Located at the foothills of the Girnar Hills, the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is one of the foremost Holy Places in Junagadh.
About Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is the main attraction and most sacred place at Girnar Taleti – the foot of Girnar from where the devotee starts and completes the Lili Parikrama of Girnar Hill. As per the Prabhash Khand of Skand Purana, this spontaneous Bhavnath temple and Mrugi Kund is the highest spiritual and historical place at Girnar Talati. Maha Shivratri and Lili Parikrama are the two main festivals observed here at Bhavnath temple.
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple History
The Bhavnath Mahadev temple is a shrine ensconced in myths and legends of the Puranic era, at the base of Mount Girnar in Bhavnath village. The Shiva ling here is said to have emerged of its own divine intention. Reportedly, when Shiva and Parvati were traveling over the Girnar Hills their divine garment fell over the present Mrigi Kund, making this place an auspicious site for Lord Shiva worshipers. Even today, the naga bavas [Naked sadhus] bathe in the holy Mrigi Kund before joining the Mahashivaratri procession. The fair itself is so ancient that its precise origins are unknown.
The temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and it is believed that the Shiva Lingam present here was born out of the divine intention of making this place, a place of worship of Lord Shiva.
Festivals Celebrated At Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
Maha Shivaratri
Every year at the time of Maha Shivaratri in the month of February or March, the temple witnesses a festive mood wherein devotees enthusiastically worship Lord Shiva and take his blessings. As per the Hindu religion, at the midnight of the day of Maha Shivaratri, the place gets decorated and the Naga Sadhus take a holy dip into the Mrugi Kund which is believed to be, their way of offering prayer to Lord Shiva. These Naga sadhus belong to the Dashanami Sampradaya.
People of the Hindu religion believe that Lord Shiva on this day comes to visit the temple and watch his devotees. Before the puja gets started devotees go around visiting the Girnar hills and many pilgrims from Gujarat, Kutch and Mewar visit the temple. Sellers from Mathura and Ayodhya sell sacred statues and rosaries which attract not only tourists from India but also from other parts of the world.
The Naga Sadhu performs Hatha Yoga which should not be missed during the visit. During the time, the whole place gets filled with auspicious music, tungis and turis, and the Naga Sadhus sitting on to their elephants, holding in their hands the religious flags of the Hindu culture reach the temple, which is followed by a palanquin laden with an embellished statue of Lord Dattatreya reaching to the temple.
Ravadi at Girnar Shivratri Mela
Hundreds of naked Hindu saints walk from Bhavnath Mandir to Mrigi Kund where they have a bath at the midnight.
There are lakes of pilgrims, visitors, tourists present to see this March which is very similar to Kumbh Mela.
The only difference between Kumbh Mela March and Ravadi March at Girnar Shivratri Mela is that it takes place at Midnight.
Grand mahapuja on Mahashivratri at Girnar Shivratri Fair.
On the day of Mahashivratri, there is Mahapuja at Bhavnath Temple. The pilgrims take a 7-meter long parikrama of the holy hills of Girnar before going to the fair.
On the day of MahaShivratri, Shiva comes to the Bhavnath Temple to bless the devotees. The nine immortals and 81 Siddhas have their home at Bhavnath Temple. These nine immortals and 81 Siddhas come to visit the Bhavnath Temple during MahaShivratri. So for this Mahashivratri, you cannot be planning a visit to the Bhvnath Shivratri Fair.
Girnar Lili Parikrama
In the Karthik month of the Hindu calendar which generally falls in the month of October-November, a day after Vijayadashami for a period of five days concluding on the full-moon day, ” Girnar Lili Parikrama” is held after hoisting of Dhaja on Bhavnath temple. The parikrama or circular travel on foot covers a distance of about 36 km around the Girnar Mountains, through the wilderness of reserve forest area and rugged terrain along with several ancient temples and other sacred places – it goes from Bhavnath Temple to Jina Bawa Ni Madhi, Hanuman Dhara, Malvela, Bordevi and return to Bhavnath Temple. It is compared to the Lili Parikrama of Govardhan mountain in Vraj [vrindavan].
Parikrama is believed to be pious because it is believed that Lord Dattatrey himself descends down to Earth and stays here these five days to bless his devotees. For nature lovers, it is an excursion that brings one in direct contact with nature and nature’s hidden treasure.
The Bhavanath Mela
The Bhavnath Mela is a five-day event that culminates on Maha Shivratri’s night with worshipping Lord Shiva. The Mela on the night of Shivratri consists of processions of sages decked up in ornaments and some seated on Elephants to the sound of rhythmic instruments such as tungis, conch shells, and turis. Scores of pilgrims, visitors, and tourists flock to watch the March as the size of the event is similar to the Kumbh Mela, except it takes place at night. The night’s highlight is the procession of the Nagas, where hundreds of naked Sadhus and Sadhvis march in the parades.
Many show off feats of physical strength and endurance that seem supernatural even to the most skeptical observers. Towards the end of the processions is a holy bath of the sadhus in the Mrigi Kund within the compound of the temple.
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple Darshan Timings
Timings: 6.30 AM – 7 PM
Best Time To Visit At Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
In the month of October-November during the period of five days concluding on the full-moon day of Kartik Month ‘Parikrama’ is held after hoisting of Dhaja on this temple.
Maha Shivaratri
Girnar Lili Parikrama
The Bhavanath Mela
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple Address
Address: Bhavnath Mahadev, Taleti, Girnar, Junagadh
How To Reach Bhavnath Mahadev Temple
The Bhavnath Temple is only 8 km from Junagadh.
By Rail
Junagadh has its own railway station. The railway junction is situated at a distance of about 1 Km the city center.
The railway station is well-connected to all the major cities of India.
By Road
Junagadh is connected by road to major places of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Bhavanagar, Dwarka, Somnath, and Rajkot. Regular buses service is available. You can travel by state and private buses to Junagadh.
By Air
Junagadh does not have an airport of its own. Therefore, in order to travel to Junagadh, you need to land at Keshod Airport. The nearest airport to Junagadh is Keshod Airport. Keshod Airport is 40 Km from Junagadh.