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| SOMNATH, JUNAGADH, VERAVAL |
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SOMNATH
: 6
km E of Veraval. The Somnath Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage
centre, is said to have been built out of gold by Soma, the Moon God
(and subsequently in silver, wood and stone). |
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HOW TO GET THERE : |
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JUNAGADH
: at
the foothills of Mt. Girnar, is on record as far back as 250 B.C.,
the time of Emperor Asoka whose fourteen Rock Edicts can be seen
cut into a great rock outside the city. Today it is better known
for the temples on Mt. Girnar, an important place of pilgrimage
for the Jains. The 16 marble shrines can be reached after climbing
2000 steps. The oldest temple is that of Neminath, who was the 22nd
Jain Tirthanker. There is also a Muslim shrine.
PLACES OF INTEREST : Uparkot Fort : Famous in bygone time for its virtual inaccessibility, the Upar Kot or Upper Fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20m. high. An ornate entrance gateway leads to the ruins. A mosque still stand in a state of preservation. A Nilamtope (canon) was acquired by the Nawab of Junagadh from a Turkish Sultan. There are also two stepwells, Jami Masjid and Buddhist caves in the fort premises. Ashoka's Rock Edicts : On the way to Girnar, fourteen Rock Edicts of the Emperor Ashoka can be seen inscribed on a great boulder. The inscriptions carry Brahrni script in Pali language and dates back to 250 B.C. On the same rock are inscriptions in Sanskrit. Damodar Kund : A sacred tank marks the ascent to the Girnar temples. Maqbara The mausolea of the Nawabs, the traditional rulers of Junagadh. The Temples of Gimar : Girnar is one of two hills most sacred to the Jain Community of India. It rises to a height of more than 600 meters, Its five peaks crowned by 16 carved and sculptured marble shrines that adorn this famous hilltop temple city. Chorwad Beach : 66 Kms. from Junagadh and 23 Kms. from the fishing centre of Veraval, Chorwad is a delightful resort on the sunny coast of Gujarat. And an excellent road connects it to Junagadh, Girnar, the Gir Forest Sanctuary and the famous temple of Somnath.
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How to get there : Air
: The nearest airport is at Keshod, 40 Kms. which is connected
with Bombay.
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VERAVAL : Before the rise of Surat, Veraval was the major seaport for pilgrims to Mecca. Its is importance now is as a fishing port. Sea going dhows and fishing boats are still being built by the sea without the use of any instruments other than a tape-measure. Tradional skills are passed down from father to son. It is a for visiting the Hindu pilgrimage centre of' Somnath at Prabhas Eatan. |
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| Jetair Tours Pvt. Ltd. Last modified: 26/02/2004 |
In keeping with the legend the stone facade appears golden at sunset.
Mahmud of Ghazni plundered it and removed the gates in 1024. Destroyed
by successive Muslim invaders, it was rebuilt each time on the same
spot. The final reconstruction did not take place until 1950 and is
still going on. Unfortunately, it lacks character but it has been
built to traditional patterns with a strong 50 m high tower that rises
in clusters. Dedicated to Siva, it has one on the 12 sacred jyotirlingas.
