Girnar Temple: Climb 10,000 Steps to the Sacred Place Where Lord Dattatreya Meditated for 12,000 Years

From Pune to Girnar Temple – My Travel Story

When we hear the name Girnar Temple, the first things that come to mind are Lord Dattatreya and the 10,000 sacred steps 🏔️. This holy mountain is not just a trekking destination but a place of deep faith and spiritual energy 🙏. It is believed that one cannot visit Girnar just by planning or spending money — you can come here only when Girnari calls you. And when that call finally comes, the journey itself feels special from the very first step.

Girnar is one of the most sacred places where Lord Dattatreya is believed to have meditated for more than 12,000 years 🧘‍♂️. At the highest peak of Gujarat, Guru Shikhar, devotees get the darshan of his Charan Paduka, and reaching there requires determination, patience, and devotion. This climb of 10,000 steps is truly a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.

Even if you are not a devotee, this journey feels like a journey within yourself. You can climb all the steps on foot, or take the ropeway 🚠 up to Ambaji Temple, a famous Shakti Peeth, which makes the initial climb easier and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, and then complete the remaining steps to the summit.

So come, let me take you along on this sacred journey of faith and strength. Just say Jai Girnari and let the journey begin.

Girnar – A Mountain of Devotion and History 🕉️📜

Girnar is one of the most sacred mountains in India, respected by both Hindus and Jains for thousands of years ⛰️. In fact, Girnar is considered one of the oldest geological formations in India, formed millions of years ago. The highest peak of Girnar is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, where it is believed he performed deep meditation for 12,000 years 🧘‍♂️. Today, devotees climb more than 10,000 steps to reach the summit and seek his blessings 🙏.

During the climb, one of the major stops is the Ambika (Ambaji) Temple, which dates back to around the 8th century and is an important place of worship. Further ahead, the Gorakhnath Temple is located on one of the high peaks and is associated with Guru Gorakhnath, a great yogi known for his meditation and spiritual practices. For the Jain community, Girnar holds special importance because around 2,500 years ago, Lord Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar, attained Moksha here. Many beautiful Jain temples were later built on the mountain, especially between the 12th and 13th centuries. So while climbing Girnar, you are not just walking up a hill — you are actually walking through layers of faith, history, and devotion. And yes, your legs also become part of this spiritual journey… whether they like it or not! 😅🏔️

Girnar’s significance is not only religious but also historical. Around 250 BC, Emperor Ashoka had his famous rock edicts inscribed near the base of Girnar. These messages, written in Brahmi script, shared teachings about a good life, peace, and kindness. Later, other rulers like Rudradaman (around 150 AD) and Skandagupta (around 450 AD) also added inscriptions on the same rock, showing that Girnar remained an important place for rulers, travelers, and spiritual seekers for centuries.

Even the Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang mentioned Girnar in the 7th century as a place where great monks lived and meditated. Just imagine — this mountain has been famous for more than 2,000 years… older than most cities and definitely older than our modern lifestyle, social media, and daily screen time! 😄📜

The Call of Girnari: How Our Journey Started

For a long time, I had a wish to visit Girnar Temple with my friend gang, but every time the plan got cancelled for one reason or another 😅. That’s when I truly started believing what people say — you cannot visit Girnar just with money or planning, you need a call from Girnari 🙏. After many failed plans, one day something unexpected happened. We were casually sitting together, having tea, and talking about travel plans, when suddenly the topic of Girnar came up.

This time, without any confusion or delay, everyone agreed instantly. In fact, all my friends immediately gave me the trip amount and asked me to book the train tickets. At that moment, I felt something special — it was like finally Girnari had called his devotees. That simple tea-time conversation became the beginning of our sacred Girnar journey. Jai Girnari! 🙏

The Train Journey Begins – Pune to Rajkot 🚆

After a long wait, the train finally arrived. I quickly boarded, met my friends inside, and from that moment, our journey towards Rajkot officially began.

Since we had to spend the entire day in the train, time passed with Ludo, endless chatting, leg pulling, and the usual boys’ fun 😄. Honestly, when friends are together, you don’t need any special entertainment. These small moments of laughter, carefree talks, and bonding are what every boy looks for — a break from work pressure, personal stress, and daily routine. That’s what made the train journey itself so memorable and enjoyable.

As per the plan, I was in Mumbai because of my office work, and our train tickets were booked from Pune. The train was scheduled at 1:30 AM from Pune, where my friends would board, and I planned to join the same train from Kalyan 🚆.

After finishing my office work, I rushed to my room, packed my bag, and tried to sleep 😅. But honestly, when you are excited for a trip, sleep doesn’t come easily! Around 12 AM, I reached Kalyan station and started waiting there for the train that would take us towards Rajkot. Sitting alone on the platform late at night, with a bag and lots of excitement, the feeling was a mix of tiredness and happiness.

After a long wait, the train finally arrived. I quickly boarded, met my friends inside, and from that moment, our journey towards Rajkot officially began.

Rajkot Stop – Tea, Temple and Travel Struggles ☕🙏

We reached Rajkot around 5:30 AM. From the station, we went to a nearby budget hotel just to freshen up and relax for a while. After getting ready and regaining some energy, we were finally ready to explore the city. Our first stop was the famous Swaminarayan Temple, one of the most well-known and peaceful places in Rajkot 🙏. Starting the day with darshan and positive vibes felt like the perfect beginning to our journey.

But honestly, the real attraction for me was Naklang Tea ☕. Being a tea lover, this place holds a special place in my heart. I took my friends there, and since all of us love tea, everyone was excited. And trust me, after the first sip, all our tiredness disappeared. That moment proved one thing again — tea is the real fuel of travelers!

After enjoying our Naklang Tea, we visited the Swaminarayan Temple and took the blessings of God. And before leaving the area, we went back and had another cup of tea… because we didn’t know when we would get the chance to taste it again.

After this, we went to the Rajkot bus stand to catch a bus for Somnath, as our original plan was to visit Somnath first and then Girnar. But this is where the real struggle began. Every bus going to Somnath was already full. The most frustrating part was that not a single board at the bus stand was written in English — everything was in Gujarati. It felt like the system assumed everyone already knew the local language. On top of that, the staff behavior was not helpful at all.

After this, it was dinner time 🍽️, so at the Rajkot bus stand we had a Gujarati thali for just ₹100 unlimited 💯. And trust me, that besan dish was absolutely yummy 😋. After finishing our meal, we went to the Rajkot bus stand to catch a bus for Somnath, as our original plan was to visit Somnath first and then Girnar. But this is where the real struggle began 😓. Every bus going to Somnath was already full. The most frustrating part was that not a single board at the bus stand was written in English 🪧 — everything was in Gujarati. It felt like the system assumed everyone already knew the local language. On top of that, the staff behavior was not helpful at all 🙁.

After waiting for almost one hour ⏳ with no success, we decided to try our luck with the train 🚆 instead. So we went back to Rajkot railway station. But the situation there was even worse 😓. In the next four hours, three trains for Somnath arrived, but the crowd was so huge that there wasn’t even space to enter the train. Just imagine the level of rush! 😵

At that moment, we understood one thing — maybe Mahadev hadn’t called us yet 🙏. So finally, we cancelled the Somnath plan and decided to focus only on Girnar ⛰️.

We were already very tired after the whole day of travel. Since our train for Junagadh was early in the morning around 6 AM, we decided to rest at the station itself. That night, all of us slept on the railway platform. And honestly, sleeping at a station with crazy friends is not discomfort — it becomes a memory 😄.

Maybe Mahadev hadn’t called us this time, but one thing was clear — Girnari was definitely calling his devotees.
Jai Girnari! 🙏

Arrival at Junagadh – Girnar in Sight 🏔️

Early in the morning around 5:30 AM 🌅, we woke up to the loud sound of a train horn 🚆. Our train to Junagadh was already standing on the platform. Without wasting any time, we quickly got up. Two of us rushed inside the train and occupied the seats, while Aditya and Sachin went to the ticket counter to buy the tickets.

Soon the journey began, and after around two hours, we started seeing the Girnar hills and Girnar Temple ⛰️ from the train itself. That first view was magical ✨. The moment we saw the mountain, a different kind of feeling came inside — goosebumps, excitement, and a sense of blessing 🙏. It felt like we had finally reached the holy land of Gurudev Datta.

After reaching Junagadh station 🚆, without wasting any time, we took a shared auto towards Girnar Taleti, which is about 5 km from the station. By this time, we were extremely hungry because we hadn’t eaten anything since morning. So our first priority was food 🍽️. We enjoyed a proper Gujarati thali, and only after that did we move to our next challenge — finding a hotel.

Since it was a long weekend, most of the hotels were already full 😓. So we decided to split into two teams. I and Charan went in one direction, while Sachin and Aditya searched in another. We agreed that whoever found a room first would inform the others.

Luckily, after about one hour of searching, Sachin and Aditya finally found a good hotel 🏨. Without wasting any time, we reached there, booked the room, freshened up properly 🚿, and after all the travel chaos, we finally got some proper rest 😌.

After relaxing for some time, we stepped out to explore the nearby area. First, we enjoyed pani puri and hot tea ☕ — because for us, tea is always mandatory.

While walking around, we noticed the famous Bhavnath Mahadev Temple 🛕. Just behind the temple, there was a building whose window design looked exactly like a Shivling, which gave a very spiritual and divine feeling.

We then visited Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, took the blessings of Mahadev 🙏, and explored the surroundings. There was a small kund and several small temples around, which made the whole place feel very peaceful and calming.

After spending some quiet moments there and seeking blessings, we returned to our room and took some rest 😌, preparing ourselves for the main journey ahead — the sacred climb of Girnar Temple ⛰️.

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The Night Climb Begins – 10,000 Steps of Faith 🌙

At 9 PM, we came outside our hotel room, and from the balcony, we could clearly see the Girnar Temple shining at night with beautiful lights ⛰️✨. That view itself filled us with excitement and devotion.

From there, we finally started our main journey towards Girnar temple. We had already decided one thing very clearly — no ropeway. We would climb and descend all 10,000 steps on our own.

Since it was the month of August and the rainy season was active, we carried raincoats and bought wooden sticks to support us during the climb. When we reached the starting point, there was a bag checking system, where plastic items were removed. This was something I really appreciated, as it helps keep the sacred place clean and protected 🌿🙏.

As we stepped onto the first stair, all of us said together:

Jai Girnari! Jai Gurudev Datta! 🙏

And with that, our barefoot journey of 10,000 steps officially began. Each step felt like a step closer to devotion, faith, and inner strength. The night was calm, the air was fresh, and our hearts were full of excitement for the spiritual journey ahead. ⛰️

We started climbing slowly, continuously chanting: Digambara Digambara, Shripad Vallabh Digambara 🙏

Along the route, there were many small stalls selling fruits, lemon juice, buttermilk (chaas), and light snacks. To avoid dehydration, we made it a habit to drink lemon juice after every 1,000 to 3,000 steps 🍋.

One very helpful thing was that the step numbers were clearly written on shop boards and also marked on stones, which helped us track our progress mentally. Seeing the numbers increase gave us motivation and the confidence that we were moving closer to our destination with every step. ⛰️✨

Even though it was the rainy season, the continuous climbing made us sweat heavily. The humidity and effort together made the climb even more challenging. In fact, after some time, we were sweating so much that we had to remove our shirts and continue the journey, just to feel a little comfortable.

But this is the reality of the Girnar temple climb — it tests your strength, patience, and determination. With every step, the body gets tired, but the mind keeps moving forward with one feeling: Jai Girnari! Jai Gurudev Datta!

After crossing around 3,000 steps, we stopped for a short break and looked back. The night view of Junagadh city, shining with thousands of lights, looked absolutely magical and peaceful. From that height, the city looked so small, yet so beautiful. 🌃✨

Because of the rain, fresh and clean water was naturally flowing down from the mountain. Taking advantage of this, we even refilled our bottles with that natural mountain water. That moment felt refreshing, pure, and very close to nature — as if Girnar itself was taking care of its devotees. 💧⛰️

One thing that truly impressed and touched us during the climb was the hard work of the local people. We saw many men and women carrying heavy loads on their shoulders — gas cylinders, Maggi cartons, rice bags, vegetables, and other supplies for the shops and small hotels on the mountain.

Carrying such weight and climbing 7,000–9,000 steps every single day is something we can’t even imagine. Watching them walk steadily without complaint made us realize the real meaning of struggle and dedication.

At that moment, we understood one important thing — while we were climbing for devotion and experience, they were climbing for their livelihood and their families. Their effort truly earned our respect and admiration. 🙏⛰️

Blessings at the Peak – From Ambaji to Datta Charan Paduka 🌄

After some more climbing, we reached a beautiful group of Jain temples. The peaceful architecture and divine silence made the place feel heavenly 🛕. After resting for a short time, we continued our journey and soon reached the sacred Ambika Mata Temple, one of the important Shaktipeeths of Girnar 🙏.

Taking blessings from Ambika Mata, we moved ahead with renewed energy. After some time, we reached the Gorakhnath Temple. Here, we took the blessings of Guru Gorakhnath. The wind at this point felt like ice — extremely cold and powerful ❄️. We sat there for about 10 minutes to relax. From this point, we could clearly see the Datta Temple at a distance, and that view instantly gave us goosebumps.

After crossing around 7,000 steps, finally seeing the Girnar temple boosted our energy instantly. In the darkness of the night, the temple was shining like hope and heaven in the mountains ✨🏔️.

We reached the main gate, but from there around 2,000 more steps were still remaining. We sat there for a few minutes, took some rest, clicked a few pictures 📸, and then continued our journey.

With every step forward, our excitement kept increasing, because we were getting closer to our final destination — Datta Charan Paduka 🙏.

Finally, after almost 6 hours of continuous climbing, we reached the temple at around 3:00 AM. By this time, our long and challenging journey of 10,000 sacred steps had come to an end.

Since the temple opens at 5:30 AM for the morning aarti, we took darshan from outside. From a distance, we could see the divine murti of Lord Dattatreya, and with folded hands and a heart full of devotion, we took his blessings 🙏.

At that moment, all the tiredness disappeared, and there was only one feeling left — peace, gratitude, and spiritual satisfaction ✨.

After that, we decided to return to Gorakhnath Temple to witness the sunrise, as the view from there is said to be truly heavenly 🌄. With this excitement, we reached Gorakhnath and started waiting for the magical moment.

But by this time, our friend Aditya was completely exhausted after the long climb. Feeling extremely tired, he decided to return to the hotel and take some rest.

After a while, Charan also chose to go back. The cold wind at that height was very strong and freezing, and since we didn’t have any jackets or warm clothes, it became difficult for him to stay.

Finally, only me and Sachin were left there — determined to wait and witness the sunrise no matter what ❄️🙏.

Finally, morning arrived. But since it was the rainy season, the sun remained hidden behind thick clouds. Instead of the sunrise we were waiting for, we witnessed something equally beautiful — white clouds slowly moving around the Girnar peaks, creating a magical and peaceful atmosphere 🌥️🏔️.

The entire place looked calm, divine, and almost dreamlike. Even without the sun, the moment felt special and blessed. We captured many photos and videos to preserve this memory and spent about one peaceful hour there, simply enjoying the beauty and silence of Girnar.

After taking final blessings at Gorakhnath and Girnar temple, we began our descent. In fact, before reaching Ambika Mata Temple, there are a few food stalls on the way. Before starting, we had Maggi and tea to regain some energy. Yes, the prices were a bit high — around ₹70 for Maggi or Poha — but honestly, after seeing how local people carry supplies on their shoulders by climbing 8,000–9,000 steps every day, you don’t feel like complaining. Their hard work truly deserves respect 🙏.

While descending, we again reached Ambika Mata Temple, but the doors were still closed, so we took blessings from outside and continued our journey 🙏. Soon, we reached the Jain temple complex once again. In the daylight, the view looked even more beautiful — countless temples spread across the hill, giving the feeling of heaven on earth 🏔️✨.

Since we were very tired and most of the temples were still closed, we didn’t go inside. On the way, many people were selling water bottles for ₹40–₹50, but I also noticed one kind person offering free drinking water to devotees. I stopped there, drank 2–3 glasses of water, felt refreshed, and then continued our descent with renewed energy 💧🙏.

As it was morning, the surrounding beauty became clearly visible. During the night climb, we had only focused on the steps, but while descending, we realized what we had missed — small temples, idols, the majestic mountain views, and nature all around 🌄⛪

One thing that truly amazed me was the sheer number of devotees 🙏. Hundreds of people were climbing the steps, chanting the name of Lord Datta, and the spiritual energy of Girnar was on another level ✨.

While capturing photos during the descent 📸, Sachin and I got separated in the crowd. But near the last 500 steps, we met again at a stall and refreshed ourselves with some lemon juice 🍋.

Finally, we reached our hotel room 🏨. Our legs were completely exhausted — as if they were asking for mercy 😅. We went straight to sleep and fell into a deep rest 🛌.

We woke up at 1 PM ⏰. After getting ready, we planned our next destination — Rajkot — from where our return journey would begin.

After getting ready, we prepared for our return journey via Rajkot — carrying not just photos, but memories, blessings, and an experience that will stay with us forever ✨.

Because Girnar is not just a trek 🏔️.
It’s a test of body, mind, and faith 🙏.
And once you complete it… you don’t feel tired, you feel blessed ✨.

Jai Girnari! 🙏

Ground Reality at Girnar: A Note to Gujarat Tourism for Better Management ⚠️

While the spiritual experience of Girnar temple is truly powerful and unforgettable, there were a few things that honestly disappointed us.

At many places during the climb, we saw people smoking 🚬, chewing tobacco, gutka, and even spitting on the holy steps. Seeing such behavior at such a sacred place was shocking and painful. What was even more surprising was that some stalls were openly selling cigarettes and tobacco, which ideally should not be allowed on a spiritual mountain like Girnar.

Another major concern was the lack of basic facilities. During the night climb, several stretches had very poor lighting 🌙, making the journey risky and uncomfortable. There were also no proper washroom facilities 🚻, because of which many devotees were forced to use open areas. For a place that receives thousands of pilgrims every day, these basic arrangements are extremely important.

Girnar temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Gujarat, and the spiritual energy here is truly unmatched. But with better cleanliness, proper lighting, washrooms, and strict rules against tobacco and smoking, the experience for devotees can become even more peaceful and respectful.

After all, a holy place deserves a holy and clean environment. 🙏⛰️

Final Thoughts On Girnar

First of all, a heartfelt thank you to my friends Sachin, Aditya, and Charan 🙏 — without them, this incredible journey would not have been possible. Every laugh, every struggle, and every step of the 10,000-step climb ⛰️ was special because we shared it together.

Girnar is more than a trek; it is a test of faith, patience, and devotion ✨. From the first sight of the hills to the darshan at Girnar Temple, every moment is filled with spiritual energy, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

The climb may be tough, and the nights long, but reaching the sacred summits makes every step worth it. Girnar teaches that travel is not just about places, it’s about experiences, people, and devotion.

If you ever feel the call of Girnari, don’t hesitate — pack your bags, gather your friends, and take this journey. Experience the peace, the devotion, and the thrill yourself. Trust me, this is a journey that stays with you forever.

Jai Girnari! 🙏💫

How to Reach Girnar Temple 🗺️

There are several ways to reach Girnar Temple, depending on your preferred mode of travel:

By Air: The nearest airport is Rajkot Airport, about 85 km from Junagadh. From there, you can hire a taxi or cab to reach Girnar Taleti, which usually takes around 2–3 hours. Rajkot Airport is well-connected to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, making air travel a convenient option.
By Train: Junagadh Railway Station is the closest railhead to Girnar. Trains connect Junagadh with cities such as Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Vadodara. From the station, you can take a shared auto or taxi to Girnar Taleti, around 5 km away, which serves as the starting point of the climb.
By Road: Girnar is well-connected to nearby cities by road. From Rajkot to Junagadh, it is approximately 90 km, taking 2–3 hours by taxi or cab. From Ahmedabad, the distance is around 330 km, requiring 6–7 hours of travel. Once you reach Junagadh, a short 5 km drive will take you to Girnar Taleti. Local buses, taxis, and cabs are all available for this final stretch.

Once at Girnar Taleti, the real adventure begins on foot. The climb to the main temple involves more than 10,000 steps, so carrying water, light snacks, and wearing comfortable shoes is essential. For those who prefer, a part of the climb can be covered via the ropeway up to Ambika Mata Temple, but the remaining steps still need to be climbed on foot. To fully experience the serene and spiritual atmosphere, it’s best to start early in the morning or at night if comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Girnar Temple 🙏🏔️

1. Where is Girnar Temple located?
Girnar Temple is situated near Junagadh in Gujarat. It is part of the Girnar mountain range, which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India for Hindus and Jains.

2. Who is worshipped at Girnar Temple?
The main temple at the summit is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, who is believed to have meditated here for 12,000 years. Other important temples on the mountain include Gorakhnath Temple, Ambika Mata Temple, and several Jain temples.

3. How many steps are there to climb Girnar Temple?
The climb to reach the main Datta Temple involves more than 10,000 steps. Devotees climb barefoot or with minimal footwear as part of the spiritual journey.

4. Can we use a ropeway to reach Girnar Temple?
Yes, there is a ropeway up to Ambika Mata Temple, which is a part of the climb. However, to reach the main Datta Temple, you still need to climb several thousand steps on foot.

5. When is the best time to visit Girnar Temple?
The ideal months are from October to March, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for climbing. Avoid heavy monsoon months as the steps become slippery.

6. What facilities are available on Girnar mountain?
There are small food stalls, water points, and rest areas along the route. However, facilities like toilets and lighting are limited, especially during the night climb. It’s best to carry water, snacks, and some rain protection during the monsoon.

7. How long does it take to climb Girnar Temple?
On average, it takes 5–7 hours to climb to the main temple, depending on your pace, stops, and fitness level. The descent usually takes less time but can still be tiring.

8. Is the climb suitable for beginners or elderly?
The climb is physically demanding. Beginners can attempt it with proper preparation, frequent breaks, and support sticks. Elderly travelers should consider going in smaller groups or using the ropeway for part of the journey.

9. Are there accommodations near Girnar Temple?
Yes, the town of Junagadh and nearby areas like Girnar Taleti have budget hotels and guesthouses. Booking in advance during weekends and festivals is recommended.

10. What should one carry for the Girnar climb?
Essentials include water, light snacks, raincoat (during monsoon), walking stick, comfortable clothes, and footwear. Also, carry a camera or phone to capture the stunning views and sunrise.

11. Is it safe to climb at night?
Night climbing is popular for those who want to reach the temple before sunrise. However, lighting is minimal, so caution is needed. Go with a group, carry flashlights, and avoid slippery areas during monsoon.

12. Can non-Hindus visit Girnar Temple?
Absolutely! Girnar is open to all visitors, and even if you are not a devotee, the climb is a mix of spiritual energy, scenic beauty, and adventure.