Girnar Hill

Girnar Hill is a major sacred hill range near Junagadh in Gujarat, rising to 1,031 metres at Gorakhnath Peak, the highest point in Gujarat. Revered by Hindus and Jains, it features about 10,000 stone steps leading to a cluster of ancient Jain temples and Hindu shrines including Dattatreya Temple. The hill is known for its Ashokan rock edicts at the base, panoramic views, and the Girnar Ropeway.

Visitors can expect a long uphill climb of approximately 10,000 stone steps or a ride on the Girnar Ropeway to the upper stations. The route passes Jain temple clusters, Hindu shrines, rest shelters and viewpoints. At the top are Dattatreya Temple on Gorakhnath Peak and other shrines with expansive views over Junagadh and surrounding plains. The base area has Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts, shops, food stalls and parking.

Girnar has documented history from the 3rd century BCE with Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts inscribed on a granite boulder at the foothill. Jain temples on the hill date largely to the 10th to 12th centuries under Solanki rulers, with later restorations. The hill has been a continuous pilgrimage centre for over two millennia and is associated with ancient Girinagar, the historic name for Junagadh.

Highly sacred for both Hindus and Jains. For Hindus, Girnar is associated with Guru Dattatreya and Guru Gorakhnath, with shrines at Gorakhnath and Dattatreya peaks. For Jains, it is believed that the 22nd Tirthankara Neminath attained moksha here, making the Jain temple cluster an important pilgrimage site. The annual Girnar Parikrama festival draws large numbers of devotees who circumambulate the hill.