Some Important Things About Junagadh, Gujarat | swan tour

Junagadh District 393 km (244 miles) SW of Ahmedabad 168,700.

Junagadh

Junagadh which means “Old Fort” takes its name from the ancient fort of Uparkot,( the city is an important integral part of Gujarat tour packages ) built in the 4th century on a plateau at the eastern edge of the town. The fort is surrounded by massive walls, over 20 m (66 ft) high in places, and a 90-m (295-ft) deep moat inside the walls. This once teemed with crocodiles that were fed on criminals and political enemies. An ornate, triple-arched gateway marks the entrance to the fort. Inside, a cobbled path leads past Hindu temples to the now deserted Jami Masjid at the top of the plateau. Its carved stonework and pillars show that it was constructed on the remains of a destroyed Hindu temple. Nearby are a cluster of Buddhist caves dating to the 2nd century. The fort also has two fine 11th-century stepwells, the Navghan Kuan and the Adi Charan Vav.

In the mid-19th century, the nawabs of Junagadh moved down from the old fort into new colonial-style palaces in the city. The Durbar Hall of the city Palace, built in 1870, houses a museum with the typical trappings of royalty - palanquins, silver thrones and old 'armour. A complex of royal mausoleums can be seen near the city's railway station, the most notable of which is the Mahabat Maqbara with splendid silver doors.

Durbar Hall

Junagadh's main attraction, however, is Girnar Hill, 6 km (4 miles) east of the city. An extinct volcano, this has been a holy site for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus since the 3rd century BC. Over 4,000 steps lead to the top of the 1,080-m (3,543-ft) high hill. En route is an Ashokan Rock Edict, dating to 250 BC, that conveys Emperor Ashoka's message of non-violence and peace. Halfway up the hill are a cluster of beautiful Jain temples. Most notable among them is the Neminath Temple, enshrining a black marble image of the 22nd Jain tirthankara who is believed to have died here. The 12th-century Amba Mata Temple, at the summit, is very popular with newlyweds, who come seeking blessings for conjugal bliss.

Girnar Hill

The 11th Nawab of junagadh (1900-59), like his forebears, had a passion for breeding dogs, and these pedigreed pooches, 800 of them, were housed in luxury with separate rooms and personal attendants. The Nawab even held elaborate banquets to celebrate their "nuptials”. On the eve of India's Independence, when the Princely states were given the option of either remaining in India or becoming a part of Pakistan, the Nawab's decision to accede to Pakistan was thwarted h) popular protest. The Nawab, however, deckled to leave junagadh. When the time for departure came, the Nawab, true to form, hoarded the aircraft with his dogs, leaving behind his entire harem of concubines.

Travel agents in India promote Junagadh along with the other holiday destinations in Gujarat , These itineraries can be customised according to the guest's specific requirements.

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