Junagadh Gujarat is a city that is deceptive in appearance. Beneath the folds of the sleepy and laid back city are wrapped intricate layers of history. As you move around the city, you are greeted by the fluttering pages of Junagadhs’s history in some form or the other at every bend in the road. Junagadh in the state of Gujarat, India is a living museum that takes you on a fascinating journey into the dim frontiers of the past. Let us embark on a journey and experience the things to do in Junagadh Gujarat.
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Junagadh Gujarat – Places To Visit in Junagadh / Junagadh Travel Guide
Junagadh Gujarat is a place that unveils one fascinating chapter after another. Whether it is its association with the enigmatic late Bollywood actress Parveen Babi, the last ruling Junagadh Nawab who fled to Pakistan with his dogs after partition, or its association with the 15th-century poet and saint Narsinh Mehta. Join us as we unravel the intriguing layers of Junagadh as we move through its narrow and historical lanes.
A Brief History of Junagadh
Junagadh occupies a unique place in the history of India. Its mythological origins can be traced to Ugrasen, who was the grandfather of Krishna. Legend has it that Krishna’s grandfather King Ugrasen had a fort built on a hill here and the place was called Revatnagar.
However historical evidence traces the origin of Junagadh to the Uparkot Fort which stands atop a table-top land in the centre of modern Junagadh. It is believed that the original Uparkot Fort was built in 319 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the famous Maurya Empire. The duo of Chandragupta and Chanakya are of course well-known figures from Indian history.
The name Junagadh itself has so much of its history hidden within it. It is believed that the name is a derivative from, “Yonagadh”, a word that refers to Yonas or Yavanas, the name given to Greeks. A rock edict in Junagadh refers to a Yavana (Greek) king named Tushapha. The Greeks ruled over Junagadh for a brief period between 73-70 BCE.
Junagadh was then ruled by the Shakas and then the Gupta dynasty. after that, the fort was abandoned and was taken over by the forces of nature. It was only in the 10th century that a king of the Chudasma dynasty named Griharipu restored the fort.
The Chudasma dynasty ruled over the region for about 5 centuries and it was only towards the end of the 15th century that a Turkic ruler named Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate annexed Junagadh and changed its name to Mustafabad. It was under him that a palace within the Uparkot Fort was converted into a mosque. It was then the turn of the Mughals to rule over Junagadh.
In the year 1730, Mohammad Bahadur Khanji or Mohammad Sher khan Babi who ruled Junagadh under the aegis of the Mughals rulers from the Gujarat Subah revolted and declared his independence. He formed what was then called the Junagadh state. The dynasty he established was known as the Babi dynasty and this dynasty ruled over Junagadh till India’s independence. Even though the British established their rule, they left the Nawabs of the Babi dynasty rule over Junagadh state, under their subservience.
In 1947, when India became independent. Junagadh was ruled by Mohammed Mahabat Khanji III, decided to accede to the newly formed country of Pakistan. However, due to the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the opinion of the people, the accession to Pakistan was rescinded and Junagadh became a part of India.
List of Junagadh Famous Places | Junagadh Sightseeing | Junagadh Darshan | Junagadh Places to Visit
Uparkot Fort
The historic Uparkot Fort that stands in the centre of Junagadh has many historic places within its ramparts. Narrow lanes lead to the entrance of the fort. The very fort that was under siege 16 times. One of the sieges lasted for 12 long years.
From the Fort Gate, a narrow road winds upwards through two narrow entrances, with elaborate carvings and designed in typical Toran style.
Neelam & Manek
Twin cannons with the names Neelam and Manek stand atop the Uparkot Fort, looking across the city of Junagadh stretched below. These cannons, however, are just relics of history, the reminder of a defeat. The canons originally belonged to the Turkish Naval Forces whose help had been solicited by the Gujarat Sultanate to repulse the invading Portuguese forces at the port of Diu.
However, this gambled did not pay off and the Turkish Naval Forces fled abandoning their cannons. These were later brought to Uparkot, and thus Neelam and Manek got a new home, where they silently watch the march of time from their vantage point.
Ranak Devi Palace | Ranakdevi No Mahal | Jamma Masjid
A board put up by the Archaeological Survey of India has an arrow pointing to a greying and old squarish structure. The board in Gujarati says Ranakdevi Mahal – Jumma Masjid. The cryptic duality of names is in many ways representative of the layers of history that wrap Junagadh.
A flight of steps leads to a large pillared corridor with alcoves and a balcony. The hall is open to the sky, the roof nowhere to be seen. The structure is said to have been a multi-storeyed one with 16 rooms. It is believed to have been the residential quarters of a legendary queen named Ranakdevi whom King Ra Khengar had married in that very hall.
According to local myth, another king named Siddhraj Jaysinh Solanki was attracted by Ranakdevi. He laid siege to the fort for 12 long years and finally the fort was breached. The invader, Siddhraj Jaysinh Solanki killed Ra Khengar and his two children and abducted the queen Ranakdevi who self-immolated herself rather than fall into the clutches of the evil King Jaysinh Solanki.
The Palace was converted into a mosque after the fort was captured by Mahmud Begda. Exquisite marble carvings, an ornamental balcony, and silent pillars are all that remains of the fascinating history of one of the most important of the Junagadh monuments.
Adi-Kadi Vav
Stepwells have been an integral part of Gujarat, be it the Adalaj Ki Vav near Ahmedabad or the Rani Ki Vav near Patan. Junagadh too has its share of step-wells that have their own legends. But the step-wells of Junagadh are more functional in nature and devoid of the architectural aesthetics of step-wells elsewhere. Nonetheless, they are interesting and unique in their own way.
The Adi-Kadi Vav is named after two sisters, Adi and Kadi. As per local legend, the King had ordered a well to be dug in the quest for water, however, despite digging deep into the rock surface, water had not been struck. It was then advised to the king that water would be found if two sisters would sacrifice their lives voluntarily. The sisters Adi and Kadi came forward and sacrificed their lives so that water could be found and their kingdom could flourish.
One can walk down a broad staircase with rock-cut steps into the bottom of the well. The depth of the well is about 175 feet and there are a total of 170 steps that lead down to the bottom of the well. There is nothing to see down below in the well. However, the rock walls on both sides of the steps make for an interesting sight with different colours of the different strata of rock that are visible. Though it is not clear when the Adi-Kadi wells were dug, it is believed that they date back to sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries.
Navaghan Kuvo
Not too far from the Adi-Kadi Vav and within the ramparts of Uparkot is another stepwell named Navaghan Kuvo. This is named after a King who ruled in the 11th century. The well here stands within a large forecourt, wide steps lead to the bottom of the well.
Skylights have been placed strategically which ensure ventilation and light even at the bottom of the well. It is believed that though the forecourt was constructed during the 11th century, the well itself is much older and could have been one of the earliest stepwells constructed.
Buddhist Caves
Buddhism in India spread far and wide during and after the reign of Ashoka who had the Sanchi Stupa built. His edicts, inscriptions and Ashoka pillars can be found in different places in India like Madhya Pradesh, Varanasi, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, etc.. Outside of India they are found in Lumbini, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
On the other hand, Buddhist rock shelters or caves too can be seen across India, be it in Ajanta and Ellora, Pachmarhi, or the Buddhist caves of Junagadh.
The Buddhist caves within the Uparkot Fort date back to around the 2nd century and were resting places for Buddhist monks who roamed the country spreading the message of Buddhism.
The caves have been cut into the rock surface and comprise of three storeys. Winding stairs lead down to the bottom. On the first level, there is a pond which was a water source for the residents and this pond used to be filled by rainwater and also an elaborate system of cisterns and drains. The most important part of the Buddhist Caves is the bottom storey which has exquisite pillars with decorative capitals and exquisite carvings. The pillars have elements of Graeco Scythian architecture.
Khapra Kodiya Caves
Another group of Buddhist caves are the Khapra Kodiya caves. These are located on the outskirts of Junagadh. They are fairly plain. These caves seem to have been made between the 3rd and 4th centuries. The caves were discovered by James Burgess who was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Mahabat Maqbara
Standing right in the midst of a busy street is not one but two architectural gems of Junagadh. Both of these are mausoleums and stun visitors with the sheer grandeur of their design.
The Mahabat Maqbara is a mausoleum built over the tomb of Nawab Mahabat Khan II. It is a beautiful structure with clusters of Onion domes and ornamented by decorative arches, exquisite carvings and French Windows. It has elements of Gothic, European, and Islamic architectural styles fusing together to stunning effect.
Bahauddin Maqbara
Standing right next to the Mahabat Maqbara is another unique architectural monument. A monument that reminds you of the Taj Mahal. This is the Bahauddin Ka Maqbara, which is a mausoleum built over the tomb of Bahauddin Vazir. The main structure has four minarets at the four corners, a la Taj Mahal, but what makes this monument unique are the external staircases that wind around the minarets to give them a rare visual appeal.
Tourist Places In Junagadh Gujarat / Top Sights in Junagadh
The amazing places that you must visit when in Junagadh Gujarat are listed below for easy reference.
20 Places To Visit In Junagadh Gujarat
- Dattatreya Temple | Girnar hill temple | Famous temple in Junagadh Saurashtra
- Ambe Mata Temple | Girnar temple in Gujarat
- Uparkot Fort | Junagadh Fort
- Adi Kadi Vav
- Nawghan Kuwo
- Neelam & Manek Guns
- Ranakdevi Palace | Jumma Masjid
- Buddhist Caves in Junagadh Uparkot
- Mahabat Maqbara
- Bahauddin Ka Maqbara
- Khapra Kodiya Caves
- Narsinh Mehtaji No Choro Junagadh Gujarat
- Junagadh Gate | Majevadi Gate
- Sakkarbaug Zoological Park
- Durbar Hall Museum
- Willingdon Dam
- Ashoka Edicts
- Junagadh Swaminarayan Mandir
- Damodar Kund
- Baba Pyare Caves
List of Places To Visit Near Junagadh Gujarat
- Gir National Park in Sasan Gir | Natural place near Junagadh
- Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple | Famous temple in Prabhas Patan
- Bhalka Tirth | Holy places in Gujarat
- Dehotsargh Tirth | One of the pilgrimage centres in Gujarat
- Porbandar
- Madhavpur Beach, Junagadhh | beach near Junagadh
Junagadh Gujarat – FAQ
What is the Girnar ropeway ticket price?
The Girnar ropeway is a project that is not yet completed, currently, there is no ropeway operational at Girnar.
Which are the nearest tourist places from Rajkot?
Somnath, Dwarka, Girnar, Porbandar, Junagadh Gujarat, Sasan Gir, are some of the nearest tourist places to Rajkot.
Which are the famous pilgrim places near Ahmedabad?
Some of the famous religious places near Ahmedabad are Ambaji, Dwarka, Somnath, Pavagadh, Dakor, and Girnar.
What is the Girnar parikrama tour package?
The Girnar Mountain in Junagadh Gujarat is considered very holy. It has temples of Dattatreya and Ambaji and also Jain shrines. Many holy saints, 64 Yoginis, and 84 Siddhas are believed to reside and meditate on the Girnar mountain. The parikrama of the Girnar Mountain is 38 kilometres long and is permitted only for 5 days in the year as the route is through the Gir forests. Many private tour companies organize the Parikramas and offer different Girnar Parikrama packages.
How far is Mangrol from Junagadh and is it worth visiting?
Mangrol is a harbour town located in Junagadh district, about 63 kilometres from Junagadh City. If you are thinking about Mangrol places to visit, it has a beach.
Is there a Junagadh darshan bus?
There are many private tour operators who organize one-day city tour of Junagadh.
What is the distance from Junagadh to Gir?
The distance from Junagadh to Sasan Gir is about 76 kilometres.
Which is the famous Junagadh Mandir?
The Junagadh temple which is famous is the Ambaji temple on Mt. Girnar, also there are Jain temples and a Dattatreya temple on the Girnar hill.
Junagadh Weather | Junagadh temperature
The weather in Junagadh is extreme. Summers are really hot, while winters are fairly cold.
Best Time To Visit Junagadh Gujarat
The best time to visit Junagadh Gujarat is in the winter months. It would be ideal to visit Junagadh between October to February.
How To Get To Junagadh Gujarat
Junagadh Map | Junagadh District Map
Junagadh City Map
Junagadh District Map
- Junagadh is located in the state of Gujarat in India
- Junagadh to Ahmedabad distance is about
- Junagadh to Somnath
- Junagadh to Rajkot
- Junagadh to Sasan Gir
- Junagadh to Jamnagar
- Junagadh to Surat
Reaching Junagadh Gujarat By Train
Junagadh Railway Station is a junction that comes under the Bhavanagar Railway Division of the Western Railway, Indian Railways. Many trains halt in Junagadh and are convenient for travelling to and from Junagadh. Places like Mumbai, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath, Indore, Jabalpur, are connected to Junagadh. The following are some of the routes connecting to Junagadh by rail. Do check the official Indian Railways website for details of trains for Junagadh.
- Ahmedabad to Junagadh train
- Rajkot to Junagadh train
- Mumbai To Junagadh Train
- Somnath to Junagadh train
- Junagadh to Somnath train
- Pune to Junagadh train
Reaching Junagadh Gujarat By Bus/Road
Many buses arrive and depart for different cities of Gujarat at the Junagadh bus station. It is connected to different parts of the state by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation and also private buses. The following are some of the bus routes.
- Junagadh to Ahmedabad bus
- Rajkot to Junagadh bus
- Vadodara to Junagadh bus
Reaching Junagadh Gujarat By Air
- The Rajkot Airport is about 105 kilometres from Junagadh Gujarat
- The Porbandar Airport is about 104 kilometres from Junagadh Gujarat
- There are some flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Rajkot
- There are some flights from Ahmedabad and Mumbai to Porbandar
- A better option by air is to fly to Ahmedabad and then travel to Junagadh Gujarat by road or rail
Does Junagadh Gujarat excite you with its fascinating sights and experiences? You can plan a trip to Junagadh and, you can book a cheap flight through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. If you are thinking of a road trip to Junagadh from anywhere in India check out the rental car and bus options.
The distance of Junagadh From Important Places In India
| Sr. No. | From | To | Distance (Kilometers) |
| 1 | Junagadh | Delhi | 1,222 |
| 2 | Junagadh | Mumbai | 804 |
| 3 | Junagadh | Ahmedabad | 317 |
| 4 | Junagadh | Surat | 543 |
| 5 | Junagadh | Rajkot | 103 |
| 6 | Junagadh | Porbandar | 105 |
| 7 | Junagadh | Sasan Gir | 76 |
| 8 | Junagadh | Somnath | 95 |
| 9 | Junagadh | Dwarka | 208 |
| 10 | Junagadh | Jamnagar | 139 |
Junagadh Hotels | Where To Stay In Junagadh India | Hotels in Junagadh Gujarat
Junagadh is a city that is the headquarters of the Junagadh district in the state of Gujarat. Junagadh population is only about 3.2 Lakhs as per the last census. Yet owing to its many attraction tourists flock Junagadh to experience its wonders. If you are planning to visit Junagadh and looking for a Junagadh resort or hotel or hostel to book, you can do it right here.
Check out these best hotels in Junagadh and book right here. You can book your hotel in Junagadh through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline conveniently right here! You could also opt for booking an Airbnb in Junagadh.
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Where To Eat In Junagadh City | Junagadh famous food
When in Gujarat, its cuisine is an experience to be relished and cherished. One can binge on the famous snacks of Gujarat in Junagadh like Khaman, Gathiya, Bhajiya, etc. Apart from this, you cannot miss having the Gujarati Thali for lunch or dinner.
We recommend an awesome place to dig into a massive Gujarati Thali. A restaurant named The Grand Patel has some really huge Gujarati Thalis that are a medley of flavours, colours, and aromas. A plethora of dishes that are a sensory delight is served that promise epicurean nirvana. The Gujarati Thali has been interestingly named as ‘Bahubali Thali’!
Junagadh Tourism | Junagadh Paryatan Sthal
There is so much to see in Junagadh Gujarat and in the vicinity. One should plan a proper itinerary to ensure one experiences the sights and does not miss out on important attractions.
For your Junagadh itinerary, you can book your Junagadh trips, right here. So go ahead and book online places to see in and around Junagadh and experience popular activities in Junagadh and cover attractions in Junagadh. If you are planning to do a road trip from Ahmedabad or Rajkot then you can opt for this trip from Ahmedabad to Rajkot and Junagarh.
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How did you find our Junagadh travel blog post? Hope you liked reading about this lesser-known gem of India and are inspired to visit it. We hope that this post serves as a Junagadh city guide when you get to Junagadh Gujarat. Do let us know your thoughts through our comments section. Keep reading our blog for more exciting posts about amazing places around the world.
An article on the same subject has been published in the Travel+Leisure Magazine, do check it out here – From the Annals of History.
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I would love walking down those broad staircases, Sandy and Vyjay. Inspired stuff. This looks like a total blast from the past. The eats look delicious too. One thing I loved about my trip thru Southern India in 2013 was the food. Spices, organic, taste, so filling. I never left a table hungry during those 2 months.
Ryan
All of those old buildings, ruins and temples are so impressive. I really loved the Bahauddin Maqbara mausoleum and especially the minerats. Is it possible to climb them up?
Wow, beautiful architecture and I love the Bahauddin Ka Maqbara. How do you pronounce “Junagadh” and “Bahauddin Ka Maqbara” correctly?
I love the historical forts dotted all over Gujarat. The state has so much to see and offer.
Woooah people in Uparkot Fort survived a siege for 12 years!? How is that possible? I guess they must have water inside the fort…but what did people eat!?
I really like the look of Adi-Kadi Vav and the caves. They look really fun to explore. It is such impressive stone work.
A lovely post ! Having spent a long time in Gujrat, it was good to see read a post about a place I missed seeing:(
I love the detailing in this post. Being an Indian myself, you have covered so much history that I wasn’t particularly aware of. Although I have travelled through Gujarat, I haven’t been to Junagarh. The Adi Kadi vav does seem to be different from Rani ki Vav I saw in Patan. The Buddhist caves are intriguing too!
Wow, so much to see and do in Junagarh. This detailed post is what I needed to read today as I was feeling so low. Made a plan with husband to visit soon.
Wow! This is such a well researched and informative post! I have heard a lot about Junagadh and will surely plan travel. Thanks for writing this.
So much to explore in Gujarat and yet I never got a chance to see much. But blogs like these always give me a good starting point
This place seems to be of historical importance with so many caves and architectures.
Never knew Parveen Babi belonged to Junagadh.
I have been to Ahmedabad but never been other places in Gujarat. Junagadh seems a perfect blend of history and heritage. Will visit here soon.
I wasnt aware of this history about Junagadh. Fascinated by various architectural places you have shared. Your posts make me realise I have so much to explore in our country.
You have presented the complete guide to Junagadh. I am from Ahmedabad and I don’t that there are so many places and routes to Junagadh. Thank you for sharing.
I love to dip myself into history and wanderlust sometimes. I haven’t taken a historical place pilgrim in the longest time and this is where I would wanna go next. I love how beautiful these ruins are. Very calling.