The Girnar Hills-A Famous cultural Destination in Basaltic Terrain
The Girnar Hills
The Girnar Hills are a range of hills located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. The hills are considered sacred by Hindus and Jains and are a popular pilgrimage site. The Girnar Hills are known for their unique geological features, which have been shaped over millions of years. One of the most unique geological features of the Girnar Hills is the series of ancient rock-cut steps that lead to the top of the hill. These steps were carved out of the rock over thousands of years by generations of pilgrims and are considered an engineering marvel.
The Girnar Hills are also home to several ancient temples and other religious sites, which are a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Overall, the Girnar Hills are a fascinating geological and cultural destination that offer visitors a glimpse into India’s rich history and natural beauty.
Geology
Mount Girnar is a major igneous plutonic complex and major rock type is basalts of Deccan Trap. The Other rock types identified in this complex are gabbros, diorites, lamprophyres, alkali-syenites and rhyolites. The parent gabbroic magma is shown to have given rise in sequence to diorites, lamprophyres and alkali-syenites.
Places to see in Girnar Hill
Jain temple Girnar
There are several Jain temples located on Girnar Hill, which is a sacred pilgrimage site for Jains. The temples are known for their unique architecture and intricate carvings, and attract thousands of Jain devotees every year. Neminath temple is dedicated to Lord Neminath, who is the 22nd Tirthankara in Jainism. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. Mallinath temple is dedicated to Lord Mallinath, who is the 19th Tirthankara in Jainism. The temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Dattatreya temple is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, who is a deity worshipped in Hinduism as well as Jainism. The temple is known for its unique architecture, which combines elements of both Jain and Hindu styles. Guru Dattatreya Paduka Temple is located near the Dattatreya Temple and is dedicated to the Guru Paduka, or the footprints of the Guru. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Jains and Hindus alike.
Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts
The Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts are inscribed high up on a large, domed mass of black granite measuring roughly 6 meter x 9 meter. The inscription is in Brahmi script. They primarily are written in praise of 22nd Tirthankar Lord Neminath and how he attained salvation from the 5th and highest peak of the holy mountain. They confirm the presence of a pure and sacred Jain site along with the sacred footprints of Lord Neminath on the Ujjayanta. On the same rock can be found an inscription of the Western Satrap ruler Rudradaman.
Uparkot fort
Uparkot Fort is a historical fort located on the Girnar mountain range. It is believed to have been built during the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE and was later occupied by various rulers over the centuries, including the Greeks, the Guptas, the Maitrakas, the Chudasamas, and the Muslim rulers of Gujarat.
The fort covers an area of around 300 acres and is surrounded by massive walls and gates. It contains many ancient structures and monuments, including Buddhist caves, Hindu temples, and Jain temples. Some of the notable structures within the fort include the Buddhist caves, the Jama Masjid, the Palace of Mauryans, the Adi-Kadi Vav step-well, and the Navghan Kuvo.
Ambaji Temple
Ambaji Temple is a famous Hindu temple located at the foothills of Girnar mountain. It is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, or holy shrines dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine energy, in Hindu mythology. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Amba, who is worshipped as the incarnation of the Mother Goddess or Shakti. The main deity of the temple is a triangular-shaped Shree Yantra made of gold, which is said to be self-manifested or swayambhu.
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The temple attracts thousands of devotees every day, especially during the Navratri festival, which is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Amba. The temple complex also includes other smaller temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, and other Hindu deities. The Ambaji Temple is located about 50 kilometers from the city of Mount Abu and can be easily reached by road. Visitors can also climb up the Girnar mountain range to visit the temple,
Girnar Ropeway
Girnar Ropeway is a popular tourist attraction. It is a cable car system that takes visitors from the foothills of the Girnar Hills to the top of the hill, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape along the way. The Girnar Ropeway was built to provide easier access to the various temples and other religious sites located on the top of the hill. The ropeway has been designed to be safe and comfortable, with modern amenities such as air conditioning and panoramic windows.
Girnar ropeway is Asia’s longest ropeway. It is 2,320 metres long, takes passengers 850 metres above the hill to the Ambika temple within 10 minutes of ropeway ride. The cable cars can accommodate up to 8 passengers each and operate daily from morning until evening.
The Girnar Ropeway is a popular attraction for both tourists and pilgrims, as it provides a convenient and scenic way to reach the top of the hill. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the city of Junagadh, the Gulf of Kutch, and the Gir Forest National Park. Overall, the Girnar Ropeway is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to the Girnar Hills.
Girnar’s trek
The base of the Girnar mountain, known as Girnar Taleti, is about 4 km east of the center of Junagadh. There are temples and other sacred places all along this stretch. To reach Girnar Taleti from Junagadh city, Treaveller will pass through the Vagheshwari Gate (Girnar Darwaza), which is close to the Uparkot fort area.
The Hills, offer a challenging and rewarding trekking experience for adventure enthusiasts. The trek to the top of Girnar Hills is considered a pilgrimage by many Hindus and Jains, who climb the hill to visit the various temples and religious sites located on the top of the hill. The trek is also popular among hikers and nature lovers, who are drawn to the natural beauty and scenic views offered by the Girnar Hills.
The trek to the top of Girnar Hills is a steep climb that takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on your fitness level and pace. The trek begins at the foothills of the hills, and follows a series of ancient rock-cut steps that have been carved out of the hill over thousands of years. The steps are uneven and can be slippery, so it is important to wear sturdy shoes and exercise caution while climbing.
The trek also passes through several temples and other religious sites, including the Neminath Temple, the Ambaji Temple, and the Dattatreya Temple. The trek to the top of Girnar Hills is a challenging but rewarding experience that offers a unique glimpse into India’s rich cultural and natural heritage. It is recommended that trekkers start early in the morning and carry enough water and snacks to sustain themselves during the climb.
How to reach Girnar hill
The nearest major airport to Girnar Hill is the Rajkot Airport, which is located about 110 kilometers away. From the airport, Girnar Hill can be reached by taxi or bus. Junagadh railway station is the nearest railway station to Girnar Hill, which is connected to major cities in Gujarat and other parts of India. From the railway station, Girnar Hill can be reached by taxi or auto-rickshaw. The nearest major city to Girnar Hill is Junagadh, which is well-connected by road to major cities like Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar. From Junagadh, Girnar Hill is located about 6 kilometers away and can be reached by taxi or auto-rickshaw.
