GIRNAR MAHASHIVRATRI MELA- BHAVNATH FAIR

The Girnar Maha Shivratri Mela (Fair) is popularly known as “Bhavnath fair” and is held at the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple near Damodar Kund in Junagarh, Gujarat , at the foot of Girnar Mountain on the day of Maha Shivratri every year. This fair is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a lot of celebrations happens in the Shiva temple. It is a five day fair which concludes on the annual Maha Shivaratri day. Grand puja of lord Shiva is conducted at midnight of Maha Shivratri. The vibrancy and charm of Girnar Maha shivratri Mela attracts a multitude of tourists and devotees of Shiva and make Junagarh as their second home and become a part of the whole spiritual experience. The ancient city of Junagarh is situated in the valley of Girnar Parvat and Datar hills. Pilgrims take 7 meters long parikrama of the holy hills of Girnar, before going to the fair. There are several temples here such as the Neminath Temple and the Meravasi Temple, which are considered sacred by people of the Jain community. Thousands of Naga Sadhus visit .The scene there is amazing and watching them is a new rather mysterious experience. All the Naga babas in the vicinity gathers for maha puja of Maha Shivratri in this fair. They come seated on the elephants, holding flags in their hand and blowing conch shells. The environment is echoed with their sounds. The forward movement of the procession to the temple initiates an emotive religious ceremony. The marching of Naga babas through the darkness of late evening (after 9 p.m.) of Mah ashivratri is the grand attraction of this fair. Only three akhadas (groups of sadhus) participate in the display. The procession reaches its end finally at 12.00 in midnight at Bhavnath temple’s Mrugikund (tank) where they take bath. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva himself visits the shrine on this auspicious occasion. The nine immortal nathas and eighty-four siddhas who are said to be homed at Girnar also visit the temple as invisible spirit during Mahashivaratri.