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Climbing the Great Girnar – Part 1 |
Girnar Mountain :- The Highest Peak in Gujarat,The Ultimate Experience.
The Great Mount Girnar
Girnar Mountain :- can you see temples at the top ?????
1st January 2012 :- It was new year and I was supposed to climb the great Girnar (9999 large steps).There was lot of excitement when inquired about the climb many said it would take around 10 hours to reach Lord Dattatreya temple and come back. According to plan we were about to wake at 5.00 am and start our climb at 6.00 am. But as usual we got delayed as we were tired with train journey and sight seeing of Junagadh previous day. Also after climbing up and down the Girnar we were going to have our feet and legs paining . Our goal was to reach Lord Dattatreya temple which was farthest from the ground point ( 9999 steps). First place to come while climbing was Jain temples and then Amba Mata temple and then climb down a lit bit and up again to Guru Gorakhnath Temple and again downwards and upwards to Lord Dattatreya and back……………………
First of all let me describe about Girnar Mountain and its relevance.
Girnar Mountain Jungadh :- Girnar is collection of mountains to the 5 kms to the east of Junagadh. It is a holy pilgrimage for both Hindus and Jains. In these collection of mountains there are lot of temples belonging to Hindu and Jain religion. There is also a hill nearby about ( 3500 feets ) 2,779 feet high stepway is built for going up shrine of Jamiyalshah Dataar. Both Hindus and Muslims share the same faith in this shrine.Also Apart from this there is a mosque also which also attracts Muslim pilgrims making it a perfect example of diversity.
Girnar has basically five peaks namely Ambaji, Gorakhnath, Guru Dattatraya, Oghad Ansuya and Kalka.First halt is at about 4500 steps and 3100 feet at Jain temples. And Then at 5000 steps come Amba Mata Temple. Then comes Gorakhanath Peak 3666 ( 6000 steps) feet which is highest point in Gujarat state. Then after climbing 2000 steps downwards and again that 2000 steps upwards comes Lord Dattatreya (little lower than Guru Gorakhnath) temple having his footprints ( padukas) inscribed (9999 steps). Finally the Devi Kalika peak which has very difficult approach and has no step way, but worth watching.
Totally there are about 9999 steps to and fro from Girnar Taleti ( foothills of Girnar Mountain) to Lord Dattatreya Temple.
Its area is around 70 miles and circumambulation is around 40 kms. Many saints and pilgrims come here 5 days during Diwali for circumambulation of these great mountains. Climbing of this mountain and taking darshan is daily regular activity. Naga Sadhus from Himalayas come here to celebrate Mahashivaratri here in Bhavnath Shiva Temple. So one can understand its significance.
There are many ashrams of lot of great sadhgurus near Girnar Taleti . Pilgrims not only from India but also from all parts of world come to have darshan of these deities on Girnar mountain. So Satsang , Kathas and Bhajans are in daily activities . When I was here Shree Rameshbhai Oza was starting Shree Bhagvat Gyana Yagna ( Bhagvat Katha) on 1st January for seven days.
We were seven people in Total Myself, Sonali ( my wife ) , Aarya ( my daughter) , Sameer ( Sonali’s Brother) , Anamika ( Sonali’s Sister) ,, Father in law and Mother in Law.
Previously we had planned that four of us myself , Sonali, Sameer and my father in law would climb as it was not my my mother in law’s cup of tea. But Last minute she insisted that she will also come in Doli. Many Local people came to us and said that they take my daughter Aarya also up in their shoulders for around 800rs . But we didnt want to risk the health of her. And also after seeing the doli my mother in law decided not to go.The doli is much uncomfortable with only two people carrying rather than the ones in Vaishno devi which are quite comfortable.
Before climbing up we had typical gujarati Naasta Faafdaa , jalebi , mirchi and chai…………………
Faafdaas Jalebi and Chai – Complete Gujarati Naastaa
At the foothills of Girnar when we are just about to begin the climb , there are Lord Hanuman, Mata Amba ans Lord Dattatreya Temples.
Shree Hanuman Jee
Amba Mata jee
Lord Dattatreya
We started our climb after having as usual Chai and faafdaas at 9.00 am. I thought that this was going to be easy not that much tough as people were telling . I just thought that they were making too much hype.
We started at foothills with Darshan of Shree Hanumanjee, Amba Mata and Lord Dattatreya at foothills on the start of the climb.After having darshan the actual climb started.
Lot of Langurs can be seen all the way on the mountain.
Dataar hills – Shrine of Jamiyalshah Dataar where Hindus and Muslims share same faith – 3500 steps
Dataar Hills :- 2,779 feet high stepway is built for going up shrine of Jamiyalshah DatarDatar Hills is one of the Village in Junagadh Taluk in Junagadh District in Gujarat State . Dataar Hills is 2.1 km far from its District Main City Junagadh
Myself – Behind me Dataar Hills.
After 200 steps itself I started breathing hard. I thought its ok . At 400 steps cold wind started blowing cold and my breaths were larger. I started my ‘ॐ नमः शिवाय ’ Mantra. Oh God its going to be tough.
At 800 steps Sonali told me that lets go down because we had to got to Somnath and Dwarka in the remaining tour.But I insisted Lord will take us up there for darshan , no problem.
Here at 800 steps Sonali and Sameer hired walking sticks for 30 rupees which was very useful……………
Myself and Sonali – Can you look at my facial expressions , exhausted and gone. not even 2000 steps.
ॐ नमः शिवाय , ॐ नमः शिवाय ,ॐ नमः शिवाय ………………………………..
mantra was going continously
2000 steps
काफी लोग यहाँ से वापिस चले जा रहे थे . और चड़ने की शक्ति नहीं बची थी…………………..
बस यही पर अम्बा मैया और भगवन दत्ता को प्रणाम करके तथा क्षमा मांग के फिर से निचे ………………………
Sonali and view while climbing
Around 2300 steps can see Girnar Taleti and Junagad behind and between those two Hills.
नमः शिवाय , नमः शिवाय , नमः शिवाय …………………………
ॐ मेरी वाणी से निकल गया क्यूंकि में बहुत थक गया था. सासे इतने जोर से चल रही थी की ॐ निकल ही नहीं रहा था.
Still no sign of any construction at 2400 steps
हे भगवन मुझे ऊपर दर्शन के लेके जा , अब मुझसे नहीं चढ़ा जा रहा है. These type of thoughts were coming to my mind.
नमः शिवाय , नमः शिवाय ,नमः शिवाय ……………………………
Girnar Taleti and Junagadh
नमः शिवाय , नमः शिवाय ,नमः शिवाय ……………………….कराहे चालू हो गयी ……...हाय.. ए…ऊ .. आ ……हे भगवन
Tired Sameer with stick
At 2600 steps :- अब “नमः शिवाय” में नमः भी निकल गया . और कराहे चालू हो गयी. शिवाय ,शिवाय ,शिवाय ………हाय.. ए…ऊ .. आ ……हे भगवन
Older people use Doli for Climbing , but very Uncomfortable.
इस डोली में या तो गर्दन को निचे की तरफ रखना पड़ता है या तो साइड से बहार निकालना पड़ता है, जैसे यह औरत ने किया है. बहुत ही uncomfortable है. और डोली को किराये पे लेने के लिए न्यूनतम २००० रुपये लगते है वोह भी केवल अम्बा माता तक. निचे आने तक पका गर्दन अक्कड़ जाएगी.
3000 steps -Number of steps are marked , so one can be aware where he is
शिवा , शिवा ,शिवा .………..अब केवल यह ही निकल रहा था और ऊह ………. हाय …………….हा हा …………………….जोर जोर से सासे बस….…………….
Some construction can be seen now.
पता है :- मिनेरल वाटर बोतल की कीमत ३० रुपये थी और प्लास्टिक वाला पानी का पौच जो एक रुपये का मिलता है नीचे वोह ५ रुपये का मिलता है चधन के वक़्त…………..
cost of mineral water is 30 rupees and mineral water pouch is 5 rupees , and you dont have any option but to buy………..
Never carry while climbing otherwise you will return down after 1000 steps……………….
Girnar taleti and Junagadh from 3000 steps
जैसे जैसे ओपर चढ़ रहे थे सीनेरी और भी अच्छी हो रही थी…………….
on the way.
At last i can see an entrance what is this ?????
यह क्या आ गया ??? कुछ तो है ………..
Doliwalas are relaxing, did we reach our first goal , yes The Jain Temples at 4500 steps
जैन मंदिर के पास जब मेरा यह हाल था , तोह डोली वालों क्या होगा . ४५०० सीडी वेह किसी को उठा के लेके आये है. थोडा आराम करते है……………………………
There are many Jain temples on Girnar Mountain, but main one was Tirthankara Neminath temple
He renounced all worldy materials and pleasures after seeing animal slaughter in his wedding and attained Nirvana here.
Tirthankara Neminath temple is one of the largest Jain temple is dedicated to the Bhagavân Neminath (श्रीनेमिनाथ), the 22nd Jain Tirthankar. There is an image of Neminath in each of the courtyard colonnade’s 70 cells. It was built during 1128 AD to 1159 AD.
The Jain temples
The Jain temples
यहाँ पर हमने थोडा आराम किया , कुछ दस मिनट , और पानी यहाँ पे आपको मुफ्त में मिलता है वोह भी रैन हार्वेस्टिंग तकनीक का. मैंने यहाँ पर चाय भी पी.चाय कटिंग का दाम १० रुपये था.
The Jain Temples :- I wonder how would have they constructed at such a height
The Height engraved on the rock at that elevation :- 3100 feet
Jain Temples when we started climbing towards Amba Mata temple
अब ऊपर चढ़ना चालू किया . फिर से ॐ नमः शिवाय का जाप चालू करके नए और रेफ्रेशेद जोश में.
Amba mata Temple not seen from here , still to go 1500 steps
अभी यहाँ से माताजी का मंदिर नहीं दिखाई दे रहा है……………..और कितना ऊपर है राम जाने………..ॐ नमः शिवाय ,ॐ नमः शिवाय ,ॐ नमः शिवाय
इसके अलावा बहुत कड़क ठंडी और तेज हवा चल रही थी जो मेरे रोमांच और थकन दोनों को बढ़ा रही थी .
In between Jain and Amba Mata Temples there was a Goumukhi Ganga temple
Even Jain temples ( 4500 steps) look minute when nearing Amba Mata temple.
जैन मंदिर , गिरनार तलेटी और जूनागढ़ तीनो एक साथ ……………………
शिवाय ,शिवाय ,शिवाय ………हाय.. ए…ऊ .. आ ……हे भगवन
At last Amba Maiya temple is reached . thank you Lord Shiva .for taking me here.
Amba Mata comes at last
Amba Mata Temple in Junagadh,is one of the very ancient temples of India. Amba Mata Temple is highly sublime pilgrimage center for the Hindus. Amba Mata Temple is said to attract more than lakhs of pilgrims from all parts of the world, throughout the year.
It is dedicated to an incarnation of the mother Goddess Ambaji. The temple is mainly visited by the newly wedded couples. They come here to acquire the blessings of the Goddess Amba Maa and secure the eternal conjugal bliss. The construction of the Amba Mata Temple of Junagadh dates back to the 12th century and it is mainly visited to attain a happy marriage. You will get a wonderful view of the down town from the Amba Mataji Temple on the Girnar Mountain.
Amba Mata temple kalash
And at last after reaching here after three hours at 12.00 noon what we found was a queue of around 200 people …..
That was required after climbing 6000 steps continously for 3 hours…………
We decided that we will go to Guru Gorakhnath Temple and Lord Dattatreya Temple first and then take darshan of Amba Mata.
But I will give my viewers darshan of Amba Mata first. ENJOY………….
Amba Mata on Girnar Parvat
My dear viewers
I have sat whole day today (31st Januaray 2012) to write this post and I am tired to write half of the journey.
Imagine what i have done when i climbed and returned Girnar on one single day………………
At the moment its bye from me . Coming soon with remaining journey of Girnar soon. Till that time.
ॐ नमः शिवाय और राम राम.
very good narration & fotos ! tell me is the Gir forest same area, where Gir-lions were found?
Yaa Gir forest is nearby only just adjoining Girnar mountains . Sometimes people say they see Lions on the foothills also . But for you to get offiical entry you have to go Sasan Gir and take permission from forest authorities to enter…………
Sasan Gir is around 60 kms from Junagadh and you get lot of buses and private vehicles to go there.
Forest officers provide permission , jeep and guide for your tour……………..
Amazing pics and explanation, keep it up Dear
Thanks Sandeep jee……………..
I am reading this article…and I am too hungry and the gujrati breakfast picture is increasing this badly.. :) good pics with great effort of writing…
thanks kostubh ……….
yaa fafdas and jalebi is very mouth watering , even i am hungry…………..
Dear Vishal,
It was a great post, the narration, the pictures……every thing was simply superb, and above all the courage, the bravery and the hard work of all of you to hit the great mountain…………..Hats off to you all.
Waiting for next part.
Hi Mukesh,
Yaar bholenaath leke gaye warna yeh karnaa mere bas ki baat nahi…………..
Impossible …………….
Anyway thanks for lovely comments……………
Vishal,
The above comment was from me and mistakenly sent by the name of Kavita. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thanks.
मजा आ गया विशाल भाई। हम तो भईया हिमालयी जन्तु हैं, तो हमें लगता है कि इस चढाई को आसानी से कर लेंगे। लेकिन एक तथ्य यह भी है कि कच्चा रास्ता चाहे कितना भी चढाई वाला हो और पक्की सीढियां चाहे कितनी भी आसान हों, सीढियां चढना हमेशा मुश्किल होता है। फिर भी, रोमांच और पुरातत्व, धार्मिकता, प्राकृतिक सुन्दरता सभी से परिपूर्ण पोस्ट। अगले भाग का इंतजार है।
नीरज जी आपके लिए तो यह बच्चो का खेल है…………..
लेकिन आपके कमेंट्स का में बहुत आदर करता हूँ…………..
धन्यवाद……..
विशाल जी बहुत ही बढ़िया पोस्ट और चित्र …. गिरनार की पहाड़ी और माँ अम्बा जी के दर्शन लाभ आपके पोस्ट और चित्र के माध्यम से हुआ….
ॐ नमः शिवाय…………..ॐ नमः शिवाय…………..ॐ नमः शिवाय…………..
धन्यवाद …..
Thanks you Ritesh ,
i am obliged………………….
ॐ नमः शिवाय…………………….
ये फाफड़ा, जलेबी पहले मुकेश भालसे जी अपनी कहानी में दिखा चुके है, पर मेरी एक बात समझ नहीं आई, कि जलेबी के साथ प्याज और हरी मिर्च का क्या मेल हुआ ??
Any reply ? Mukesh Bhalse & Rathore Sahabs ??
शांत आत्मा जी
जलेबी और फाफ्दा के साथ प्याज और हरी मिर्ची इसलिए कि मीठे के साथ तीखे का तडका यही भिन्नता इन्सान की पहचान है और आत्मा को तृप्त हो जाती है………………
आप भी इस स्वादिस्ट व्यंजन का मजा लीजिये साहब जी ……………….
9999 steps….no way. I’d give up somewhere at the 2nd step. I admire your level of faith and devotion Vishal. Very informative and well-written post. Thanks!
thanks Vibha………….
Same here! :P
very nice to see gud…………….
thanks………….
विशाल जी,
सचमुच आपकी हिम्मत तथा हौसले की दाद देनी पड़ेगी. तीर्थ यात्रा और साहस तथा रोमांच का अद्भुत संगम थी यह पोस्ट. अगले भाग के इंतज़ार में.
धन्यवाद.
यह तो भोलेनाथ और मेरी गुरु सोनाली की कृपा है की में यह सब दर्शन कर पा रहा हूँ………………………….
कमेंट्स के लिए धन्यवाद्……………….
साइलेंट साहब,
फाफडा के बिना जलेबी मजा नहीं देती, और मिर्ची के बिना फाफडा अधुरा है. यह अन्दर की बात है…………… और मैं तो यह सजेस्ट करूँगा की आप भी एक बार इस काम्बिनेशन का मजा लेकर देख ही लो.
धन्यवाद.
OMG! 9999 steps!!!!!! I don’t think I’ll be able to climb them in any case! Anyways, a very good post supported with equally good pics. :)
thanks Naman……..
Good post. My legs started trembling just reading this much steps.
thanks pradeep jee
still more to go……………….
शुभकामना विशाल भाई, अब इतनी मेहनत करने के बाद आपको जो नजारे दिखाई दिये होंगे उस एक पल को सारी थकावट भूल गये होंगे, वैसे सोनाली व आप पहाड चढने में काफ़ी मेहनत कर रहे हो अगर आपको मौका लगे तो श्रीखण्ड महादेव भी घूम आये जीवन भर याद करोगे।
हाँ थकन तो थोड़ी देर के लिए दूर तो हो गयी थी. और श्रीखंड महादेव का पोस्ट थोडा सा मैंने पढ़ा था. भोलेनाथ महादेव अगर बुलाएँगे तो वहाँ भी चले जायेंगे.
Hi Vishal,
Great narrative about the sacred Girnar hill. It is amazing that so many people undertake this pilgrimage, undaunted at the prospect of climbing thousands of steps to visit those remote shrines.
Spare a thought for the doli bearers, too. Must definitely be one of the toughest ways to make a living!
Thank you DL
About Doli bearers :- See there are two ways to look at it DL………………..
1 ) As far as climbing the hill with doli with a person is definately tough and a great hardship .But they are there to do this only 365 days. By lot of sheer practice and experience they easily do it.
2 ) Secondly there are thousands pilgrims everyday who climb Girnar and Lakhs on festival days. The Rate to go to Amba mata temple is at least 3000 rs and two people carry the devotee. So atleast they earn Rs. 1500 /day . Even if they earn for 20 days their earnings go to Rs. 30000 / month which is fabulous as far as Junagadh city is concerned. I am not anyway meaning to offend them . But if you consider cost of living its very cheap in Jungadh………….
Just for e.g. Cost of drinking Coconut water in Junagadh is just 4 Rupees whereas in Mumbai at my place is Rs. 35. At Kanyakumari and Rameswaram was 25. At Ahmedabad its 20 – 25 . so its lot of money they make………………….
Good show Vishal, Sonali, Sameer and team. I think it needs a lot of mental toughness apart from the physical endurance.
No one has asked this question, though Neeraj touched upon it, so let me ask. Is there a non-stair way to reach on top ? Also, how much do you gain in terms of Altitiude from the Talheti to Goraknath peak ?
India’s first ropeway started at Pavagadh a shaktipeeth in Gujarat ……….
And now as far as Gujarat Govt (Narendra Modi) is concerned it is doing a lot to promote tourism and provide modern ammenities.
And it is in the plan not only ropeway but a climbing train specially designed for mountains with international technology. But locals are opposing strongly.
Please go through the link below
http://girasiaticlion.blogspot.in/2011/11/cec-visits-proposed-girnar-ropeway.html
But if ropeway starts then the real enjoyment to climb girnar will vanish…………..
And altitude wise it is 3666 feet…………..
No, Altitude is more than that. It is at least 5500 feet
I want to clarify that an altitude of more than 5500 feet is required scaled to reach and come back from Guru Dattatreya Mandir
Vishal … ur description of the mountain ranges together with their altitude was an eye opener …. Before reading this post i had a notion that Gujarat is all great plains and no hills …………………
You are truly an Asiatic Lion .climbing 9999 steps ……… Kudos …. Lovely post
Thanks Giriraj for your lovely comments……………..
But its not only me but there are lot of people who climb these 9999 steps…………………….
Only two things are required for this . Will and Lord’s help , you can climb it………………..
Again awesome description,,
Thanks Akash once again………..
Dear Vishal,well done!, thank you for posting and sharing your pilgrimage! its very awe inspiring.
keep up good work.
मालाकमंडलुरधः करपद्मयुग्मे, मध्यस्थ पाणियुगुले डमरूत्रिशूले
यस्यस्त उर्ध्वकरयोः शुभशंखचक्रे वंदे तमत्रिवरदं भुजषटकयुक्तम
Dear Vishal,
This is an awesome description of the great journey to Girnar. I am also planning to undertake the pilgrimage in December, 2012. Your post is very detailed and inspiring…Thanks so much for the effort, which surely would benefit travellers like me.
Thanks Ravi for going through the post and appreciation. All the best for your journey.
Hi Vishal,
Your description helped us really really more and we have visited the girnar on 18th August, 2012. You have depicted the girnar picture as real as it. I am personally very much thankful for this type of clear depiction. This will help travelers on this path. There is no such details in net also.
Once again thanks for the work….
Hi Selvam ,
My work of writing the post is done. It has helped you. Greatly obliged by you and thanks for appreciation.
I just returned yesterday from Girnar. I started to climb the hill at 3.30 AM and reached Dattatreya temple at 8.00 AM. The climb is really tiring. However, whenever, I was tired, I just chanted the jaap of Lord Dattatreya and it filled me with all energy that is required to climb. One word of caution is that you should start climbing very early in the morning so that you reach the Dattatreya temple before the sun rises well above our head. But even after having a tiresome visit, I have decided that I will visit the temple at least once in a year.
Yes when everything fails , lord’s name fills lot of energy. And your things are done .
Hi Vishal,
Great narrative about the sacred Girnar hill, while reading & looking at pics feel like i myself is walking all those step & getting experience. This will help travelers on this path, & would like to request to narrate the entire journey till Dattatray mandir.
thanks for the great job done.
Hi Vishaljee,
Thank you very much for your postings and arranging them in such a simplest way, thank once again, for the whole yatra darshan which make mi clim the girnar & take Lord Dattatreya’s Darshan mentally.
My wish is thr to climb Girnar & take Lord Dattatreya’s darshan, now lets see when will maharaj calls mi & fullfill my wish.
Thank you soo much :)
May Lord fulfill your wish asap by calling you at Girnar.
Thanks a lot for going through and it was my pleasure for sharing things with you.
Dear Vishal,
Many thanks for your valuable info.
We are planning to visit Girnar Datta Temple in first week of MAY. Can you provide us local contacts…..
Regards.
Mahendra Gaushal,
Beed (MS)