Landmarks in Junagadh
- 01
Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo
Two very old wells cut into the rock inside Uparkot Fort: Adi Kadi Vav, reached by 166 steps, and Navghan Kuvo, with a spiral staircase around the shaft.
- Time needed
- 60 to 90 minutes for both
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Morning, when the passages are cool and the light enters the shafts
- Tickets
- Both are inside Uparkot Fort, so entry follows the fort's current arrangements. Check opening hours and fees at the gate; closures for restoration have occurred.
- 02
Baba Pyara Caves and Khapra Kodiya
Two groups of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves on the edge of Junagadh: Baba Pyara, with 13 rooms on three levels, and the plainer Khapra Kodiya.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours for both
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, October to February
- Tickets
- Baba Pyara is a ticketed monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, and visiting hours are usually daylight. Confirm current fees and booking at the site or ASI portal.
- 03
Girnar Hill
Gujarat's holy hill above Junagadh, climbed by pilgrims of several faiths up roughly ten thousand steps to Jain temples, a Dattatreya shrine and summit views.
- Time needed
- Full climb: 6 to 9 hours return; lower section: 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Start before dawn in November to February; avoid summer afternoons and the monsoon
- Tickets
- The climb itself is free to start, with no ticket needed for the steps. Shoes are removed at the temples, and leather items are usually not allowed in Jain temples. Confirm current access rules, photography limits and any ropeway closure dates locally.
- 04
Mahabat Maqbara
A 19th-century mausoleum complex of the Babi nawabs, with onion domes and spiralling minarets that mix Indo-Islamic and European forms.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon light, October to February
- Tickets
- The complex is a state-protected monument. Entry and photography rules can change; confirm locally. Dress modestly and cover your head if you enter any part used for prayer, and remove shoes where asked.
Experiences in Junagadh
- 05
Girnar Ropeway (Udan Khatola)
A cable car of about 2.3 km that lifts visitors from the foot of Girnar to the Ambaji temple, saving the first, steepest stretch of the climb and giving wide views.
- Time needed
- About 2 to 3 hours including the ride and time at Ambaji
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, on clear days between October and February; avoid crowded festival days
- Tickets
- Tickets are sold online through the operator's site and at the counter. Prices and timings vary by season, and the ropeway has been closed on certain Jain holy days. Call the operator's customer care or check the official site for current arrangements.
- 06
Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary
The roughly 179 sq km forest sanctuary that wraps around the Girnar hill range at Junagadh, a satellite home for Asiatic lions and leopards. Most visitors meet it on the pilgrim steps, not on a safari.
- Time needed
- Half a day around the foothills; a full day or more for the Girnar climb
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March; early morning for cooler air and birdsong, avoiding the hot months and the heavy monsoon
- Tickets
- No separate entry ticket for the sanctuary is published, and no safari or permit system for visitors has been confirmed. The Gujarat Forest Department and Junagadh administration set the rules and, after a recent wildlife incident near the steps, announced new safety measures. Confirm current access, timings and any night restrictions locally before you go.
- 07
Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden
One of India's oldest zoos, founded in 1863, with a major captive breeding programme for the Asiatic lion and a large, shaded park.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, October to February
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed. Fees, timings and weekly closure days change, so check locally. Camera fees may apply.
Temples in Junagadh
- 08
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
A Shiva temple at the foot of Girnar, home to the Bhavnath fair at Maha Shivaratri, when Naga sadhus bathe at Mrigi Kund.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes outside the fair
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or evening; the fair in Magha (around February-March)
- Tickets
- No ticket for general darshan. Remove footwear and dress modestly, and leather items may be restricted. At the fair, check police and district notices for access arrangements.
- 09
Damodar Kund and Damodar Temple
A sacred pond at the foot of Girnar, with a ghat, a pink sandstone Damodarji (Krishna) temple and a long link to the poet Narsinh Mehta.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning, October to February
- Tickets
- Entry to the temple is free in general. Dress modestly, remove footwear, and confirm photography rules, especially near the ghat where rites take place.
Culture in Junagadh
- 10
Ashokan Rock Edicts and Rudradaman Inscription
A single granite boulder near the foot of Girnar carrying three inscriptions across about five centuries: Ashoka's edicts, the Saka ruler Rudradaman's Sanskrit record and a Gupta-era text.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning light; October to February
- Tickets
- The site is a protected monument, and entry arrangements and any ticket may change. Check locally for current hours. Photography of the exterior is generally fine, but confirm the rules.
Read the Ashokan Rock Edicts and Rudradaman Inscription guide →
Museums in Junagadh
- 11
Darbar Hall Museum
The former court of the Junagadh nawabs, now a museum of royal weapons, palanquins, silver, textiles, paintings and furniture from the Babi era.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Midday, when outdoor sights are hot
- Tickets
- A renovated museum reopened in August 2026 after about a year closed; opening hours, tickets and gallery arrangements may differ from older guides. Confirm locally before visiting.
Forts in Junagadh
- 12
Uparkot Fort
The old walled citadel at the centre of Junagadh, with deep gateways, rock-cut Buddhist caves, two famous stepwells and long views over the city and Girnar.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours including the stepwells and caves
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning in October to February; avoid the middle of the day in summer
- Tickets
- Entry arrangements and ticket prices for the fort and the caves inside change, and parts of the site have been under restoration since 2020. Check current opening hours and fees locally or with the Archaeological Survey of India and Gujarat tourism before going.
