vav, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara, said to be the only in crossed by paths linking the principal sites. plunges even deeper to 170 ft. It’s said to Neminath, dating back to the 12th century. Saurashtra that did not tax its subjects in Inside, on the western wall, are two colossal have been completed in 1060 CE. It has Architecturally, the most striking is the the 19th century. During Bhagwat Singhji’s cannons, Neelam and Manek. Neelam Tope rock-cut circular stairs going to the bottom, Vastupla Temple with an image of Mallinath. rule in Gondal (1884- 1944), railway lines was cast in 1531 in Egypt, and is 17 ft long. It with occasional apertures in the shaft for It is actually three temples joined together. were laid, a school was built and a nine- is beautifully wrought and intricately light. Not for the faint-hearted, the volume history of Aryan Medical Science detailed (and was probably incredibly vertiginous or the weak-legged! The There are elaborate carvings on the exterior was written. It appears that the income destructive in its prime). The inscription on it Uperkot fort also has a reservoir from the and interior. The complex has an air of generated by freight trains passing through makes its purpose clear, “to fight the time of the Junagadh Nawabs — with a tranquility about it, increased by the sound the region raised sufficient revenues for the incursive Portuguese, who are the infidel pumping station still in use and even a few of the bells tied to the shikharas of the state. To get a fair idea of the history of enemies of State and religion”. Close by is visiting water birds.  temples. This temple complex is only Gondal and its fascinating maharaja, start at the 15th-century Jama Masjid of the Uperkot Junagadh Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/junagadh page 3

the Naulakha Palace. Have a look at the legend goes. It is said that the reeds turned Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, When To umbrella. impressive Vintage Car Collection of the into maces, with which ’s drunken Max: Min: Rain: Gondal royal family. Yadav clan slashed each other to death. 30.70000076 26.60000038 269.799987792968 2939453°C 1469727°C 75mm Horrified, Krishna ran into the forest, where VISIT To truly enjoy Junagadh and its he was killed by a hunter’s arrow. Somnath Aug surroundings, head for a heritage stay at has been a pilgrimage spot for long. It could http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-junagadh-lp-1101821 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. Gondal. Within the grounds of the Gondal be because of the Triveni Ghat, the Max: Min: Rain: 220.5mm palace are two luxury hotels on the confluence of three rivers, Hiran, Kapil and Jan 29.79999923 25.70000076 7060547°C 2939453°C Junagadh-Rajkot Highway. The Riverside the mythical Saraswati. The Somnath Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Palace is a colonial-style bungalow and the Temple stands by the sea, its wall thrashed Max: Min: Rain: 3.5mm Sep 29.20000076 15.69999980 residence of the crown prince. The same by waves. 2939453°C 9265137°C Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. management runs the Orchard Palace, once Feb Max: Min: Rain: 112.0mm a royal guest house. Guests can also stay The first temple is said to have been built by 31.20000076 25.10000038 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 2939453°C 1469727°C (for the same price) at the luxury railway Somraj, the Moon God himself. The current Max: Min: 17.0°C Rain: saloon of the erstwhile royal family. Apart temple was built in 1961 after excavating 29.89999961 0.20000000298023 Oct 8530273°C 224mm from a bedroom with attached bath, the the remains of the former temple at the site. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. coach has dining and sitting rooms, but no The Somanth Temple faced many Muslim Mar Max: Min: 23.5°C Rain: 34.09999847 14.6000003814697 AC or TV. Charges include entry fee to raids after Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attack in Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 4121094°C 27mm Naulakha Palace and Vintage Car Collection. 1026; it was rebuilt by Hindu devotees. The Max: Min: Rain: 31.79999923 19.79999923 2.20000004768371 Nov 7060547°C 7060547°C 6mm Taxi (11/2 hrs) to Gondal from Junagadh irony is that local have died Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. charges INR 6-11 per km. defending Somnath, and Hindu rulers have Apr Max: 33.5°C Min: Rain: 5.0mm plundered pilgrims taking gifts for the deity. 20.89999961 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 8530273°C Somnath (89 km) The drive to Somnath, Sculptures and remains from the earlier Max: Min: Rain: 0.0mm 32.09999847 22.79999923 Dec south of Junagadh, is as interesting as the temples are now housed in the Old Museum 4121094°C 7060547°C Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. destination. It passes through (16 (5 minutes from the temple). The Somnath May Max: Min: 17.5°C Rain: km), where you will see a number of 1940s Temple Trust conducts a mini-bus tour to all 30.79999923 2.09999990463256 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Fords being operated as taxis! Just short of key sites (2 hrs, adults INR 20, kids 7060547°C 84mm Max: Min: Rain: Somnath lies , a port with a history of INR15). Taxi fare is INR 6-11 per km to 32.79999923 26.20000076 4.40000009536743 706055°C 2939453°C 2mm maritime trade. Even today, it is a major ship Somnath. What To building centre for dhows. The wood comes Jun from Malaysia. Between Veraval and Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. Somnath is the Bhalka Tirth, where Krishna Max: 32.5°C Min: Rain: SEE is believed to have died. The site is 27.39999961 134.800003051757 5 Sights disappointingly modern and kitschy. But 8530273°C 8mm http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-junagadh-lp-1101821 drive past the wooded graveyards along the Jul beach, and you can imagine a forest of 1 Uperkot Fort reeds here, planted by a curse — as the Junagadh Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/junagadh page 4

staircase that descends 100 ft to a The Junagadh Place, Junagadh, Kalva Chowk, Jayshree Road, broad well. The second, Navghan Vav, Gujarat, India Junagadh Ho, Junagadh, Gujrat plunges even deeper to 170 ft. It has rock- 362001, India cut circular stairs going to the bottom, with Located within the commonly regarded occasional apertures in the shaft for light. "City Palace" in Uparkot, the Darbar Hall Museum is a 5 Buddhist Cave Groups 2 Jama Masjid reservoir of 19th century Nawabi relics and memoirs who made a home here. The nawabs of Junagadh moved here in mid- 19th century from Uperkot Fort. Adjacent to the entry of the hall, is a display of Uperkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, palanquins, velvet covered cushioned seats, India howdahs amongst many other displays which are aimed at showcasing the Nawabi Uperkot, the sprawling ancient fort that lifestyle in erstwhile Gujarat.  dominates the city, is layered thick with myths. Believed to date back to the reign of Buddhist Cave Groups in Uperkot can be

Chandragupta Maurya, it gives Junagadh its broadly classified into three groups--Baba name — which means ‘Old Fort’. Its history Pyare Caves, Khapra Kodiya Caves and speaks of 16 sieges. The approach of the Manek Chowk, Gandhi Road, Buddhist Caves.Baba Pyare Caves - These The Durbar Hall Museum with an unusual fort is through a strangely narrow gateway Danapidth, Khadia, , caves are also known as Baba Pyaras. They collection of artefacts associated with the with an ancient archway. The top of the fort Gujarat 380001, India are located close to Modhimath. There are Junagadh nawabs, also houses silver is flat and crossed by paths linking four caves on the northern end. There is Located within the Uperkot Fort, thrones, carpets with exquisite detail and the principal sites. Inside, on the western another set of caves which lie on the eastern Jama Masjid was originally built as the finery, together with huge life size wall, are two colossal cannons, Neelam and end of the first set of caves. It consists of a palace of Ranakdevi, but after the princess chandeliers. Some of these one can get a Manek. Neelam Tope was cast in 1531 in chaitya hall and a spacious court. The of Saurashtra was conquered by Sultan glimpse of in terms of relics, and the others Egypt, and is 17 ft long. Close by is the 15th- construction of these caves are highly Muhammad Begda, it was converted to a through some archaic paintings and century Jama Masjid of the Uperkot Fort, inspired by the Satavahanas period, based mosque. This is the reason for its unusual photographs. built from the remains of a former Hindu fort-like structure which is unlike any other on their architectural style.Khapra Kodiya palace. A little further are Buddhist caves, mosque. 4 Jayshree Cinema Caves - The chambers of these caves follow some dating back to 2 CE or even earlier. an east-west orientation as they are divided Greco-Scythian style carvings beautify the 3 Darbar Hall Museum by a longitudinal ridge. The caves date back lower hall, three storeys underground. To to the 3rd and 4th century CE. There are two the east of the caves are two breathtaking main components in this cave; one is the stepwells, said to date from the 11th western wing that houses water tanks and century. Adi-Chadi Vav looks as much a the second is an L-shaped wing that is natural wonder as a manmade one. The serves useful as rock is cleaved by a narrow, wind-eroded Junagadh Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/junagadh page 5

apartments. Buddhist Caves - The offers the best value for money, serving +91-2622-2623661 caves here are divided into three tiers. pure vegetarian food. Both South Indian and These caves were built between the 2nd and Punjabi cuisines are available in the A simple but wonderful Indian restaurant in 3rd century CE. The upper floor consists of a restaurant. A wholesome treat is completed Junagadh, Santoor offers Punjabi and South tank that is surrounded verandahs on all by the picturesque Girnar Hills, towering Indian dishes along with mouth-watering three of its sides. The lower floor has above the restaurant. mango shakes. A perfect outing for a family, corridors and pillars. The floor below this aided by dimly lit ambiance. has beautifully carved pillars. The capital, 2 Swati Restaurant 4 Geeta Restaurant shaft and base of these pillars carry decorative designs that were unique to the Satavahana period.  Station Road Near Railway Station

+91-2076243670 Where To Eat 5 Raj Bhog Restaurant 5 Places Station Road Maharshi Arvinda Marg, Kalwa http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-junagadh-lp-1101821 Chowk, Sardar Patel Bhawan, Junagadh. 1 Garden Restaurant +91-2852625296

3 Santoor Restaurant

Rajkot National Highway, Vadal, Junagadh-362310, India

+91-2622-2680727 Mahatma Gandhi RoadJunagadh,Gujarat-362310, India A modest restaurant in a garden setting Junagadh Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/junagadh page 6

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See A: Uperkot Fort B: Jama Masjid C: Darbar Hall Museum D: Jayshree Cinema E: Buddhist Cave Groups Accommodation F: OYO 29105 Hotel Magnum Inn G: Hotel Somnath H: Gir Jungle Lodge I: OYO 29105 Hotel Magnum Inn J: Hotel Somnath K: Gir Jungle Lodge L: OYO 29105 Hotel Magnum Inn M: Hotel Somnath N: Gir Jungle Lodge Food O: Garden Restaurant P: Swati Restaurant Q: Santoor Restaurant R: Geeta Restaurant S: Raj Bhog Restaurant