A hill of shared faith
Facing Girnar across Junagadh rises Datar Hill (Datar Parvat), crowned by the dargah of the Sufi saint Jamiyal Shah Datar. For centuries the shrine has been a striking example of Gujarat’s syncretic faith — revered by Muslims and Hindus alike, who climb its roughly two thousand steps (a ropeway now also serves the hill) to seek the saint’s blessings.
November to February is the season for the climb, and weekday mornings give the hill at its emptiest and most contemplative.
The Urs of the saint brings the hill its great annual gathering, qawwali and offerings running through the days; ordinary mornings keep the dargah quiet enough to hear the wind. Wear modest dress, cover the head at the shrine as others do, and carry water for the steps — the two thousand of them are honest work, and the tea stalls thin out beyond halfway.
Datar Hill distils Junagadh’s shared religious grain: Jamiyal Shah Datar’s dargah draws Hindu and Muslim pilgrims equally — ‘Datar’ means the giver, and the giving is understood to ignore the communal line. The climb faces Girnar across the valley, so the panoramas take in the temple mountain, Uparkot and the whole city; the shrine’s relative quiet, against Girnar’s crowds, is its own reward.
The summit offers a tranquil shrine wrapped in green flags and incense, and panoramic views back across the city to the soaring peaks of Girnar opposite. Pilgrims of both faiths share the climb, the prayers and the langar (community meal), in a quietly moving display of harmony.
Less crowded than Girnar itself, Datar is a gentler but deeply atmospheric pilgrimage — a place where two great traditions meet on one quiet hilltop.
The Datar dargah hill.
A hill climbed by Hindus and Muslims alike
A Sufi hilltop shrine.
Jamiyal Shah Datar, a revered Sufi, is enshrined on the hill.
Hindus and Muslims alike come to seek blessings.
Some 2,000 steps lead up the Datar Parvat.
A ropeway now also serves the hilltop shrine.
Reasons to make the time
Sufi dargah
The shrine of Jamiyal Shah Datar.
Shared faith
Hindus and Muslims worship together.
The climb
~2,000 steps up the hill.
Ropeway
An easier ride to the top.
Girnar views
The great mountain opposite.
Peaceful
Quieter than Girnar itself.
What to look for inside
THE DARGAHHilltop shrine
The saint's resting place.
THE VIEWFacing Girnar
Panoramas over the city.
How to spend an hour or two
Climb or ride
Take the two thousand steps, or the ropeway to the top.
Visit the dargah
Pay respects at the saint's hilltop shrine.
See the harmony
See both faiths worshipping side by side, as they always have.
Share the langar
Join the community meal when it is offered.
Soak the views
Face Girnar rising directly opposite, the great mountain's best view.
Go early
Start early to beat the heat and the weekend crowds.
A dargah on the hill.
A shrine crowning the parvat
Datar Hill is a natural rise crowned by the modest dargah of Jamiyal Shah Datar — a shrine hung with green flags and busy with incense and prayer, reached by a long stairway (and now a ropeway) up the hillside.
Like many pilgrim hills, its architecture is simple and its power lies in setting and spirit: the climb, the summit views toward Girnar, and above all the shared devotion of Hindu and Muslim pilgrims who make their way up together.
It sits within Junagadh district — browse more places to visit in Junagadh.
It is one of many — our guide to the hill country of Gujarat covers the rest.
Hilltop Sufi dargah
~2,000-step stairway
Ropeway to the summit
Views toward Girnar
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season for the climb.
Green and misty; steps can be slippery.
Hot — climb before dawn with water.
⏰ Climb early in winter, carry water, and take in the Girnar views from the top; dress respectfully at the dargah.
Timings & entry
- Reached by ~2,000 steps or ropeway
- Climb early to beat heat and crowds
- Carry water for the ascent
- Dress respectfully at the shrine
- No entry fee at the dargah
- The ropeway is ticketed
- Cover your head at the shrine
- Be respectful of all worshippers
Getting there
By Air
Keshod Airport (~45 km) is nearest.
By Rail
Junagadh, then road to the Datar base.
By Road
On the Junagadh side facing Girnar.
On the hill
FLAGS & VIEW
A shared shrine facing Girnar
What to shoot
The dargah and its green flags.
Vista
Girnar rising across the city.
The climb
Pilgrims on the long stairway.
Be discreet
Respect worshippers and rites.
Know before you go
More to see close by
CAVESKhapra Kodiya Caves
Buddhist rock-cut monastic caves
FESTIVALBhavnath Mahadev
Shiva temple & the great Maha Shivratri fair
FORTUparkot Fort
Ancient citadel with stepwells, caves & cannons
Jama Masjid, Uparkot
A pillared mosque within the old fort
PILGRIMAGEGirnar
~9,999 steps to cliff-top Jain & Hindu temples
Amba Mata Temple
Hindu shrines crowning Girnar’s summits
Where to eat near Datar Hill
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
SNACKSGanthiya & farsan
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
STREET FOODChaat & kachori
Bustling old-city bazaar bites.
Kesar mangoes
Junagadh's Girnar-grown Kesar mango is famed (summer).
Datar Hill FAQ
What is Datar Hill?
A hill near Junagadh crowned by the Sufi dargah of Jamiyal Shah Datar, facing Girnar.
Why is it special?
It is revered by both Hindus and Muslims — a symbol of shared faith.
How do I reach the top?
By about 2,000 steps, or a ropeway.
Is there an entry fee?
No fee at the dargah; the ropeway is ticketed.
When should I go?
Winter, climbing early in the day.
What should I wear?
Modest clothing; cover your head at the shrine.
Is it as crowded as Girnar?
No — it's generally quieter and gentler.
What's the view like?
Panoramic, with Girnar rising opposite across the city.
Related places across Gujarat
Idar Jain Derasar
Hilltop Jain shrines above the town
LANDMARKKirti Stambh
A soaring tower beside Ambaji
PILGRIMGabbar Hill
The Goddess’s original seat, with a ropeway
Ranchhodji Temple
A beloved Krishna shrine
3Vijaynagar Jain Ruins
Silent medieval temples deep in the woods
6Indian Wild Ass
Flamingos and waders on the Rann’s quiet edge
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026