The main attraction and holiest place in Girnar Taleti are Bhavnath Mahadev Temple. From the foothills of Girnar, the devotee starts and completes the Lili Parikrama of Girnar Hills. The Bhavnath Mahadev Temple timings are from 6:30 AM to 7 PM.
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
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According to the Prabhash Khanda of Skanda Purana, this natural Bhavnath Temple and Mrigi Kund is the highest spiritual and historical place in Girnar Talati. Lili Parikrama Maha and Shivratri are the two major festivals at Bhavnath Temple.
What is the History of Bhavnath Mahadev Temple?
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is a shrine steeped in myths and legends situated at the base of Mount Girnar in Bhavnath village. The Shiva Lingam here originated with its divine intention.
Reportedly, Lord Shiva and Parvati were travelling through the Girnar hills when their divine robe fell on the present Mrigi Kund, making the site a sacred place for Lord Shiva worshippers.
Even today, Nagabaus [naked saints] bathe in the sacred Mrigi Kund before joining the Mahashivratri procession. The fair is so ancient that its exact origins are unknown.
The temple had dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, and the Shiva Lingam here had believed to have originated with the divine intention of making this place a place of worship for Lord Shiva.
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Festivals Celebrated
Maha Shivaratri:
Every year during Maha Shivaratri in February or March, the temple has a festive atmosphere where devotees enthusiastically worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
According to Hinduism, at midnight on the day of Maha Shivaratri, the place is decorated, and Naga saints take a holy bath in Mrigi Kund, which had believed to be a way of offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
These Naga saints belong to the Dashanami tradition. Hindu people believe that Lord Shiva visits the temple and sees his devotees on this day. Devotees visit the Girnar hills before the puja begins, and many pilgrims from Gujarat, Kutch and Mewar visit the temple.
Vendors from Mathura and Ayodhya sell sacred idols and rosaries that attract tourists from India and other parts of the world. A Naga sadhu performs hatha yoga, a must during the visit.
At that time, the whole place had filled with auspicious music, thungis and tooris, and the Naga saints, seated on their elephants, reached the temple holding Hindu culture’s religious flags in their hands and then placed them on palanquins. A decorated statue of Lord Dattatreya reached the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple.
Rawadi at Girnar Shivratri Mela:
Hundreds of Hindu saints walk naked from Bhavnath Mahadev Temple to Mrigi Kund, where they bathe at midnight. There are lakes of pilgrims, visitors and tourists to watch this march, similar to Kumbh Mela.
The difference between the Kumbh Mela March and the Ravadi March in the Girnar Shivratri Mela is that it takes place at midnight.
Mahapuja on Mahashivratri at Girnar Shivaratri fair
On the day of Mahashivratri, there is a Mahapuja at Bhavnath Temple. Pilgrims take a 7-meter-long circumambulation of the sacred Girnar hills before proceeding to the fair.
On the day of Mahashivratri, Lord Shiva comes to Bhavnath temple to bless the devotees. Nine immortals and 81 Siddhas have their abode in Bhavnath temple.
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Girnar Lili Parikrama:
“Girnar Lili Parikrama” is performed after offering dhaj to Bhavanath for five days after Vijayadashami, ending on the full moon day, usually in the month of October-November in the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar.
The parikrama or circular journey is around 36 km around the Girnar mountains, through the reserve forest area and several ancient temples and other holy places, as well as rugged terrain – it goes from Bhavnath Temple to Jina Bava Nee Madhi.
Return to Hanuman Dhara, Malvela, Bordevi and Bhavnath Temple. It had compared to the Lili Parikrama of Mount Govardhana in Vraja [Brindavana].
Parikrama was auspicious because it believed that Dattatreya had come down to earth and stayed here for these five days to bless his devotees. For nature lovers, it is a trip that directly connects you to nature and the treasure hidden in nature.
Bhavannath Mela:
Bhavannath Mela is a five-day event that culminates in worshipping Lord Shiva on the night of Maha Shivaratri at Bhavnath Mahadev Temple.
The Shivaratri night mela consists of a procession of rishis adorned with ornaments and some placed on elephants to the sound of rhythmic appliances such as tungis, conches and turis.
Pilgrims, tourists and visitors flock to watch the march, as the event is the same size as the Kumbh Mela, which takes place at night.
The night’s highlight is the Nagula procession, where hundreds of naked sadhus and sadhus march in processions.
Many feats of physical strength and endurance appear supernatural to even the most sceptical observer. At the end of the processions, the saints take a holy bath in the Mrigi Kund on the temple premises.
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple Timings
The Bhavnath Mahadev temple timings are:
| Day | Bhavnath Mahadev Temple Timings |
| Monday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Thursday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Friday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Saturday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Sunday | 06:30 AM – 07:00 PM |
Best time to visit
‘Parikrama’ is performed on the full moon day of Kartika month for five days in October-November after offering dhaj to this Bhavnath Mahadev Temple.
Nearby places to visit
Mahabat Maqbara:
About 1 km from Junagadh junction, Mahabat Maqbara is a mausoleum in the Mullawada area of Junagadh. Also known as Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai Samadhi, it is one of the historical monuments of Gujarat and one of the main places to visit near Bhavnath Mahadev Temple.
Upperkot Fort:
Located 2 km from Junagadh Railway Station, Upperkot Fort is an ancient fort in Junagadh, Gujarat, at the foothill of the holy Girnar hills; it is one of the major heritage sites of Gujarat and a must-include in Junagadh packages.
Sakkarbagh Zoological Garden:
About 2 km from Junagadh Junction, Sakkarbagh Zoo is a huge zoo park located in the Dolatpara area of Junagadh. Also known as Junagadh Zoo, it is the second oldest zoo in India and a must-have place in Junagadh sightseeing packages.
How to reach?
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is just 8 km from Junagadh.
By Rail:
Junagadh has its railway station. The railway junction is about 1 km from the city centre. The railway station had well connected to all major cities of India.
By Road:
Junagadh had connected by road to major parts of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Dwarka, Somnath and Rajkot. Regular bus services are available. You can travel to Junagadh by state and private buses.
By Air:
Junagadh does not have an airport. Hence, to go to Junagadh, you must land at Keshod airport. The nearest airport to Junagadh is Keshod Airport. Keshod Airport is 40 km from Junagadh.
Address
Bhavnath Mahadev, Taleti, Girnar, Junagadh