We started our Journey to Junagarh from Rajkot at morning 7 am. Junagarh is approx 100 kms from Rajkot. We went to the bus station and caught our GSRTC bus to head towards Junagarh. We didn’t had any bookings in the bus so had to run after the bus to occupy our seats. It seemed like we won the world cup after occupying the seats.

Sardar Patel Darwaja (Opp Railway station)

We reached there by 9.30 am and went to Mt. Girnar Taleti (base of mountain) in a shuttle rickshaw after some breakfast. The way in the shuttle was very scenic and in the way there came Damodar Kund. It is considered as sacred bathing place but we were in excitement of nature so didn’t stop there and went for Girnar taleti.

Girnar from taleti

For going towards Jatashankar, there is a different path from the stairs of Mt. Girnar. We have to take left before the Girnar climbing path. We found the path of Jatashankar written on the wall of a street and went there accordingly. Moving forward we saw the glimpse of entire Mt. Girnar so we stopped there for photo session. Then moved towards the stairs of Jatashankar where we found a board that mentioned that Jatashankar Mahadev mandir was 500 stairs above. We then started climbing stairs.

The path was entirely silent and full of nature with trees all around and monkeys jumping above the trees. We photographed a lot in the path and then decided to move faster. After 500 steps, we found a board which directed a path towards Jatashankar. The path was a complete trek and we were very exited. One of us had visited here before so he went further. Arrows were mentioned on the rocks so it was not too hard to find the way to Jatashankar Mahadev. The trek was completely silent and we could hear noise of people from far distances and also the bell of Jatashankar was heard by us. We could hear the footsteps while we were walking and were kidding among ourselves that what will happen if Lion appears here? But Lion doesn’t come here. The locals told us that Lion comes sometime but in the night time.

Path towards Jatashankar Mahadev

Later, we reached the Jatashankar Mahadev mandir. The environment of mandir was very silent where one can meditate easily. There was a very heavy bell outside the temple and there were many monkeys in the temple. After our prayers to Mahadev, we went for more trek behind the temple with a stick in our hands to defend monkeys if in case they attack us. But generally they don’t unless we harass them. After trekking to some distance, we were in a place where we felt like in heaven. There were small waterfalls and fresh rain water gathered between huge rocks. We bathed there and enjoyed a lot. Then we enjoyed the silence on the rocks. Later when the time was 1300 hrs (1 pm), we were hungry and decided to return to Taleti. But some people were gathered near temple offering food to everyone who came at Jatashankar. They forced us to have lunch there so we took our lunch there. It was amazing Gujarati food made by them. After lunch we thanked those kind people rested there and later went at Taleti. While returning we chose a path other than stairs which took us at Taleti through the Jungle. There were lots of arrows drawn on rocks so we followed them and gradually reached the base of Girnar around 1500 hrs.

Way to Jatashankar Mahadev

Small waterfall behind Jatashankar Mandir

Jatashankar Mahadev

 

At Taleti, we went to bow down to Mahadev at Bhavnath Mahadev Temple where the Bhavnath Mela takes place every year during Maha Shivratri. During this period, one can see too much crowd near Bhavnath Mandir and Naga Sadhus visit Bhavnath Mandir on this day. Inside the temple, there is also a stone which floats on water and is considered as Holy stone.

We then left for reaching Wellington Dam as shown in left which is very scenic place of Junagadh. Great view of Mt. Girnar is visible with water of the Dam in the bottom which creates amazing view. You can see many couples visit there. A man stands there for selling a special winter drink called “Kavo” which is very hot and tasty. We enjoyed the Kavo and started our group photography. There are rocks after the bridge so we climbed on those rocks to have a good view and photos. There is also a famous place near the Dam called Dataar Hills. One can reach there after climbing more than 1000 stairs. It was 1730 hrs already so we didn’t visit Dataar Hills and decided to go railway station for our return journey.

There are many other famous places in Junagadh like Mahabat Maqbara which is famous for its complicated architecture, Narsinh Mehta no Choro, Uperkot which is very widespread for situated in the middle of town, etc. but due to short of time we could not visit all the places.

We returned to railway station and done our journey back to Rajkot in a highly crowded train. One can get only a place to stand till Gondal city which comes after 1.5 hrs. After Gondal, the crowd is reduced and one can get a seat to sit. The train usually stops 20-25 mins before reaching Rajkot Junction at Bhaktinagar station which become very boaring as we were tired and waiting for the main station to arrive. Reaching Rajkot our journey ended with very nice memories.

:) Thank you for Reading and Hope you enjoyed... :)