Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh
Location
Girnar Hill (Girinagar), Junagadh, Saurashtra
City
Junagadh, Gujarat
Deity
Ambika Mata (Shakti — summit shrine); Neminath (22nd Jain Tirthankar); Dattatreya (on Gurushikhar peak)
Temple Type
Sacred Multi-Peak Mountain Pilgrimage; Shakti Peeth; Jain Tirthankar Shrine; Vaishnava-Shaiva Complex
36 km Parikrama (circumambulation) on Kartik Purnima; 5 sacred peaks — Ambika Mata, Neminath, Dattatreya, Gorakhnath, Kalika Mata; Ashoka edicts (3rd cent BCE); Ropeway to summit; 10,000 rock-cut steps; Jain Tirthankar moksha site; Gir lions nearby
Significance
Girnar is one of the most spiritually significant mountains in western India, revered equally by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. The mountain's five main peaks host ancient temples that span multiple religious traditions — making Girnar one of the rarest examples of a shared sacred mountain. The highest peak (Gorakhnath Shikhar at 1,117 m) hosts the Dattatreya temple, while Ambika Mata's temple crowns the Ambika Shikhar. Neminath — the 22nd Jain Tirthankar — attained enlightenment (moksha) on Girnar, making it one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites. The famous Girnar Parikrama (circumambulation) covers 36 km around the entire Girnar mountain range and is traditionally performed on Kartik Purnima (November full moon), drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees who walk the route in 24 hours. The mountain also has Ashoka's edicts (3rd century BCE) inscribed on boulders near its base. Girnar's forests are home to Asiatic lions — part of Gir National Park nearby.
Legend & History
Girnar (ancient name: Revataka or Girinagar) is mentioned in the Mahabharata as a sacred mountain range. According to Shaiva tradition, Lord Shiva himself resides on Girnar in the form of Mrityunjaya (conqueror of death). The sage Dattatreya — an incarnation combining Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — is believed to meditate eternally on the summit. For the Jains, Girnar is inseparable from Neminath's life story: Neminath (cousin of Krishna) was to be married, but when he saw the animals being slaughtered for the wedding feast, he renounced worldly life and came to Girnar where he attained kevala jnana (omniscience) and moksha. A famous legend holds that Guru Gorakshanath (the founder of the Nath tradition) also performed tapas on Girnar, leaving his footprints on the summit stone.
Kartik Purnima (November full moon — Girnar Parikrama; 500,000+ pilgrims); Navratri (Ambika Mata darshan); Diwali; November-March for pleasant weather; Avoid monsoon (June-September — slippery steps)
Nearest railway: Junagadh station (5 km from Girnar hill base) — connected to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Veraval. From Ahmedabad: 330 km (6 hours by road). Buses from Rajkot (102 km), Veraval (85 km), Porbandar (120 km), Ahmedabad. The Ropeway (cable car) to Ambika Mata temple (launched 2020) reduces climb to 5 minutes. 10,000+ steps cut into the rock for traditional ascent.
Frequently Asked Questionsअक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
Where is Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh located?
Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh (गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर) is located at Girnar Hill (Girinagar), Junagadh, Saurashtra, in Gujarat, India. It is a revered Hindu temple.
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर कहाँ स्थित है?
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर Girnar Hill (Girinagar), Junagadh, Saurashtra, गुजरात (भारत) में स्थित है। यह एक पूजनीय हिंदू मंदिर है।
Which deity is worshipped at Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh?
The principal deity worshipped at Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh is Ambika Mata (Shakti — summit shrine); Neminath (22nd Jain Tirthankar); Dattatreya (on Gurushikhar peak).
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर में किस देवता की पूजा होती है?
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर में मुख्य रूप से अंबिका माता (शक्ति — शिखर मंदिर); नेमिनाथ (22वें जैन तीर्थंकर); दत्तात्रेय (गुरुशिखर पर) की पूजा होती है।
What is the significance of Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh?
Girnar is one of the most spiritually significant mountains in western India, revered equally by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. The mountain's five main peaks host ancient temples that span multiple religious traditions — making Girnar one of the rarest examples of a shared sacred mountain. The highest peak (Gorakhnath Shikhar at 1,117 m) hosts the Dattatreya temple, while Ambika Mata's temple crowns the Ambika Shikhar. Neminath — the 22nd Jain Tirthankar — attained enlightenment (moksha) on Girnar, making it one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites. The famous Girnar Parikrama (circumambulation) covers 36 km around the entire Girnar mountain range and is traditionally performed on Kartik Purnima (November full moon), drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees who walk the route in 24 hours. The mountain also has Ashoka's edicts (3rd century BCE) inscribed on boulders near its base. Girnar's forests are home to Asiatic lions — part of Gir National Park nearby.
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर का क्या महत्व है?
गिरनार पश्चिम भारत के सबसे महत्वपूर्ण पवित्र पहाड़ों में से एक है, जिसे हिंदू, जैन और बौद्ध समान रूप से पूजते हैं। पर्वत के पाँच मुख्य शिखरों पर विभिन्न धार्मिक परंपराओं के प्राचीन मंदिर हैं। सर्वोच्च चोटी (1,117 मीटर) पर दत्तात्रेय मंदिर है, जबकि अंबिका शिखर पर अंबिका माता का मंदिर है। नेमिनाथ — 22वें जैन तीर्थंकर — ने गिरनार पर मोक्ष प्राप्त किया। प्रसिद्ध गिरनार परिक्रमा 36 किमी की है और कार्तिक पूर्णिमा पर लाखों भक्त 24 घंटे में इसे पूरा करते हैं।
What is the best time to visit Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh?
The best time to visit Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh is Kartik Purnima (November full moon — Girnar Parikrama; 500,000+ pilgrims); Navratri (Ambika Mata darshan); Diwali; November-March for pleasant weather; Avoid monsoon (June-September — slippery steps).
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर जाने का सबसे अच्छा समय कौन-सा है?
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर जाने का सबसे अच्छा समय Kartik Purnima (November full moon — Girnar Parikrama; 500,000+ pilgrims); Navratri (Ambika Mata darshan); Diwali; November-March for pleasant weather; Avoid monsoon (June-September — slippery steps) है।
How do I reach Girnar Parikrama — Five Sacred Peaks of Junagadh?
Nearest railway: Junagadh station (5 km from Girnar hill base) — connected to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Veraval. From Ahmedabad: 330 km (6 hours by road). Buses from Rajkot (102 km), Veraval (85 km), Porbandar (120 km), Ahmedabad. The Ropeway (cable car) to Ambika Mata temple (launched 2020) reduces climb to 5 minutes. 10,000+ steps cut into the rock for traditional ascent.
गिरनार परिक्रमा — जूनागढ़ के पाँच पवित्र शिखर कैसे पहुँचें?
Nearest railway: Junagadh station (5 km from Girnar hill base) — connected to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Veraval. From Ahmedabad: 330 km (6 hours by road). Buses from Rajkot (102 km), Veraval (85 km), Porbandar (120 km), Ahmedabad. The Ropeway (cable car) to Ambika Mata temple (launched 2020) reduces climb to 5 minutes. 10,000+ steps cut into the rock for traditional ascent.
