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.
Where Gujarati bhakti poetry began
The poet-saint’s shrine.
Narsinh Mehta, the fifteenth-century poet-saint called the Adi Kavi — the first poet of Gujarati — lived and sang in Junagadh.
This choro, an open gathering platform in the old city, is where tradition places his bhajan sessions.
His hymn 'Vaishnav Jan To' became, five centuries later, an anthem of compassion for the whole country.
The site is now both a shrine and a piece of Gujarati literary history, revered on both counts.
Reasons to make the time
Adi Kavi
Narsinh Mehta stands at the head of Gujarati literature — the language's devotional poetry begins with him.
Bhajan gatherings
The choro is the saint's own gathering place, kept as a shrine in the lanes of the old city.
'Vaishnav Jan To'
'Vaishnav Jan To' was Gandhi's favourite bhajan, sung at his prayer meetings throughout the freedom movement.
Bhakti heritage
His legacy runs through Gujarat's bhakti tradition — the santvani singing of Saurashtra descends from him.
Old shrine
The hall holds the saint's image, and worship here is continuous if modest.
Living devotion
Music and faith are inseparable at this site; bhajan sessions still happen, and they are the best time to come.
What to look for inside
THE SITEThe choro
The saint's gathering place in Junagadh's old city.
THE SHRINEThe saint's image
A devotional hall where worship continues.
How to spend an hour or two
See the choro
Find the choro in the old city lanes — the platform where Narsinh Mehta gathered his listeners.
Learn of Narsinh Mehta
Learn who the Adi Kavi was; Gujarati poetry and Saurashtra's singing tradition both begin here.
Recall 'Vaishnav Jan'
Recall 'Vaishnav Jan To' — the bhajan defines the man, and Gandhi carried it to the world.
Sense the bhakti
Take in the devotional heritage: this is a living bhakti site, not a literary memorial.
Hear bhajans
Come when bhajans are sung, if you can; the site makes full sense only with music in it.
Pair with the old city
Walk on through Junagadh's old lanes, which reward the wandering.
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.)
This is one of many places worth seeing here — the full guide to Junagadh has the rest.
Linked to Narsinh Mehta
Site of his bhajan choro
Old shrine, hall & image
Cradle of Gujarati bhakti
When to go
October to March is the comfortable season in Junagadh, and the right time for old-city walking.
The monsoon greens Girnar above the city and the lanes are atmospheric between showers.
April to June is hot; visit in the early morning, when the shrine is quietest anyway.
⏰ 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 and hall, where photography is allowed.
Theme
The bhakti heritage of the site.
Respect
Remember it is a place of worship first.
Best light
Soft morning light in the old city.
Know before you go
More to see close by
PILGRIMAGEGirnar
~9,999 steps to cliff-top Jain & Hindu temples
FORTUparkot Fort
Ancient citadel with stepwells, caves & cannons
MONUMENTMahabat Maqbara
A fantastical Indo-Islamic royal mausoleum
FESTIVALBhavnath Mahadev
Shiva temple & the great Maha Shivratri fair
ANCIENTAdi Kadi Vav
A rock-cut stepwell carved into living stone
WILDLIFESakkarbaug Zoo
India’s third-oldest zoo, home to Asiatic lions
Where to eat near Narsinh Mehta no Choro
THALIKathiyawadi Thali
Spicy Saurashtra meals.
FARSANGhughra & farsan
Fried and steamed snacks.
STREETJunagadh 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's old city where the fifteenth-century poet-saint Narsinh Mehta is held to have gathered his listeners for bhajan singing.
Who was Narsinh Mehta?
The Adi Kavi — the first poet of Gujarati — and one of the great Bhakti saints of western India. Gujarati devotional literature begins with his hymns.
What is 'Vaishnav Jan To'?
'Vaishnav Jan To', his hymn describing the true devotee as one who feels others' pain — beloved of Mahatma Gandhi, who made it an anthem of the freedom movement.
What's there to see?
An old shrine and hall on the site of the choro, holding an image of the saint, with bhajan singing still held there.
Is there an entry fee?
No, it is free and open through the day.
Where is it?
In the old city of Junagadh, within walking distance of the Uparkot approach and the city's bazaars.
How long does it take?
About thirty minutes, longer if singing is under way.
When should I visit?
October to March, folded into a Junagadh day with Uparkot, the rock edicts and Girnar.
Related places across Gujarat
Kirti Mandir
The Gaekwad family’s memorial temple
DAMSardar Sarovar Dam
A colossal dam across the Narmada river
SIDHPURBohra Havelis, Sidhpur
Pastel European-style mansions in Sidhpur
Bharuch Fort
The walls of ancient Broach — Bharuch Fort, the old hilltop citadel above the Narmada, whose…
Camp Hanuman
One of Ahmedabad’s most beloved Hanuman shrines — a long-revered temple in Shahibaug where Tuesdays and…
STEPWELLAdalaj Stepwell
A breathtaking five-storey 1499 vav
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.
Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026