Junagadh at the base of the sacred Girnar Hill was the capital of a princely state ruled by Babi Nawabs. Junagadh means, ancient fort. The name is apt as Junagadh is named after the fort that enclosed the old city.
There are two fortifications; the fort walls surrounding the town and Uparkot Fort. Uparkot is an ancient fort on Junagadh's eastern flank and dates back to the time of Chandragupta (319 BC) said to have been a stronghold of the Mauryas and Guptas, a mute testament to history.
You enter through an ornate triple gateway or toran. In front is flat land dotted with archeological sites. Junagadh was under different rulers during its chequered history hence the influence of 4 major religions Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim can be seen in its architecture. The double-storeyed Buddhist caves are cut into the hillside. They have a carved entrance and six ornamental pillars, chatiya hall, meditation chambers etc.
The Baba Piyara caves date back to the 2nd century. The Adikadi Vav (15th century) and Navghan Kuvo (13th century) are step wells unique to Gujarat. While 120 steps take you to water at Adikadi Vav you have to go down a circular winding staircase for Navghan Kuvo. There are two other water bodies or Baolis known as Adi Chadi.
The Jami Masjid is the mosque inside the fort. Then there is the tomb of Nuri Shah. The Nilan canon was once brought to Diu from Egypt, to fight the Portuguese, being and manufactured on the orders of Suleyman the Magnificent of Turkey.
The Babi Nawabs who ruled Junagadh constructed several interesting buildings which give Junagadh a unique character. The Aina Mahal Circle chowk with a clock tower, Dewan Chowk, the Bahauddin college, Manorayan Guest House etc are all located in the streets and squares around Durbar Hall Museum.
The Durbar Hall Museum has a display of armour, silver chains, chandeliers, howdahs and palanquins. There is a huge carpet which was woven in the Junagadh Jail. See the portrait gallery of the various Nawabs especially the last one who was passionate about his several dogs. The Mahabat Maqbara is the mausoleum of a Nawab of Junagadh with silver doors and minarets encircled by spiral stairways; a jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture.
There are 14 rock edicts of the Emperor Ashoka (257-56BC) inscribed in Pali script on a huge stone. You come upon them on the way to the Girnar Hill Temples Begin your climb up Girnar (10,000 stone steps) early in the morning. If you get tired stop at a tea stall and get refreshed. The view gets better the higher you climb this temple topped hill. Most of the temples are of the Jain faith though there are a few Hindu Temples also. The Bhavnath Fair is held in the month of Magh a (January/February) when thousands visit the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple at the foot of Girnar Hill. The first fair was said to have been organized by Lord Krishna himself, to honor Arjuna of Mahabharat fame. Lots of Nagas (naked sadhus) come to the temple Folk dances and music can be enjoyed late into the night.
Junagadh is a also great take off point for the Gir National Park the only home of the Asiatic Lion in the country.