A mountain older than the Himalayas
Rising abruptly from the plains beside Junagadh, Girnar is among the most sacred and dramatic mountains in India — an ancient volcanic massif of soaring peaks, far older than the Himalayas. For Jains and Hindus alike it is a supreme pilgrimage.
A climb of roughly nine thousand stone steps — now eased by a modern ropeway — leads past a celebrated cluster of carved Jain temples to the Amba Mata shrine, and on to the lonely peaks of Gorakhnath, Dattatreya and Kalika, each crowned with its own shrine.
The mountain blazes to life during the Girnar Parikrama and the Bhavnath Mahashivratri fair, when thousands of pilgrims and sadhus throng its slopes. Whether you climb the steps before dawn or glide up by ropeway, Girnar offers a rare blend of hard pilgrimage, soaring views and profound spiritual atmosphere.
Practicalities decide the day here: the first ropeway cars run from early morning and the queues build fast on weekends, the stepped path has tea stalls to the Jain terraces and little beyond, and everything above Amba Mata requires legs, water and a firm eye on the afternoon clock.
The mountain organises itself in stages. The stepped path leaves from Bhavnath at the base; some 3,800 steps reach the Jain temple terraces; around 5,000 reach Amba Mata, where the ropeway also lands; and the further peaks — Gorakhnath, the highest in Gujarat, and Dattatreya beyond — belong to committed climbers with daylight in hand. Each stage is a complete pilgrimage in itself, and most visitors choose their summit honestly.
The mountain’s calendar peaks twice: the Bhavnath Mahashivratri mela at the base each spring, when the naga sadhus gather, and the Girnar parikrama each Kartik, when lakhs circle the massif over five days. Time a visit to either and the mountain shows its full devotional voltage; come midweek otherwise and the stairway belongs to the langurs and the morning’s few climbers.
The Girnar ropeway up the massif.
Nine thousand steps up a mountain older than the Himalayas
The volcanic peaks of Girnar.
Girnar's volcanic peaks predate the Himalayas by aeons.
It becomes a supreme pilgrimage for Jains and Hindus.
Some 9,000 stone steps are built up the mountain.
A modern ropeway opens to the Amba Mata level.
Reasons to make the time
Sacred peaks
Five holy summits carry the mountain's shrines between them.
9,000 steps
The stepped climb is one of India's legendary pilgrimages.
Ropeway
The ropeway glides to the Amba Mata level in minutes.
Jain temples
The carved Jain cluster waits on the first great terrace.
Soaring views
From the heights, Saurashtra spreads to the horizon.
Pilgrim fairs
The parikrama and Bhavnath melas ring the mountain's year.
What to look for inside
THE MOUNTAINGirnar peaks
The soaring volcanic massif.
THE ROPEWAYCable car
A swift ride up the slope.
How to spend an hour or two
Start before dawn
Start before dawn to beat both the heat and the crowds.
Climb or ride
Choose the steps for the pilgrimage or the ropeway for the summit hours.
See the Jain temples
Visit the carved Jain temple cluster on the great terrace.
Reach Amba Mata
Bow at the Amba Mata shrine, the ropeway's landing goal.
Push to the peaks
Continue to Dattatreya's peak if legs and daylight allow.
Soak the views
Look out over the plains and Junagadh spread below.
A massif of soaring summits.
Five peaks, many shrines
Girnar is a cluster of five main peaks rising over a thousand metres, their slopes laced with the great stone stairway and dotted with temples. The first major plateau holds the famous group of intricately carved Jain temples; higher up stand the shrines of Amba Mata, Gorakhnath (the highest), Dattatreya and Kalika.
The modern ropeway now lifts visitors from the base to the Amba Mata level, transforming access while the ancient steps remain for those who come to climb as an act of devotion.
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Junagadh travel guide.
There is a longer write-up in our Junagadh and Girnar guide.
Five soaring peaks
~9,000-step stairway
Carved Jain temple cluster
Modern ropeway to Amba Mata
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal for Girnar climbs and sightseeing.
Girnar turns lush green; waterfalls and mist abound.
Hot — climb before dawn; Kesar mangoes are in season.
⏰ Climb (or ride) before dawn in winter; carry water and warm layers, and allow a full day for the peaks.
Timings & entry
- Start very early to beat heat and crowds
- Ropeway runs daytime hours
- Carry water, snacks and warm layers
- Allow a full day for the upper peaks
- Climbing the steps is free
- The ropeway is ticketed (to Amba Mata)
- Wear good shoes for the climb
- Respect shrine customs and queues
Getting there
By Air
Keshod Airport (~45 km); Rajkot alternative.
By Rail
Junagadh station, then road to the base.
By Road
The base (Bhavnath/Girnar Taleti) is ~5 km from the city.
On the mountain
PEAK & STEP
Soaring summits and a sea of steps
Best light
Sunrise from the steps or ropeway.
What to shoot
The peaks and the stairway.
Detail
The carved Jain temples.
Motion
The ropeway gliding up the slope.
Know before you go
More to see close by
NATUREWillingdon Dam
A scenic reservoir beneath Girnar’s peaks
ARCHITECTUREUparkot Buddhist Caves
A pillared mosque within the old fort
SACREDDurbar Hall Museum
A holy bathing tank at the foot of Girnar
FORTUparkot Fort
Ancient citadel with stepwells, caves & cannons
Old City Gates
◐ Bazaars & bustle
PILGRIMAGEGirnar Parikrama
A 36 km circumambulation through the forest
Where to eat near Girnar
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).
Girnar FAQ
What is Girnar?
A sacred volcanic mountain beside Junagadh, with five peaks and Jain and Hindu shrines.
How many steps are there?
Roughly 9,000 stone steps to the upper shrines.
Is there a ropeway?
Yes — a modern ropeway lifts visitors to the Amba Mata level.
How high is it?
Its highest peak, Gorakhnath, is about 1,031 m.
When is the best time?
Winter, starting before dawn.
What shrines are on top?
Jain temples, Amba Mata, Gorakhnath, Dattatreya and Kalika.
How long does it take?
A full day, more if you climb the steps.
What should I carry?
Water, snacks, good shoes and warm layers.
Related places across Gujarat
RIVERMahi River
The broad, sacred river of the district
Koteshwar Mahadev
Neighbourhood shrines across the city
WETLANDGavier Lake & Tapi
Birdlife along the river and city lakes
Shatrunjaya Summit
◐ Dawn · the temple-city
FORTParnera Hill & Fort
A hilltop fort with sweeping views
Road to Heaven
Hilltop shrine famed for feeding jackals
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