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HERITAGE · POET-SAINT · BHAKTINarsinh Mehta no Choro
The poet-saint's gathering place — Narsinh Mehta no Choro in Junagadh, where the great 15th-century Bhakti poet held his prayer gatherings, a cradle of Gujarati devotional verse.
Cradle of Gujarati bhakti
In the heart of old Junagadh lies Narsinh Mehta no Choro, a modest but deeply revered spot associated with Narsinh Mehta (c. 15th century), the ‘Adi Kavi’ (first poet) of Gujarati literature and one of the greatest saints of the Bhakti movement.
It was here, by tradition, that the poet-saint gathered with fellow devotees to sing bhajans and hold his prayer assemblies — a choro meaning a gathering place. Narsinh Mehta is loved across India as the composer of ‘Vaishnav Jan To’, the bhajan that became Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite and an anthem of compassion.
The choro, with its old shrine, hall and image of the saint, is a peaceful place of pilgrimage for lovers of devotional music and Gujarati culture, keeping alive the memory of a man whose verses still move millions. (An active devotional site; visit respectfully.)
Narsinh Mehta no Choro.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
The poet-saint’s shrine.
Narsinh Mehta, the Adi Kavi, lives and sings here.
His bhajan gatherings are held at this spot.
His bhajan becomes a national anthem of compassion.
A revered devotional and cultural site.
Reasons to make the time
Adi Kavi
First poet of Gujarati.
Bhajan gatherings
The saint's choro.
'Vaishnav Jan To'
Gandhi's favourite bhajan.
Bhakti heritage
A great saint's legacy.
Old shrine
Image and hall.
Living devotion
Music and faith.
What to look for inside
The choro
The gathering place.
Saint's image
A devotional hall.
How to spend an hour or two
See the choro
The gathering spot.
Learn of Narsinh Mehta
The Adi Kavi.
Recall 'Vaishnav Jan'
His famous bhajan.
Sense the bhakti
Devotional heritage.
Hear bhajans
If sung there.
Pair with the old city
Junagadh's lanes.
Narsinh Mehta no Choro.
A shrine of song
Narsinh Mehta no Choro is a modest devotional site in old Junagadh — an old shrine, hall and image marking the spot where the 15th-century poet-saint held his bhajan gatherings.
Its significance is cultural and spiritual rather than architectural: a cradle of Gujarati devotional verse and the memory of the composer of ‘Vaishnav Jan To’. (An active devotional site; visit respectfully.)
Linked to Narsinh Mehta
Site of his bhajan choro
Old shrine, hall & image
Cradle of Gujarati bhakti
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Pair the choro with a walk through Junagadh's old city; visit quietly and, if you can, when bhajans are sung.
Timings & entry
- Open daytime for darshan
- A quiet devotional site
- Be respectful of worship
- A short visit
- No entry fee
- Be quiet and respectful
- Photography may be limited
- Pair with the old city
Getting there
By Air
Keshod / Rajkot airports.
By Rail
Junagadh station.
By Road
In Junagadh old city.
At the choro
FAITH & SONG
A poet-saint's shrine
What to shoot
The shrine (where allowed).
Theme
Bhakti heritage.
Respect
A place of worship.
Best light
Soft morning light.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Dattatreya Temple
The first Jyotirlinga, a short drive south
Datar Hill
A hilltop Sufi shrine with sweeping valley views
Girnar Jain Temples
Marble temple cluster high on the mountain
Asiatic Lion
◐ Gir / Sakkarbaug
Adi Kadi Vav
A rock-cut stepwell carved into living stone
Gir National Park
The last refuge of the Asiatic lion (nearby)
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiyawadi Thali
Spicy Saurashtra meals.
Ghughra & farsan
Fried and steamed snacks.
Junagadh chaat
Lively bazaar snacks.
Kesar mangoes
Famous Girnar-region Kesar mango & farsan.
Narsinh Mehta no Choro FAQ
What is Narsinh Mehta no Choro?
A revered site in Junagadh where the 15th-century poet-saint Narsinh Mehta held his bhajan gatherings.
Who was Narsinh Mehta?
The 'Adi Kavi' (first poet) of Gujarati and a great Bhakti saint.
What is 'Vaishnav Jan To'?
His famous bhajan, beloved of Mahatma Gandhi, an anthem of compassion.
What's there to see?
An old shrine, hall and image of the saint.
Is there an entry fee?
No, it's free.
Where is it?
In Junagadh's old city.
How long does it take?
About thirty minutes.
When should I visit?
October to March.
Related places across Gujarat
Gadhada Gopinath
Swaminarayan's sandstone temple at Gadhpur
Seasonal Flats
Flamingos, cranes & gazelle at the Rann's edge
Amba Mata Temple
Hindu shrines crowning Girnar's summits
Hatkeshwar Mahadev
A hill Shiva shrine above Saputara
Khijadiya Birds
◐ Winter · flamingos
Savarkundla
Famed for its weights & scales craft
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