Junagadh
Fort City at the Foot of Girnar
Overview
Junagadh is a historic city in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, set at the foot of the sacred Girnar hills. Its name means 'old fort', after the ancient Uparkot citadel at its heart, with rock-cut caves and deep stepwells. Nearby stands a rock bearing the edicts of Emperor Ashoka from the third century BCE, alongside later inscriptions. The city's most photographed monument is the Mahabat Maqbara, a fantastical Indo-Islamic mausoleum of its former Nawabs. Girnar itself, climbed by thousands of stone steps or a modern ropeway, holds Jain and Hindu temples. MyTripMyTravel runs Junagadh as a heritage stop and the natural gateway to the Asiatic lions of Gir.
Junagadh takes its name, 'old fort', from Uparkot, the ancient citadel that crowns the city, and its history runs deep: Mauryan, Kshatrapa, Gupta, Chudasama, Sultanate, and finally the Muslim Nawabs of the Babi dynasty all left their mark here. On a rock along the road toward Girnar are inscribed fourteen edicts of Emperor Ashoka from around 250 BCE, later joined by inscriptions of the Kshatrapa king Rudradaman and the Gupta emperor Skandagupta, one of the most layered epigraphic sites in India.
Uparkot Fort, recently restored, holds Buddhist-era rock-cut caves and two remarkable stepwells, the Adi Kadi Vav and the Navghan Kuvo. In the city, the Mahabat Maqbara is an exuberant Indo-Islamic mausoleum with spiralling staircases winding around its minarets. Above it all rises Girnar, a sacred mountain reached by nearly ten thousand stone steps, a serious climb, or now by a modern ropeway that lifts pilgrims toward the cluster of Jain temples dedicated to Neminath and the Hindu shrines beyond, up to Gorakhnath peak, the highest point in Gujarat.
In 1947 Junagadh made history of another kind: its Nawab acceded to Pakistan, but the state was integrated into India after a plebiscite the following year. MyTripMyTravel runs Junagadh as a rich heritage stop, arranging the fort, the maqbara, and the Ashokan edicts, advising honestly on the Girnar climb, and using the city as the gateway to the Asiatic lions of nearby Gir.
At a glance
Junagadh in brief
When to visit
November to February
November to February is the ideal window, with cool, dry days for the Girnar climb, the fort, and onward safaris at Gir. Maha Shivratri, in February or March, brings a huge folk fair to Girnar's Bhavnath temple, atmospheric but crowded. Junagadh is also mango country, and its prized Kesar variety ripens in April and May, though that is also the start of severe heat, often above 40°C. The monsoon (July to September) is humid and green, and Gir's safari zones typically close from mid-June to mid-October.
Things to do
Experiences in Junagadh
Uparkot Fort
The restored ancient citadel with Buddhist rock-cut caves and the deep Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo stepwells.
Girnar climb or ropeway
The sacred mountain of Jain and Hindu temples, reached by nearly ten thousand steps or the modern cable car.
Mahabat Maqbara
The flamboyant Indo-Islamic mausoleum of the Nawabs, with minarets wrapped in winding external staircases.
Ashokan Rock Edicts
A single rock inscribed with Emperor Ashoka's third-century-BCE edicts and later royal inscriptions.
Darbar Hall Museum
The Nawabs' palace collection of thrones, weapons, textiles, and portraits in the old royal quarter.
Gir day excursion
A jeep safari in Gir, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, staged from Junagadh as a base.
Getting there
How to reach Junagadh
Keshod (IXK), about 40 km, is the closest airport; Rajkot (RAJ), about 100 km, and Ahmedabad offer wider connections.
Junagadh station is on the Saurashtra network with trains from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Veraval; we handle transfers.
Good highways link Junagadh with Gir (about 60 km), Somnath, and Rajkot, all natural chauffeured additions.
Our air-conditioned, GPS-tracked vehicles run the Saurashtra circuit and the onward drive to Gir and Somnath.
Where to stay
The best-appointed contemporary hotels in the city, offering reliable comfort for fort and Girnar visits.
Character stays and restored properties reflecting the Nawabi and Saurashtra past.
Upscale wildlife lodges near Sasan Gir for those combining Junagadh with lion safaris.
Where to eat
The robust Saurashtra thali of bajra rotla, ringan no olo, sev tameta, and chaas, served pure-vegetarian.
In season, the region's celebrated Kesar mango and aamras, one of India's finest, sampled fresh.
Local ganthiya, fafda-jalebi, and Saurashtra snacks tasted through the old city's institutions.
Good to know
Junagadh, your questions
What does Junagadh mean, and what is Uparkot?
Junagadh means 'old fort', named after Uparkot, the ancient citadel at the city's heart. Recently restored, Uparkot holds Buddhist-era rock-cut caves and the deep Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo stepwells.
How hard is the Girnar climb, and is there a ropeway?
The full climb to the summit is nearly ten thousand stone steps and is genuinely strenuous. A modern ropeway now lifts visitors toward the Ambaji and Jain temple cluster, making the sacred sites far more accessible; we advise on the best option for your fitness.
Is Junagadh a good base for the Gir lions?
Yes. Gir National Park, the last home of the Asiatic lion, is about 60 km away, and Junagadh is a natural gateway. We arrange permits and jeep safaris and can pair the city with a stay closer to Sasan Gir.
What are the Ashokan edicts?
On a rock toward Girnar are fourteen edicts of Emperor Ashoka from around 250 BCE, alongside later inscriptions of the kings Rudradaman and Skandagupta, a rare, layered record of ancient Indian history.
When do the famous mangoes ripen?
Junagadh's prized Kesar mango ripens in April and May. That timing overlaps with the onset of severe summer heat, so it is a trade-off we plan around with an air-conditioned fleet.
Can I get non-vegetarian food and alcohol here?
Gujarat is a dry state, so alcohol is restricted and needs a permit, which we can help foreign visitors arrange. The regional Kathiawadi cuisine is strongly vegetarian and excellent.
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